Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
2416 West Schubert Avenue, Chicago IL; Phone773-782-1800
Date of Review: October, 2006; updated May, 2008
Fat Willy’s is a hidden gem. While it may not be that easy to find, it is worth looking for because it has some of the best barbecue in Chicago and compares favorably with the likes of Smoke Daddy, Honey One and Twin Anchors.
You walk into Fat Willy’s, which is quaintly tucked behind a movie theater in a somewhat odd location, and might not think much. To be honest, I really don’t think you’d ever find the place unless someone told you about it. In terms of atmosphere, the name of the place is Fat Willy’s rib shack and it is pretty much a shack. However, your eating barbecue and aren’t at a fine dining establishment, although the food might make you think otherwise. It is a basic place with a pickup counter and busy service station to the right and 15 or so tables to the left. It is what I expect when I go to a place to grab some barbecue.
For starters, the macaroni and cheese is rich, has a nice garlic accent and is heart stopping good. Having a scoop of this along with some excellent green onion and cheddar cornbread (served with honey butter) is a great way to start your meal.
The beef brisket sandwich has a pile of wonderful smoked and very tender brisket on a nice grilled baguette with caramelized onions and a fresh horseradish sauce spread across the top of the brisket. These are big sandwiches and you need to be pretty hungry to eat the whole thing. The meat has such a nice smoky flavor that the tastes savor in your mouth long after you decide it is time to swallow the fantastic mouthful of barbeque in your mouth. You owe it to yourself to nibble on a couple pieces of brisket without any sauce to truly appreciate the flavor of the meat. However, the complex and flavorful barbecue sauce definitely adds to the flavor of the meat, instead of overwhelming it. You can’t go wrong with the mild or spicy barbecue sauce that is provided in syrup bottles on the table as both are very good. The flavor of the pulled pork is just as special as that of the brisket and it is served with some vinegar slaw on top. My friend Joel and I ordered one of each and swapped halves so that we could get the best of both worlds. The sandwiches are served with a cup of so-so coleslaw and some fries that are also pretty average. The baby back pork ribs are pricey but full of flavor and the rib tips are tasty but too fatty for my taste (yes, I know rib tips are supposed to be fatty).
Fat Willy’s prices are about average. For 9.95, you get a very good sized sandwich that you will have trouble finishing in one setting. At $16 for a half slab of ribs, this is a bit pricey but isn’t a rip off either. Some people might expect better value given the off beat location but you get what you pay for and at Fat Willy’s you are getting some fantastic meat.
The hallway outside the bathroom is decorated with many different publications and awards from various magazines and newspapers talking about Fat Willy’s excellent barbecue. All of the publications are reputable and Fat Willy’s does a good job of making sure that those who eat here are well aware of the restaurant’s accolades.
Fat Willy’s serves beer and wine but a barbecue spot is synonymous with beer. They do a good job of offering a decent variety of beers but the key is the fact that they offer 40’s. Yes, 40 ounce beers and they serve them in a paper bag. Some people may find this to be “trashy”, for lack of a better word. Personally, I think it’s awesome.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Chicago (German) - Chicago Brauhaus
Chicago Brauhaus
4732 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL; Phone 773-784-4444
Date of Review: October, 2006
I won't sit here and lie and say that the food is fantastic at the Chicago Brauhaus. If you’re not fond of home style German cooking that sticks to your ribs and is heavy on spatzle, red cabbage and some kind of meat, you are not going to be that happy when you browse through the menu. That said, if you do like German style cuisine, the food is pretty good.
This is a loud restaurant with a unique crowd. You will see old timers dressed up for a night out who most likely have Germanic roots of some sort. At the same time, you will see young groups of people in there 20's, 30's or 40's simply looking for a good time. It seems that the consensus with anyone coming here is that they want to have fun. From September 20th through October 29th (for Oktoberfest), they have a band that plays nightly and you should expect to see various kinds of singing, dancing, yodeling and other rowdiness. This is a restaurant with big tables and is perfect for a large party. This is probably a place you want to come to with at least a party of 4. This is one of best places in Chicago to “let go” at and have fun over a liter or so of beer. If you get to the point where you are 'passing the beer boot' around the table, you deserve extra credit. If you are passing it or taking it from someone you don't know, even better.
An expensive, albeit excellent and very large appetizer is the Kalte Platte which is an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, potato salad and pickles. It is served with a basket of pretzel rolls and rye bread and some fantastic spicy mustard. If they are selling giant pretzels, buy one and dip it in the mustard. For entrees, the Cevapcici is a ground beef and lamb combination that is formed into the shape of thick sausage links. It is pretty tasty and is served with some good German style potato salad. Other dishes I recommend include the Sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel and the Rindsroulade. The Rindsroulade is especially memorable. It consists of thin slices of sirloin beef rolled with mustard, bacon, onion and pickle and the rolls of beef are then braised. Like most entrees, it is served with spatzle and red cabbage. The portions are good size but they don't overwhelm you, which is a good thing as the food is quite heavy.
