Burger Paradise

Yesterday I typed "paradise" into my GPS and that's exactly where I ended up. More specifically, Paradise Pup, a tiny burger/hot dog joint in Des Plaines, Illinois that serves fast food Chicago style. My belly was rumbling as I approached but I whispered "I know we're here but there will probably be a line, but don't worry, it will be worth it".* The only thing more famous than the char grilled burgers at the Pup is the line which is usually out the door on "warm"** days like this. Somehow the foodie gods were smiling on me because there was no line! I stepped up to the counter and ordered the following: Chicago style hot dog, cheddar burger, 3 layer fries and chocolate banana milkshake. While I could have easily consumed all this food myself, Scott was nice enough to come along to save me a few calories as well as act as photographer. He actually had to stop me from chowing down so he could take a picture.

The burger, sitting pretty on its fresh tasting, soft, glorious bun tasted charred and delicious. Fresh veggies and grilled onions came along for the ride, and the cheddar cheese came to play- it was sharp and flavorful. I later found out the cheddar was from my new home state, Wisconsin.

I won't bore you with long descriptions of the other foods, since you are probably drooling right now and ready to get in a car or on a plane to come try burger paradise for yourself.

*If you have been reading my blog you know how obsessed I am with food and probably aren't surprised I talk to my belly.

**Using quotes here because as a Virginian I would not consider 65 degrees warm, but hey, I'm a Midwest transplant now, my standards are changing.

The burger of my dreams.

3 layer fries!

Yep, these burgers are famous!

Authentic Mexican Food: No Passport Required

Last Spring, someone recommended that my coworker and I try an authentic Mexican Restaurant with a weird name. We wandered the streets, reading the Spanish signs until we finally found it. We walked in, and it looked more like a factory than a restaurant. No one spoke English. Luckily, my Spanish speaking coworker asked where the restaurant was, and we were pointed next door. I guess when you wander into a tortilla factory while in search of tacos, you're in good shape.

But wait, I wasn't in Mexico, I was in West Chicago.

Mmm, tasty authentic Mexican food without getting out your passport! Yes please.

I scoped out another restaurant in Chicago's Spanish speaking neighborhoods: Cemitas Puebla. I saw it on DDD (Diner's, Drive Ins, and Dive's) and I have been dying to go for almost a year now, but it's a little out of the way and I just never made it until my most recent visit.

The story? The family that owns the restaurant returns to their "puebla" once a month to get ingredients, including the awesome cheese that comes on your Cemita in generous handfuls. Check out their website and drool over the video of Guy's visit.

Cemitas Puebla

3619 W. North Avenue

Chicago, IL 60647