Archive for the ‘Burgers’ Category
Other than eating, I love to travel. My parents used to joke that I had a bag packed and stowed away under my bed so I could leave on short notice. And yes, my favorite thing to do when I arrive at my new destination is eat. Yet, I’m always dreaming up these wild adventures which makes me pause and realize that I’ve neglected some good times right around the corner. For example, I’ve never been to New Jersey. Not the most obvious of destinations. Yet sadly, that is where my grandmother's family landed…off the boat from Italy, and I’ve never been. One of my best friends lives in NJ and…I’ve never been to visit.
When I got an email a few weeks ago from the authors of the new book, JERSEY GIRLS: THE FIERCE AND THE FABULOUS by Marie Moss and Barri Leiner Grant, I realized it was a sign, I must find my way to Jersey. Barri sent me an email saying I needed to check out the book, especially the food section. After attending the book signing here in Chicago, I went home, crawled in bed with my signed copy of Jersey Girls and loved the “flavor” of every chapter. “TAWK” was my favorite chapter which provides a glossary of Jersey girl speak. Like…I’m looking in the mirra, I love chawklit, or I’m going to the mawl. Oh Barri and Marie, how I love this cawfee table book! Jersey Girls sets out to dispel all the nasty stereotypes (thank you Snookie) through a scrapbook-style compilation of their history of growing up in Jersey. They proudly take ownership of these exaggerated traits yet introduce the reader to a vibrant East Coast culture.
So, I decided to see how these Jersey transplants, now living in the Midwest, compare their “eats” from growing up on the shore to living in our Windy City. In the book, they list the staples of a Jersery diet: French Fries, burgers, Jersey tomatoes, lobster, and salt water taffy. French Fries are my devil and I could do well on a tour of Jersey.
Here is a rundown of their Chi-town faves:
French Fries: sweet potato fries at John’s Place and Rockit. Portillo’s fries come very close to boardwalk bliss!
Hot Dog: America’s Dog - they get it East Coast right!
Burgers: Five Guys and Portillo’s
Chawklit: We kick it old school at Windy City Sweets – they make their own.
3308 N Broadway St, Chicago
Both Jersey girls love The Melrose Diner in Lakeview and head to Shaw’s for a lobster fix. But both agree there’s no comparison to the local diners, catching crabs, salt water taffy and candy apples from their hometown. You can’t even get a candy apple here in Chicago…they don’t make ‘em. I also love that a real Jersey girl knows how to catch her own crabs! And making steamed clams or “steamers” is an art form which I have never experienced. While the food isn’t fancy, growing up Jersey is truly tied to a food culture. Their passion about the local fare was fun to experience through the pictures and whimsy in which they share with readers. And honestly, I am dying to go this summer. I want steamers, lobster, fries and a Jersey tomato!
Lastly, I asked Barri and Marie, if a busload of people from Jersey arrived in Chicago for a night out, where would you take them? The Jersey Girls replied, “One of our favorite restaurants is Jane’s – it’s sweet and small, an M&B favorite when we get to catch a bite together here in town. We also love Table 52 for the home cooking and of course our pal Art Smith.”
Jersey Girls: The Fierce and The Fabulous can be purchased on amazon.com
Let me preface this post with, I don’t eat burgers very often. Not because I don’t love them but the obvious…they aren’t the healthiest thing on the menu. Yes, they are a guilty pleasure for everyone. So, when I was invited to Mity Nice for a burger tasting in honor of National Burger Month (yes, that’s for real), I requested mini versions and made sure to work out longer that day.
It’s true, the month of May is National Burger Month. I couldn’t make this stuff up even if I wanted to. Check out any food blog, (mine first of course) and they are all stammering on about burgers. I’m confident I got an exceptional head start on the meat-eating month thanks to Chef Larry Donahue at the newly renovated Mity Nice.
Chef Larry obliged my mini request and sent out four of the seven burgers he will debut for May. Each day of the week a different burger will be featured and rotated throughout the month. So, the message here…plan accordingly if you want to taste a specific burger! And they won’t be mini, they will be big, juicy, gourmet 8 oz. prime ground beef burgers with lots of fixings!
Your May burger calendar provided by Mity Nice located in Water Tower Place:
Sunday - The Hangover Burger: topped with American cheese served with grilled onions, pickles and chipotle mayo between two bacon grilled cheese sandwiches.
Monday - The California Burger: topped with goat cheese, avocado and pico de gallo.
Tuesday - Green Chili Burger: topped with cheddar and pepper jack cheese served with Mity’s homemade green chili sauce.
Wednesday - B.B.Q. Burger: stuffed with Tillamook cheddar, glazed with BBQ sauce and topped with applewood smoked bacon and crispy onions.
Thursday - Philly Cheese Burger: topped with griddled peppers and Mity’s special cheese sauce.
Friday - Tuna Burger: Sushi grade tuna lightly chopped and mixed with Mity’s spicy mayo and green onions, glazed with ginger tamari sauce and topped with avocado.
Saturday - Buttery Kobe Beef Burger: American Kobe Beef served with caramelized sweet onions on a brioche bun.
Wondering which burger was my favorite? Hands down, I inhaled the Hangover. How could you not love a burger bookended by grilled cheese sandwiches smothered in grilled onions with a dose of bacon? I think I heard angels singing.
Make sure to check out your favorite restaurants around town for their burger specials. Even some unexpected places are adding them to the menu for fun. But definitley, stop in at Mity Nice and let me know which burger you taste!
835 N. Michigan Ave, Mezzanine Level, located inside Food Life