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ROCKIN' IN A FREE WORLD
This page updated 9/13
NEW HOT DOG STAND!......
Located on the corner of Lake St. and Downer is Aurora's newest Dog Stand. It seems that since Plumpers left this spot (after) 20years) that one had to go all the way to Portillos to get a really good Chicago Style Dog. Whats the differance??? LOTS! Chicagoans are known for their love of really good dogs, but only with specific ingrediants!
A Chicago style dog start with a Vienna all beef dog, on a soft, steamed bun. Add mustard, NO KETCHUP, pickle spear, tomato slices, sport peppers, celery salt, chopped onions, and pickle relish (best if it is the electric green type). This is known as a hand held garden! If you have to explain to any hot dog place how to make this tasty concogtion, RUN! It is only made one way if it is to be Chicago style!
Hot Rods Hot Dogs passes the test! It's all you can do to hold onto your dog as you eat it...GREAT! Their other menu items include (among other selections), Chili dogs, Maxwell Polish, regular Polish, and all types of burgers. The chicken items include grilled or crispy, chicken sandwich, and chicken strips (a meal includes fries, and baked beans).
Of course, a place such as this also offers, Italian Beef/Sausage (combo if you'd like), meatball sandwich, grilled cheese, BLT, and grilled cheese and ham. Fish offerings include a sandwich, basket (fries, baked beans, and garlic bread), and a seven piece, jumbo shrimp basket. You can get salads in both garden, or chicken styles.
They have a large selection of sides; fries, onion rings, curly fries, chili cheese fries, corn dogs, pizza puffs and chili, among many others. Beside a nice kids menu, you can get your dog, burger or cheeseburger as a combo (small fries and a small drink).
Fountain drinks include Coke products, and you can get canned pop to go. Malts and shakes come in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Of course coffe, and milk are also available.
I had the Chicago Style hot dog meal, and it was great! The dog was perfect, and the fries were fresh, hot, and nicely salted! The owners are friendly, and as I ate my meal, the counter girl offered to top off my coke. The diner is decorated in photos of classic cars, and is very clean. There are many other food selections, stop by to check them out!
Located at 5 S. Lake St. you can call ahead for pick up (630-897-1526), and they are happy to accept cash or credit as payment. One more thing, check for their hours of operation, as it is not listed on the to go menu.
Irish Food......
Now open in DOWNTOWN AURORA, Ballydoyles Irish Pub, and Resturant. Located on the Fox River, just over the bridge from the Casino, on New York Avenue. This scenic location promises to be a great hub for great music, food, and social gatherings. I have a particular weakness for Irish food, heck any food, but you gotta love the fullfilment brought about by Sheppard's Pie, corned beef, and Irish Stew...yum! The folks here have done a great job remodeling the facility, and the view of the river, and the night lights is fantastic. I ordered up one of my secret fav drinks, a Cosmo Martini, and was glad I did! I eagerly looked forward to my order of, Sheppard's Pie, Potato/Leak soup, and an appetizer they call, Corned Beef Bites.
Unfortunately, and I hope it was just a bad night in the kitchen, the rest of my experience was not good. The soup had little to no potato in it,(it was more like cool, thick milk), and, little to no taste! The leak should have lent taste to the soup, and you'd think the bacon in the soup would also. Our waitress was very sweet, and removed the soup from our bill, we didn't finish it.
Next came out the bites. On the menu they are described as corned beef in sour cream, breaded, and deep fried. Six come in an order, and they are accompanied by a nice garlic dipping sauce. They looked great, about the size, a bit smaller, than a golf ball, BUT...the outside was nice, and crisp, the surprise was the taste, and texture of the meat and sour cream. It was the consistancy of puried mush, and had no taste of its own! Without the sauce, this selection is as bland as the soup was. Finally the pie arrived, and all hope was raised...crash!
I am a regular visitor to the Ren Fare every summer. The item I look forward to the most is their pie! It is enough for two to share, and is packed with ground beef, onions, carrots, and peas. It is topped off with a generous layer of baked, whipped, potato. It is a nice treat for under $5. The pie offered at Ballydoyles is pathetic! Under a very nice layer of baked potato, is well, basically nothing much! There is a liquid that looks like something you would find in Dinty Moore canned stew after the can was empty. There was literally no meat, and except for a few peas, and all of four small slices of carrot, that was it! All told, my bill was over $40, and that was with my soup removed! Mind you, the service, martini, and setting were great! I will not go back to eat, I would rather make the drive to Geneva to eat at Claghdah (sp), where the Irish food is generously served, and the prices are much more friendly...here's hoping that something changes, as I'd really like to see Ballydoyle succeed!
Chinese Food......
Recently opened in downtown Aurora, "NEW CHINA HUT CAFE NO. 3". Located at 140 S. River St., this place has all of the great traditional foods, as well as some which may not be familiar to you. I ordered the other night, and was very impressed. First off, because of their location, I placed an order at 7pm, and had the delivery guy at my door in less than twenty minutes! Of course this means that my food was freshly cooked, and very warm!
