90 Miles Cafe

Today we have a restaurant review that ties into a movie the boys all attended together. The movie, Chef, is about a chef who opens a food truck that serves cubano sandwiches. This inspired us to try the cubano sandwiches at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe.

Max:
This is a pretty good cuban cuisine. I would say their food is good and their atmosphere is very authentic. By the way, 90 miles means 90 miles to Florida. That's how long it takes to get from Florida to Cuba. Also, we all saw the movie Chef. It's a great movie if you love food or if you're a food critic. But don't watch it on an empty stomach. I got the Ropa Vieja. It has Shredded beef, choice of cheese and plantain chips as the side on it. It's really good but really greasy. And after you finish it you might have a hard time walking because it's so greasy and fattening. Though its still good. And the beef on it is really good and well cooked, and goes with the cheese pretty well. The plantain chips are not the best. They're pretty dry. But I know that plantain chips are supposed to be a little dry. It has a great authentic atmosphere and it really makes you feel like you're in Cuba. So their food is good, their atmosphere is authentic. And i think they're a good Cuban restaurant, and i would give this place 3 and 3 quarter plates. But i probably won't go back that soon because there are other Cuban places around. Like Carl Casper's El Jefe. LOL!

Otto:

I tried the Cubano sandwich, but I got it with only meat and the bread, so it was pretty boring and not amazing. It was a little bit dry, which I can understand since I only had the plain meat, but maybe it's not a very good place for me to eat. The yuca fries were okay. It was the first time I tried yuca. They were really really burning hot when they came, but they didn't have too much taste to them without the garlic sauce that was on them (and I didn't eat the sauce, so it was kind of bland). My sandwich came with plantain chips, but I didn't actually try those. All in all it wasn't a good place for someone who eats in a sort of limited way, like me. But the atmosphere of it was really cool. It was an indoor patio where we ate, and it had all sorts of lights and art and was colorful and really fun to see. well, i guess i would rate this place 2 plates. i wish i could like it more but its just not a good place for me. and the movie was 5 stars.

Ruben:

90 miles cuban cafe is a great place to go if your in the mood for some delicious cuban food. I got the Cubano Sandwich Ham pork pickles and mustard it usually comes with cheese, but since i am sensitive to dairy i didn't get it. The sandwich was very good the bread was phenomenal and the ham and pork really were seasoned well and went well together. The pickles and mustard were a very nice touch also but the sandwich it's self was a little greasy. We also got the Yuca Fries which had some garlic one them they were really awesome and i want to try to make them in my kitchen. I really liked the atmosphere of the place felt very cuban and mystical with cool lights and just a good color pallet. after 90 miles we went to go see Chef the movie. which i highly recommend Chef stars Jon Favreau and he was really good. it's about a chef who works in a restaurant but then gets a bad review and gets fired and then he starts his own food truck and go's all over the country.  Anyway 90 miles and Chef were great. I give the Restaurant 4 plates and the movie i give 5 stars.

90 miles

Ruben's Cubano

Dining in the interior patio.

Appetizer has arrived.

Yuca Fries with garlic sauce.

Another sandwich option, served in between two pieces of friend plantain.

Otto's very plain Cubano sandwich.

Inside.

Lots of leftovers. And rain.

At the movies.

The movie received rave reviews by all three boys. Watch the trailer here.

And as summed up by Otto: sadly we liked the movie better than the food we had at 90 Miles. If we could actually eat the food that he seems to be cooking in that movie, we would all be so happy.

Doughnut Vault

Finally made it to Doughnut Vault!

Max:

We have tried to go here once before, but they were sold out. And this time we finally made it! I got the Strawberry Filled. And I just have to quickly say: it was.... The.... Best..... Donut.... I have ever had.... And I'm not too surprised because a bunch of our friends said that this is their favorite donut place. So that's that. I think one of the reasons why it tastes so good is because it's made with real strawberry jam. And a lot of jelly filled donuts are made with artificial jam. So it's nice to have a donut with real and natural jam. Another reason that made it so good is the vanilla glazing. I have never really had a vanilla glazed donut. And trust me, they're really good. I really like the atmosphere of the place because it seems to be an old Bank Vault, that was turned into a donut place. And that's probably why they call it Donut Vault. It's also very small to be the best donut place in the city, but they must have a kitchen somewhere in the bakery, probably behind the donut trays. But I just have to yell that I LOVED DONUT VAULT! and its my FAVORITE DONUT PLACE IN THE CITY! And I would give Donut Vault four and a half stars (out of five) because there might be even better donut places out there, and I'm sure I'll find them.

