For the food-oriented Chicagoan, Devon is one of the most interesting streets. Just a few random notes from a visit last Saturday. From west to east... The Georgian Bakery (2812 W Devon) is very interesting. The dome-shaped brick oven in the middle of the store definitely gets my vote for the coolest-looking oven in the city. It's fun to watch the baker retrieve loaves from the oven walls using a long-handled spear. The warm bread is great--crusty, chewy, and dense. In the past I've tried the potato pastry and some sort of fruit pastry; not bad but the bread is clearly the reason to go. You have a choice between the long fish-shaped loaf or round. Kashtan Deli (2740 W Devon) is very Russian. This is the first time I noticed some of the signs had a bit of English (though I didn't hear a word of English spoken). Lots of nice looking smoked fish (the whole silver striped mackerel looked like it should be in a museum) and unusual sausages. Neither of us speaks Russian and the lines were so long we decided not to make pests of ourselves. We will return. Can anyone suggest some of the best things to try here? North Water Market (2626 W Devon) is a pretty good fruit and vegetable market. Generally good looking stuff at good prices. They had fresh garbanzo beans (in the pod), if anyone cares. World Fruit Market (2434 W Devon) seems to have really gone downhill. Stopped in Patel Brothers (2542 W Devon) to pick up a coconut scraper and some curry leaves. Asked a guy in the back where the scrapers were and he said they didn't have any. When I acted surprised he said they did have one kind and took me to the canned goods aisle, very top shelf. Precisely what I was looking for- -the kind you put on the floor and kneel on (4 bucks; actually kind of expensive considering what it is). I guess he thought I wanted the Cuisinart deluxe model coconut scraper. Patel's is among my favorite grocery stores in Chicago. Thinking about the Indian veg places got me in the mood for another visit to Dasaprakash (2511 W Devon). I didn't realize they have a buffet (I don't believe Udupi has one) so naturally we had to give it a try. About 10 different dishes, most very good. I'd say their standard prepared-to-order menu is considerably better though. Buffet is a bit pricy (by Devon standards) at $10.95 but is a very good introduction to Indian vegetarian cuisine. Very pleasant atmosphere (but lousy service unfortunately). We were the only non- Indians in there the entire time (I take that as a good sign). I like this place a lot. Casablanca Bakery (1541 W Devon) is really becoming a favorite of mine. All the usual suspects--baklava, pita, hommos, baba ganooj, stuffed grape leaves--are very well prepared and the people are very nice and helpful. There are a few less common items they make that I think are outstanding. Their torshi (I believe this refers to any pickled vegetable) is amazing. If you like sour things, try it (but don't say I didn't warn you). There's no label on it; you have to ask (middle room, at right of refrigerated display case) It's a dryish mix of finely chopped eggplant, carrot, celery and secret ingredients (I've tried to find out what's in it, without success). I have no idea how they make it so sour (glacial acetic acid?). In a big jar on top of the counter is their own pickled garlic, which is very mellow and nice. Finally they have what they call "yogurt and garlic". Sounds good but it's way better than that. This stuff is just wonderful--a thick, rich, tangy yogurt with big chunks of roasted garlic. I'm happy to report that it goes great with the Georgian Bakery's bread. Just a few doors east of Casablanca is La Unica, a real nice Cuban grocery with a neat little cafeteria in back. We thought we'd save that for next trip. So, any suggestions on what's best to order there?
Chicago, IL
Devon
In article , Rene G Someone wrote: IMHO, you didn't start far west enough. Three Sisters Delicatessen (2854 W Devon) is a nice Russian Deli, with a lot classic Russian foods. Their piroshki is pretty authentic. > Kashtan Deli (2740 W Devon) is very Russian. This is the first time I noticed > some of the signs had a bit of English (though I didn't hear a word of English > spoken). Lots of nice looking smoked fish (the whole silver striped mackerel > looked like it should be in a museum) and unusual sausages. Neither of us > speaks Russian and the lines were so long we decided not to make pests of > ourselves. We will return. Can anyone suggest some of the best things to try > here?
