Here's to Great Burgers and Fries, down with the rest!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Lunch at Leo's Coney Island of Confusion

With great fanfare, the arrival of Leo's Coney Island is official, kind of. For all of us Chicago natives, this is apparently an introduction to a new Culinary experience we have seemingly been deprived of. So with the anticipation of finding a new form of Gastronomic excellence, brought to us by our Michigan neighbors, I want to be among the first to venture to Leo's, on behalf of you my loyal following, to provide for you, an early recap of what this broo ha ha is all about, and besides I was hungry.

As I arrive at Leo's a small crowd is milling about outside. Always a bad sign. I have to push my way through the door and work my way to the Host counter, immediately  I sense a lot of tension in the air. I am greeted with not a smile or hello, but by a proclamation that there is an hour wait, do I want to give my name. Not deterred, because of my mission to file this early report, I cheerfully give my name.

With time to kill, I take a stroll to the restroom, on the way I hear a patron tell the sever "I'm not paying $10 for this", another ominous sign.The place is a mass of complaints by customers, and a visually stressed out manager, who is now purposely not seating waiting customers at open tables. I am not happy with this peculiar system, and I am growing hungrier by the minute. With half the chairs empty, the manager informs a steady stream of new patrons arriving, and  much to their dismay , they are not seating anyone until 5 P.M.

After a about 20 minutes I am seated and presented with a large menu of Greek and American fare. It looks pretty tasty, with several choices of Burgers.. The server approaches me with some more odd and certainly not welcome news. They are only taking drink orders, and by drinks I mean soft drinks, as they have no alcohol. Asking why,  I am informed they may start taking food orders in 20 minutes. Not deterred, I give her my order right then and there, and inform her to put it in when they actually start cooking. One half pound Leo's Angus Burger with American Cheese and extra raw onion. a.k.a. Blogburger, with French Fries, and a Leo's Coney Dog.

My hunger grows as the time ticks by, finally I see food appearing, the staff seems to be re energized, but still no food for me. The server is now giving me regular updates of when the kitchen will start to actually cook food, like in most actual restaurants, and I point out to her that several other servers are carrying actual food as we speak. Caught off guard, she runs from the table back to the Kitchen, as if to find out how come they are serving food without her personal knowledge. My hopes are now rising that I may get to eat sometime that day. About 10 minutes later, hazaa, my food lands on the table, and it looks pretty good. However, there are not any onions, let alone extra raw onion, I am informed they will appear shortly. What is it about getting your onions the same time as your burger, is this a conspiracy? Anyhow the onions finally make an appearance, I place them on top of the 2 almost melted slice of American cheese, and dive in famished. I start with a rapid series of bites to quell my hunger, unable to slow down and take pause for a more aesthetic photo, why, because much to my surprise, this is a good Burger, a very good Burger indeed. I force myself  to finally take a break to gather my thoughts for this report, (and take this very unprofessional snap). Upon closer observation this Burger is cooked medium rare, if not a little on the rare side. Big beefy flavor, juicy to the point where the juice is soaking into the bun, an enjoyable, big  Burger blast of flavor.



Time to hit the fries, a semi skin on affair, but noticeably undercooked, pale, and limp. Upon first bite I am not deceived, despite the skin on appearance, these are not fresh cut French Fries, and they are not very good. As they cool down, they begin to take on a strange chemical like taste, I stop eating them, I am not going to eat the rest of them either. The French Fries here are bad.

 I happily go back to that delicious Burger.

All in all I think things will improve at Leo's, but considering all their marketing hype, they should have been much better prepared, much-much better prepared.

The Damage:

Leo Burger     $ 5.99
Cheese                   .30
French Fries       1.90

Ratings: ( out of 4****)

Burger 3*** Fries 1*


A word about the Leo's Coney Island dog. I had to of course try one of the namesake dog's, although I have had variations of the same sandwich in the Northeast where they call them Weiners and New York system. A dog, a bun, chili like sauce, onions, and mustard. Once again I was not wowed by this combination. It is a messy bite for sure, but there are some flavor's going on, so I'll give it another shot, but not to soon.