Otto:

This place is really small. Only about four groups of people can even stand inside. It was a rainy day when we went, and we were so lucky that there were only two people in front of us and lots of doughnuts left for us (and there were not any people after us, so we didn't feel rushed). The guy who was working there pulled out every single tray of the types of doughnuts available that day. He was really nice. I got the Buttermilk Old Fashioned and the Gingerbread Stack. These doughnuts are amazing, the best in Chicago, or at least the best I've had so far. The old fashioned was basically just a really delicious old fashioned. And the gingerbread stack was three smaller cake donuts, coated in cinnamon sugar, which was perfect for sharing. I usually like old fashioned or yeast donuts, but these cake donuts were just amazing. They were lighter than any other cake donut I've had, so light that I wasn't even sure it was a cake donut (in a good way). I can't wait to go back. I want to go back right now, ha ha. (I actually kind of do.)

Ruben:

The holy Donut vault we have been waiting to go here for months and we finally made it. We got up pretty early in the morning and we were on our way at about 9:00 AM. we got there and we all were so excited. Now what i did not know is that the vault is so small it's like the size of a hobbit home or something. I loved the atmosphere of the place very edgy and 1920's a small glass chandelier mirrors a old cash register so cool. The service was awesome the vault guy as we like to call him explained and told us all the flavors and was very patient while we we're deciding which donuts to get. Okay lets talk donuts these are the best donuts i have ever had in city of Chicago and probably the second best in the country. the first is Dough Brooklyn NY. I got a half dozen 2 for me and the rest to bring home to my family and they loved them too. I had the special of the day Roasted almond it was so FLAVORFUL fresh creamy everything you could ever want in the donut. The roasted almonds on top were so good sweet and salty. The donut itself was a yeast donut kinda had a vanilla taste and i might have tasted some kinda of coconut in there. The other donut i had was the classic glazed best glazed donut i have ever had better than Krispy Kream. folks you can see the vanilla bean! overall the Donut Vault was great place and i plan to go back really really really soon.

Inside the vault.

We get the grand tour of the day's doughnuts from the extremely helpful and patient and awesome Vault Man.

From top left: Buttermilk Old Fashioned, Strawberry Jam Filled, Gingerbread 3-Stack, Pistachio Old Fashioned, another Buttermilk Old Fashioned, and the special of the day, Roasted Almond

Love at first bite.

Max's Strawberry Filled.

Amazingly light and delicious (but extremely filling!).

 

The boys experience a true doughnut high.

Donut Vault Menu

Entrance to the vault

Ruben's Dozen, Two Glazed, Two Toasted Almond, One
Pistachio Old Fashioned and One Buttermilk Old Fashioned. 

Inside the Vault

Spotted The Cheesie's Food truck on the
way to the vault.

Belly Shack

Today we are reviewing Belly Shack.

Otto:

Belly Shack is located right under the Blue Line train stop at Western, and the interior decorations all have an industrial feel. It has a very limited menu, only five main courses and sometimes they have specials. But I always get the same thing there because I LOVE it. It's the Korean Barbecue Beef with Pita. It also comes with Kimchi. The meat is really delicious. It's thinly cut, and the tasty sauce keeps it really moist. It's one of my favorite meals.

Max:

I love Belly Shack because it's not standard Korean food. It's actually a combination of Korean and Puerto Rican food, in what is called Fusion. I have gone here many times, and I have to say it's my favorite Korean place in Chicago so far. I got the Asian Pork Meatball Sandwich. It's stuffed with somen noodles, Korean chili paste and mint. It's REALLY REALLY BIG!!!!!!! I couldn't quite finish it. But at least it's really really tasty. It's 10 bucks but I have to say it's worth it. The somen noodles are soft and good they taste like ramen noodles actually. The pork meatballs are my favorite part of the dish. They're great with the Korean chili paste on them. The ingredients really complement each other. The pita that it's served in is delicious! They use the same kind of pita on all their dishes but man it's a great pita!! The restaurant Urban Belly and BellyQ are also Fusion Korean places in Chicago. They're owned by the same people as Belly Shack. I really love the atmosphere of Belly Shack. It's got skateboards, graffiti art, cool music and many other urban feeling things. One of the coolest things about the atmosphere I think is the skateboards on the walls. They have really cool designs on them and they look great with the rest of the restaurant. On the restroom doors they actually have Skateboard Trucks as handles, I've always thought that was a cool idea! But I overall say that this is a cool, hip, Asian fusion feeling restaurant that has great food! And I think people who live in Chicago obviously need to try this restaurant because it's my favorite Korean one in Chicago so far!

