Dog Days

 A late-ish night stop for shrimp (P) and char dog (V). We had to go to the Ukrainian Village location because despite what was posted as a 9pm closing on Clybourn, the woman at the counter locked us out and refused to serve us. It was 8:03. I kinda feel like this is a perfect example of "Welcome to America" - we work when we feel like it. So we called the original location and they said we're open and won't close until 11ish (their words, not mine.) It's 15 minutes further but worth the trip. While hot dogs are ubiquitous in Chicago char dogs are not. And once Weiner Circle eliminated their parking to create a bar in their lot, it became a lot less attractive. We have been going to the original Fatso's since before it was Fatso's (it was Phil's - but he died and it was sold.) Great service, good dogs and Phil got the fried shrimp he loves. So despite the lazy woman who didn't want to work until closing time, the "meal" was worth the trip....fries are still better at Weiners Circle. Just FYI.

That was Sunday night. On Monday we went to Aroy Thai.  Right by the Damen El stop - one of our favorite Thai places, Aroy Thai. Cash only - so come prepared. Menu items shown. We brought a Spanish Corpinat which really helped cut the heat from the spicy Issan sausage. And since I ate all the jalapeños with the spring rolls I was "extra thirsty" 😂. This place will make it as spicy as you want but you've been warned - don't challenge them. PS the photos are of the Montrose El stop (we went for ice cream after dining). #UrbanLivingChicago

Then Tuesday I cooked - my first foray into AI recipe invention - I gave it what I had around the house and asked it to create. So we will see.... I laready have Salad and sauteed mushrooms to serve if all goes "to hell in a handbasket" as myt Dad used to say. And speaking of my Dad - today would have been his 98th birthday.  So to celebrate the memories I am posting photos from his youth. He's the towhead kid.  He would have been 98 today and honestly I am happy he's not here to see the mess, but sad he's not here to have enjoyed visiting us in Sevilla. I think he would have found it very charming. He would have appreciated the "well constructed" buildings. 😂

We go on.... Oceanique with Ron & Mary tomorrow night and later in the week Todd & Evie at Shaw's (been years since we were there) An absolute must on our summer rotation is Oceanique. It is one of our longest  "restaurant relationships" thanks to the fabulous food preparations of Chef Mark Grosz and the service of his excellent staff. Tonight we met up with Mary and Ron Lewis to get a chance to catch up after an already "mostly gone" summer. Lovely evening. I got the added bonus of some excellent skatewing (one of my personal favorite fish.) Oh and Chef made sure there was a night and day cake for us tonight. Which we all ordered because.... Night and Day cake 

A post "wedding week" dinner with the parents of the groom. Happy about the fabulous events, and now catching up after time focused strictly on "all things wedding" in prep for the big day. Met up in the decompression chamber of Shaw's   (none of us had been in ages!) The place is as popular as ever, and has been since the opening in the mid 1980s.  We don't know why we don't get there more often... Menu items noted.

and so ends another week in our summer lives in Chicago.