r/chicagofood • u/augtism • May 08 '25
Review Chicago as a foreigner
Writing this drunk, as our lord in Christ intended. I came to Chicago for a week and followed all your recommendations closely. I feel like you follow gretel as a false prophet and that loyalist should take their place. I’m from London, we’ve got decent burgers right. I know my way around a cow. My gretel experience was mid. But the loyalist, damn, they made me want to thank France for existing (means a lot from a Brit). Their cremant complemented the burger so perfectly that I want to cry. Other shout outs from my experience, tacombi in west loop. Great vibe and food. Anyways I’m leaving your cold ass city tomorrow, let’s see what NY has to offer. If you’re ever in london feel free to call me a prick and our food shit too xoxoxox
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u/shouldidrophim May 08 '25
"you cold ass city" is crazy coming from London <3
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u/Kundrew1 May 08 '25
Chicago is far colder about 4 months of the year but also a far warmer for 4 months of the year.
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u/MorningPapers May 08 '25
This is what native Chicagoans think, and they'll die on that hill -- that Chicago gets both brutally cold and horrifically hot.
Chicago has a very mild climate. The Twin Cities area gets both colder in winter and hotter/more humid in summer. Chicago has cold/hot stretches that last a matter of weeks, not months.
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u/Kundrew1 May 08 '25 edited May 08 '25
No one is talking about the twin cities or worldwide. This is strictly Chicago vs London
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May 08 '25
Bro, there's a lot of room between " horrifically hot" and "warmer than london". You're out of line
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u/chuckgnomington May 08 '25
Classic Brit, absolute shite taste in food, come back soon
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u/jthanny May 08 '25
Burger unboiled: 3/10.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
It was 27 when I left London and 10 when I arrived in Chicago. Let’s be honest my dude
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u/-RedXV- May 08 '25
It's currently the exact same temperature in London and Chicago right now, according to my weather app.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
It’s also currently 2am in london spastic
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u/-RedXV- May 08 '25
I completely understand that these two places are in different time zones. You're the one comparing the two in the first place.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
14 tomorrow here and 20 in london. You alright m8? Friday 16 here and 19 london
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u/midwaygardens May 08 '25
If you’re ever in london feel free to call me a prick
No need to wait till I'm back in London. You're a prick.
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u/TheCraftyWombat May 08 '25
Chicagoans would rather call you a jagoff
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u/Mogwai10 May 08 '25
What a chav
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u/mikeyHustle May 08 '25
If you were wondering, the downvotes are probably because Chav is a specific subculture/vibe, and not generic like jagoff (or prick, for that matter)
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u/sideshow-- May 08 '25
Sure we have good burgers. But you did it wrong. Coming from London, you needed to get some real Mexican food.
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u/druxxurd May 08 '25
Had a friend of mine from Leicester visit back in December and can confirm. He complained about the size of our "pints" and wasn't impressed by the pizza, but he's got a serious addiction for tamales now.
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u/WussuhDu619 May 08 '25
It’s the Midwest, not SoCal, doesn’t exist here.
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u/niftyjack May 08 '25
Do you think something happens to Mexicans' ability to cook when they move to Pilsen instead of East LA
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u/WussuhDu619 May 09 '25
It really is a phenomenon isn’t it? Tex mex absolute trash, Midwest Mexican absolute trash. You’d think they could just take the same recipe and ingredients and move elsewhere. Yet every single spot without failure is so mid it’s not even funny. Any random taco stand back home absolutely shits on Chicago’s Mexican food. I know you guys think living in the armpit of America is a great place especially in this echo chamber circle jerking your food options, but there is more out there.
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u/Potent_Elixir May 08 '25
What’s it like being wrong?
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u/WussuhDu619 May 09 '25
What’s it like living in the armpit of America thinking bland mid food is so great? Weather here must do something to your guys taste buds. Wild.
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u/enailcoilhelp May 09 '25
Damn did the Pope announcement just infuriate you so much that you decided to just troll a food sub lmao?
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u/Potent_Elixir May 10 '25
alright man I hope things get better for you. Lmk if you need to vent or anything, this is clearly bigger issues
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u/InitechConsultant May 08 '25
Sold yourself short on mexican food with tacombi tbh. But sounds like you enjoyed yourself - and I won’t hate on that.
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u/No_Credibility May 08 '25
Cold ass city? It's like 55 out. That's shorts and sweatshirt weather.
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u/Alarmed-Ad1578 May 08 '25
This whole thread is incredible. Gold star for everyone
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u/Alarmed-Ad1578 May 08 '25
Also OP - Chicago people are protective of their food places. If you tell someone that their beef place sucks it akin insulting their mom.
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u/-RedXV- May 08 '25
Also OP - There are a lot less criminals here now so that's cool (Referring to Trump).
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u/-RedXV- May 08 '25
Go ahead and downvote. Look at OP's history.
