Final Stop....On the Beach

My final food stop in Chicago was at Oakstreet Beachstro, Oak Street Beach is between Navy Pier and North Avenue Beach at the 1000 block of Lake Shore Drive where Michigan Avenue meets Lake Shore Drive. I had the 1/2lb Certified Angus Burger, and a basket of waffle fries. The burger was huge, the fries were plentiful, but the setting of the Restaurant was even better. As you eat you can watch people boating and swimming on the shore. Beachstro is literally on the beach and only open during the summer season, so I am sure that I just caught it before they broke it down for the season. During the off season it is just a slab of concrete from October through April. I will say that no seat is a bad seat except that we cooked the first 5 minutes we were there, and had to ask for a shadier spot. The Beachstro does serve alcohol, and serves breakfast lunch and dinner. I would tell all tourist of Chicago, that this is a great place to visit....atleast one time.

Chicagoland Quicktrip

I returned from a long weekend in Chicago last weekend, and I had a great time. Whenever I go to Chicago there are 2 places that I have to eat. Oddly enough, they are both breakfast spots. The first stop was Bongo Room. Bongo Room, is a brunch restaurant, just off the loop at 1152 S Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60605. Ever since I went to Bongo Room last year, I have promised myself that treat every time I go to Chicago.

After sitting down and looking at the menu, I decided that the next time I come to Chicago I will be eating lunch at Bongo Room, because the lunch menu looked delicious, and they have huge salads that actually aren't just the regular run of the mill chef salad. I plan on getting one of their great sandwiches. But let me get to what I ate this time. After mulling over the menu for what seemed like forever, because I was so hungry, I decided on the strawberry banana pancakes. These pancakes were so good they didn't need syrup, why you ask? The pancakes needed no syrup because they were topped with strawberry whipped cream. YUM!! So let me back up, The pancakes are made with slices of bananas cooked into the surface, and the pancakes are topped with fresh strawberries, and then the pancakes are topped with the strawberry whipped cream, it was like eating strawberry shortcake for breakfast. Anyone in the Chicago area would be out of their mind to not go. I hear the omelets are too die for, and on my last visit I had the french toast and it had ice cream on it. I am grinning just thinking about it. Oh, and I had some great home fries, they have rosemary, and the chicken sausage is spicy and snaps when you eat it.

Next brunch spot was Sweet Maple Cafe at 1339 W Taylor St (between Ada St & Loomis St)
Chicago, IL 60607. Sweet Maple is always packed, every time we go, I always end up sitting outside waiting for my name to be called. But, don't get me wrong it is worth the wait so, I don't mind one bit. This brunch spot in University Village is a bit more traditional and down home. The interior is shabby chic, and full of character. We enjoy meeting friends for brunch at Sweet Maple. My usual is the apple spice pancakes, with scrambled eggs and home fries. I actually didn't eat them all, because I wanted a treat later. If you are looking for a down home breakfast, Sweet Maple is the place to go in Chicago.

Needless to say I had a great time in Chicago, food and otherwise.

Next blog will be my lunch at Beachstro in Chicago, and then we travel to Wilmington Delaware