Rachel "Cheeseburglar" H.'s Profile
Date
33 N Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 263-9000
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 263-9000
Roti Mediterranean Grill
Category:
Mediterranean
Neighborhood: The Loop
I know, I know, it's the Chipotle of Mediterranean food, but Roti has become a sick obsession of mine and my coworker's. At least she's pregnant, I have no idea what my problem is.
Food is delicious for a chain, and most of the options are pretty healthy. I will say that the salads don't always fill me up, but I'm kind of a pig. The line can be long during the lunchtime, so we come a few minutes before noon, but if you do get stuck in the line, they sometimes hand out pita and falafel samples. I'll take a pre-lunch snack.
My only real complaints are the crowd, which downtown is a given, inconsistent pita cookery (one time burnt and hard, another barely toasted, wtf?) and the fact that sometimes it seems like they're being more than skimpy on the toppings. Listen, I am a cheap and hungry beast and I need to get my money's worth.
Food is delicious for a chain, and most of the options are pretty healthy. I will say that the salads don't always fill me up, but I'm kind of a pig. The line can be long during the lunchtime, so we come a few minutes before noon, but if you do get stuck in the line, they sometimes hand out pita and falafel samples. I'll take a pre-lunch snack.
My only real complaints are the crowd, which downtown is a given, inconsistent pita cookery (one time burnt and hard, another barely toasted, wtf?) and the fact that sometimes it seems like they're being more than skimpy on the toppings. Listen, I am a cheap and hungry beast and I need to get my money's worth.
Finally I make it to the Firkin. What gives? A beer lover like myself should be ashamed. It's not my fault, I swear. My partner's parents complain it's too expensive, my other reason would out my sister as a crankypants, so I will keep that one to myself, but jeez it took me long enough.
The beer list is, as Yelped about, is indeed nicely curated, extensive, and not outrageously priced. You can find good stuff for $5 and there are a lot of places that this cannot be said about. Let's be honest.
The food is not cheap, but there are options that won't send you to the poorhouse. The chicken schnitzel hit the spot and the other folks at the table liked what they got. I would have tried a burger b/c boy do I love grass fed beef, but I'd already been to burger night once this week. Not that that always stops me...
Service was fine, and I will say that this place is teeny tiny, and was busy on a Tuesday night, so if it's a weekend, you might wait.
The beer list is, as Yelped about, is indeed nicely curated, extensive, and not outrageously priced. You can find good stuff for $5 and there are a lot of places that this cannot be said about. Let's be honest.
The food is not cheap, but there are options that won't send you to the poorhouse. The chicken schnitzel hit the spot and the other folks at the table liked what they got. I would have tried a burger b/c boy do I love grass fed beef, but I'd already been to burger night once this week. Not that that always stops me...
Service was fine, and I will say that this place is teeny tiny, and was busy on a Tuesday night, so if it's a weekend, you might wait.
1301 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 705-0595
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 705-0595
Yelp's Big Pley Elite Event At The Scout
Category:
Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Near Southside
Good lord how did it take me this long to review this event? I am becoming a sloth and sadly I'm not cute enough for Kristin Bell to cry and melt down over me. Who is? This was a lovely sendoff for Johnny T and and we had a lovely time.
It was great catching up with Yelp pals in a location convenient to both my home and my office, and it was nice checking out what the old Opera space has been transformed into. The drinks and the snacks were delish, I suppose my only nit pick is that it took quite some time for the food to get to the front of the house which is a shame because those snacks, particularly the grilled cheese and pot roast slider, were top notch. Thanks Yelp crew!
It was great catching up with Yelp pals in a location convenient to both my home and my office, and it was nice checking out what the old Opera space has been transformed into. The drinks and the snacks were delish, I suppose my only nit pick is that it took quite some time for the food to get to the front of the house which is a shame because those snacks, particularly the grilled cheese and pot roast slider, were top notch. Thanks Yelp crew!