Rene G. wrote: >coolest-looking oven in the city. It's fun to watch the baker retrieve >loaves from the oven walls using a long-handled spear. The warm bread is >great--crusty, chewy, and dense. I agree, I really like the bread there. I always buy one extra loaf, no matter how hard I try to resist part of one disappears in the car on the way home. >Kashtan Deli (2740 W Devon) is very Russian. This is the first time I noticed >some of the signs had a bit of English (though I didn't hear a word of English >spoken). Lots of nice looking smoked fish (the whole silver striped mackerel >looked like it should be in a museum) and unusual sausages. I stop there on occasion to buy matjes herring for my grandmother. She has fond memories of matjes herring and it is impossible to find in Milwaukee, where she lives. She also likes the bialys from NY Bagel and Bialy on Touhy. >North Water Market (2626 W Devon) is a pretty good fruit and vegetable >market. Generally good looking stuff at good prices. They had fresh garbanzo >beans (in the pod), if anyone cares. World Fruit Market (2434 W Devon) seems >to have really gone downhill. I like NWM, though I have never seen fresh garbanzo's there. I did see your post in rfc, though the only suggestions that I had were obvious, use in soups, stews or as a substitution for any type of bean. Possibly check Spanish, Greek, Puerto Rican and of course Mediterranean recipes. >Stopped in Patel Brothers (2542 W Devon) to pick up a coconut scraper and >some curry leaves. Asked a guy in the back where the scrapers were and he >said they didn't have any. When I acted surprised he said they did have one >kind and took me to the canned goods aisle, very top shelf. Precisely what I >was looking for- -the kind you put on the floor and kneel on (4 bucks; >actually kind of expensive considering what it is). I guess he thought I >wanted the Cuisinart deluxe model coconut scraper. Patel's is among my >favorite grocery stores in Chicago. I know very little about Indian food, even less than I do about most cultures food. One of the times that I was in Patel, recipe in hand, I found it impossible to get some one to assist me. I do like Patel though, I just wish that they were a little more helpful. >Casablanca Bakery (1541 W Devon) is really becoming a favorite of mine. All >the usual suspects--baklava, pita, hommos, baba ganooj, stuffed grape >leaves--are very well prepared and the people are very nice and helpful. >There are a few less common items they make that I think are outstanding. We really like the stuffed grape leaves and I agree that they have some less common items. I found pomegranate syrup there, for a glaze, and I had had difficulty finding it elsewhere. I agree they are very friendly and helpful. >Just a few doors east of Casablanca is La Unica, a real nice Cuban grocery >with a neat little cafeteria in back. We thought we'd save that for next >trip. So, any suggestions on what's best to order there? The chicken and yellow rice is very good and the soup, pork and beef dishes are nice as well. I am also a big fan of Cuban sandwiches and particularly like theirs. I also like to go to Pananericano Supermercado on Clark St. This Cuban grocery's food area is only a stand up counter and though most people take out, there are many who eat at the counter. I go there on occasion in the morning for a cafe con leche and bread toasted in a press for dunking. This reminds me of the joke, what is the difference between cafe con leche and a starbucks latte? 3 dollars. <G> They have great Cuban sandwiches and their midnight sandwich is good also. Plantains, yucca and fruit drinks are available. Be advised, this is only a stand up counter, such as one might find on Calle Ocho in Miami, I would not recommend taking a date there and while I enjoy going there once in a while, I have never taken my wife there for a sandwich, though she might like it. Enjoy, Gary Supermercado Panamericano 5647 N Clark Street. Chicago, IL. 60660 773-275-7474 New York Bagel and Bialy 4714 W Touhy Ave Lincolnwood, IL 60646 847- 677-9388
Just a few comments on this very informative exchange. Bakeries: A few new bakeries have popped up around Devon that offer Afghan style bread (may be called Kabul by some). Howver, they do not sell directly to public, only via grocery stores. One good source is North Water Market (2626 W Devon) that has been mentioned and was recently renamed Fresh Farms. Indian grocery stores: In addition to Patel Brothers (2610 W Devon), also check out Kamdar Plaza (2644?) which seems a little more organized to me and also has a small snack shop inside. If you think you would need a lot of help, it might help to go at a time when they are not very crowded. Indian food recommendation: Udupi Palace (2543) for south indian vegetarian cuisine; Tiffin Kitchen (2534) or India Garden (2548) for north indian lunch buffets. A cut or two below in ambience but also prices and intended only for light meals and snacks are Annapurna (2608) and Sukhadia (2548). Try south indian style coffee if you go to Udupi ($2) or Sukhadia ($1). Non-Indian Devon: I don't know much and certainly would like to learn more. La Unica (cuban restaurant inside a small supermarket, east of Clark) is nice. -Anil
Someone wrote: > Indian food recommendation: Udupi Palace (2543) for south indian > vegetarian cuisine; Tiffin Kitchen (2534) or India Garden (2548) > for north indian lunch buffets. Anil, Thanks for the reccomendation. We had a great lunch on saturday at India Garden. A nice bonus is that a waiter told us that he'd be bringing bread and chicken, which spared us the chore of sending the chicken back.