Ball Park Franks GIVEAWAY CONTEST!!!

What better way to restart this blog than with a giveaway!

The folks over at Ball Park Franks generously donated 5 coupons good for up to $24.95 worth of hot dog treats. While the freebies can be redeemed at any store for any Ball Park Franks product, consider trying out their brand-new hot dog: the Ball Park Deli Style Beef Franks.

Check out my review of them here.

So how do you enter this giveaway you ask?

It's pretty simple.
1. Have a U.S. mailing address
2. Comment on this post with your favorite hot dog memory, as well as an email address you can be reached at in case you win. (There will only be one winner!)

You don't have to follow this blog to enter, but it would be much appreciated!

Deadline for submissions: July 4, 2011, at Midnight Central Time.

You may enter once, and only once may you enter!

All about Chicago food

I'm resurrecting the blog! I've been away focusing on other pursuits, but I won't waste time or space focusing on that. Rather, let's talk about what I want this blog to be. There's only so many "food fights" to be had. Well, okay, there's plenty, but those take a lot of time and planning and such, and I want this blog to be updated more frequently than once a quarter (or once a year). That's why this blog will be about all sorts of food events and experiences in Chicago, and hey, for some of them, you could call them a fight. After all, what is Ribfest if not a competition for the best ribs?

Chicago loves food, and we showcase it in so many ways, from new restaurant openings to festivals throughout the summer. I've been trying so many new places and events lately, and I want to share those with you here.

So check back here often for new Chicago food news, reviews, and much more!

Food fight preview: chicken tacos!

Ok, so tacos aren't a decidedly Chicago dish by any means--unless you count the tortillas, which are made by Chicago food manufacturers like Azteca Foods, El Milgaro, and Del Rey (and I'm sure I don't know them all). But, like hot dogs, taco stands and restaurants litter the city from hole-in-the-wall joints to upscale restaurants run by none other than Top Chef Master Rick Bayless--so why not feature them in a food fight?

The taco, of course, originated from the indigenous people who lived in the area now known as Mexico back in 3000 B.C. The tortilla, back then, was called the tlaxcalli, which was often filled with various toppings--just like we fill them today. But unlike the original taco, we won't be topping our tortillas with fish, locusts, and snails.

Rather, we're going for chicken. No pork, no steak, no beef--just chicken, simply for ease of comparison.

All of the food fight participants will bring their own favorite tacos--from places such as La Pasadita, Picante, Frontera Fresco, among others--after ordering them 'as is' off the menu. Once gathered, we'll divvy them up and vote!

Where do you get your favorite taco in Chicago? Which restaurant should be in this Mexican food fight? Share your opinions below!

Bacon pics... to come

I will, I will, I WILL post the pics from the gastronomical delight that was BaconFest from, sheesh, over two weeks ago. But first, I need to figure out why my camera won't sync with my computer anymore.... hmm.

Any suggestions?

You want to see these pictures, trust me.

BACON! Baconfest Preview

Alternate Title: Why tomorrow will be awesome and go down in bacon history

Baconfest 2010 is tomorrow... the first fest that's all about the tasty slice of meat. The October 2009 Pro Bacon Cookoff will be nothing compared to what tomorrow will bring.

If you haven't already guessed, I, folks, was one of the lucky few to score tickets. And, when I say lucky, I mean it. Tickets kind of sold out in 10 minutes... 'kind of' because while it looked like the tickets were sold out, some people were holding on to them but not paying. When their session timed out, the tickets were released back to the general public. The price they paid for wondering if the event was worth $45? I scored 2 tickets 45 minutes after the ticketing opened.

Yes, $45 for bacon. But that price gets my boyfriend and I much more than what we paid. 12 bacon dishes from top Chicago chefs, samples of beer, more samples from expo vendors...

...and that is why tomorrow will be awesome. Oh, that, and I'll be going to the John Mayer concert, too.

Pictures from tomorrow's festivities to come!

Buffalo chicken wing RESULTS

Two contenders, both near Halsted Street, in fair Chicago where we lay our scene. From buffalo chicken wing biases break to new arguments, where spicy buffalo sauce makes hands unclean.

Seriously. These wings were both finger-licking good, even if they hailed from two very different families... er, I mean, restaurants. Buffalo Wild Wings is known around the country, whereas DeLux wings can only be tasted in Chicago.

So, which came out on top and won the first buffalo chicken wing food fight?



DeLux beat out Buffalo Wild Wings in the biggest food fight landside yet. Every single category! I don't think this gives enough credit to Buffalo Wild Wings, because the wings weren't bad... they just weren't as good, especially in regards to the quality of the meat.

Do you agree with the results? Will you check out DeLux restaurant now that they've won?

If these two wings don't top your buffalo chicken wings list, what does?

Buffalo Wings Contender #2

DELUX BAR & GRILL
669 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
Ph.: 312-850-4008


DeLux Bar & Grill falls at the complete other end of the spectrum when compared to BWW. It may serve bar food, but it is decidedly a bar, with it's dark atmosphere, pool table, and a drink menu that is just about the same size as the one for food.

When we got to the bar at 8:45pm on Saturday, DeLux wasn't too busy, and it was clear most people were there for drinks. But not us! There was no discussing what level of spiciness to get at this place. There was one option and one option only--we just had to decide how many baskets of 12 to get. (We went with 2).

These wings were spicier than the medium ones over at BWW, which was good for some and not for others. The size of the wings varied drastically from one to the next. Huge drummettes dwarfed the double bones. But the quality of the meat and sauce? Divine. Every wing tasted like the next, so there was no surprise when we took a bite. If there were any negatives, the meat was a tad dry, but for most, that was better than grease.

As we polished off all our wings, the bar filled up. Next time, I come to DeLux, I'm coming on a Tuesday, when wings are only 25 cents.

Did Delux serve up enough heat and meat to beat Contender #1?

Check back tomorrow to find out.