As I reflect back on 2015, I can say it’s been a big year of growth and learning. Also, a time of living life to the FULLest. Literally, my belly was full. I ate my way through the year…pizzas, burgers, doughnuts, cake, sushi, sandwiches, etc. You name it, I ate it.
Living in Chicago all my life, I have always eaten my way through the city but never documented as intensely as I do now. Earlier this year, I started frequently photographing my food as I became more active in the Instagram community. Through this platform, I met incredible friends, who share my same passion, and I ate a plethora of gratifying meals. And, these new friends and experiences inspired me to start Fab Food Chicago. 2015 was a fabulous year, and I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store.
Old and new, here are the best things I ate in 2015, my Top 20…
Best Bagel Sandwich: Lox Sandwich at Kaufman’s Deli
Growing up in the North Shore, Kaufman’s Deli has been a part of my life from a young age. This deli counter and bakery has been a suburban landmark for many years. All their sandwiches are monstrous. No joke! I especially love the lox sandwich on an everything bagel which is stuffed with generous portions of lox, cucumbers, tomatoes, capers, and your choice of cream cheese.
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Kaufman’s Deli
Skokie || 4905 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60077 || P: (847) 677-6190
Best Bibimbap: Sashimi-bap at En Hakkore
If you haven’t had bibimbap before, it’s a traditional Korean dish, and means mixed rice. It is usually served with warm white rice, mixed vegetables, a protein of choice, egg, and gochujang (chili red paste) sauce. En Hakkore serves an array of delicious and beautiful bibimbaps. My favorite is the sashimi-bap which is served with fresh raw fish and vinegar gochujang. It’s like a salad with copious amounts of veggies.
Check out my Top 5 Bibimbap in Chicago here.
A photo posted by Soo Park (@fabsoopark) on
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En Hakkore
Bucktown || 1840 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 772-9880
Best Burger: Bacon Cheeseburger at Au Cheval
Although many new burgers were introduced in 2015, my heart will always belong to the iconic burger at Au Cheval. The meat-to-bun ratio is on point and the addition of the pickles, Dijoinnaise, and American cheese will tickle your tastebuds. Although the thick-cut peppered bacon and fried egg are optional, it would be a great disservice not to add them. Just sayin’.
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Au Cheval
West Loop || 800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 929-4580
Best Cake: Chocolate Cake at Formento’s
The holy grail of chocolate cake…Formento’s version is a piece of chocolate heaven. With nine layers of chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, and hazelnut praline, every bite is decadent and rich. I’m telling you now…save room for dessert!
On a side note, I just realized this picture was from when I hit 1K followers about 7 months ago. Whoa!
Check out my full review of Formento’s here.
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Formento’s
West Loop || 925 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 690-7295
Best Cookie: Chocolate Chip Cookie with Rice Krispies Treats at Summer House Santa Monica
It’s always sunny at Summer House Santa Monica with its beach themed décor and California-inspired menu. What really shines through for me is the bakery counter by the entrance of the restaurant, which has a selection of fresh baked breakfast pastries, muffins, and cookies. I can’t resist the chocolate chip cookie topped with chunks of Rice Krispies Treats. Om nom nom nom! Me eat cookie!
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Summer House Santa Monica
Lincoln Park || 1954 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 634-4100
Best Cupcake: Caramel Toffee and Sea Salt Cupcake at Baker Boys
I am not a cupcake connoisseur or anything, but I have had my fair share of cupcakes through the years. I can confidently say I’ve tried almost every cupcake shop in Chicago, so believe me when I say Baker Boys has damn good cupcakes. It is a small dessert shop in Highland Park with super nice owners. I’m obsessed with their specialty filled cupcakes. The flavors rotate so you may not get the same each time, but I haven’t met one I didn’t like.
Check out Chelsia’s Top 5 Cupcakes in Chicago here.
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Baker Boys
Highland Park || 733 St Johns Ave, Highland Park, IL || P: (847) 433-0430
Best Chicken Sandwich: The Brittany at The Roost Carolina Kitchen
I can’t count how many times I have eaten a Brittany sandwich at The Roost Carolina Kitchen this year and every time I do, I have Britany Spears songs playing in my mind. I know fried foods are “Toxic” to my health but “Oops…I did it again”, but when I walk away it screams “…Baby One More Time”. The Brittany breakfast sandwich comes on a buttermilk biscuit with spicy chicken and topped with a fried egg and cheddar cheese. Oh, baby, baby!
