What Should I Have For Lunch?- Page 2

[danmag]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 11:44am

Joe, you are NEVER too old for 5 guys. Trust me.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 11:48am

All this chit chat is making me so hungry.

I've Seen Culver's before on the road, but they looked sketchy so we opted for other food.

And JJ's sounds fun. It makes me want Charlie's subs real bad.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:08pm

Culver's sketchy? Oh goodness no! Culvers is almost antiseptically clean and wholesome. Their bathrooms are spic n span. The staff maniacally cheerful. Really. I have never seen a Culver's that was the least bit sketchy.
Get Culverized!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:09pm

I tried Jimmy Johns once, but I wasn't crazy about it. It was ok, but I guess I'm not the biggest sub fan, so I don't really notice the subtle differences in places like that. I hate Subway with a passion, though. But I love Culver's! By far, my favorite fast food chain. I just wish they had a location in the city.

Joe - Next time you're in the Loop, you have to try Epic Burger on State at Congress. Best burger in Chicago I've found thus far.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:17pm

Culver's won't open in the city. They have exacting standards for their outlets. Among them you need to have a drive thru, a certain amount of seating and parking for something like 90 cars. That amount of space is all but impossible to find in the city.

Scooters on Belmont wanted to be a Culver's- but were turned down for those reasons above. I love Scooters, but it's no Culvers. That's why I had to move- If Culver's won't come to me, I had to go to Culvers.

I'm putting Epic on my list- I've heard great things. ANd I think a Five Guys opened on Wrightwood & Clark?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:31pm

Yes, I saw that Five Guys on my way to the Athanaeum for the Gay Men's Chorus concert. I definitely need to try it. Shame about Culver's. They're missing a golden opportunity not having one in the city for those who prefer not to drive (or like me and don't even own a car). Hell, even Dairy Queen has a location in the Loop.

And I heard a rumor that Chik-Fil-A is coming to the Chicago suburbs! McDonald's tried to replicate their recipe with the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, but it doesn't even come close. And speaking of McDonald's, I really miss the Texas-style burger I got in Houston.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:34pm

Chik-Fil-A is hard core Christian right wing. I hardly boycott anything anymore but I don't eat at Chik-fil-a.

[danmag]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:35pm

Chik-Fil-A!! Those pickles just make that sandwich soooo tasty.

This thread is making me incredibly hungry.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 1:01pm

Sonic! Double Cheeseburgers. Tater Tots. Chili Cheese Tater Tots! Frito Pie! Creme Slushes. Oh God. I'm drooling hard....

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 1:20pm

Culvers sounds a lot like our Anderson's.

Sonic has tater tots? Dammit, we don't have one of those here either.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 1:27pm

We Almost had a Sonic down the block and they made it a gas station instead. Lame.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 1:28pm

FYI we are having Jimmy Johns.

Sonic is magical but some people don't like it cause there's no place to eat. I don't mind eating in the car.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 1:31pm

I've only been to Sonic a couple of times back in the 80s and it had a terrible reputation, but in the 90s, I loved a little drive-thru burger chain called Checkers. The burgers were delish and they had these wonderful little fried apple wedges that were highly addictive.

I need to pick up some Frito Pie fixin's. I don't think I've eaten one since high school and almost everyone I've met in Chicago has never heard of them.

[Madcap Maisie]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 1:59pm

Chick fil A has an amazing peppermint chocolate chip milkshake this time of year. I love it!

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:04pm

Mr. Matt.....what the heck is a Frito Pie? I must know!

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:15pm

We've had Checkers near me in Central Jersey for a couple years now, but I've never been. A Sonic went up a few towns away this past summer, and there's a Five Guys Burger place being built nearby, too. I'd never heard of them until a newspaper article over the summer rating burgers. Guess I'll check them out when they open.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:16pm

I just had the best sushi, evah and washed it down with two green tea martini's. Yummers!

[HellsBells2]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:21pm

I love me some Frito Pie! Especially fully-loaded.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:24pm

Well would someone please care to give me the RECIPE?

[HellsBells2]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:37pm

For Stockard.....
Frito Pie

Posted: 12/22/09 at 2:54pm

We had a mess of Checkers (including one in the HEART of the Gay Neighborhood with outdoor picnic tables- perfect for cruising) but they have all gone under- I thought the whole chain did. I guess only our local franchisee did.

How about that Steak and Shake white chocolate peppermint shake?

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 3:24pm

So it's just fritos with a whole mess o'crap on top? Chili, cheese, onions, etc?

That sounds divine! I just bought some fritos the other day.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 3:35pm

Stockard if you're having guests, the classy way to serve Frito Pie is to give each person their own individual lil bag of Fritos. Tear it open and ladle on the chili. Then let each guest customize his own pie with cheese, onions, peppers, sour cream, etc. I've seen Frito Pie served out of a big pan, an I suppose that's OK when it's just family, but I really prefer the single serving method. It's more elegant.

Posted: 12/22/09 at 3:38pm

Here's one done right. I think that fork is made of gold! Was this from a state dinner or something?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/22/09 at 3:47pm

That single-serve Frito Pie was how you always got it from the concession stand at high school football games, rodeos, carnivals, etc. I hated it in trays because the Fritos would get all soggy and I only like to eat it when they are still crunchy. And nothing upscale. The way Joe described is the best novelty and provides the much-valued brand recognition to this American delicacy. But if you only have a large bag of Fritos on hand, then divvy it up in small bowls, dump some chili on top and let everyone add their own cheese, onions, jalapeños or even sour cream, if you want to get real fancy. That's it. Any other vegetables or ingredients that cost over $4 and you might as well just go buy some uppity Whole Foods healthy crap, cuz that ain't Frito Pie.

Updated On: 12/22/09 at 03:47 PM