July 3 10am - Fritter-Sweet Potato-Burger-Watermelon Caravan

LTH -

I need - OK, want - to get all of these things on the south side and I might as well do them in one heart-stopping (probably literally) day:

Apple fritter from Old Fashioned Donuts
Sweet potato pie and other sweet potato treats from Jimmie Jams (I hear we’ll be dealing with the Hungry Hound effect soon)
Burger from Top Notch
A Baylor watermelon for the holiday weekend festivities

And I figure it would be more fun to do them in the company of LTHers. Anyone care to join me in a caravan for this expedition, especially folks without cars? (dansch and I originally talked about doing this trip on bikes, but then decided against it when I added bringing back watermelons).

The caveat, I don’t have much time to organize so all I will be able to do is call these establishments (those with phones) to tell them how many we are and about what time we’re coming.

I think maybe a max of 2-3 cars 8-12 people? Time wise, maybe 10-3 though I'll know more when I plot out the travel in more detail. Let me know if you’d like to join me on this jaunt.


RSVP's to date:
Hellodali (with car)
happy_stomach
gastro gnome +2 (with car)
Romantic Cynic (with car)
dansch
ViewsAskew

Maybe's if they can be tempted to work around - or ignore - family commitments
stevez
tarte tatin

I'd might be up for going, depending on the holiday schedule at Chez Z, although driving down there and leaving out a stop at D's Irie Kitchen is a shame. A stop at GNR Winner Calumet Fisheries wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen, either.

Wow - we have family coming in to town, I think I might get in trouble if I join you...but that's quite an agenda you've got, there. If I can weasel out of my obligations, I'll let you know.

Maybe coming home piled with all those goodies will make up for it (BTW - from personal experience, D's will add quite a bit of time - but imagine showing up to your 4th picnic with those wings! I wonder if they'll keep overnight)

These places are all high on my list of things I need to go to but that's a busy weekend. If it doesn't work out for most people and you go with another weekend, I'd be very interested in joining in. If not, have a blast and take pictures!

What a great way to celebrate Canada Day week! I'm there. I would bring a car to share if I had one, but I can provide foodie road music.

happy_stomach wrote:What a great way to celebrate Canada Day week! I'm there. I would bring a car to share if I had one, but I can provide foodie road music.

It is indeed a great way to celebrate the Canadian holiday. Wish I could be there. I will make up for it by being in Canada and celebrating Canadian multiculturalism by eating my way through all kinds of ethnic cuisines.

Jyoti

jygach wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:What a great way to celebrate Canada Day week! I'm there. I would bring a car to share if I had one, but I can provide foodie road music.

It is indeed a great way to celebrate the Canadian holiday. Wish I could be there. I will make up for it by being in Canada and celebrating Canadian multiculturalism by eating my way through all kinds of ethnic cuisines.

Jyoti

I'm so jealous, Jyoti! I've been lucky to spend Canada Day up north in the last few years. Unfortunately, I can't make the trip this summer. If you'll be in my hometown of Montreal, you can even bike & eat!

Oh boy, I wish I could go! Please post lots of pictures!

I'm another of those "wish I could be there" people. But I'm destined to be ensconced on a small private Island in the Northwoods of Wisconsin that day, lolling around the dock, drinking great beers, and hanging out with far-flung siblings.

Oh, cruel fate!

I think I can swing this. That's-A-Burger would also be a worthy stop for comparison but that's getting a little crazy (and I may organize a separate Hyde Park / TAB / UJ excursion later in the summer). I'll post status early next week.

Count me in the "wish I could be there" group as well. I'll be in beautiful middle-of-nowhere Indiana visiting family that weekend...

What a great idea! I've been meaning to get to nearly all these places.

I'm in. With a car if needed. Seats 4 comfortably.

OK, I'm in the I'll do everything in my power to get out of other obligations camp. Mostly I should be getting ready for the people coming on the 4th, but how can I not go???? I need a watermelon or two or three for the party, an apple fritter to keep up the energy to haul the watermelon and a burger and salty fries to take me out of sugar shock if I have the sweet potato goodies.

Count me 85% in....now, to wrangle the schedule so it's 100%. Oh, I am car-less, but am sure I can get to some reasonable meeting place without any difficulty given there is still room with someone.

HelloDali, You are fabulous for thinking of this and doing what you are to organize it. You have my heartfelt appreciation, whether I am lucky enough to rearrange my schedule or not.

I'm gone but a great idea. I think I will try to do a quick pick up before leaving town from some of those places. Baylor's & Old Fashioned Immediately jump to mind.

Really great idea!

