Review of Jack's on Halsted - The Chef Burger Concept Continues.......

I have a history with Chef Jack Jones, not a personal one, but the kind that last; the happy food loving patron, and a Chef. I have been a patron of Chef Jack Jones, owner of Jack's on Halsted, going back many years to his first place, a simple storefront affair on North Ashland Av. His food was delicious and bold for the time, long before the advent Food TV, superstar chefs, and the term foodies.

Then he was on to bigger, but not always better things, including Jack's on Halsted. Born as a more upscale version of his original Daniel J's, he started straying into a sort of asian fusion world. This was cause for me to stray away.

So upon learning of the now common term, "reconcepting", of Jack's on Halsted, I became excited at the chance of recreating some of those great taste experience from years past and missed. As I perused his menu from the street, it appeared much to my great pleasure that this is not so much a reconcepting, but a trip back in time, to the beginning. I see some of those same dishes I enjoyed and still remember from yesteryear, and then, bonus time, Big Burgers on the menu. The thought of Chef Jones digging back into his culinary roots, and applying them to the object of our desire is very exciting.

I arrive at the restaurant, and this is definitely a restaurant. It almost has an identity crisis of fine dining meets kinda tavern. White table cloths and multiple flat screens is a little confusing, but hey, it's comfortable and I'm here for the food.

And to be more specific the Burger. On the menu along with the usual restaurant headings is a special grouping for Burgers, including some exotic entries. It appears that every venue now offering Burgers are jumping on the Burger + other ingredients, = my higher culinary creation capabilities bandwagon. Almost as to justify ones position in the gastronomic hierarchy. We at Chicago Burger and Fries are not fooled, or even concerned by this trend, because all we care about is Great tasting Burgers and Fries. Undeterred by the ever present Burger creations, because if the basic burger isn't great, the fancy accoutrements are not going to elevate it. I order my "Blog Burger" with American Cheese and raw onion, and I'm happy to say Jack's on Halsted’s offering is pretty good. A 9 ouncer, cooked almost perfectly medium rare (it was just a tad over), but still emitted the tell tale sign of tastiness, a slight trail of greasy  juice.

On the subject of onions, I have learned that since these days, most appear as a wafer thin almost nonexistent slice, I always ask for extra when ordering. Unfortunately Jack's, like most places required additional effort to get the aforementioned onion. Compounding the problem is the fact I will not eat my Burger before the correct amount of onion finally arrives. In the meantime my beautiful Burger's temperature is cooling, and my blood pressure is rising.

Despite the onion incident, I enjoyed the Jack’s on Halsteds' Burger very much. It was a classic grill job with a slight taste of char, and a nice meaty flavor. My Burger showed some signs of pink on the inside, and even a faint blur of red. If it had been pulled off the grill sooner, it would have certainly had even more depth of flavor. But unfortunately it missed the mark, however so slightly.

The Fries, not so good. They tasted as they came out of a bag, and had a slightly strange crust going on. Although they were served nice and hot, exhibiting a slight crunch, as soon as they cooled a bit, the flavor profile went downhill fast. They became rather dull and off tasting to the point that I did not care to finish them. A Chef of Jack Jones caliber should certainly be capable of putting a better fry on the plate, and I hope he will.

I accompanied my Burger with slightly pricey bottle of beer, no draft beer in the house, unfortunately and a pretty limited assortment of brews, at that.

In the final analysis, I had an OK type of Burger and Fries” experience. Not a bad place especially if you’re on a date with a non burger type of person, but why would you be on a date with someone who doesn’t love burgers. I know a Chef of Jack Jones talent could elevate his namesake spot; but I won’t be back anytime soon.

The Damage:

Cheese Burger and Fries  $ 8.95
Bottle Beer $ 6.50

The Burgers are very reasonably priced, especially in a white table cloth setting. However, ordering other menu options, aside from the Burger, will take you out of the  value world in a hurry. However, their other offering are very tasty.

Ratings: ( 1* - 4 **** )

Burger: 2**     Fries 1*

Home of the Char Broiled Cheddar Burger.....Weiner Circle

A sign on north Clark street emblazoned with the iconic yellow Vienna Hot Dog logo, proclaims for all to see "Home of the Char Broiled Cheddar Burger". This sight acts as a beacon for all, drawing us to The Weiner Circle. For many it's the last stop of an alcohol fueled night out, providing both tasty sustenance and an almost magical restorative power, and the entertainment is free most of the time. At other times it is the quintessential Chicago Hot Dog Joint, a place to chow down on some good food fast. I've been coming here so long; I remember the Hot Dog joint that failed at this same location before the Weiner Circle crew set up shop.

I always have had a great affinity for this place having logged many meals here at all times of the day and night. At one point in my life, stopping at the Weiner Circle and picking up a Cheddar Burger, Hot Dog, and Fries to take home, was a Gastronomic treat of the highest rank.

As I arrive at the stand alone building that Weiner Circle has occupied for many years with its own parking lot, both a big plus and rarity in the city. It is relatively quiet when I arrive, free of the usual side shows, just a few other patrons. As I approach the large elevated order window, I am greeted by the standard "What you want?"

Cheddar Burger medium rare with everything, raw onion, no tomato, pickles and peppers on the side, an order I've repeated many times in my hungry life.

As I wait in anticipation, I am informed my burger is done and what do I want on it. I repeat my earlier order, Cheddar Burger with everything, raw onion, no tomato, pickles and peppers on the side. Dressed and placed in wrap paper then in a paper basket.

Timing is everything; the saying goes, except at Weiner Circle. Why is it so difficult to get a simple two item order at the same time? I'll tell you why, because the employees preparing this simple order, just don't give a shit. Apparently cooking your food interferer’s with their text messaging and constant stream of meaningless conversation with each other.

At last it is announced, as a major feat has just been executed, "Your fries are ready," and a copious amount of fries it is. I once again go to the service window to retrieve the goodness of Golden French Fries. I'm almost happy.

First bite, juicy, but not quite as juicy as I would like, or remember. The cheese flavor is definitely there, accented by the other condiments. This Burger is a taste package, a shining example where the whole is definitely more than the sum of its parts. But... the big blast of burger flavor is a little bit less than I was expecting. A quick eye level check of the Burger reveals a pink center, medium rare- check. But I sense something is missing, I flip the lid for a closer examination, all condiments seem to be in the correct place, then it strikes me; this burger appears to be smaller than the ones of my fond and sometimes foggy memory.

I swing around on my chair to view the posted menu and notice the proud 1/3 pound declaration prevalently displayed in the past is missing. So are the great burgers of the past, but this one is still a tasty treat, just not great.

Digging into the heaping order of fries I'm reminded of a deep flavored fresh cut French Fry. Nice crisp outside and creamy potato inside. Pretty good, but something’s missing. Not a lot of depth of earthy potato flavor. I'm enjoying them, and I happily eat every last fry. But I feel a little disappointed and a tad perplexed.

A quick query to the young man working the fry station reveals the truth about a rumor I heard years ago. He confirms these fries are fresh not frozen, but come in a bag from an outside purveyor. Mystery solved! The fries like the burger are also good, if not very good at times, just not great.



The Damage:

Char Cheddar Burger $ 4.75

French Fries               $2.15

Ratings: ( out of 4****)

Burger 2**  Fries 2**

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

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**