With my previous caveat re sunspots in place, I, too, am (probably) in.

So what is the list of the places we are going to?

I'll toss out another plug to add M-3 to the list. Philipino food would add some nice diversity to the list of stops, and almost everything is served from a steam table, so it's fast as could be and you can order as much or as little as you want..

I'd love to go there. I'm just worried that the itinerary is already a little ambitious. I'm just remembering after the Devon-a-thon (which I LOVED), I could barely look at food after about 5 stops. We could always stop there as a take-out spot at the end for those left still standing.

So what is the list of the places we are going to?

See above. I justed edited an earlier post that had the itinerary. This is a rough draft. As this gets closer, I'm planning to walk the route, talk to the businesses involved and this may change a little. Stay tuned!
Becca

By the way, we're at 16 now and we should probably cap at 20 so let me know if you'd like to be added to the list. Thus far, I have only added people who confirmed AFTER the date was decided.

Count me in

I'm in. Thanks.

Jyoti

Is it too late to get in on this? I haven't done any 'thons yet...this looks great.

PS - I did a little reconnoitering today. There's a lot of renaming / re-opening / re-newing happening in the neighborhood.

Tannourine (already a Hungry Hound victim) is a bakery that opened in January- just a half-block north of Lawrence on the west side of Kedzie. Has a lot of the same stuff as its competitors: pita in thin, thick, white & wheat varieties; baklava style sweets; sesame crackers spinach & meat pies, hummus etc. On the basis of an unscientific sample, I can say that the baked goods do not compare too favorably to Al Khayam (now dubbed Zeina Bakery) or the newish place at Cullom & Kedzie.

In the space formerly occupied by the Iraqi Kebab House, we now have Baladna Restaurant, the menu of which is almost identical to Salam's complete with daily special and Eggs Kalays for breakfast. I didn't get a chance to sample today, but will go back - looked appealing: clean with two gyro ovens set up with hand-stacked shawerma cones.

In the space formerly known as Mataam al-Mataam, a new restaurant (Al-Amira) will be opening shortly. Perhaps by the time of our 'thon, it will have opened.

If there's still room, count me in.

I'd like to join if there's room. Can I please be added to the waitlist?

I did a little reconnoitering today

Nice work! I'll fix the itinerary to reflect Al-Khayam's new name. We may have to adjust the schedule to fit in some new places come April.

The weird thing is that the grocery is still Al Khayam, but the packaged baked goods are now branded with the Zeina brand - the same as the house brand imported pickles and jams....

Can you add me + 1 to the wait list? Thanks for planning this!

Please add me to the wait list. Thanks...

Hi, Please count me in if there is room.

Perhaps with all the interest we should divide the Thon into two with different routes and then an agreement to meet at a common place (a restaurant) to share some of what we discovered. Some of the main places both groups can visit.

Or if not different routes, one group can start in one direction, and the other in the other end, and we all agree to meet for drinks and lunch somewhat convenient.

Right now I'm going to leave it as is--one group with a wait list. But if someone wants to take the lead organizing a second group, feel free to PM me about logistics.

oOOOoo this sounds interesting, please add me to the waitlist +1

thanks, Cal

Seth Zurer wrote:In the space formerly occupied by the Iraqi Kebab House, we now have Baladna Restaurant, the menu of which is almost identical to Salam's complete with daily special and Eggs Kalays for breakfast. I didn't get a chance to sample today, but will go back - looked appealing: clean with two gyro ovens set up with hand-stacked shawerma cones.

In the space formerly known as Mataam al-Mataam, a new restaurant (Al-Amira) will be opening shortly. Perhaps by the time of our 'thon, it will have opened.

I stopped at Baldana a couple of weeks ago. My intention was to get the wonderful grilled Pomfret at Kebab House (one of my favorite Assyrian Restaurants). I was shocked to find it replaced with Baladna (which I assume is owned by the same family as the same-named jewelry store in that strip-mall). I was rather disappointed. Although (as Seth pointed out), Baldana has some unusual items on the menu, the kufta did not begin to measure up to the former occupants' version, and the shawerma looked good on the spit, but was rather grayish and bland on the plate. They did however, sell pretty tasty falafels for only 20 cents each. Although they were pre-cooked and sitting under a heat lamp, they were still flavorful (somewhat peppery) and moist inside. Definitely worth twice the price.

Mataam-al-Mataam is another old Assyrian fave I hated to see go (mostly because of its 24 hour status). I understand they are supposed to re-open just around the corner on Lawrence (3222 W).

