U.B. Dogs on Franklin

They had me at aioli dipping sauces- peppercorn, chipotle, and  garlic wasabi, for example. There are few things I love more than mayonnaise- based condiments.

UB Dogs is a traditional hot dog joint that isn't afraid to experiment. Take their bizarre 'Joey Dog' with wasabi sauce, Tabasco, and fries on top. 

The homemade chili was just the right amount of tomato-y and tangy and beanless (which I happen to prefer) and the dog had a great snap to go with it.

Next time we're getting the Merkt's cheese dog. It's not everyday you find such a perfect Wisconsin/Chicago fusion dish. 

The owner's happiness was contagious, his smile said, "Yes, I'm living the Chicago hot dog joint owner dream". Even the cashier was disarmingly upbeat during a 1:15 p.m. rush. 

There's a surprising lack of places in the Loop to get a Chicago Dog with a properly steamed Rosen's bun and where the tables are full of friendly regulars with mullets and/or feathered hair.  

Thank you to our friend and coworker Pete Strazzabosco of Greasefreak.com for the tip.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * * 

Value           * * * * 
Atmosphere  * * 
Service         * * * * *

Links: UB Dogs Website, Yelp

Wonton Off - Siam vs Siam

Ruby of Siam and Siam Rice reside on the same square block of Washington and Wells.  Which establishment has better wonton soup?  Guest lunch-er Emilie Jager and I attempt to pick the winner:

Siam Rice - Emilie claims I'm biased, which we can't entirely rule out; their wonton soup has been my favorite appetizer for years. The garlicy, clear broth is delicate, the napa cabbage is crunchy, and the cilantro is refreshing.  Unfortunately, the wontons vary. Some days they're too chewy and won't come apart with a spoon after many tries. That creates a domino effect when the now mangled wonton tops float off and are too slippery to catch. On a good day, they're a great mix of doughy and light, and the salty chicken and shrimp filling is satisfying. 

Ruby of Siam - This soup is a full meal, and at $4.79, the only dish in the joint that doesn't seem marked up for downtown. In addition to the chicken wontons there's a big spoonful of  ground chicken on top. The broth is on the oily side and has a full, homemade chicken flavor (and as you can see, it not very clear). And it has lots of onion, delicious, delicious onions. I like the generous number of wontons, but there was something 'from the freezer' about them. Biting into it was a workout; they're just too chewy and the dough is too thick. 

Siam Rice's soup is light appetizer, and Ruby of Siam's soup could be your whole lunch. They almost can't be compared.

I say Siam Rice wins- Emilie refuses to agree because she doesn't like cabbage.  

PS Siam Rice wins the unofficial mango and sticky rice dessert contest.

If you want a $13 Sandwich: Hannah's

Sergio's Special is unparalleled:

French Madrange ham and Swiss Gruyère cheese with avocado, sliced jalapeños and mango chutney on organic bretzel.

It's sweet and salty, spicy and soft, but also crunchy and creamy. It's perfect.

They also sell $8 chocolate bars.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * * *

Value           * *  
Atmosphere  * * 
Service         * * * 

Links: Hannah's Bretzel Website, Yelp

Lunch with a View

You can find me glued to the north facing window at the Macy's 7th floor food court once a week, maybe more. On Tuesdays I spy on the Joffrey Ballet company doing barre work in slick leotards and ratty legwarmers. Other days they rehearse for an upcoming performance, which mostly means understudies marking the steps with attitude, standing around with their hands on their hips, and generally looking sexy as hell. If you're lucky, Joffrey's hottest principal dancer Fabrice Calmels will throw an explosive tour jete in the floor to ceiling window. 

And back to lunch; I've eaten at every place on the 7th floor over the past 10 years (Marshall Fields used to make an exquisite butternut squash soup that has since been discontinued). Here are my reviews:  

Frontera Fresco:
This is a great way to get your Rick Bayless fix for half the price. The huaraches and quesadillas are cooked slowly, and should not be rushed. As is always our advice, go early or late to avoid lines (it is the LONGEST lunch line in all of the Loop). My go-to is the steak and mushroom huarache; it's filling but not overly so. The lightly dressed frizze salad on top provides the illusion of a healthy meal.

Marc Burger:
It used to be ostrich, but now the exotic burger is buffalo. These are the best seasoned fries downtown. Don't get the Kobe beef sliders- there's too much truffle oil. Also, note: milkshakes with whipped cream.