Ruben:

Belly shack what can i say Chef bill Kim wow's me every time i go to one of his restaurants. Belly Shack is one of my favorite restaurants i just love it. The thing that makes belly shack stand out is the atmosphere matches the location and the food. located right under the Western Blue Line stop Belly Shack has sort of a edgy look with awesome metal stools, metal tables and skate boards hanging on the walls so freaking awesome. The food is amazing it tastes so flavorful , fresh and spicy. I got the korean BBQ beef , 4 miniature pita's with Korean beef and kimchi. First of all the beef is so tasty has so much flavor the minute you bite into it your taste buds dance across your tung i know I'm being a little dramatic but seriously its good beef. The KimChi is also very good tastes so authentic tastes just like the KimChi that you get at Super H Mart a Korean Food store located in Niles IL. Then you take that beef the kimchi put it all in that hot pita Mmmmmmmm. So if your around in wicker park buck town area defiantly check belly shack out and if you missed our review of urban belly belly shack's sister restaurant check it out.

Exterior shot.

Interior shot.

Candies at the counter.

Otto and Ruben both got the Korean BBQ Beef.

Max's Asian Pork Meatball Sandwich

Chicago Food Boys Eat.

Miko's Italian Ice

Hello, today we will be doing a mini review of Miko's Italian Ice in Palmer Square.

Max:
This place is very convenient for me because its not too far away from my neighborhood. i have been going here since i was a little kid, and it's the perfect place to get a nice ice on a warm day. i got watermelon and lime in the small size cup. and it was delicious and cool! the watermelon was flavorful and sweet and the lime was tart and flavorful. they were both good, and i can't say which one i liked better. they also use natural ingredients in all their Italian Ice, and that's what makes them taste so good. the atmosphere is relaxing and weird/cool they have a collection of old bird houses on their wall and a few colorful lights. the restaurant is very small but they have so many flavors to choose from so you will probably like at least 1 of the flavors. and i believe that this is a *delicious* Italian Ice place, and i think anyone should stop here on a warm sunny day.

Ruben:
I have been going to miko's for years now and i honestly say that it is the best Italian Ice place in the city and i have tried quite a few places. The awesome thing about miko's is that it's fresh seriously its not just ground up ice and corn syrup its fresh flavors from what i have tasted and i know cause i sometimes get fresh coconut shavings for strawberry seeds and that is what makes the ice so good. This time i had half strawberry half pineapple both the flavors were phenomenal and it was the perfect treat on a hot summer day. I got the small size which is plenty for me cause it's actually quite a lot of ice. The sizes are baby, small, medium, large and JUMBO!!! i can't imagine someone who could eat it. it would probably take ten people at least. I have always loved the atmosphere of miko's the colorful owls and bird houses and the little chairs outside on the side walk very nice. Overall if you want Itlian ice in the city of Chicago this is the place to go and i will be going back shortly oh and remember watch out for BRAIN FREEZE!!!

Otto:
Miko's is only open in the warmer months, and we're always so happy when we see they are open for the season, because that means that summer is on its way. It is walk-up window service from the sidewalk, so you don't go inside, but the outside is decorated very nicely, with string light decorations and lots of bird houses on the wall and funny signs. When you want to order, you walk up to a screen window from the sidewalk and talk to someone who is inside and scoops up your choices, and then you can eat your Italian Ice on plastic chairs on the sidewalk or go to the nearby park with them. They always have different flavors, and they are made from real fruit, so they really taste good. They only had 8 flavors on this day, and sometimes they have more than they can even write on the board, but I think it's because it's early in the season. I got lemon and pineapple in a small cup (you can mix more than one flavor in whatever size you get). It was just the right amount for me, and it was delicious. And I want to go there again right now.

We were there before they opened (noon-10pm every day), so we had a chance to hang out and take some pictures while waiting a few minutes, and then we helped set out the chairs for the day.

Walk-up window with a string of different sizes of the cups.

Otto's Lemon/Pineapple, Ruben's Strawberry/Pineapple,
Max's Watermelon/Lime,

Ahhhh, (almost) summer.

Pannenkoeken Cafe

Hello, today we are reviewing Pannenkoeken Cafe in Lincoln Square.