Check out my Top 5 Chicken Sandwiches in Chicago here.
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The Roost Carolina Kitchen
Lakeview || 1467 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 261-5564
River West || 455 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 877-5738
Best Dessert: Shaved Snow at Snow Dragon Shavery
Let it snow! Smoother than ice and lighter than ice cream, Snow Dragon Shavery’s Taiwanese-style shaved snow is taking Chicago’s dessert scene by storm. Choose from flavors like black sesame, coconut, green tea, mango, and more with various toppings and drizzles. The velvety smooth texture instantly melts in your mouth. Ready, set, SNOW!
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Snow Dragon Shavery
Lincoln Park || 2618 N Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 281-9866
Evanston || 809 Davis St, Evanston, IL || P: (847) 475-7669
Best Doughnut: Salted Caramel Old Fashioned at The Doughnut Vault
If you follow me on Instagram, you’d know I eat a hole lot of doughnuts. Can’t stop, won’t stop! Although I love a good custard or fruit filled doughnut, nothing beats a warm old fashioned from The Doughnut Vault. The space is tiny and the menu is limited but the flavors are mouthwatering. The salted caramel is irresistible with the great harmony of sweetness and saltiness.
Check out my Top 5 Doughnuts in Chicago here.
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The Doughnut Vault
River North || 401 1/2 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 285-2830
West Loop || 111 N Canal St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 285-2830
Best Fries: Kimchi Fries at Del Seoul
Kimchi is not for everyone, I get it. It is pungent and has a distinct taste but when you combine it with crispy fries, you have an out-of-this-world merging of Korean and American cuisine. Del Seoul’s Kimchi Fries are topped with sautéed kimchi, onions, pork belly, scallions, cheddar and Jack cheese, and sour cream. It is truly a unique combination of flavors.
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Del Seoul
Lincoln Park || 2568 N Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 248-4227
Best Gelato: Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel at Black Dog Gelato
I prefer gelato over ice cream because it makes me feel better knowing that it has less fat than ice cream. I know it doesn’t help when you consume tons of it, but I am fully convinced that it is better for me. Gelato is churned at a slower rate, which makes it denser than ice cream and served in warmer temperatures making it smoother and creamier. Black Dog Gelato has the best gelato. The unique flavors are inventive and intriguing like the Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel.
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Black Dog Gelato
Ukrainian Village || 859 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 235-3116
Roscoe Village || 1955 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 348-7935
Best Hot Dog: Foie Gras Dog at Hot “G” Dog
I was deeply saddened when Hot Doug’s closed. I was a loyal fan and even waited 7 hours in its final days for one last taste of Doug Sohn’s epic hot dogs. When I heard the former cooks of Hot Doug’s opened Hot “G” Dog, I was ecstatic. The flavor combinations and ambiance needs a little work, but the Foie Gras Dog is on point. It’s the closest you’ll get to the original version.
Check out Sherrie’s Top 5 Cheap Eats in Andersonville and Uptown here.
A photo posted by Soo Park (@fabsoopark) on
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Hot “G” Dog
Uptown || 5009 N Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 209-3360
Best Korean: Cho Sun Ok
I can’t say I am in love with the Korean restaurant selection in Chicago. It doesn’t taste as authentic as mom’s cooking and the variety isn’t as large as Los Angeles or New York but my go-to restaurant for consistent food is Cho Sun Ok. Yeah, the BBQ is better at Gogi and the banchan is overflowing at San Soo Gab San, but the food is most reliable at Cho Sun Ok. A good stew with a order of the Chaldolbaegi (thinly sliced brisket), and the kimchi fried rice they make at the end is my perfect meal.
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Cho Sun Ok
North Center || 4200 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 549-5555
Best Late Night: Combo Plate at The Halal Guys
Nothing beats eating a nice warm plate of The Halal Guys on a chilly fall night in NYC. Although, the Chicago location has a different vibe than the one in NYC, I’m happy they opened one here. The seats are limited and the taste is slightly different, but the meal is completely satisfying. I like the combo plate with chicken and falafel. Don’t forget the white sauce! It’s highly addictive. WARNING: taste the red sauce before you pour it onto your plate. It’s hotter than you think! A few dollops will be enough.