ViewsAskew wrote:OK, I'm in the I'll do everything in my power to get out of other obligations camp. Mostly I should be getting ready for the people coming on the 4th, but how can I not go???? I need a watermelon or two or three for the party, an apple fritter to keep up the energy to haul the watermelon and a burger and salty fries to take me out of sugar shock if I have the sweet potato goodies.

Count me 85% in....now, to wrangle the schedule so it's 100%. Oh, I am car-less, but am sure I can get to some reasonable meeting place without any difficulty given there is still room with someone.

HelloDali, You are fabulous for thinking of this and doing what you are to organize it. You have my heartfelt appreciation, whether I am lucky enough to rearrange my schedule or not.

I was just about to email you to make sure you were in. If you still have that gathering get 2 watermelon's (1 for your home). I think this event is going to happen so I would suggest calling Old Fashioned a day or 2 before to place a big order.

Enjoy it,

We'd like to join this caravan... (me, plus husband... and 3 month old....) I guess that really just counts as 2..

Because of the 3-month old - we may peel off in the middle for a break, but we will be providing our own car, and can probably offer a seat or two.

Thanks for suggesting this - I've always wanted to try this spots, but it's been out of our way..

pairs4life wrote:

ViewsAskew wrote:OK, I'm in the I'll do everything in my power to get out of other obligations camp. Mostly I should be getting ready for the people coming on the 4th, but how can I not go???? I need a watermelon or two or three for the party, an apple fritter to keep up the energy to haul the watermelon and a burger and salty fries to take me out of sugar shock if I have the sweet potato goodies.

Count me 85% in....now, to wrangle the schedule so it's 100%. Oh, I am car-less, but am sure I can get to some reasonable meeting place without any difficulty given there is still room with someone.

HelloDali, You are fabulous for thinking of this and doing what you are to organize it. You have my heartfelt appreciation, whether I am lucky enough to rearrange my schedule or not.

I was just about to email you to make sure you were in. If you still have that gathering get 2 watermelon's (1 for your home). I think this event is going to happen so I would suggest calling Old Fashioned a day or 2 before to place a big order.

Enjoy it,

How nice of you (and HelloDali) to think of me.

How big are the melons? I'm not sure how many people I have coming - could be as few as 15 and as many as 30 (still waiting for RSVPs). I probably need at least two just for these people....

Since I'm unable to join this group on the date specified, I'm going to do the trek on my own tomorrow. I know absolutely NOTHING about getting around the area. I'm going to Old Fashioned Donuts first and I want to hit Jimmy Jamm's, Baylors and Top Notch last. What Baylors location should I be going to that puts me in the general area? Sorry, I've been in the suburbs too long.

I'm totally in!! If there's room in a car, I'll definitely take a seat - if there are no spaces, I can always ride my motorcycle in the caravan.

-Dan

Though I will insist that we go for a much wider range than just the fritter at Old Fashioned. Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome fritter, but the other doughnuts deserve some love as well - especially the cruller...


-Dan

Jean Blanchard wrote:Since I'm unable to join this group on the date specified, I'm going to do the trek on my own tomorrow. I know absolutely NOTHING about getting around the area. I'm going to Old Fashioned Donuts first and I want to hit Jimmy Jamm's, Baylors and Top Notch last. What Baylors location should I be going to that puts me in the general area? Sorry, I've been in the suburbs too long.

Good luck, and post an advance report here!

A link for the arbuzmart:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4943

101st and Halsted.

Thanks! I'll definitely do that.

I'm, very regretfully, out. Have fun, all!

Have you decided on a starting point for the caravan, ie, a meeting place beforehand? at 10 am?

I'm very interested to joining you, but have to determine the family holiday schedule first, hopefully tonight....

ViewsAskew wrote:

pairs4life wrote:

ViewsAskew wrote:OK, I'm in the I'll do everything in my power to get out of other obligations camp. Mostly I should be getting ready for the people coming on the 4th, but how can I not go???? I need a watermelon or two or three for the party, an apple fritter to keep up the energy to haul the watermelon and a burger and salty fries to take me out of sugar shock if I have the sweet potato goodies.

Count me 85% in....now, to wrangle the schedule so it's 100%. Oh, I am car-less, but am sure I can get to some reasonable meeting place without any difficulty given there is still room with someone.

HelloDali, You are fabulous for thinking of this and doing what you are to organize it. You have my heartfelt appreciation, whether I am lucky enough to rearrange my schedule or not.

I was just about to email you to make sure you were in. If you still have that gathering get 2 watermelon's (1 for your home). I think this event is going to happen so I would suggest calling Old Fashioned a day or 2 before to place a big order.