Otto:
Pannenkoeken is known for their Dutch pancakes, which are more like crepes than like American pancakes. You just get one big but thin pancake that fills up your whole plate. It's served open with your toppings on it. I usually just get powdered sugar on top, but they have all kinds of toppings: thinly sliced apples with cinnamon, or bananas and Nutella, or bacon and cheese or vegetables. They also have other typical breakfast choices: omelets, french toast, buttermilk pancakes and waffles. But we almost always get the Dutch pancakes. The owner learned to make these pancakes in Holland when she studied with a chef there, and they seem to be really authentic. We've never had these kind of pancakes anywhere else. My simple pancake was delicious, as always. The restaurant is tiny but really cozy, we counted that there were only about 20 seats total. On weekends it is really crowded and there is a long wait, but we go there on weekday mornings, and we usually get right in.

Max:
I have been going here since i was very small, and they've always served some of my favorite dutch food. first off, they have a great and authentic atmosphere. they have great service. they have the best fresh squeezed orange juice, and when you eat there it feels like you are actually in the netherlands. their dutch pancakes are simply irresistible! i got the Apple Ginger Dutch Pancake. it was delicious. though i wasn't a huge fan of the ginger jam. i recommend getting or using some berry jam instead, but that's just my opinion. the pancake was fresh, sweet, and tasted like a real dutch pancake. also the apple really gave the dutch pancake a ZZANG! also, after i was done eating, i went to go wash my hands and inside the restroom it felt very cold. it actually felt like outside wether. but it was just because there was something wrong with the ventilation system. but i think that the Pannenkoeken Cafe was and has always been delicious, and i very much recommend for anyone in Chicago to try this place.

Ruben:
Okay, now these are good pancakes, and they are not just your average pancakes they are the most tasteful Pannenkoekens ever. So i have never had Pannenkoeken so i didn't know what it was gonna look like or taste like but it was amazing. Pannenkoeken are dutch pancakes that are very big and thin and have more egg then regular pancakes. I had the apple Pannenkoeken. it had thinly sliced apples with cinnamon on top and then powdered sugar too. It was so good, very flavorful. i loved the thinly sliced apples on it, they gave the Pannenkoeken a little sourness which was good. The Pannenkoeken itself was very good and fresh. I liked the atmosphere of the place very small only sat about twenty people. i hear on weekends it sometimes is a hour wait and you put your phone number in and they will literally call you when there is a table avaliable. I also had the fresh squeezed orange juice and you could tell it was fresh squeezed cause there was so much pulp but i love pulp so that was a pro for me. For how big the Pannenkoeken is it must take tremendous skill to flip it and cook it just right since it so thin. Overall i loved this place and i plan to go back and i can't believe i have never been here since i live in the lincoln square area.

Ready for Pannenkoeken.

Otto's Powdered Sugar Pancake

Max's Apple Ginger Pancake

Ruben's Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes

Dutch syrup, used on sweet or savory dishes.

Condiments.

Huck Finn Donuts

Hello, today we will be reviewing Huck Finn Donuts.

Max:

So i have been here once before and they have good food, but great donuts. if you are in a hurry or if you want something tasty and cheap, than Huck's is the place where you should go. i got the Chocolate Sprinkle and Buttermilk Donut. the Chocolate Sprinkle Donut was definitely high above the average Chocolate Sprinkle Donut. it was very tasty and not dry at all. The Buttermilk Donut was a little too dry and it didn't quite have enough glaze on it. the atmosphere was like an average pancake diner. the service was good and patient. and the entire place is just a great donut shop. i think that Huck Finn Donuts was good and i will go back. and remember, their fast and cheap and perfect for on the go food!

Otto:
I have also been here once before. I got the old fashioned glazed donut and the custard filled powdered sugar donut. The old fashioned was better than average. The custard filled donut was really good, not as good as the other donut shops we reviewed, though. This place is more of a classic donut shop/diner. The food at the diner part is okay, and they do have pretty good cinnamon bun french toast.