1218 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-9070
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 243-9070
Powell's Bookstore
Category:
Bookstores
Neighborhood: University Village
I was sad when Barbara's Bookstore in this location closed, mainly b/c I wanted to buy a last minute gift and my laziness was rewarded with bupkus, but that's hardly anyone's fault but mine. Enter Powell's.
I was shocked by the low prices here. The dangerously low prices that allow me to justify purchasing all sorts of whatnot, but 4 books for $20 is totally reasonable, right? RIGHT?
Layout's not too different from when it was Barbara's, but like I said, the prices are great, the selection is great, and the staff is very friendly.
I was shocked by the low prices here. The dangerously low prices that allow me to justify purchasing all sorts of whatnot, but 4 books for $20 is totally reasonable, right? RIGHT?
Layout's not too different from when it was Barbara's, but like I said, the prices are great, the selection is great, and the staff is very friendly.
1021 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 697-3735
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 697-3735
Yelp Rises & Shines Elite Event At Butcher & The…
Category:
Local Flavor
Neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, DePaul
Beermosas take day drinking to a whole other level, but lest you think I'm just an old boozebag, there was more to this event than that. Hanging with other Yelpers and meeting faces previously seen only in those little boxes on profiles is always the highlight of any event, and the staff of Butcher & the Burger were wonderful and friendly and clearly love their jobs.
Let's be honest though, Yelpers love to eat, even at 9am, possibly especially at 9am, and this event didn't disappoint. The breakfast sandwiches were great, and the bacon and cheese on mine were delicious. Sausage and beignets were equally as good. If everything breakfast was this good, I'll surely be back to try one of their burgers. Thanks, Yelp crew.
Let's be honest though, Yelpers love to eat, even at 9am, possibly especially at 9am, and this event didn't disappoint. The breakfast sandwiches were great, and the bacon and cheese on mine were delicious. Sausage and beignets were equally as good. If everything breakfast was this good, I'll surely be back to try one of their burgers. Thanks, Yelp crew.
3264 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-1000
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-1000
Zero One One
Category:
Hair Salons
Neighborhood: Lakeview
My salon reviews are never about the salon. They're just not. They're always a review of Dottie, the love of my hair's life. I knew Dottie as a friend before I knew her as a hair genius, but what can I say, it helps to have friends who can turn your mop into an actual hairdo.
I'm probably beating a dead horse, because every time Dottie changes salons, I write one of these reviews about how I'll follow her to the ends of the earth, and possibly onto the tail of the Hale Bopp Comet if that's what it takes, but she deserves it and people deserve to know about her fabulous skills.
I'm probably beating a dead horse, because every time Dottie changes salons, I write one of these reviews about how I'll follow her to the ends of the earth, and possibly onto the tail of the Hale Bopp Comet if that's what it takes, but she deserves it and people deserve to know about her fabulous skills.
2018 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-5200
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-5200
Delish Diner
Category:
Diners
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
After a recommendation from my BFF Martha Z., I knew I could count on this place to deliver, and figured this lovely day would be as good as any to check it out. I enjoyed my lunch so much I can even overlook the name that makes me want to punch Rachael Ray right in the babymaker.
The retro feel is right up my alley and it's not overly kitschy. Just right. Everyone in the place was super friendly, and our server, Lisette, was great. The food is nothin' fancy, but it's done quite nicely. My grilled corned beef and swiss hit the spot, and the fries were crisp and not greasy. There are things on the menu for my veg. companion, and you can get breakfast all day which is right up HIS alley.
The place wasn't too crowded and I didn't feel a bit rushed which is a blessing on an unseasonably warm Saturday. St. Patrick's Day even. And yes, I washed that sandwich down with a Green River. Perhaps a Green River Float next time. And there will be a next time.
The retro feel is right up my alley and it's not overly kitschy. Just right. Everyone in the place was super friendly, and our server, Lisette, was great. The food is nothin' fancy, but it's done quite nicely. My grilled corned beef and swiss hit the spot, and the fries were crisp and not greasy. There are things on the menu for my veg. companion, and you can get breakfast all day which is right up HIS alley.
