Sodboy13 Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Al's Beef is probably better than Portillo's, as far as the Italian Beef chain hierarchy goes. (And for reference, the deep-dish pizza chain hierarchy is Lou Malnati's > Gino's East > Giordano's, though if you're in town and are interested in deep-dish, spring for the cab fare and go to Pequod's, because you deserve to live, man.) That said, I'm not close to an Al's now, so I go to Portillo's, and it's a perfectly good beef sandwich. There is a local place 4 blocks from my house, but it's 10 bucks for a beef and a small fry there, and it sure as hell isn't that much better than Portillo's.Wherever you go for your beef, though, well-dipped, sweet peppers, and hot giardeniera is your path to enlightenment.- - -Now, in regard to 3-on-3, I watched the end of Sens-Leafs Saturday night, and that OT opened up with two solid minutes of dick twiddling. Yes, I know, it's shocking that a team who hired Lamoriello and Lemaire in the offseason would be party to a dull, lifeless display of hockey. After that, things opened up, probably because Babcock doesn't have the talent or reps yet to get his system fully in place. But I could see where this is going, and where every overtime format will continue to go until the NHL addresses the real problem, which is the format of the standings, not the overtime. Quote On 1/25/2013 at 1:53 PM, 'Atom said: For all the bird de lis haters I think the bird de lis isnt supposed to be a pelican and a fleur de lis I think its just a fleur de lis with a pelicans head. Thats what it looks like to me. Also the flair around the tip of the beak is just flair that fleur de lis have sometimes source I am from NOLA. PotD: 10/19/07, 08/25/08, 07/22/10, 08/13/10, 04/15/11, 05/19/11, 01/02/12, and 01/05/12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerGuyJordan Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I don't live in Phoenix anymore and am back in California, or I'd definitely take you up on that offer.In the three years I was there, I NEVER found a single Mexican restaurant that was even pretty good let alone very good, and I tried a TON of places because I love Mexican food. It was all SO damn expensive, too. The majority of even the dirty hole in the wall places I've eaten at (especially in Southern California) absolutely blow even the more well known Mexican restaurants in the Phoenix area out of the water.It could've been a three year string of poor luck on my part. But considering the sample size I created, it must've been an absolutely astounding run of bad luck.Wait, what? How does Phoenix not have awesome Mexican food? You'd think that'd be the one thing they can't screw up!I was as surprised as you are when I first moved there. Really disappointed, too. After living there, I suspect there are two reasons for this, though:1) I can't really speak for Tucson as I've only been there twice (although I tried a Sonoran hotdog while there and was pretty underwhhelmed), but the overly strict and downright racist immigration policies in Maricopa County led to a bit of an exodus of the Hispanic population. I was SHOCKED with how few Hispanics are in Phoenix as a whole. I moved there from an area where the South American immigrant population was pretty high anyway, but I totally expected Phoenix to be a bit of a cultural and population hub for immigrants, but it's really not from what I saw. 2) Due to the snowbirds, there's SUCH a large midwestern influence in Phoenix that it tends to dictate what businesses thrive and fail there. For example, they put a Portillos in Tempe Marketplace instead of more locally influenced eateries (Which I don't get the appeal of at all. It's the most astoundingly meh place I've ever eaten) and tossed up a bunch of Culvers in the county while I was there. I can't imagine Gila River Arena (or whatever it's called now) would be any different as the nature of the business they work with is about as white as it comes. Not a huge fan of sonoran dogs. There is still a decent representation of hispanics in the PHX metro area, but you're right, they are fairly localized. Between the snowbird/retiree and LDS population, you won't find too many hispanics in Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale or Phoenix proper. Most of the ones I know are in Glendale or other outlying 'boroughs'. Filibertos are pretty consistent across the city, though there are a couple bad ones.Tucson has a much better mexican food scene: Mi Nidito, Guadalajara Grill, Tachito's and Casa Molina are a few of my favorites. Quote Thunder Bay Lynx - International Hockey Association (2 seasons, 2017-18, 2019-20, 2018 Xtreme Cup Champions) | Houston Armadillos - Major League Hockey (2 seasons, 2016-18) | Minnesota Muskies - North American Basketball Association (1 season, 2017-2018) | Louisville Thoroughbreds - United League of Baseball (1 season, 2017, 2017 United Cup Champions) | Las Vegas Thunderbirds - International Basketball League (1 season, 2016-17, 2017 Champions) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddySicks Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I don't live in Phoenix anymore and am back in California, or I'd definitely take you up on that offer.In the three years I was there, I NEVER found a single Mexican restaurant that was even pretty good let alone very good, and I tried a TON of places because I love Mexican food. It was all SO damn expensive, too. The majority of even the dirty hole in the wall places I've eaten at (especially in Southern California) absolutely