Cheeseburger in Paradise

I would definitely have to say, Jimmy Buffet had the right idea when he sang this song. It's an art itself to cook the perfect cheeseburger; The perfectly cooked patty, not too pressed down, not too thick that it's impossible to eat, and a crisp char on the outside with a moist, tender and juicy middle...and of course who can forget the charred melted cheese to top it all off. It sure does sound like paradise to me. Sadly the chain after the inspiration failed miserably compared to this little shack in the middle of nowhere.

"Paradise Pup"!!. The phrase "Great things come in small packages" can't be used in a more apt situation. This little 15 feet by 20 feet shack is home to one of Chicagoland's best char grilled burgers. It's located in the remote part of Northwest suburbs of Chicago, just 2 miles north of O'hare international airport, with a modest sign that reads "Paradise Pup" in Red.

The open hours are short. 11am to 4pm Monday through Friday, and 11am to 3pm on Saturdays. They know the good stuff, to be able to do this, and stay in business for the past 20 or so years. The menu is simple, with the original Char burger, the double, swiss melt, cheddar and american. Of course if your in the mood to clog your heart...the bacon option is there for the few. With only 4 guys working behind the extremely small counter, the lines are long and wait is longer. The reward however is priceless.

The burgers are juicy, moist, and ever so delicious. They are seasoned perfectly, and the taste detonates with every bite. Its not over-complicated with condiments or toppings. Just a humble topping of fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions and lettuce accompanies the un-rivaled taste of the burger it self.

Be prepared to stand in line, be ready to wait for about 45 mins, even when it is -20 F. Be readyto sit in your car, since there are barely any seats and get your hands messy, because once you do, you just might hear yourself humming to the tune of .... "Cheeseburger in Paradise"...

Down by the docks

After moving up to Chicago, I used to drive a lot to Indiana, visit the good ol Alma mater catch up with a few old friends, enjoy the $1 pints, and reminisce the days when we didn't have a care in the world. I digress; in my pursuit to not get into a fateful accident with the morons who couldn't drive well on the free way or Chicago's traffic, I was forced to at times take the inner streets. One fateful, yet eventful night, my craving for some fried food, though not "fast fried food" led me to make a Pitt stop at Calumet Fisheries...thanks to the 5th person I asked randomly on the street. The other 4 suggested "church's chicken". I won't hold it against them :)

Located on the corner of Calumet and 95th, just before the bridge that arches itself over the calumet river, lies a shack....literally. A small 10 by 20ft that has existed as long as the docks and the industrial steel mills that have dominated the south side of Chicago since the 20's. Established in 1928, they have catered and mastered the dieing art of smoking fish, along side with their double battered smelts or catfish, which is served with their ever secretive hot sauce or mild and slightly sweeter sauce for those who can't handle the good stuff ;)

They actually have a smoke house, in the back, which has real smoke coming from it. There is always a guy tending to it, with cherry wood and white oak logs, and always staying true to the art of smoking meat. Staying true to their one and only location, bordering between Indiana and Illinois, they have managed to stay there through the ups and downs of the south side. Their ever faithful and loyal customers, that come in for the smoked chubs or the salmon smoked with fish oil and whole black peppercorns and garlic or their ever famous smoked shrimp, a poor man's lobster. Never dry, always moist and tender, perfect for Chicago's ever changing weather, any day of the week.

No white napkins or tablecloths at this joint. Hell, no tables or chairs either. During the summer you park your car, along the line of cars parked along the curb, as you open your door, take a seat, and enjoy your meal by the curb. Its amazing how there is no other place remotely close to the quality and the effort that is put into this one and only smoke joint.

The next time you think of the south side, apart from the sox stadium, a.k.a Comiskey Park, a.k.a US Cell field...think about making a stop at the docks, where the smoked fish is always a Home Run. :)

Maxwell Street's Finest

I was walking down the streets of Chicago, and wondering whatever happened to the street food lifestyle we used to always crave for? Restaurants, cafe's and spoofed up Starbucks looking diners seems to have dominated and taken over and run the street food out of this beloved city. There are a few renegades out there, but I'd make sure you have some life insurance before you dare to venture. There was a point when I almost lost all hope...but then, there was Jim's.

Most who have gone to UIC, I'm sure would be wondering why am I writing about this local polish hot dog place, on the corner of Maxwell street. Thats right, the original Maxwell Street Polish hot dog. Established almost 70 years ago, on the corner Maxwell and Halstead, in a small shack, Jimmy, an immigrant from Europe, perfected the the polish style hotdog. A delicious homemade style polish hotdog, char grilled to perfection on a steamed bun, smeared with mustard and topped with grilled sweet onions, which I can only describe as heavenly.

Due to city pressures and UIC expansion, they were re-located to union ave and maxwell. But the quality hasn't gone down one bit. It's still a shack, about 10 ft by 20 ft. There is no place to sit, just a shelf made next to the shack, when you can unwrap your goodness and enjoy. Or if during the cold winter months, you could do what everyone else does...park your car on the street, with the no parking sign, put on your hazard lights, and enjoy it in the comfort of your car.

The menu is your basic char-grilled hot dogs and burgers and fries. Though nothing can top the flavor of the polish sausage. Always ask for the hot peppers, and it comes with a generous portion of fries, which by the way I have to say is one of the best I've had. The inviting aroma of grilled sausage permeating though the streets of maxwell would be enough to entice any true street food lover to go for it's calling.

So if you;'re just out late, (*they are usually open till about 2am*), or just in a mood for a cheap good wholesome street food, go to where it still exists in its true form...