Just wanted to give this thread a bump and make sure all the folks who rsvp'd 'yes' can still make it. If not, please post so we can give the wait-listed folks a heads-up.
This weekend and next I'll be doing a little recon at the following locales: El Trigal, Con Sabor Cubano
Cuban sanwiches, Nhu Lan, Zeina Bakery (FKA Al Khayam)--groceries/bakery, Salam
Shawerma, Nazareth sweet, Pupuseria y Restaurante Cuscatleco and Great seas. I'll post an updated itinerary in the next week or so.
Becca

Unfortunately I need to bow out. I have a family obligation that's come up. I'm bummed to miss this. It sounds like a lot of fun.

I'm still coming!

In your explorations can you see if fresh almonds are in stock now. They usually come in around Easter.

In your explorations can you see if fresh almonds are in stock now. They usually come in around Easter.

Will do. I'd love to find some so I can recreate this image:

Unfortunately I need to bow out.

Sorry you can't make it. Maybe Lawrence/Kedzie-a-thon-the-sequel?

Pucca +1--you are up on the waiting list if you can make it.

This would be a confirmation. The sunspots are aligned. I will be there. My, myself, and I.

thaiobsessed wrote:Pucca +1--you are up on the waiting list if you can make it.

Yes, please! We'll both be there. Thank you for organizing!

I'm very much looking forward to this. Will there eventually be set times for the stops? I just realized I'm running a race downtown that morning. I should be done in time to ride my bike up to the first stop, but just in case there's any delay in turning in my time chip or retrieving my belongings at the finish line...if you're going to play it by ear, is there someone I can call that morning to get the group's location if I am running (or, I guess, riding) late?

Thanks,
Sharon

I'll post a rough itinerary after I finish my recon work this weekend. The start may end up being a little later (about 10:30) given the hours of some of our stops.

GAF wrote:In your explorations can you see if fresh almonds are in stock now. They usually come in around Easter.

Andy's Fruit Ranch has fresh almonds as of yesterday. They looked great too!
4733 N Kedzie Ave .
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 583-2322

Greeting Everyone

I am new to LTH Forum, but possibly have met some of you at an LTH Winter Holiday Extravaganza. I am the brother of another LTH member, Dr. Borborygomi. He is the one who let me know about this event.

I just moved to Chicago and live in the Ravenswood area and would love to be on the wait-list for this ho-down. Let me know if I make it. If not I will plan to visit some of the places recommended. Cheers-

Here is the itinerary for next Saturday.
If anyone is unable to make it, please let me know for the sake of the wait-listed folks.
The stops are not quite in geographic order (i.e. we will have to double back to get to some of them). I did this so that distribute the sit down places a bit.
I added in Sanabel bakery so people can get pies, pita to take home if they are interested. This place has expanded quite a bit on the retail side and has become quite 'a-thon-worthy'.
I stopped at each place yesterday to give the proprietors a heads-up that there would be a 20-some-odd group of foodies coming by for a nosh next week. Everyone was very accommodating.
Weather on Saturday (at this point) is predicted to be 50 and rainy/cloudy.

Kedzie Kaper (or Caper if you are a grammar/spelling stickler)

Note: Times are APPROXIMATE (except for the meeting time)


10:30 a.m
Meet at El Trigal
3107 W Montrose
Highlights: donuts (chocolate and plain)

11:00 a.m.
Sanabel Bakery
4253 N. Kedzie
Highlights: Pita, spinach/spinach and cheese/cheese pies, Lahem bi ajeen (meat pita pizzas), zatar bread, middle eastern grocery items
Here's a recent haul:



Note: We may split the group in two to go to Con Sabor Cubano and Nhu Lan since Nhu Lan is very small.

11: 40 a.m.
Con Sabor Cubano
2739 W. Lawrence
Highlights: Cuban sanwiches, café con leche, batidos,etc


12:30
Nhu Lan
2612 W. Lawrence
This should be considered more of a togo or eat outside(weather permitting) spot. Space inside is very limited.
Highlights: Vietnamese sandwiches (Bahn Mi), limited spring rolls/Vietnamese snacks, desserts


1:15
Zeina/ Al Khayam--groceries/bakery
4738 N. Kedzie
Highlights: Pita made in-house, middle eastern grocery

1:45
Salam
4626 N. Kedzie
Highlights: Shawerma, humus, 25 cent falafal,



2:30
Nazareth sweets
4638 N. Kedzie
Highlights: Phyllo/honey/nut desserts

3:15
Pupuseria y Restaurante Cuscatleco
3125 W. Lawrence Ave.
Hightlights: Salvadorean food-- Pupusas, tamales, empanadas de leche


4:00
Great seas
3254 W. Lawrence
Highlights: Chicken wings

Sorry about the menu quality. Hopefully people can make out some of the text.