Erika V.'s Profile

This small Korean shop specializes in tteok, which are glutinous rice flour cakes.  They make the sweets in this location and then sell them to Korean grocery stores, but you can also walk in and buy the tteok directly from them (just like New Chicago Kimchee nearby).  Until recently, the store itself was bare and none of the products were on display.  But a couple weeks ago, they decided to set up a table with several varieties of tteok to choose from.

I walked in and checked out the goods.  They had songpyeon (small colorful round rice cakes filled with sweet sesame paste), garaetteok (rice cake formed into long white cylinders, used for tteokbokki), chapsal (round rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste), jeolpyeon (white and green flat patterned rice cake), injeolmi (glutinous pounded rice cake covered with soybean powder), and more.

I decided to purchase a small package of injeolmi, which were cut into cubes (they resembled homemade square marshmallows).  These were far from the chewy rice cakes I've had in the past.  They were incredibly soft, with just a hint of sweetness.  The soybean powder melts in your mouth.  I consider this to be more of a snack than a dessert, but there are other sweeter options in the store.  Yes, you can purchase tteok in any Korean grocery store, but there's a certain charm in buying it directly from the source.

This place is definitely the shining star of Libertyville's "main street".  More than anything, go here for the beer.  They have an impressive list of beers from all over the world, as well as locally brewed beer.  They even have gluten-free beer.  I've had dinner here, which was great, but I prefer ordering a couple appetizers with beer or cocktails.  Not surprisingly, this place is popular with the locals on weekends, but I'll take this crowd over typical Chicago bar hoppers any day.  And for those of you taking the Metra, the restaurant is only a short walk from the Libertyville train station.

I love a good, simple breakfast place, and this one does not disappoint.  And from the crowds I've seen on weekends, I'm not the only one who enjoys the food here.  I generally stick to breakfast items like omelettes (I'm boring and order the ham & cheese) and pancakes, but you can also order lunch here.  Not much else to say... but if you're in Northbrook for whatever reason, check this place out.

I've been to quite a few Caribou Coffee locations throughout the suburbs, and this location is definitely more of a "to go" type of place.  They get a lot of foot traffic here, which is great for them, but it's not a quiet as other Caribou Coffee locations.  Despite that, I still prefer their coffee over the competition.

It's a shame that John's Garage is gone... because it was the mall's only redeeming factor.  Now that they're gone, there really isn't any reason to go back here.  I'm not too impressed with the shops because they primarily cater to suburban teenagers (Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, etc.).  There's nothing here for me, but I'll give 'em one star for Cinnabon.  Mmm... Cinnabon.

It's all about the caramel apples here!  They have several varieties of dipped apples - rocky road, english toffee, cheesecake, pecan, apple pie, and more.  I recommend slicing the apple into pieces instead of eating the whole thing on a stick (too messy).  They have all kinds of chocolate-y goodies here, but definitely try their fudge.  I personally love their rocky road fudge, with bits of nuts and marshmallows.  Yeeeah... this place is a chain (it's in the suburbs, what did you expect?), but who cares.  When you need your chocolate fix in Libertyville, this is your spot.

This small pet store carries natural dog and cat food, treats, and non-food items like toys, collars, etc.  I stumbled upon this place after a trip to Petco.  Petco didn't have any fish oil tablets, but luckily Kriser's was nearby.  Instead of tablets, they had salmon oil pump bottles, which was fine with me.  Not surprisingly, the prices are a bit more expensive here.  Kind of like a Whole Foods for dogs, heh.

I've been going here for years for Chinese takeout. They serve Americanized Chinese food, so don't expect anything more than that. But if you're craving Chinese fast food, this place is consistently good. I've pretty much tried everything on their menu, but my favorite is Mongolian Beef. I generally order beef dishes, so their beef & broccoli, beef & green beans, etc. are all good choices as well. This place is across the street from Horner Park and McFetridge Sports Center, which is convenient if you spent the day playing or skating and need a quick bite to go.

Growing up in Albany Park, I had many Cambodian friends.  Both my elementary school and community center offered Cambodian ESL classes and other programs geared towards Cambodian immigrants.  Throughout the years, I've learned a little bit of their culture through my friends, school, and festivals.  But my recent visit to the Cambodian Association of Illinois was a true learning experience.  

This review is based primarily on my tour of their Cambodian American Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial.  The museum director, Mr. Daas was my guide, walking me through the exhibits and memorial.  He spoke about Cambodian Buddhism, its origins, practices, and art.  There are several sculptures throughout the museum, created by their own artist (Chhoeut Tuy), and other carved wood and stone art.  The current exhibit explores socio-economic, cultural, and historical issues in Cambodia.  I learned about fishing, rice harvest, and silk production.  

After viewing the exhibits, we headed over to the Killing Fields Memorial.  The Wall of Remembrance honors the 2 million people who died during the Khmer Rouge regime.  Many Cambodians throughout the country come here to pay their respects and to add names of family and friends lost in the genocide.  The Cambodian Association of Illinois itself was formed in 1976 by a group of Cambodian refugee volunteers to assist those who fled the war-torn country.  They provide several programs for this community: education, citizenship help, employment assistance, seniors services, health fairs, counseling, summer camp for children, and cultural workshops.

This place is vital to Cambodian-Americans here in Chicago.  They help immigrants adjust to life in America while maintaining their culture and heritage.  That's what community is all about.  Definitely check out their museum the next time you're in the neighborhood.

I had originally bookmarked this place after reading Paul W.'s review, so thanks Paul!  Prior to that, I've passed by this store a few times but never actually went in.  But on a whim I decided to get off the Western Brown Line stop and check it out.  This tiny (emphasis on the word "tiny") store offers Thai goods, movies and magazines, and prepared ready-to-eat food.

The minute I walked in, I knew this store was for me.  Despite the lack of space, every inch of the place was stocked with items needed for a typical Thai pantry.  Fish sauce, shrimp and crab paste, pickled bamboo shoots, coconut milk, chili paste, curry paste, canned lychee and rambutan, dried fish, rice noodles, shrimp chips, bottled coffee syrup for iced coffee, and more.

They have a variety of packaged, prepared food in the coolers.  I saw curries, fresh chili paste, salads, sticky rice desserts, and skewered beef or Thai chicken and rice combos.  They also have snacks like salted peanuts seasoned with basil and garlic, cookies, sliced cakes, and fried curry puffs.

I purchased a couple items - crispy tilapia salad and curry puffs.  The salad consisted of julienned green apples and carrots, cilantro, red onion, cashews, fried tilapia flakes, and sauce.  The tilapia flakes, cashews, and sauce were in separate containers, keeping the salad crisp until opened.  It was delicious.  Spicy, sweet, crunchy, and garlicky all in one bite.  The curry puffs were great, too.  5 small flaky pastries filled with potatoes, sweet curry, and chicken.  Similar to samosas and empanadas, but smaller.  I also purchased a package of Mi Goreng (thanks Yazmin).

I found it a bit strange that it's located next to a boojie wine and cheese store, but that's Lincoln Square for you.  Gotta love it.  Folks, keep this mom & pop store in business and check it out.