Chicago Bites

Eat the Menu Update: Adventures in Take-out

Posted by Tammy

Jan 272012

I’m on a quest to eat everything on the menu at Opart Thai House. Over a year and fifty-six dishes later, I’m nearing the half-way mark of this culinary journey through one restaurant’s repertoire. You can catch up on things from the beginning or continue reading the latest installment: adventures in take-out.

Pad Kra Praow

I ordered Pad Kra Praow (#82, $7.99) with tofu, even though shrimp, chicken and beef were alternative proteins. I don’t think it was the right choice for such a peppery dish because it didn’t do anything to tame the heat. Basil, which is the other main ingredient, didn’t offer enough counterpoint to make the burn go away either or to offer other interest. It hurt to eat this dish. I’m still uncertain whether I liked the pain.

Fried Shrimp Spring Rolls & Pad Kra Lard Khao

My next trip back, I ordered a starter of Fried Shrimp Spring Rolls (#12, $5.99). These fingerling-sized rolls were lightly crispy in a way that didn’t destroy the seafood inside. I vastly prefer these flaky concoctions to egg rolls. They came with a sweet dipping sauce that could have used a bit of pepper.

The Pad Kra Lard Khao (#61, $6.99) was a great combination of basil, hot peppers and protein over rice. I was still a little shaky after my last entree, and ordered this one medium-spicy and with shrimp. I think I would order it again with more heat. The rice makes a difference.

Yum Neau & Stir-Fried Fish

Most of the salads are very meat-heavy, and the Yum Neau (#33, $6.99) was loaded with thinly sliced beef and just a smattering of green onions, red onions, and cucumbers. The beef was very tender, though, and the hot and sour dressing was the right complement to that much cow.

I actually preferred the salad to the sweet-ish Stir-Fried Fish (#109, $8.59) overloaded with sweet red and green bell peppers. I don’t know what the objection is to having a savory fish stir-fry, but I can’t seem to find satisfaction. Hot or sweet, or hot and sweet seem to be the only choices. At least this dish was sole instead of catfish, which I’m losing enthusiasm for.

This brings my Eat-The-Menu Quest up to 56 out of 119 available dishes. I have more in a series of take-out choices coming up, so check back!

Opart Thai House
4658 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625-2043
(773) 989-8517

Follow the eat-the-menu entries here.

Shopping at Tai Nam Food Market

Posted by Tammy

Jan 252012

Dried Goods
Durian
Fish Heads
Lunar New Year Goods
Jarred Fish
Produce
Sam Buu Luong

I’m a little bit in love with Tai Nam Food Market. When I step inside, I feel as though I’ve sucked into both a food and cultural experience that immediately imparts a sense of place. It’s easy to forget that this is, in fact, Chicago.

I love the bright, spacious aisles of kitchen equipment, and the dense, pushy madness of the produce section on a Sunday afternoon. My shopping needs for fish heads, multiple varieties of tofu, and Sam Buu Luong (cups filled with an unlikely combination of seaweed, barley, longangan, dates, jelly and raisins) can be satisfied here. It’s my to-go spot when I need stir-fry ingredients.

The place makes me a bit wistful for an Asian grandmother to teach me what to do with lemongrass, squid or jars of fish paste. Or how to slice up a durian. Or tell me which Chinese New Year candies are the best. I’ll keep cart surfing until I figure out which brands to buy.

Very cheap, authentic and convenient — you should add Tai Nam to your shopping routine!

Tai Nam Food Market
4925 N Broadway St # J
Chicago, IL 60640

Take your dragon-sized appetite to Chi Cafe

Posted by Tammy

Jan 232012

Stir-fried String Bean

Happy Lunar New Year! The calendar shifts from the Year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon, and brings a fresh view on dining options in Chinatown. It’s not hard to fill up on good food in this neighborhood. Though there are many great places to eat, but one of the restaurants I find myself returning to is Chi Cafe.

The food here is good, cheap and served fast. Plus, it’s available from breakfast to the wee hours of the morning. The mod decor and cafeteria seating wouldn’t seem to lead itself to celebrations, but the place is always busy when I go. Maybe don’t take your parents if you want to impress, but definitely go with a group of friends.

Salt and pepper squid

The House Specials are a great place to start with the menu and I’ve enjoyed most of the vegetable dishes, too. From stir-fries to comfort food like scrambled eggs with yellow chives and shrimp, you’ll find the food to be fresh and interesting. I admit I’m still too squeamish to enjoy a dish of fish stomach or pig blood (though I tried!), but they are on the menu for the more daring diners.

Morning, noon and night, go to Chi Cafe to enjoy an authentic taste of China and feed your inner dragon.

Chi Cafe
2160-A S. Archer Avenue
Chicago IL 60616
312-842-9993