blow even the more well known Mexican restaurants in the Phoenix area out of the water.It could've been a three year string of poor luck on my part. But considering the sample size I created, it must've been an absolutely astounding run of bad luck.Wait, what? How does Phoenix not have awesome Mexican food? You'd think that'd be the one thing they can't screw up!I was as surprised as you are when I first moved there. Really disappointed, too. After living there, I suspect there are two reasons for this, though:1) I can't really speak for Tucson as I've only been there twice (although I tried a Sonoran hotdog while there and was pretty underwhhelmed), but the overly strict and downright racist immigration policies in Maricopa County led to a bit of an exodus of the Hispanic population. I was SHOCKED with how few Hispanics are in Phoenix as a whole. I moved there from an area where the South American immigrant population was pretty high anyway, but I totally expected Phoenix to be a bit of a cultural and population hub for immigrants, but it's really not from what I saw. 2) Due to the snowbirds, there's SUCH a large midwestern influence in Phoenix that it tends to dictate what businesses thrive and fail there. For example, they put a Portillos in Tempe Marketplace instead of more locally influenced eateries (Which I don't get the appeal of at all. It's the most astoundingly meh place I've ever eaten) and tossed up a bunch of Culvers in the county while I was there. I can't imagine Gila River Arena (or whatever it's called now) would be any different as the nature of the business they work with is about as white as it comes. Not a huge fan of sonoran dogs. There is still a decent representation of hispanics in the PHX metro area, but you're right, they are fairly localized. Between the snowbird/retiree and LDS population, you won't find too many hispanics in Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale or Phoenix proper. Most of the ones I know are in Glendale or other outlying 'boroughs'. Filibertos are pretty consistent across the city, though there are a couple bad ones.Tucson has a much better mexican food scene: Mi Nidito, Guadalajara Grill, Tachito's and Casa Molina are a few of my favorites.I was in Tempe during my time in AZ and didn't spend much time in Glendale or the other areas mentioned, so that's probably why I noticed that particular pecularity. I was also pretty surprised at just how large the LDS community is in Phoenix, now that you mention it. It makes sense though considering Utah is just to the north. And Filly B's, uggh. That place is consistent alright. Consistently awful. First, like, five times I ever found giant bone hunks in Mexican food were all in the same Filly B's Texas burrito. Also, I lived just behind a Filibertos my last year there (Broadway and Priest on the boarder of Tempe and Phoenix) and I swear I still wake up some nights in a cold sweat dreaming of the awful smell that poured out of that place and just lingered in the air. Quote On 11/19/2012 at 7:23 PM, oldschoolvikings said: She’s still half convinced “Chris Creamer” is a porn site.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcgd Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Lou Malnati's > Gino's East > Giordano'sI think we'd get along very well in real life... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sodboy13 Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Lou Malnati's > Gino's East > Giordano's I think we'd get along very well in real life...Buy you a beer at Kuma's sometime. Quote On 1/25/2013 at 1:53 PM, 'Atom said: For all the bird de lis haters I think the bird de lis isnt supposed to be a pelican and a fleur de lis I think its just a fleur de lis with a pelicans head. Thats what it looks like to me. Also the flair around the tip of the beak is just flair that fleur de lis have sometimes source I am from NOLA. PotD: 10/19/07, 08/25/08, 07/22/10, 08/13/10, 04/15/11, 05/19/11, 01/02/12, and 01/05/12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddthebucfan Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 NHL Anti-thread: More Songs About Buildings and Mexican Food Quote Shameless Self Promotion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltere Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 It's similar in the NFL relocation thread (although there it's usually pizza), every so often in the absence of actual news a discussion about food just starts up Quote 1 hour ago, BringBackTheVet said: sorry sweetie, but I don't suck minor-league d CCSLC Post of the day September 3rd 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 NHL Anti-thread: More Songs About Buildings and Mexican FoodDAMN THAT QUESADILLA WHAT A BAD PICTURE Quote ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddySicks Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Perdóname. No sé en qué estaba pensando. Comida Mexicana, probablemente. 1 Quote On 11/19/2012 at 7:23 PM, oldschoolvikings said: She’s still half convinced “Chris Creamer” is a porn site.