I’ve been driving by this hot dog stand in East Village for years, and I think I realized just a few weeks ago that the place is called Duks and not Duke’s. Anyway, it’s a creepy little slice of Coney Island on an otherwise uneventful corner. It’s a 24-hour carnival-time-warp that seems to infuse summertime picnic bench chillin’ with a dog and a shake even in January, yet it also looks like a movie set that would fall over if you gave it a high-five. The other thing about Duks is that everyone seems to have a story about it. Usually that story involves a drunken pit stop from a random night at Betty’s Blue Star Lounge, or a place of respite while trying to find a taxi at Ashland and Grand in the middle of winter. Either way, the place intrigues me like those portable carnivals that set up shop in the middle of my neighborhood, Tilt-a-Whirl and all. I’ll venture in for a Duk dog soon and report back. And speaking of Duks, will someone please go to Hot Doug’s with me for chrissakes? I’ve been dreaming of duck fat french fries from the second I heard of them. Duks, 636 N. Ashland Ave., 312.733.0069; Doug’s, 3324 N. California Ave., 773.279.9550
Duks dogs
Filed under hot dog hunt
Chatting with chef Marcus Samuelsson
When he’s not holding down the fort at his New York City restaurants, Aquavit and Riingo, Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s hanging at his new Windy City eateries, C-House in the Affinia Hotel and Marc Burger at Macy’s. When I met up with him at C-House this week, he told me he plans to spend a lot of time in Chicago this fall, and then proceeded to ask me when it really starts to get cold. I quickly told him, “Oh, you know, like February.” Hey, whatever keeps him cooking here as long as possible. Check out what the esteemed James Beard Award-winning chef had to say about C-House. A full report and food pics to come.
Filed under new restaurants, video Q & A
Sweet Thang Roscoe Village
A former addict of their pain au chocolat, I was sad to see Sweet Thang bakery bid adieu to my ‘hood. While it always looked like Valentine’s Day on overdrive in the Wicker Park location, they’ve ditched the worn red velvet love seats and petite Parisian cafe tables for spacious booths, black and white photograpy and wooden tables in their three-week-old Roscoe Village digs. The original sign and Moulin Rouge light fixtures help, but sadly, the place just doesn’t feel the same. But one good thang is that oodles more bakery case-space means more room for cakes, croissants, cupcakes, tarts and more. 2142 W. Roscoe, 312.935.4166
Filed under I like to eats
Chicago chef shout-outs
When I’m not bloggin’, I’m editin’ and when I’m not editin,’ I’m writin.’ If you’re looking for a coupla tasty reads, check out my stories on the green practices of Chicago chefs like Charlie Trotter and Rick Bayless in the fall issue of the London-based CNN Traveller magazine, and my review of local restaurant cooking classes in the September issue of Chicago magazine. End shameless plug.
Filed under ..and more
Mystery sign
I’ve given you mystery doors, murals and mirrors and nary a reader has ventured a guess. It’s the times of a sign. Does anyone know what Chicago restaurant this weather vane points to?
Filed under mystery spot
Mystery mirror revealed
If you live anywhere near Wicker Park, this one was pretty obvious. But nobody revealed last week’s mystery mirror post. Scene of a particularly fun birthday bash of my past and home to some pretty tasty late-night fish tacos, Rodan at 1530 N. Milwaukee Avenue is where you’ll be transfixed with your trippy reflection. More trippiness ensues on the back wall of the bar/restaurant nightly. 
Filed under mystery spot
Cupcakes craze?
With the proliferation of cupcake shops in big cities all over the U.S. over the past couple of years, maybe they are a craze. But I hope it’s one that’s here to stay. Nice Chicago shout-out in the comments of this New York Times story, but what’s Molly’s Cupcakes? I’ll have to investigate.
Filed under Uncategorized
Oatmeal update
My head is cloudy with a summer cold (fun!) so I haven’t really been blogging, but I have been eating a helluvalotta oatmeal! I definitely approve of the new Perfect Oatmeal at Starbucks, and I indulged in it twice this weekend. I semi-expected an overly sweet, lumpy mess, but the consistency and flavor is right on, and you don’t need to add milk with individually wrapped toppings like nuts, dried fruit and brown sugar. It’s around $3, but it’s also not the largest portion. Perhaps various sizes are in order? Either way, I suggest two if you’re hungry.
Filed under I like to eats
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