Ruben:
So this is my first time having Huck Finn Donuts. and let me tell you they are good! and cheap! seriously we were going to a group hike and we bought 2 and a half dozen for everyone and it was only 30 bucks! talk about cheap eats. I had the coconut with the vanilla frosting and i had the special brown sugar donut also. First of all the coconut donut was so good. it was a yeast donut and the dough itself was so good and the frosting was also fantastic and the coconut on top was a very nice touch. The brown sugar was also amazing, probably better then the coconut, the brown sugar on top went great with the frosting. I liked the atmosphere of the place, kinda of like an old fashioned diner. The service was good and they were very patient with us since we took a long time to choose which donuts we wanted. Overall i loved Huck Finn and it is a great place to get a quality donut for cheap cause some donut places so expensive. for instance a dozen donuts at glazed and infused or donut vault etc would be 30 bucks for a dozen and WE GOT ALMOST 3 DOZEN FOR THAT MUCH. So seriously donut lovers, check it out.

Blurry boys with donuts.

Our half dozen.

Two dozen to share with friends.

5411 Empanadas

Hello, today we will be reviewing 5411 Empanadas.

Ruben:
Now these are some good empanadas! when i say good, i mean probably the best in Chicago. So i have been here twice and ordered twice, and i have not had a bad experience. First of all i love the atmosphere of the place, very nice and little and felt very colonial on the outside of the building. kinda reminded me of when i went to Ecuador cause there is a part of Quito which is the capital of Ecuador that has a lot of colonial buildings and it was nice to have that feel since Argentina is another south American country and also where this style of empanadas came from. Also another interesting factoid: 5411 was the code that you had to dial to call Argentina, specifically Buenos Aires, which is a city in Argentina, and where the founders of 5411 are from. and even though the empanadas were made in Chicago they imported them from Argentina and thats why it's called 5411. I also liked that baby blue color that they have painted on they outside of the restaurant and their food truck, which i have never been to but i would like go to someday. Now enough talk about that! let's talk about the food 'cause thats what this blog is about. So let me just say that these empanadas are so flavorful they come nice and hot and when you bite into them BOOM your taste bud will go WILD. I got the BQQ Chicken and the beef. The BQQ Chicken i liked better then the beef, the Chicken was really good and had a amazing barbecue sauce there was also some grilled onions and there were possibly some other herbs but the dough is the real bomb, it's really soft and light kinda like a croissant. The beef was okay the meat was good and the veggies were too, but nothing to rave about. Also you might ask how do you tell the empanadas apart. well they all have different shapes or crusts. that's really cool and there is a little card on the table that tells you which shape represents each empanada. Overall 5411 is really good, so have an adventure and go check it out, try something new, and if you have never had empanadas before, you're in luck.

Max:
So I had never been here before, and i don't eat empanadas that often. but these are spectacularly delicious! i got the Malbec Beef and BBQ Chicken. The Malbec Beef was very good. it had beef and carrot inside. it had a little too much carrot in it, but i just took out a couple pieces of carrot, so it was more balanced with beef and carrot. the BBQ Chicken was SO DELICIOUS! it had cilantro and chicken inside. it was perfectly balanced with chicken and cilantro. and without the cilantro it probably wouldn't taste so good, to be honest. another empanada that i got was the Bacon Dates & Goat Cheese. that was very good too, but i didn't like the taste of the dates with the goat cheese, it made it taste too strong. i also tried a little of the sweet corn. that was also DELICIOUS! it had almost pure corn, but with a little sauce, that both took your taste buds on a journey! also the shell of the empanadas are really crispy, warm, and DELICIOUS! the way they serve you their empanadas feels very authentic Argentinian. they have a sign that tells you to eat with your hands. and that's authentic Argentinian. and i did in fact, eat my empanadas with my hands. there's another sign that shows you each shape of each empanada they serve. so you can know what all the other empanadas look like. the atmosphere is very nice. it basically feels like a argentinian empanadas place. but the overall restaurant was DELICIOUS! and i will go back. also, if you're ever in this neighborhood, i recommend to stop by here.

Otto:
I got the Ham & Cheese Empanada, and I tried the Malbec Beef, but it had too much carrot (as Max already mentioned). The Ham & Cheese was delicious. It was very cheesy, I would say it was like 3/4 cheese, 1/4 ham. But it was really good. I liked the atmosphere of it. It's small and simple, but I liked it. And the menu was simple too. Each empanada was $2.50, so it was not very expensive to eat here. Most people apparently eat 3 or 4, but I only needed 2.

Getting out of the rain and in for some empanadas.

Know your empanada.

Empanadas have arrived.

Max's BBQ Chicken and Malbec Beef Empanadas

Otto's Ham & Cheese and Malbec Beef Empanada

Sweet Corn Caramelized Onion and Caramelized Onion empanadas 

Nearby Art