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOldRoman Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Ya'lls crazy. Portillo's is far above replacement-level. Al's is close, but not as good. I've never been to Buona, and I've never had Italian beef from a mom-and-pop place which was close to Al's or Portillo's. Since the small places are likely ordering their beef and sauce from the same vendors, I can't imagine them being that different or better than the chains. I will give the nod to Al's for their fries and giardiniera, though.As for deep dish, I agree with Gino's over Giordano's, but I've never had Malnati's. But I'm not huge on deep dish, so whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 As for deep dish, I agree with Gino's over Giordano's, but I've never had Malnati's. But I'm not huge on deep dish, so whatever.How have you not had Lou Malnati's? Do they not have locations south of Roosevelt? Weird. Order a thin-crust sausage pizza, it's the best. Quote ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerGuyJordan Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Ya'lls crazy. Portillo's is far above replacement-level. Al's is close, but not as good. I've never been to Buona, and I've never had Italian beef from a mom-and-pop place which was close to Al's or Portillo's. Since the small places are likely ordering their beef and sauce from the same vendors, I can't imagine them being that different or better than the chains. I will give the nod to Al's for their fries and giardiniera, though.As for deep dish, I agree with Gino's over Giordano's, but I've never had Malnati's. But I'm not huge on deep dish, so whatever.Giordano's was...decent. It's the only one I went to when I visited Chicago. I was out there for dental x-ray training, so I was at the mercy of where the company rep took us. I was really disappointed with the beer selection. Quote Thunder Bay Lynx - International Hockey Association (2 seasons, 2017-18, 2019-20, 2018 Xtreme Cup Champions) | Houston Armadillos - Major League Hockey (2 seasons, 2016-18) | Minnesota Muskies - North American Basketball Association (1 season, 2017-2018) | Louisville Thoroughbreds - United League of Baseball (1 season, 2017, 2017 United Cup Champions) | Las Vegas Thunderbirds - International Basketball League (1 season, 2016-17, 2017 Champions) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sodboy13 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 As for deep dish, I agree with Gino's over Giordano's, but I've never had Malnati's. But I'm not huge on deep dish, so whatever.How have you not had Lou Malnati's? Do they not have locations south of Roosevelt? Weird. Order a thin-crust sausage pizza, it's the best.It seems like they're just starting to expand into the southwest suburbs and western ones south of I-88. I never had Lou's growing up; it simply wasn't around. I've always thought of deep dish being more of a city proper/North Side thing.http://www.loumalnatis.com/locationsBy the way, I had dinner at Flo & Santo's last night, and - worlds collide - had their Italian Beef pizza. Get thee to the South Loop and do it. Quote On 1/25/2013 at 1:53 PM, 'Atom said: For all the bird de lis haters I think the bird de lis isnt supposed to be a pelican and a fleur de lis I think its just a fleur de lis with a pelicans head. Thats what it looks like to me. Also the flair around the tip of the beak is just flair that fleur de lis have sometimes source I am from NOLA. PotD: 10/19/07, 08/25/08, 07/22/10, 08/13/10, 04/15/11, 05/19/11, 01/02/12, and 01/05/12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Makes sense. I never had Beggar's or Aurelio's growing up. South burbs are a different world to me. Quote ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOldRoman Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 As for deep dish, I agree with Gino's over Giordano's, but I've never had Malnati's. But I'm not huge on deep dish, so whatever.How have you not had Lou Malnati's? Do they not have locations south of Roosevelt? Weird. Order a thin-crust sausage pizza, it's the best.I don't know. I'm not even sure where they are located. When we're in the city, we normally go to fancier places. We have a Giordano's not too far from us, and there used to be a Gino's in Tinley/Orland which we went to a few times. I loved the sausage patty in the deep dish.I'll have to make it a priority to get Lou's sometime. I'm a thin crust guy, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOldRoman Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Beggar's is really good but probably not great. I never was impressed with Aurelios. To me, there's half a dozen local places in any town which make the same pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayMac Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Slow days for the NHL anti thread, I see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Admiral Posted October 15, 2015 Author Share Posted October 15, 2015 Slow days for the NHL anti thread, I see...Like pieces of a Lou Malnati's pizza in my midst, those never last. Quote ♫ oh yeah, board goes on, long after the thrill of postin' is gone ♫ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zpqmaowl Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 You have three Cups in six years and can only give 110%? Move the Blackhawks to a market that would appreciate a winner more, like New Orleans, or Mars. To keep it on topic, the Blackhawks can bring the new Lou Malnati's location at Lincoln/Montrose with them. 1 Quote the worst helmets design to me is the Jacksonville jaguars hamlets from 1995 to 2012 because you can't see the logo vary wall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmic Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 So did the Panthers ditch their policy of no free or reduced price tickets?Edit: That average is gonna come tumblin' down, based on the look of the TV broadcast tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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