Au Cheval Review

Au Cheval Bar & Diner
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

 Downtown Chicago is a food lover’s paradise. A variety of bars and restaurants line nearly every street, giving someone no excuse to run out of options when it comes to a finding a meal. Being from the suburbs, I have not even scratched the surface of the Chicago restaurant scene, but will try to tackle it one place at a time. My most recent journey took place on Thursday night, when I visited Au Cheval, an upscale American bar/diner on 800 West Randolph Street.

Single Cheeseburger With Bacon
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

Nestled in the West Loop, Au Cheval is known for its unique take on food, and of course, out-of-this-world cheeseburgers. The atmosphere is typical of a Chicago bar, but there was an upscale feel to it. There were tables and booths lining the walls, but the main attraction was the bar, which nearly rant the length of the restaurant. At Au Cheval, things are done on a first come, first serve basis no matter who you are. With it being the dinner rush, I was told it was going to be a 45 minute wait. This did not scare me, knowing the food would be worth it. A spot on the bar opened up within 20 minutes, so I was seated right then and there. Looking over the menu, I found many things that the ordinary person would question, like chopped chicken liver on toast and roasted beef marrow bones on toast. I was told in good confidence by people I know, and those who I did not know, that everything is prepared in such a way that even an unrefined pallet can enjoy. While sampling the menu would have been a great experience, I did not have the time or money to do so. I dove right in and ordered the menu item I had heard so much about, the single cheeseburger.

The Bacon
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

The single cheeseburger, which actually has two beef patties, is possibly the most popular menu item. If you order it as is, you will end up with the following: two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, red onion, sliced bread and butter pickles, and a house sauce, all on a fresh, toasted bun with a large bread and butter pickle spear on the side. The wait staff at the restaurant always suggests you add a fried egg and some of their world class, thick-cut bacon to your burger. Those two items send the burger overboard. While I opted out on the egg, I did go for the bacon, which was the best decision I could have made. Overall, everything on the burger meshed together seamlessly. The patties were rich and juicy, cooked to perfection. The cheese was fully melted and draped over the patties, almost as if they were a flavor blanket. The condiments were a combination of sweet and savory, offsetting each other in all the best ways. The pickle was extremely tasty and had the right blend of spices to give it great flavor. The bacon was the kicker. It was the thickest I have ever had. When I say thick, I mean that a person would have to use a real knife to cut through it. The thickness only added to the taste, as the bacon was cured in such a way that the flavor ran all the way through the meat. I also ordered a side of freshly cut fries with their house garlic aioli, which was another great purchase. The fries were hot and fresh, and the aioli provided me with a cool, tangy counter-flavor. All in all, a great meal.

French Fries With Garlic Aioli

I spent $22.54 on my meal, which may seem expensive to most, but I can tell you it was worth it. You are not going to get the type of food and atmosphere Au Cheval offers at a much cheaper price in the city, so know that going in. Dining here is something one just has to experience at some point in their life if they want to recapture the classic, American take on food. So if you are in the West Loop, or even if you are not, check out Au Cheval on 800 W. Randolph Street in Chicago. It will be an experience you will never forget.

Ryan Magnuson is a Baseball/Food/Nature Writer from the Chicagoland Area

Gene & Jude's Review

Gene & Jude's in River Grove, Illinois
Photo Credit: Gene & Judes Gallery/geneandjudes.com

After being on the road for several hours en route to the Chicagoland area, the guys and I decided we wanted a proper homecoming involving food. This could only mean one thing: hot dogs. No matter where you live, whether it be in the city or somewhere in the suburbs, nothing says Chicago quite like a quality dog. If you are looking for a great hot dog close to the city, look no further than Gene & Jude's.

Gene & Jude's-Style Hot Dog
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

Gene & Jude's has been serving up their take on the Chicago-style hot dog since the mid-1940s at the original and only location at 2720 River Road River Grove, IL 60171. When I say "their version", I mean they do not incorporate everything that is on a typical "dragged through the garden" Chicago-style dog. If you order a dog with everything, you would get a steamed, natural-cased dog with mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers, and a healthy helping of fresh-cut fries, all piled on a fresh, seedless bun. Yes, the fries do come on the hot dog. If you are looking for ketchup for any reason at all, you better try elsewhere, because you will not find any in the establishment. If ketchup is a "must have" for you, I have it on good authority that the McDonald's next door will sell you some for a small fee.