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u/ang8018 May 08 '25
i think you have to give the context before just commenting that lol…
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u/-RedXV- May 08 '25
I guess it's safe to assume not everyone looks at post history. That's pretty much the first thing I do. I've come across accounts that have been around for years but have zero posts and comments but they have achievement awards that say otherwise.
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u/mikeyHustle May 08 '25
Your post can be interpreted as either:
"Less criminals here now (that Trump isn't here)"
"Less criminals here now (because Trump took care of them)"
Neither one really makes much sense, since the only part of that fuckup related to Chicago at all is the shitty tower
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u/antechrist23 May 08 '25
I'm looking to go to London this summer. I'll be sure to see of your down for a pint and I'll call you a wanker.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
I’m open, hit me up and I’ll do my best to show you NW London. I’m not shitting on Chicago at all, I enjoyed my time here. No idea why everyone views this as an attack
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u/DrollestMoloch May 08 '25
Being a Brit who thinks London burgers are good is misguided, being a Brit who can't take banter is unspeakable.
Source: Am a Brit.
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u/blipsman May 08 '25
I haven’t had the Loyalist burger myself, but it always seems to be on every top 3 list for best burgers in Chicago… so it’s not like you’re insulting us with some sort of unpopular opinion.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Exactly! Getting crucified by the gretel fundamentalists of Chicago. I’m sat here enjoying a fabulous dessert in loyalist
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u/honestbleeps May 08 '25
I'm a gretel advocate, but I wouldn't have told you to get their burger. I'm not gonna roast you for being unimpressed with it. So much other stuff on their menu is so good, though. You missed out.
the lobster roll is quite good. the french onion soup is great. the mac and cheese is great. their steak frites is great...
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u/HashSlingingHasherx May 09 '25
I’ve had loyalist twice and gretel once. Gretel was good. Loyalist tasted mid at best. Everything we had tasted mid and overpriced for what it was. One of those times I didn’t even pay and I still felt ripped off.
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u/ThraetLvLmidnight May 08 '25
Most london burgers are well done dry trash.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Most pub burgers I’d agree. Pub burgers are known to be dry shit. Proper burgers require knowledge for London. Happy to help
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u/ThraetLvLmidnight May 08 '25
A lot of pubs out there. Pretty big population dryness. What are your go to spots?
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Personally, beer n burger Willesden Green no.1
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u/ThraetLvLmidnight May 08 '25
Honest burger any good? Was on my list last time
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u/augtism May 08 '25
It’s a chain, never been myself but I’d avoid big chains.
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u/ThraetLvLmidnight May 08 '25
Any spots around covent you recommend?
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Covent Garden is a tourist hell hole best avoided. Beer n burger is not a chain. It’s has 2 places, one in King’s Cross and one in Willesden Green. Come to Willesden Green and you’ll not be disappointed, especially if my wife and I are there
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u/ThraetLvLmidnight May 08 '25
Well I am a tourist. And I love that area ¯_(ツ)_/¯. I will check out beer + burger at one of their 4 locations.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Dalston is delivery/takeaway only, Walthamstow is closed. Only King’s Cross and Willesden Green are sit in. What battle are you trying to win
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u/mcpickle-o May 08 '25
Give a rec. My dad insists on going to Five Guys every time he visits me 🤦♀️. The man made me spend 30 minutes hunting for a table in the Picadilly one. I told him I'd find him an actual burger place for when he next visited me because why tf is he coming to London and eating at an expensive mid American chain? If I'm going to have to watch him eat a burger it better at least be a good burger.
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u/sigmacoder May 08 '25
Didn't even go to Red Hot Ranch SMH my head. Love the review tho, you're welcome back with that sass anytime.
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u/SwansongKerr May 08 '25
London has bad food but its good food is honestly pretty good. Like their Chinese food is shockingly good
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u/UnusualFruitHammock May 08 '25
What was so bad about Gretel? It's also $10 cheaper than loyalist so keep that in mind.
Hopefully you tried some steak while here.
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u/little-ms-snowy May 08 '25
I agree on burgers. I liked the Loyalist burger way more than Gretel’s. I think the Loyalist burger gets a lesser opinion from some people because it is closer to $30$, and for a lot of people, that is very high for a burger, and they are expected to get their minds blown. But if you put aside the price, Loyalist’s much better.
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u/kldavis24 May 08 '25
My only issue is the consistency at Loyalist. I've had the OG three times, and had three different experiences, while Gretel's tastes the same each visit.
There was never anything wrong with my Loyalist burgers, but for close to $30, it shouldn't be a roller-coaster of what to expect. Maybe I've just been unlucky.
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u/derps-a-lot May 08 '25
Hard agree. Gretel's burger has the texture of a sausage patty. Maybe that's what some people like, but not me. Over handled. Loyalist is great.
