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| Here are a few of our favorite midwest restaurants, great places to try something a little different. |
Cafe Central - Noble Square, 1437 W Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL - 312.243.6776
We were in Chicago last November and looking for a Cuban breakfast on a Sunday morning. Our first choice would have been La Única in Rogers Park but we needed something closer to downtown and so headed to Habana Libre on West Chicago Avenue. It was closed when we got there at 11:00 however and with time an issue that morning we trudged across the street to the non-descript Cafe Central. We didn't know what the place was—it looked like a bacon-eggs-and-toast diner—but it turned out to be a great Puerto Rican restaurant. The waitress took care of us in Spanish and along with asopao de pollo we ordered almost all of the plátano dishes on the menu, including maduro frito, tostones and, ohmygod, mofongo. It's drop-dead garlicky and we'll be back for more. If you can't visit Chicago, visit LaGasse's Island Flavors for online recipes. |
Kansas City BBQ - 205 East 14th Street, Des Moines, IA - 266.3097
The summer of 2009 I set off on a search for the best ribs in Des Moines. It didn’t last long since I’m not really a big BBQ fan, and I quickly tired of the search, as much as anything because nothing really stood out, not in service, not in location, not in ambiance, not in food. Then, coupon adverse as I am, I ran across a coupon for Kansas City BBQ and elected to use it. Fortunately, because it’s a swell little place, in the city (stone throw from the capitol), with fair prices (too cheap really), good food (probably great but I’m not the best person to be judging BBQ), and great service: the day I walked in, the counter/kitchen area was overstaffed with people doing their jobs well, and good service gets me every time. I’ve been back a few times, always for take out, but really want to stop by and eat in — it’s been busy every time I’ve been there, and it’s that popular-spot-in-the-neighborhood, plus the service, that will keep me going back: it beats a strip mall every time. |
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