The menu is as simple as it gets. You can get a dog or double dog with or without any of the toppings listed above, a side order of fresh-cut fries, tamales, and Coke products. That's it. They keep it simple and quick at Gene & Judes, which is the way people have enjoyed it for years. Whenever I go, which used to be a lot more when I worked in River Grove, I get two dogs with everything but relish. This is more than a full meal and I spend less than $6, maybe around $7 if I feel like washing it down with an ice cold Coke. Talk about a bargain. The dog itself has great flavor and a nice snap to it, which is the sign of a quality dog. The condiments compliment the flavor of the dog quite well. The fries are the kicker to me. Not only are they fresh and flavorful, but they give each bite a rich, fulfilling texture. There are some who choose to eat the fries off the hot dog, which is their choice, but I highly recommend eating the whole thing as one. All the flavors blend together quite well if you give them a chance.

Gene & Jude's was a great way to end a great trip and summer. If you are ever in the area, or even if you are not, give this River Grove spot a try. I promise you will enjoy it. All things aside, I am so grateful that I got to experience new places with some of the best friends I could ask for. A huge thank you to Brandon Magnuson, Chris Stielow, and Brad Baron for trying all these new places with me. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

Ryan Magnuson is a Baseball/Food Writer from the Chicagoland Area

Il Forno Review

Il Forno Pizzeria in Deerfield, Illinois
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

Chicago is a city that is known for many amazing things. We love our business, our sports, and most importantly, our food. Whether you are a resident or just a visitor of the Windy City or the surrounding areas, you need to try the cuisine, namely an Italian beef, a hot dog, or some dynamite pizza. Sticking with the pizza theme, when one typically thinks of Chicago-style pizza, they think of thick, doughy, sauce-covered deep dish. Those who enjoy this style of pizza savor each bite to the tune of one or two slices, a complete meal to most. What many fail to realize is that there is another side to Chicago-style pizza, which is the polar opposite of deep dish, known simply as thin crust. Chicago-style thin crust features heavy cheese, light sauce, an abundance of toppings, if that’s what you’re into, and is served on cracker thin crust. The light and airy dish is perfect to share with friends and family after a long day at the office or after the game has ended. Among the many places who serve this food staple around the Chicagoland area, Il Forno, which has locations on Chicago's North Shore, is one of my favorite spots.

Pepperoni and Sausage Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza
Photo Credit: Ryan Magnuson/Mealtime With Mags

Il Forno has been serving up great pizza and much more on the North Shore since the early 1950s. Whether you are looking for a place to take a quick lunch break or are in a dinner time pinch, Il Forno has what you need. Their menu has plenty on it, but is nothing that would overwhelm anyone. They serve up pizza by the slice or full pies, thin crust or pan style, and provide customers with over 20 different toppings to choose from. They also have a number of sides, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, pasta dishes, salads, soups, chicken and seafood dishes, and desserts to choose from. Pricing on all items is fairly decent considering all the food you get. Pizza ranges from $10-$15 with additional toppings and specialty pies being extra. Everything else can be purchased for $10 or less, which is what one would be expected to pay for a standard meal at a non-fast food chain.

The location I visited in Deerfield, which is a North Shore suburb, is nestled in the downtown area among other restaurants and local businesses, which makes it accessible and in walking distance for town residents, business people, and those who are getting off the nearby train. It has a good amount of inside seating, the wood floors, high ceilings, and colorful atmosphere making it very inviting. There is also an outdoor patio area, which is great place to enjoy a nice summer day while you catch up with a close friend.

I have only known about Il Forno for a few months, but I can already say it is one of my favorite spots to get pizza in the state. Being one who is a huge fan of thin crust pizza, this spot gives me everything I look for in a pie; light sauce, lots of cheese, and a really thin, airy crust. When I go, I order an extra large 17” thin crust pie with sausage and pepperoni, splitting it with family or close friends of course. This meal runs in the $20 range, but the taste and amount of food you get makes it worth it. So if you’re in the mood for great Chicago-style thin crust pizza or are just looking for a new place to try, stop by Il Forno at 750 Osterman Ave. Deerfield, IL 60015. 

Ryan Magnuson is a Baseball/Food Writer from the Chicagoland Area