Your favorite foods from other Latin Countries (other than your own)

[Don Boppero 3000]

Cuban food is also very good. There is a place that does a nice job called Cafe Bolero by Western & Fullerton. I think place is close to where Levante stays by. Churasscos from Brazil are amazing but that could be because the resturant I ate that at was amazing, Fogo De Chao. I've also had the pleasure of eating some Spanish tapas here in our fine city at Cafe Iberico. I can't don't recall what I had but the one thing that shined like a beacon of hope was the grilled pulpo.

[sidspaceman]

Originally posted by Pibe#10
of course I eventually did, I'm just saying that they keep coming around, that is just awesome.

I was just making sure you knew about the coasters. :)

[Levante]

Originally posted by bopper78
Cuban food is also very good. There is a place that does a nice job called Cafe Bolero by Western & Fullerton. I think place is close to where Levante stays by. Churasscos from Brazil are amazing but that could be because the resturant I ate that at was amazing, Fogo De Chao. I've also had the pleasure of eating some Spanish tapas here in our fine city at Cafe Iberico. I can't don't recall what I had but the one thing that shined like a beacon of hope was the grilled pulpo.

Bopper.....

I've heard of Cafe Bolero but I haven't been there.........there is another Cuban restaurant on Addison and Ashland I believe (or close to there) but I can't remember the name. They make sandwiches though and I don't think that they fully get into all the rice dishes.

There are good Spanish places here. My bro prefers Cafe Iberico, I personally like Emilio's the best. And if you want to get technical.........I like Cafe Babareeba's just to go look at fine a ss, but the food isn't the best.

[El CHarro_NEgro....]

Argentina's Buen Biffe. Delicius.

[fdp]

I just finished watching Rick Bayless on KCET. On this episode the topic was Chorizo.

He stopped at this place which I believe is called "La Rana Chorizo" in Mexico City. He mentioned it is open 24 hrs. and was created for a place to find some good eats after hours. They are busiest around 3 a.m. in the morning. They have been in business for 20 years.

He also traveled towards Toluca in search of Chorizo Verde. He mentioned that the altitude and special breed of pigs used make this region the Chorizo region of Mexico.

[Don Boppero 3000]

That Rick Bayless has a Mexican resturant that I've trying to get my a$$ to go to here in Chicago. I like his PBS programs they're pretty good and informative.

[ricv56]

bopper,

that restuaurant, frontera, kicks all kinds of ass, you need to get there like yesterday. i'm already looking foward to whenever i go to chicago next just to eat there.

last time i was there i had some beef short ribs in red chile, i forget what kind exactly, but i haven't had a meal that good since then, and that was in march. we saw rick on our way out the door and gave him a big thumbs up, can't go wrong at that place.

ricv56

[Don Boppero 3000]

Hmm.... I will try and get there this weekend.

[Levante]

You can't go wrong with Frontera grill....he also owns Topolobampo..a more eclectic Mexican food joint, which I don't like. Mexican food should be straightforward....not a hippy mix.

[Thomas Flannigan]

I have eaten at Topolobombo and The Frontera Grill and Levante is correct. Rick Bayless has really worked hard on classic Mexican food and he deserves a lot of credit.

The best Mexican restaurant in Chicago (we have at least 778 Mexican restaurants) is El Nuevo Leon at 1515 W. 18th Street in Pilsen. Blue Line to 18th street then a 3 minute walk. Open 7 A.M. to 4 A.M.

[Levante]

Nuevo Leon is good, but overrated in my opinion. Not necessarily the food mind you, but the service sucks.

If you're ever in Chicago, you need to try the Gorditas at Carniceria Aguascalientes on 26th street. Simply the best there is.

I went home to Indiana this weekend and had some good home cooking. I forgot how diverse Mexican food really is. Mom hadn't made a "caldo de albondigas" in a long time and let me tell you that it was heaven.

[La China Poblana]

Originally posted by Thomas Flannigan
The best Mexican restaurant in Chicago (we have at least 778 Mexican restaurants) is El Nuevo Leon at 1515 W. 18th Street in Pilsen.

Nuevo Leon is easily my favorite, the point of contention with people tends to be the refried beans (I've never had a problem with the service). The best appetizers are either the Quesadillas Raul or the Queso Panela. Mentioned earlier in the thread, Cafe Bolero is really good, save room for the flan. Has anyone been to Rinconcito Sudamericano lately? I haven't been there in a hundred years, but I remember it being really good. I'm waiting for a cheaper alternative to Fogo De Chao to open up, it seems you can find any kind of homestyle South or Central American restaurant in Chicago except Brazilian.