Coney Island Dog  $2.59

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Wait To Go To Leo's Coney Island

WAIT to go to Leo's Coney Island, or you'll WAIT!  People were turned away and they actually stopped taking all food orders for those seated. Eventually after another long wait, I was served. Results to follow......

Friday, February 5, 2010

Return to Kuma's..........2010

Having declared Kuma's Corner the best Chicago Burger for 2009, I thought I better swing by to see how 2010 is shaping up.

I had hopes that by going in mid afternoon I could avoid the wait; think again. As I rolled up Belmont the site I sought to avoid, appeared. People waiting outside of Kuma's. Oh well, at least I found a parking spot quickly.

Pushing my way thru the crowds at the door, I tried scoping a single seat at the bar, as the wait for a table was still over an hour. No luck, and I was  then outmaneuvered when the first seats opened up. Thankfully, a seat opened up for me about 15 minutes later.

As I sat down it two things struck, people don't appear to eat and run here, and it is in fact a Tavern as much as a restaurant. Despite being so crowded, it has a pretty mellow vibe and I'm far from a heavy metal enthusiast. My spirits began to lift a bit, on yet another dreary Chicago winter day.

I was given a menu by the bartender, and after a quick chat, she recommended one of the Draft Beer's, which I enjoyed. Now to peruse the menu, all the choices of combinations and creations. What I really like is at the bottom of the menu, it plainly states what their cooking temps are setting the standard's beyond a question of doubt. My favorite, Medium rare is clearly stated as being, pink and a little red in the center.

For the purposes of Chicago Burger and Fries, I will limit my selections to a cheese burger and onions, adding a couple of condiments only (mainly ketchup). I want the burger to be the star, to make my judgements more focused.

I order a burger with cheddar cheese and  raw onion. The bartender responded with a pout, encouraging me to build the burger from their generous array of additional ingredients available, however I resist. I also order the waffle fries, as no french fries are on the menu.

The burger arrives about 15 minutes later, a tall, huge 10 ounce affair, hot and literally dripping cheddar cheese. I think when it lands in front of me "worth the wait". I add some ketchup and the slice of raw red onion, and take my first bite. Delicious, I continue eating at a fast clip, because I'm really hungry and it's really good. I force myself to slow down and survey the situation. I hold the burger at eye level and just as stated, perfectly medium rare. I continue eating it, savoring the moment. Big meaty, beefy flavor, mixed with just a little fatty juice trickling out. From the first bite to the last, this burger is pure enjoyment, almost sensual. Upon finishing I was both seriously stuffed and happy.


The waffle fries are a different story. I am not a huge fan of the waffle fry to begin with, however Kuma's are decent. Not undercooked, but not completely golden brown either. The portion of fries is average, and  I ate them all. It easy to say that the waffle fries, unfortunately, do not measure up to the lofty position of the burger.

The Damage:

Cheese Burger and waffle fries $10.00
1 Alpha King Beer $ 5.00

Not cheap, but great value for both the food and experience!

Ratings:( out of 4****)

Burger 4**** Fries 2**

Monday, February 1, 2010

Almost 4**** Fries

Al's #1 Italian Beef  has always been a perennial favorite of mine for great french fries. I have not been there in a while and swung by the Ontario and Wells location for a little treat, and what a treat it was. Al's fries were served golden in color and crispy, and a fairly generous portion I must say. The first bite fills my mouth with a deep profound potato flavor. The bites that follow only continue the deliciousness which comes from a properly cooked fresh cut French Fry. Close to fry perfection, I would have awarded these tasty fries 4 stars if they were a tad hotter.

Since they have burgers on the menu, I have a great excuse to make a return visit soon. Perhaps I'll have the pleasure of encountering a 4 **** batch of Fries then. Something to look forward to.

The Damage:
French Fries -Large Order         $1.99

Rating ( out of 4****)
3 ***