Student Chow

So. Another Year of American Travel done, and another 9 months of being grounded in England while I get my life together. That won’t stop me reminiscing about my time in The US, and more importantly getting down to writing about my time there once again!

As per tradition; travel start with Vegas, and while I did do waaay more drinking this time round, I didn’t really do any “real” eating. I tried Ceviche for the first time and Elotes made at and they were pretty solid. Zesty, light, spicy (in the Elotes case) and ultimately delicious. Not too bad washed down with a cheeky Margherita either.

My food journey this year really began in Chicago. I went to hang out with some previous Camp Counselors and good friends (shout out to Clara and Benji. You guys were angels).I got to do the Ferris Beuller at the Art Gallery thing, and see the Bean, and it was awesome.

Chicago otherwise known as the Windy City (there; done the cliché food blogger line), Illinois; home of Inspiring figures like Mr. Rogers and Abraham Lincoln. Chicago is more than just a handful of famous recipes (though we’ll get into those later). I like to think of Chicago as a quieter, cleaner and more open New York. Its diverse student population and cultural hub making for a vibrant night life and dining experience, beyond what you see on Man vs Food, which I will use as an ironclad justification for being the needless contrarian by not having Deep Dish Pizza and instead having Thin Crust Stone Baked pizza at Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar. Located on N Pauline St, just by the Metro Platform, this venue has the versatility to go from open and trendy day dining to intimate and comfy venue with candlelit dinner. It also has a BOGOF deal on Wednesdays and Craft Beer on Draft, so it gets a full thumbs up from me. I ended up getting two pizzas because I couldn’t decide, opting for a Rustica (Proscuitto, Tomato,  Pine Nut Free Pesto, Provalone, and Mozarella), and a  Soprano (Hot Cappa Peppers, Sausage, Pepperoni, Sapressato and Red Peppers). Both were really good Pizzas, the  refreshing Pesto base complimenting the heavy cheese on the Rustica and the Tomato on the Soprano. As for the Soprano, it did exactly what was needed of it. A rich, fiery topping. Absolutely delicious.

The Midwest is not known for Its Mexican cuisine, but another great bar that does some simply wonderful Mexican food isBlondie and Tuco, located in Wrigleyville; 5 minutes awy from the Stadium and all the new renovations to the area following their win. As well as doing all the expected delights of  Modern Mexican bar like bottomless chips, and margheritas, the addition of finely marinated Chicken Tinga Tacos. Chicken Tinga is a Chipotle Spice and Tomato blend, paired with White Onion, Avocado, with a side of Coriander Rice, and Black Refried Beans. An ok meal that was flavourful and just what was needed after a good day of walking and drinking.

Last but by no means least, I got the opportunity to try a Frachise famous with both SortedFood and ManVFood: Al’s Famous Roast Beef Sandwiches. Thinly sliced cuts of beef slow cooked in a mouth watering Jus, stuffed into a sandwich with a choice of having extra Provolone and spicey Giardiniera. It’s also custom once the sandwich has been made to dip the entire thing in back into the Jus for a truly deliciou Sandwich.

Having eaten at a ManVFood Recommended Spot before (Katz’ Deli in New York). I was a little apprehensive. Having spent nearly $30 on a Sandwich, Fries, Pickle and Drink I was then massively disappointed at how underwhelming the Sandwich was. Too much as a portion of both Corned Beef and Pastrami and relatively bland (and that’s as a Reueben. By comparison I paid about $13 for a full meal, and was left feeling satisfied and happy with my experience at Al’s. Get a sandwich with Giardiniera and absolutely get it Dipped. It’s messy but Rich and Delicious with a Depth of Flavour.

So that was my time in Chicago I ate. I drank. I was (hopefully) merry.