Lisa

[Thomas Flannigan]

Thanks for the tip about the appetizers at El Nuevo Leon. I have not tried these but I will. I love the refried beans there and the pork stew. Tortillas are made next door.
My wife does not like El Tipico but I think it is pretty good. It is one of the oldest Mexican places in Chicago.
We were just talking about Rinconcito Sudamericano last night. I have not eaten there in some time but it is still open. Excellent papa huancaina. I think the expensive Peruvian restaurants in Chicago (La Llama) have closed.
Izalco is a Salvadorean restaurant on Lawrence near Clark. They have a buffet including a few Mexican dishes but tons of Salvadorean dishes including fresh pupusas. There are a number of Colombian restaurants in Chicago. I ate at one on Petersen near Flukey's Hot Dogs. It was not that great.
There used to be 5 or 6 Argentine restaurants but I think most of them have closed.

[La China Poblana]

Originally posted by Thomas Flannigan
Thanks for the tip about the appetizers at El Nuevo Leon. I have not tried these but I will. I love the refried beans there and the pork stew. Tortillas are made next door.

The corn tortillas are made next door, the flour ones are made in house. I don't eat flour tortillas anywhere else but Nuevo Leon. I bought a bag once and made them at home, but they didn't taste the same. Their horchata and hot chocolate are both really good. Their tamarindo was my favorite, but they don't make it anymore. I know that there are a bunch of Ecuadoran restaurants on the North Side, including a few that serve cui. I know of at least one Costa Rican place and a Belizean place as well, but have yet to go to either. While I'm thinking about it, Che Cafe that recently opened on Taylor St. just west of Morgan is so cool. Good Cuban food that is dirt cheap. The place has a progressive (revolutionary?) vibe with progressive papers available, original art on the walls, and the owner and staff are too friendly for words.

Lisa

[fdp]

Come back often; I think you will find that we are an interesting lot.

I am going to go on a limb here and assume that you are Brazilian.

Have you ever heard of a Brazilian barbecue restaurant called Roda Vida? There are several locations here in Southern California and it appears to be a national chain.

For a little over $20 dollars a person (drinks not included) you can eat all the Brazilian barbecue your heart desires.

[La China Poblana]

Originally posted by futbol de primera
Come back often; I think you will find that we are an interesting lot.

I am going to go on a limb here and assume that you are Brazilian.

Thank you so much for your warm welcome! I have been lurking for a while and agree that the Mexico forum is an interesting and friendly lot. Actually, I'm not Brazilian. I just chose that screen name because I first learned about football from watching the Selecao. The reason why I find the Mexico forum so interesting (aside from present company) is that my dad is originally from Mexico, and that whole side of my family is still there. I'm still learning a lot about football, and that's why I have a lot more to say when it comes to restaurants. I haven't heard if that churrascaria chain is anywhere near Chicago. While I might not be posting, I'm here pretty frequently. I think the Mexico NSR forum was long overdue.

Lisa

[fdp]

Originally posted by lisabrasil09
Thank you so much for your warm welcome! I have been lurking for a while and agree that the Mexico forum is an interesting and friendly lot. Actually, I'm not Brazilian. I just chose that screen name because I first learned about football from watching the Selecao. The reason why I find the Mexico forum so interesting (aside from present company) is that my dad is originally from Mexico, and that whole side of my family is still there. I'm still learning a lot about football, and that's why I have a lot more to say when it comes to restaurants. I haven't heard if that churrascaria chain is anywhere near Chicago. While I might not be posting, I'm here pretty frequently. I think the Mexico NSR forum was long overdue.

Lisa

If you don't mind me asking where in Mexico does your father come from?

My fathers side of the family is from Aguascalientes Mexico (central Mexico).

My mothers side of the family is from Jerez Zacatecas (also central Mexico just north of Ags.).

We have many of the states in Mexico and the United States represented here in the Mexico forum.

Are you also a fan of the Mexican National Team, Mexican Football League, United States Mens National Team, MLS and or Chicago Fire?

Gotta go. I will check in tonight to see you responses.

Once again,

Welcome!

[LMvCP]

Originally posted by futbol de primera
Are you also a fan of the Mexican National Team, Mexican Football League, United States Mens National Team, MLS and or Chicago Fire?

What do you mean by also????

I KNEW IT. TRAITOR

[Levante]

Lisa,

Welcome here. Sorry I had to put you in your place one time. :D Just joking.

So where do you live in Chicago?

[fdp]

Typical Americanista fans; scaring all the women away.

We will probably never here from her again.http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif