Bite Me | A blog for all things tasty

Xoco by Rick Bayless- Bite Me and Bite Me Again

So I did the pizza at Giordano's and the hot dog at Downtown Dog. I took some of your advice, and I took advice from Chicagoans on the street. 

I was in Chicago for two and a half days, and I ate my fair share. I was also at a conference, so a few of my meals were moot points: Irish bars. Finally, I was alone, so spending a ton of money on a singing salad tower and foie gras lollipops did not sound appealing--not unless I could share it. Still, I wanted to make my last meal special. 

It was amazing. I had breakfast at Xoco by Rick Bayless.

I was told that people stand in line at lunch for the tortas and caldos. And why wouldn't they, when Rick Bayless (winner of Top Chef Masters) has studied and practiced Mexican food and culture for what seem to be hundreds of years and has perfected the art and the tradition. Yes folks, he is American, but I would argue that his soul is truly Mexican. I'd give him the key to my city!

Fresher than fresh ingredients in the open view kitchen.

Bayless offers the best of Mexican street food: tortas de jamon, de cochinita pibil, de queso de puerco. Mmmmm. And he has a variety of caldos each day: short rib chile soup with potatoes and chayote, fideos and pork belly, among others. 

Are his offerings as cheap as Mexican street food on a Mexican street? No, but they are just as cheap as a Chicago pizza or a hot dog, and the quality of ingredients is superb--Bayless is a patron of local farmers. Let me give you an example. 

I had the Azteca hot chocolate, with a crispy, light churro. The cacao beans are ground on the premises. Need I say more?

My Chocolate Azteca was spiked with a little bit of chile spice.

My open faced breakfast torta took me back to my grandmother's house in central Mexico with its spread of black beans (just like Teresa used to make), a poached egg, and a salsa ranchera with fresh diced serranos and queso fresco--to die! And for all of this I paid $8. Satisfied with my meal and my bill I decided to buy a miniature pan de muerto to have later for lunch. Authentic? More Mexican than Mexican. Period. End of Sentence.

The flavors were right on point, ahh the nostalgia...

Building-eating L.D. Doesn't Like Salads

A friend of mine saw the Bite Me profile picture and asked, what's next? Cars? Buildings? 

Well...yes. Of course.

And the truth of it is folks that as I get older I do watch what I eat a little bit. I know I've posted some not so healthy stuff, and I'll admit to anyone that I love things like chicken and waffles. But precisely because I want to keep eating that stuff I look out for healthy foods the rest of the time. 

So on my way to Chicago I had a salad from Au Bon Pain in the DFW airport. I made the healthy choice, knowing that for dinner I would splurge. 

Disgusting. Half of the lettuce leaves were brown (all the leaves were brown...and the the sky was gray--sorry, I couldn't resist). What to do? I may be looking for healthy stuff, but just yogurt? That's not a meal. Mixed nuts? No! I like meals. I like to sit with a fork and knife, so if you're going to give me salad, let it be a good one! Fresh!

And so, I sat next to this sweet older couple. Each of them had ordered their Au Bon Pain sandwich, chips, and a soft drink. And they looked so healthy! I swear! Their complexion was good. They were vivacious. 

I, the building-eating monster, was deflated but saved by the boarding call. 

Introducing...Downtown Dog, Chicago

I chose Downtown Dog because three of the locals recommended it. And I'm staying downtown, so it made sense. I might venture to Lincoln Park later today....we'll see.

This my friends is a different hot dog than the Borunda dog. Equally as satisfying, and made with Vienna Beef! I ordered the char dog (which is cooked to perfection: crispy outside, juicy inside). It comes on a poppy seed bun, onion, relish, pickle, italian peppers, mustard, and I added chili beans. 

I have to tell you, in the past I would leave out the onions, add ketchup, etc. Modifications galore. Turned out, my hot dog was not as diggity as this through and through Downtown Dog. Thumbs up.

Uh, the sweet potato fries...not so much. Very flimsy and greasy.

Bite Me in Chicago

What's the scoop on Chicago eats? I've been there, eaten there, and I know that there is beaucoup good food. I want street food, bakeries, mom & pop stops....The other, generally fancier places, tend to be easy to find.

I only have a few days, so what shouldn't I miss?

Come on, bite me in Chicago!