Enjoy it,

How nice of you (and HelloDali) to think of me.

How big are the melons? I'm not sure how many people I have coming - could be as few as 15 and as many as 30 (still waiting for RSVPs). I probably need at least two just for these people....

Get three. How could there ever be excess with fruit-- it's all water & lycopene

Although this would have been even more fun doing this with a group, husband and i went out on our own on Saturday. Old Fashioned Donuts first. Unbelievably good fritters and a few donut holes...for the ride....in case we got hungry. I never eat donuts because I don't like the mass produced ones that everybody brings into work and they're not worth the calories. Good thing this place is a hike.

Next, Baylor's. Good two watermelons and a free cantaloupe! Haven't tried the watermelon yet but we'll get into it today. The huge truck with about a million (maybe an exageration) was there and there was a lot of laughing and great spirit.

Then, Jimmy Jamm's. Loved the atmosphere and the owner. Great guy to spend some time with. The ice cream is soooo good you might want to save room for that. Flavor was intense and like nothing I've ever had before. We took home a slice of pie and a bread pudding. Both turned out to be excellent. Again, he really has it right with the spices and even the pie crust was better than I expected. Also got a loaf of bread that I'm going to make some french toast with this morning.

Last, Top Notch. My husband likes Five Guys a little better. It's kind of a toss up for me since I'm not a qualified burger gourmet but no complaints from either of us. Maybe he likes it better because it's closer. We both liked Top Notch's atmosphere better. Real neighborhood people, something I miss.

At all of these places, the people were extremely friendly. There were also Chicago cops at each place so we knew the food was going to be good. My dad was a Chicago cop and I was wishing he was still around so that I could redo this trip with him.

Once again, thanks to this site for helping me broaden my horizons. I'd never have even heard of these places without all of your help. As an aside, while we were in Jimmy Jamms, a couple told us about an art exhibit at a field house just down the street. It really was unbelievable, free and well worth the visit. If anyone is interested, I can post a little more info about that. Enjoy!

Jean Blanchard wrote:Although this would have been even more fun doing this with a group, husband and i went out on our own on Saturday. Old Fashioned Donuts first. Unbelievably good fritters and a few donut holes...for the ride....in case we got hungry. I never eat donuts because I don't like the mass produced ones that everybody brings into work and they're not worth the calories. Good thing this place is a hike.

AGREED- I want to head to Baylor's now but I'm wondering if I should wait until Wed/Thursday, since Old Fashioned is not open today & put in an order for fritters & doughnuts for our weekend trip.
Hmmm, the choices. I know I could do Baylor's now and Old Fashioned next week.

Next, Baylor's. Good two watermelons and a free cantaloupe! Haven't tried the watermelon yet but we'll get into it today. The huge truck with about a million (maybe an exageration) was there and there was a lot of laughing and great spirit.

I can't believe you didn't get a bag of peanuts.


At all of these places, the people were extremely friendly. There were also Chicago cops at each place so we knew the food was going to be good. My dad was a Chicago cop and I was wishing he was still around so that I could redo this trip with him.

These spots do make you want to share them with loved ones and trigger fond memories of food with family. My father would cut a watermelon in the morning and we would eat watermelon all day. Who needs candy or cookies when there is fantastic watermelon.

Once again, thanks to this site for helping me broaden my horizons. I'd never have even heard of these places without all of your help. As an aside, while we were in Jimmy Jamms, a couple told us about an art exhibit at a field house just down the street. It really was unbelievable, free and well worth the visit. If anyone is interested, I can post a little more info about that. Enjoy!

One of the best things about this site is taking you to places in your own backyard that you didn't know about.

Thanks for the post,

Thanks for the report, Jean!

For the run Friday: I am 90% in, but don't want to promise a car just yet in case [Jeff Goldblum/] life finds a way.

If I'm all in (I'll post by Wednesday), I have one or two spots, but not three thanks to the rather permanently installed, fireman-approved baby seat. I'll be coming east from Oak Park and can grab anyone in the west or near north vicinities.

Sigh. Finally out of car seats this year...

There's a small chance I may not be able to make this outing now, but I'm going to do my very best to be there. I'm really excited about it, having only been to Old Fashioned and in general wanting to spend more time exploring the far South Side. If we end up short on car space, please give my spot to someone who can commit fully.

Now I know Dimitra probably mapped out the trip including directions in her head in about a minute, but for the more directionally challenged among us (read: me), I plotted all of the stops, including stevez's two suggestions here. Feel free anyone to tinker with the map, add routes, etc. I wish I could have done this in time for Jean's trip, but, alas, I couldn't get to mapping until today.

Sharon