Category Archives: food

Chinatown

It’s Sunday.  And that means it’s time for Chinese food. That photo was the old Hoe Kow.  Now gone, but in its heyday, the famous restaurant of Sunday choice for many Chicagoans.  It seems like everyone I know ate here … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture, Restaurants | 28 Comments

The Whole Truth

IMPORTANT LETTER FROM ELBA ANNOUNCEMENT:  I am taking this Thursday, Thanksgiving, off.  My grandson Sam is coming to visit, and I’ll be busy discussing world events, the thrill of fast cars and the novels of Colette with him.  So have … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture | 31 Comments

That’s My ‘Cue

That’s the Glass Dome Hickory Pit.  Long a legendary landmark on Chicago’s South Side. Here it is at its first location on Union Street in 1955.  Later, it moved two blocks west to 2801 South Halsted.  Just a hop, skip … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture, Restaurants | 30 Comments

Piece of Cake

Fantasy Fudge.  Apple Twists.  Cheese Flakies.  Chocolate Puffs. If you grew up on Chicago’s North Shore, you’re sure to recognize these names and remember Heinemann’s Bakery. They started in 1929 with a single, small bakery.  By 1935, one store had … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Just Desserts

I am a dessert voyeur.  I seldom indulge.  I really only like to read the menu.  (Now some of this may sound familiar to many of you.  But please hang in there with me.  This is a new post but … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, Restaurants | 26 Comments

That’s Amore

What kind of Chicagoan would I be if I didn’t write about pizza?  After all, we gave the world the gift of “deep dish” and I’m pretty sure we invented cornmeal crust,too. There is more good pizza to be found … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture | 16 Comments

The Food Network

Long before there was ever a Cooking Channel, Chicago had its own celebrity television chef. His name was François Pope and he hosted a morning program on WBKB Channel 7 called “Creative Cookery.” And even though I was a tiny … Continue reading

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Posted in Cooking, food, pop culture, Television | 16 Comments

Hamburger Heaven

In case you don’t recognize it, the cheeseburger at the top of this post is from the Apple Pan on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles.  The late great film critic, Gene Siskel, turned me on to it and I … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture | 30 Comments

Special Delivery

Last week, it was colder here in Chicago than it was in Siberia.  (You know it’s cold when Lincoln Park Zoo keeps their polar bear, Anana, inside.)  And as the temperature plummeted to a nippy eight below zero, my thoughts … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture | 6 Comments

Hot Diggetty Dawg

I always watch what I eat.  I don’t like junk food.  Empty calories are an anathema to me. I can say no to every dessert on the planet.  (Except Chuckles.)  Chocolate leaves me cold. Coffee?  Never tasted it.  Booze? Don’t … Continue reading

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Posted in food, Memoir, pop culture | 33 Comments