A photo posted by Soo Park (@fabsoopark) on
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The Halal Guys
Gold Coast || 49 W Division St, Chicago, IL || P: 312) 877-5575
Best Pizza: Doug Sohn’s Atomic Sausage at Piece Brewery and Pizzeria
Chicago is home to many good pizzas. The crispy cheese crust pizza at Pequod’s is undeniably good and the Startufata at Dolce Italian is buzzworthy but my favorite pizza of 2015 was Doug Sohn’s Atomic Sausage at Piece Brewery and Pizzeria. It first debuted in March for a limited-time to benefit Pilot Light Chefs but due to its popularity, it was added as a permanent item on the menu. Sohn’s creation includes spicy sausage that is made with various peppers, onions, and pepper jack cheese.
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Piece Brewery and Pizzeria
Wicker Park || 1927 W North Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 772-4422
Best Ramen: Miso Bold & Spicy Ramen at Ramen Takeya
Ramen Takeya, sister restaurant of Wasabi opened its door in the West Loop earlier in 2015. Wasabi serves the best tonkatsu (pork broth) ramen, but I like the lighter chicken broth version at Ramen Takeya, sourced from cage-free chicken. The broth needed a little work in the beginning, but it’s been perfected through time. I can eat the Miso Bold & Spicy Ramen (cage-free chicken broth, straight egg noodles, Berkshire pork belly char siu, soft boiled jidori egg, marinated bamboo shoots, fire bean sprouts, chili spice, chili oil, and chili threads) in any weather.
Check out Van’s Top 5 Ramen in Chicago here.
A photo posted by Soo Park (@fabsoopark) on
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Ramen Takeya
West Loop || 819 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 666-7710
Best Sushi: Nigiri Series at Juno (Omakase)
You’re probably sick of me writing about Juno’s Omakase so I won’t go into too much detail. All I can say is, it’s really good. It is a little pricey but worth every penny. Chef B.K. Park’s skills are unmatched and the experience is truly memorable.
Read my full review of Juno here.
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Juno
Lincoln Park || 2638 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 935-2000
Best Taco: Fish Taco at El Carrito
Don’t hate me when I say this but I am not a big fan of tacos. I will eat it, but it is never my first choice. The only tacos I really like to eat are fish tacos. After trying fish tacos in California, I sort of became a fish taco snob. I could never find anything comparable until now. El Carrito, hands down, has the best fish tacos in Chicago. The fried tilapia is crispy and light while the jalapeño cabbage slaw is fresh and crunchy. I seriously crave it all the time!
Check out Van’s full review of El Carrito here.
A photo posted by Soo Park (@fabsoopark) on
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El Carrito
West Rogers Park || 6019 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (872) 208-3260
Best Udon: Udon at Lure Izakaya Pub
Udon is a thick and chewy wheat noodle in Japanese cuisine and usually served hot in a mildly seasoned broth. I ate a lot of it growing up but always felt indifferent about it. I mean, it was good but there was nothing special about it. Lure Izakaya Pub changed my mind and now I have a new profound love for udon. For only $7, you can get a nice piping hot bowl of udon that is packed with flavor and a hint of spice. Udon want to miss this!
Check out our launch party here.
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Lure Izakaya Pub
Lakeview || 2925 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 360-8816
Best Wings: Everything Wings at Mott Street
Mott Street serves Asian-fusion small plates created by Chef Edward Kim from Ruxbin. The Everything Wings at Mott Street are everything. The crispy wings are glazed with soy and chilis and tossed with sesame, poppy seed, fried shallots, and served with a side of tzatziki. They take KFC (Korean fried chicken) to another level.
A photo posted by Soo Park (@fabsoopark) on
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Mott Street
West Town || 1401 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 687-9977
I know my list is a mouthful, but I wanted to share all of my favorites. Check out @vansventures recap of 2015 here, @chelsias here, and @sherriesavorsthecity here.
What was the best thing you ate in 2015? Let us know below.
Live the Fab Food Life,
Soo
Note: These meals were not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
Lovely top 20 Soo!! I can say that I have been to few of yout top 20 last year when I was visiting Chicago! I am looking forward on my next visit and will tr to hit up new restaurants in there! See you soon!