The Chicago Brauhaus has an excellent selection of German beers on tap. It is the best selection of German draught beers I have seen in Chicago. Beers they have on tap include Hofbrau, Spaten, Stiegl, Bitburger, Julius Echter, Becks Dark and a house brew. Be careful as you indulge in a half or full liter as these beers have a tendency to make you dizzy.
The service is up front and to the point. It is German. If you are not ready to order, don't expect a kind greeting. Expect your server to walk away and come back in 5-10 minutes. It is the systematic type of service one would expect at an authentic German restaurant.
The food is not cheap but not overpriced either. You can order from a variety of different sausages or other home style type dishes like stuffed cabbage or Bavarian style meatloaf for a pretty reasonable 7-13$. Expect to spend $15-17 for something like Wiener schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Stuffed Chicken or a Pork Shank. The beer isn't cheap but you aren't drinking 12 ounce beers either. The price corresponds to the quantity of beer you have in your mug.
Overall, this is just a fun place to spend an evening at. Once or twice a year may be enough but some of my best nights in Chicago have taken place at the Chicago Brauhaus. The only thing that I would say is great here is the beer but when you add in some decent food, unique and fun music and a diverse crowd of people all looking to have a blast, you get a VERY GOOD TIME.
4732 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL; Phone 773-784-4444
Date of Review: October, 2006
I won't sit here and lie and say that the food is fantastic at the Chicago Brauhaus. If you’re not fond of home style German cooking that sticks to your ribs and is heavy on spatzle, red cabbage and some kind of meat, you are not going to be that happy when you browse through the menu. That said, if you do like German style cuisine, the food is pretty good.
This is a loud restaurant with a unique crowd. You will see old timers dressed up for a night out who most likely have Germanic roots of some sort. At the same time, you will see young groups of people in there 20's, 30's or 40's simply looking for a good time. It seems that the consensus with anyone coming here is that they want to have fun. From September 20th through October 29th (for Oktoberfest), they have a band that plays nightly and you should expect to see various kinds of singing, dancing, yodeling and other rowdiness. This is a restaurant with big tables and is perfect for a large party. This is probably a place you want to come to with at least a party of 4. This is one of best places in Chicago to “let go” at and have fun over a liter or so of beer. If you get to the point where you are 'passing the beer boot' around the table, you deserve extra credit. If you are passing it or taking it from someone you don't know, even better.
An expensive, albeit excellent and very large appetizer is the Kalte Platte which is an assortment of cold cuts, cheese, potato salad and pickles. It is served with a basket of pretzel rolls and rye bread and some fantastic spicy mustard. If they are selling giant pretzels, buy one and dip it in the mustard. For entrees, the Cevapcici is a ground beef and lamb combination that is formed into the shape of thick sausage links. It is pretty tasty and is served with some good German style potato salad. Other dishes I recommend include the Sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel and the Rindsroulade. The Rindsroulade is especially memorable. It consists of thin slices of sirloin beef rolled with mustard, bacon, onion and pickle and the rolls of beef are then braised. Like most entrees, it is served with spatzle and red cabbage. The portions are good size but they don't overwhelm you, which is a good thing as the food is quite heavy.
The Chicago Brauhaus has an excellent selection of German beers on tap. It is the best selection of German draught beers I have seen in Chicago. Beers they have on tap include Hofbrau, Spaten, Stiegl, Bitburger, Julius Echter, Becks Dark and a house brew. Be careful as you indulge in a half or full liter as these beers have a tendency to make you dizzy.
The service is up front and to the point. It is German. If you are not ready to order, don't expect a kind greeting. Expect your server to walk away and come back in 5-10 minutes. It is the systematic type of service one would expect at an authentic German restaurant.
The food is not cheap but not overpriced either. You can order from a variety of different sausages or other home style type dishes like stuffed cabbage or Bavarian style meatloaf for a pretty reasonable 7-13$. Expect to spend $15-17 for something like Wiener schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Stuffed Chicken or a Pork Shank. The beer isn't cheap but you aren't drinking 12 ounce beers either. The price corresponds to the quantity of beer you have in your mug.
Overall, this is just a fun place to spend an evening at. Once or twice a year may be enough but some of my best nights in Chicago have taken place at the Chicago Brauhaus. The only thing that I would say is great here is the beer but when you add in some decent food, unique and fun music and a diverse crowd of people all looking to have a blast, you get a VERY GOOD TIME.
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