Noodles by Takashi:
Takashi (also of Slurping Turtle) is here for you. It's great when you're sick and you need a quality bowl of ramen without walking outside -Macy's is arguably the epicenter of the Loop pedway system. I frequent this place the least- I'm still not sure it's worth the wait and the money ($11 for a bowl of ramen- without tax), but when you need ramen you need ramen. The toppings are authentic, if a little inconsistent. Do not waste your money on the fried rice or the gyoza. (Update: Erik says, the fried rice with pickled ginger on top is a good value and I probably just don't like fried rice and I agreed.)

Soup Place:
MMMM! This place is my fav because the line is short and the soup/half sandwich option is around $8.50. The best soup is the chicken & wild rice and I recommend either the chicken salad sandwich which has mango and avocado, or their new salmon salad sandwich (sounds gross but try it) which has crispy cucumbers and on a perfect brioche bun.

Salad Bar:
The best steak salad I've had anywhere and not just because it comes with shoestring potato chips. And look at that horseradish cream sauce on top. Not to mention the grilled-to-order steak (so it's still warm) and blue cheese crumbles. 

The nicoise salad is a close second, with olive aioli and fluffy hard boiled egg halves. All salads come with a pretzel bread roll (yes!).

You get what you pay for- a (freakin) $13 salad. I don't even really like salads, but in this case I might even pay more.

I think that about covers it. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * *

Value           * *  Get the punch card, you only have to buy 7 for a free meal!
Atmosphere  * * * * *
Service         * * * 

Links: Macy's Seven on State Website, Yelp

Hot Buns

Lettuce Entertain You's Chinese fast food chain Wow Bao wants you to know they're funny. 'Hot Asian Buns' is their tagline. Get it?

Moving right along- all the baos are good, but do not skip the coconut custard. Erik's reaction when trying it for the first time was, "Oh my god YUM I bet these also available in to-go freezer packs. Crap."

The coconut custard bao is also the perfect dessert after a Mongolian Beef bowl, so get the combo meal. 

If you happen to be there when they have the duck bowl special- by all mean

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * * 
Value           * * * *

Atmosphere  * * *

Service         * * * * 

Links: Yelp, Wow Bao Website

Rotiserrie Chicken and Mole on Wells * CLOSED * :(

As usual, I hastily grabbed some of Erik's mole from across the table. But this time I deservedly dropped a big glop on my blouse. While attempting to clean it with ice water and a disintegrating napkin I realized just how complex and greasy mole is.

Pollito's mole is bitter and spicy and delicious and both Erik and Benet get the mole plate every single time.

I'm partial to the tortilla soup. Avocados and crunchy tortillas swim happily in the balanced broth- it's not too salty, not too oily- while the sometimes dry, skinless chicken cubes lie dead at the bottom. I advise getting some dark meat on the side. Look at that perfectly seasoned, crispy skin! 

The mashed potatoes perform their duty as a vehicle for Pollito's divine homemade gravy-- totally worth it.

Some days the pablano macaroni salad is the best thing on the plate but lately (perhaps for the last 6 months) it has been overcooked and mushy (but we're still holding out hope!).


Loud, comically bad music and greenish fluorescent lighting were part of my reason for the low atmosphere rating, but their location on the dingy strip of Wells, covered by el tracks and next to one of the worst smelling alleys in Chicago makes Pollito's a tad more charming.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * * * * *

Value           * * * * *

Atmosphere  * * *

Service         * * * * 

Links: Pollito's on Yelp

Blog Business Lunch

At our very important blog business lunch in the Financial District last week Erik and I have decided to blog all the diners, cafes, and restaurants inside historically significant buildings, like the Pittsfield (there can't be THAT many can there?).

Case in point: Cavanaugh's. It's located mid-block within the glorious 1891 Monadnock building, the tallest load-bearing masonry building in the world. Unfortunately it's in the "atmosphere over food" category.


Go to admire the dark wood bar, the Monadnock's cast aluminum stairways- the first of their kind ever made; the cobbler that still uses hand crank tools; the ridiculously expensive Milliner; the custom suit maker, the old men sitting at the barbershop, and the cute guys at Intelligentsia and the architecture firms that populate the building. You can't lose.

Cavanaugh's has a second entrance on Federal Street, one of the Loop's many 'alley-streets'. Check out the the chapel-like structure and its scary heads across the street. It was once a restaurant named after the patron saint of hunters, St. Hubert.

Rating, each category out of 5:

Taste           * *

Value           *  
Atmosphere  * * * * *
Service         * * * * 

Links: Cavanaugh's Website, Yelp