I had, Beef Fried Rice, an order of Egg Rolls (two to an order), and Beef Egg Foo Young (two very good sized patties), all for under $16.00! The eggrolls were crisp, but light, the Egg Foo Young was excellent, and came in a nice beef gravy. The Fried Rice was awesome, and though I asked for a small order, there was plenty.
They serve Szechwan, and Cantonese choices, at very reasonable prices! Be sure to get a copy of their menu, there are many special coupons, and combos that are not listed on the inhouse menu.
Phone, (630) 966-2626, or visit them online at: www.newchinahut.com
They stop delivery 15 min. before closing... Sun. 1:30PM-9PM, Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 AM-9PM, Fri. and Sat. 11:30AM-10PM. Give them a try!
NEW CAFE IN TOWN......
"RIVER EDGE", located on the Fox River at 18 W. Downer Place, this location had been a coffee shop called, "Bags". Open for just over a month, this new shop offers food, select coffees, and alternate entertainment.
I stopped by, and got a very nice Latte, along with a fresh zucchini pineapple muffin, all for about four bucks. The coffee was fresh, and the muffin was large and tasty. If you visited the "bags shop, the interior is pretty much the same as it was then. Comfey chairs, fireplace, and a nice view of the river. The big differance is in the menu.
Everything from coffees, teas, steamers, and the like, to breaskfast foods, sweets, sandwiches, and dinners are available. They have a special for each day! Friday, for instance is a baked Lasagna, while Tuesday offers Pulled BBQ Pork. Besides the standard breakfast sweets, you can also order up "Hectors Breakfast Cup", start with potatoes, and eggs, them mix in meats cheeses and veggies of your choice.
Soups include Navy Bean & Bacon, Cheesy Potato as well as a fine selection of other. Ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, and cupcakes are offered for dessert. Looking to eat light? Salad choices abound!You can build a salad, or get it as a wrap!
The staff is friendly, and the prices are right. You can use their free WiFi, or log onto one of the two computers in house, free of charge of course.
Contact "RIVER'S EDGE CAFE"...(630) 897-3343, or check out their calendar of events online; TheRiversEdgeCafe.com
NEW TREAT REVIEW......
Like flavored popcorn, but are frustraited by what's available in the 'burbs? Look forward to being in Downtown Chicago to get to Garrett's on State Street, just to get there after they have closed?
Well, cry no more!
If you are like me, my sweet tooth likes nothing more than fresh "Chicago" mixed popcorn. There is something grand about that sweet carmel corn mixed with the sharp flavor of good cheese popcorn.
I had a great combo from a place right here in the Fox Valley! THE MONGOMERY POPCORN COMPANY is the place for you. Their mix is what I had, and it was excellent.
Of course, if you don't like yours mixed, you can get the carmel, cheese, or other flavored popcorns seperately. They offer this great snack in bags, and tins. Best of all, their prices won't make you limit how much you take home.
Located at 112 1/2 South River Street in Montgomery, it's a quick ride to satisfy your popcorn crave. Looking for fresh fudge? Well, they have that too! Give them a cal at, (630) 896-2840). Check out their website at: www.montgomerypopcorn.com
NORTH AURORA LOCATION......
Enjoy a night at North Aurora's newest fine dining, The Turf Room. Located off of Randall Road, and Orchard just north of Oak, at 650 Randall Crossing. This roomy restaurant provides a nice intimate atmosphere, along with great food, as well as the option to do a little off-track betting.
We went on a week night, and the place was very busy, however, they have ample seating, and we didn't wait long for our table. The mood is quiet in the dining rooms, with low lighting, although you can feel the difference at the bar. There is seating inside, and out, where you will find several wood burning fireplaces.
The menu has many great offerings! Drinks, and food are a bit pricey, but very generous! We had two beautiful, chicken meals,
an appetiser, a couple of blueberry mohitos, and dessert.
The service was great, and, while the dress code calls for relaxed attire, the cost of dining out makes me think that this will be a place for special nights out. You can call them at, (630) 906-9300.
THAI FOOD IN ST. CHARLES......
Like Asian food, but are not sure of what you'll get if you do Thai food? Well...no fear! Visit THAI ZIE in St. Charles.
The food here is a real treat. It is well prepared, and very tasty. Don't worry about over spicing, everything is well explained on the menu. From Pad Thai, to Stips of Sesame Beef, everything is delitefull!
Be sure to try the sticky rice, or any of the salads with sweet
vinager dressing. Wash everything down with Thai tea, and, leave room for desert!
We had Satay for an appetizer... sliced chicken with Thai spice, served with peanut sauce, and cucumber salad. Our entrees were: Garlic Beef sauteed with garlic, black pepper brown suace, with a nice side of fresh veggies, and Moo Tod pork strips seasoned with sesame seed and served with Thai hot sauce. I included a side of sticky rice, sweet, and well...sticky! We each had a soft drink, and our bill with tip was less than $40.
Limited alcohol can be purchased, beer and wine only. The restaurant is clean, and pleasantly appointed. The chef will come out to see how your meal is, and the service is great! NOW FEATURING...$5 lunch specials.
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