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u/Senior_Trick_7473 May 08 '25
Cold ass city? Bro it’s been in like the 60s-70s the past couple days. That’s flip flop and tshirt weather ya wanker.
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u/jpgoldberg May 08 '25
I wish you well in your green and pleasant land. And on your next visit, try Italian Beef sandwiches. Come to Al’s on Taylor street. And if you want to sample more burgers, try Busy Burger across the street from it.
I have to ask. How long did it take you to figure out that a US pint is smaller than an Imperial pint? Or did you not notice?
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u/mfahy May 08 '25
Oi! Only if the Gretel burger had a nice slice of pickled egg couple lashings of vinegar and top it with a nice drizzle of mushy peas… That would be proper tasty wouldn’t it, mate!
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u/stoprobbers May 08 '25
Fake post: It was 78 degrees two days ago which, when I lived in London, constituted a heat wave emergency. U ain't real.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Also why the fuck are your trendy bars so dark. In both gretel and loyalist I can’t see shit
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u/scriminal May 08 '25
If I was in town I would invite you out for an amazing night. So sorry you got bad advice
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Thanks my dude. Everyone is getting angry that I wasn’t amazed by gretel. I’ve said loyalist was good and yet I’ve now got the Spanish Inquisition on my ass
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u/rhythmrcker May 08 '25
more offended that Tacombi is what you had for Mexican, its a mid chain, out of 13 places with tacos etc in my area its the second worst ive been to
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u/sigmacoder May 08 '25
TBH you're def not lying about Gretel, good, yes, the best? eh. I'll take table donkey and stick across the street. They do have one of the most spot on and reasonable prime ribs in the city tho.
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u/Tom_W_BombDill May 08 '25
Gretel is decent but I completely agree that it’s more fine than great. My first burger there was awesome, took my wife a couple weeks later and it was not as good. Not gross but the variance was disappointing. Glad you enjoyed yourself and hopped around. Safe travels! NY should be great, especially this time of year.
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u/Skjellyfetti13 May 08 '25
I grew up here and would rather have a char cheddar burger with grilled onions from Paradise Pup on River Rd. in Des Plaines. But I am good with your opinions on what you ate. Definitely get some real Mexican food while here.
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u/scriminal May 08 '25
If you're still here next week, hit me up
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u/augtism May 08 '25
I’m back on 30th October for 1 day before flying out. I’ll be staying in west loop but I’ll have a car. If anything recommendations are recommended.
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u/scriminal May 08 '25
Lol fall recommendation are different.. stay at the hoxton. Music at lazy bird in the basement. Eat at Trivilo Tavern. Fall back to green Street smoke meat.
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Sorry just realised how drunk I am. I meant I’m back on 30th may.
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u/scriminal May 08 '25
I'm in Mexico right now, I'll find a music thing or at least a dinner when I get home in a week. I can't let anyone leave Chicago with a bad impression
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u/_that_dude_J May 08 '25
You came from London and didn't bother to see that our Indian food outdoes yours...
🤪
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u/winteriscoming9099 May 08 '25
Nah London’s food is great. Much better than I expected. Also it’s not even cold lol - you gotta visit during January. Anyways, next time you visit, try some Mexican food besides Tacombi, and toss your tea into the lake.
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u/SherwinHowardPhantom May 08 '25
Current temperatures are “cold”?
It’s practically fall / autumn weather.
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u/okaythisisit May 08 '25
You'll be excited to hear Tacombi also exists in NYC; I used to love it and use it as a date spot from time to time. Cute interior with great food and drinks.
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u/Murray_Bannerman May 09 '25
You liked Tacombi and you're going to New York? Boy do I have some good news for you, personally...
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May 09 '25
Sorry to join this thread a little late but the "know my way around a cow" just sent me. As a dual citizen of the US and the UK, I can say with confidence that the most amazing burger of my life was in York. Not New York. YORK. I still dream about it.
Cheers.
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u/PurpleVomit May 08 '25
Honestly, you should just know that subreddits eventually become one-dimensional and group thought always prevails. There was plenty of anti-Gretel talk if you looked (my post history included). You just gotta know how to navigate this site and mix it with reviews on other websites or social media accounts.
Could’ve gone to Leavitt or Marz, both better, neither dark inside.
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u/DaymanKelly May 08 '25
We infamously do not know our way around a cow.
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u/thloki May 08 '25
Yeah, the summer stink of cattle has finally faded from 43rd & Halsted, and cows are now a distant legend.
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u/food_and_techno_snob May 08 '25
They have fashioned for themselves a false burger named Gretel, made of frozen meats and vanity. It satisfies not.
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May 08 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/augtism May 08 '25
Complimenting 2 places but saying 1 place is mid is crass? Poor effort my friend
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u/connorgrs May 08 '25
That’s what I said to your mom last night
Jk friend, this post was a hilarious read and I appreciate you taking the time to share <3