The place wasn't too crowded and I didn't feel a bit rushed which is a blessing on an unseasonably warm Saturday. St. Patrick's Day even. And yes, I washed that sandwich down with a Green River. Perhaps a Green River Float next time. And there will be a next time.
The thing about writing "A-OK" reviews is that they take a little more finessing to be useful, funny, and cool. However, there are times when middle of the road has a special pull, that being an open patio on an unseasonably warm March day.
The beers were fine, the service was fine, the French onion soup I ordered was pretty good, but a place like this with an ok draft menu and a crowd that's not really my taste, can only hold my interest until all the other Loop places get a clue and open their patios for the season. Come on, damn you, it's above 45, that's patio weather.
The beers were fine, the service was fine, the French onion soup I ordered was pretty good, but a place like this with an ok draft menu and a crowd that's not really my taste, can only hold my interest until all the other Loop places get a clue and open their patios for the season. Come on, damn you, it's above 45, that's patio weather.
5020 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-5576
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-5576
Tweet
Categories:
American (New),
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Uptown
If I used Twitter, perhaps I'd insert a related joke, but I don't because I live in a cave and hate technology. Never mind that I'm on Yelp and all. I must live in a cave because otherwise I'd have been to Tweet by now. I branched out for brunch and boy, am I glad.
The place was hopping, and there was a little bit of a wait, but a quick trip next door to Big Chicks allowed me to distract myself with a giant bloody mary and some awesome artwork. Everything from the service to the decor was fun and cozy, but down to brass tacks. The food. I polished off most of a country benedict, which had perfect poached eggs and came with hashbrowns AND fruit. If you're feeling less piggish, half orders of many items are available. My brunch dates and I also shared an order of french toast which was very impressive.
I'll definitely be back, even though it's not in my hood and plan to check out Big Chicks again soon too.
FYI: Cash only.
The place was hopping, and there was a little bit of a wait, but a quick trip next door to Big Chicks allowed me to distract myself with a giant bloody mary and some awesome artwork. Everything from the service to the decor was fun and cozy, but down to brass tacks. The food. I polished off most of a country benedict, which had perfect poached eggs and came with hashbrowns AND fruit. If you're feeling less piggish, half orders of many items are available. My brunch dates and I also shared an order of french toast which was very impressive.
I'll definitely be back, even though it's not in my hood and plan to check out Big Chicks again soon too.
FYI: Cash only.
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Yelp's Sugar High: Beard Papa's Cream Puffs
Monday, May 14, 9:00 am - Friday, May 18, 8:00 pm
"This snowflake tastes like fish sticks"
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Location
Chicago, IL
Yelping SinceJuly 2006
Things I LoveBrunch, Meat, Art, Swimming, Polaroids, Pickles, Popples, Gourmet Vegetarian Food, Cooking
Find Me InPilsen, the thrift store, the cafe line at Fox and Obel
My HometownWaukegan, IL
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm becoming a connoisseur of French onion soup
Why You Should Read My ReviewsIf you don't I'll choke you with a pickle from Wally's
My Second Favorite Website The Last Great Book I ReadOne Hundred Years of Solitude
My First ConcertNew Kids on the Block
My Favorite MovieMe, You, and Everyone We Know, Ghost World
My Last Meal On EarthPrime rib, Sushi Wabi caterpillar roll, and a giant mojito
Most Recent DiscoveryApparently you can have an anteater as a pet.
Current CrushJon Lajoie
This is a real Irish pub more like a lot of the places in Beverly vs the fakey types you find downtown. They have an Irish breakfast with black and white pudding, and there are people with real Irish accents. Maybe this doesn't matter, but I think it lends itself to the laid back, neighborhood feel of the place.
My friend and I had a relaxing time on the patio, service was attentive, but we didn't feel rushed, and everyone was very friendly.
This is a great spot for the kind of brunch where you don't want to wait, be rushed or pay a fortune. Since I have friends who live in this 'hood, I'm sure I'll be back to check out the lunch or dinner offerings, or get my hands on some of that hash again.