Category: Recipes

“Oktoberfiesta” at Taco Joint – Now through 10.6

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Taco Joint

Taco Joint

Oktoberfest-inspired Tacos in Lincoln Park and River North

Friday, September 20 – Sunday, October 6

Taco Joint in Lincoln Park and River North will be celebrating Oktoberfest with a Mexican twist. “Oktoberfiesta” specials, available from September 20 to October 6, include a German-inspired, Jalisco Bratwurst Taco (tequila-spiked brat, arbol chile-mustard, “serrano-kraut” on flour tortilla) for $3, along with cans of Revolution Brewing’s Oktoberfest for $4. The Jalisco Bratwurst Taco may also be paired with Taco Joint’s daily drink specials, listed below.
Oktoberfiesta Specials:

Jalisco Bratwurst Taco $3
Tequila-spiked brat, arbol chile-mustard, “serrano-kraut” on flour tortilla

Revolution Brewing Oktoberfest $4
Classic German-style Oktoberfest beer that goes down smooth with a pleasant, toasty malt flavor. ABV 5.7%

Taco Joint’s Daily Drink Specials:

Monday: “Margarita Monday” $5 Zocalo Margaritas and $6 Tropical Margaritas

Tuesday: “Take Flight Tuesday” Herradura Tequila Flight $10 (Blanco, Reposado, Anejo)

Wednesday: “Whiskey Wednesday” $3 Whiskey Shots (Heaven Hill; Old Overholt) and $5 Mules

Thursday: “Tequila!” Half-off All Tequilas (excludes flights & bottles) 


Friday: “Tecate & Tequila” Tecate Can and El Jimador Tequila Blanco Shot $5

Saturday: “Can of Beer & Tequila Shot Part 2″ Modelo Especial Can and Olmeca Altos Tequila Blanco Shot $5

Sunday: “Hair of the Dog” Chipotle Bloody Mary or Michelada and Pozole Taco $7

Taco Joint ​Urban Taqueria and Cantina
​River North
158 W. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-337-8226
TacoJoint.com

Taco Joint ​Urban Taqueria and Cantina
Lincoln Park​ ​
1969 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
312-951-2457
TacoJoint.com

Where to Dine on National Taco Day 10.4

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Cantina Laredo

Cantina Laredo


Local Restaurants Feature Specials and Dining Deals

Friday, October 4

Chicagoans love their tacos, and National Taco Day is the perfect time to indulge in these tortilla-wrapped Mexican treasures. OnFriday, October 4, four area restaurants (Nacional 27; Taco Joint; Cantina Laredo; High Noon Saloon) will offer taco specials, from half-priced deals to fun flavors (think: Cactus taco; Michelada taco) that are sure to satisfy any taco fanatic. The specific offers, tacos and locations are outlined below.

Nacional 27
Nacional 27 will celebrate National Taco Day with half-priced tiny tacos from 5 p.m. until midnight on Friday, October 4. Chef Chico Vilchez’s taco offerings include: Queso with pepper jack, mozzarella, roasted poblano; BBQ’D Lamb with organic agave, avocado salsa; Grilled Beef Tenderloin with spicy tomatillo salsa; Shrimp & Scallops with avocado, lime, romaine lettuce; and Chimichurri Chicken with pepper jack cheese and nopales (regularly $4.95 each). Come for the tacos, and stay for the hot Latin sounds of DJ Konsept from 11 p.m.-2 a.m.  325 W. Huron Street, Chicago IL, 60654 312-664-2727  N27Chicago.com

Taco Joint
On National Taco Day, Taco Joint in River North and Lincoln Park will offer any three tacos for $5 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Looking for a late night fix? After 10 p.m., all tacos will be just $2 each (regularly $3-$3.50). As an added bonus, guests who post an Instagram photo of their tacos with the hashtag #tacoday will receive complimentary chips, salsa and guacamole. Taco Joint’s menu features: Barbacoa (braised beef, cilantro, onion, roasted red jalapeno salsa); Cochinita (Yucatan pulled pork, pickled red onions, habanero salsa); Enchilada (salsa verde pulled chicken, tomatillo pico, crispy queso Chihuahua); Michelada (beer marinated flank steak, arugula, green onions, sangrita salsa); Panela (grilled queso panela, black bean salsa, guajillo-mushrooms, arugula); and more. Pair your tacos with a can of Tecate and a shot of El Jimador tequila blanco for $5 (available all day). For the complete menu, visit TacoJoint.com.  158 W. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60654  312-337-8226 and 1969 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614 312-951-2457  

Cantina Laredo
Cantina Laredo in River North will feature half-priced tacos in the upstairs lounge from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 4 (three to an order, regularly $9-$13). Choose from: Carnitas (slow-roasted pork, chipotle wine sauce); Pollo Cascabel (spicy chicken, marinated onions, queso fresco); Pescado (Mahi Mahi, marinated vegetables, queso fresco, chipotle aioli); Camarones (shrimp, marinated vegetables, queso fresco, guajillo salsa); Picadillo (seasoned ground beef, sauteed onions, jalapenos, queso fresco); Barbacoa (slow-roasted brisket, marinated onions, Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro); and Tacos de Ahi Tuna (mini, crispy ahi tuna tacos with chipotle aioli, jicama slaw, guacamole).  508 N. State Street Chicago, IL 60654 312-955-0014CantinaLaredo.com 

High Noon Saloon
In addition to their regular taco selections (Al Pastor; Beer Battered Tilapia; Braised Chicken; Smoked Brisket), Wicker Park’s High Noon Saloon will feature two additional flavors in celebration of National Taco Day. On Friday, October 4, Chef Ruben Beltran will offer a Smoked Salmon taco (house smoked salmon, chipotle mayo, chopped arugula, cherry tomatoes, radish, onions) for $4, along with a Cactus taco (fried cactus, red peppers, zucchini, carrots, pico de gallo, morita salsa) for $3.  1560 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60622 773-227-9339 HighNoonChicago.com

Vodka Cocktail Class at Epic 9.26

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The Effen Avocado

The Effen Avocado

Michael Cristiani Demos Drinks on the Rooftop 

Thursday, September 26
6 p.m.

$25 inclusive fee

This month, Epic’s beverage director, Michael Cristiani, will lead an interactive vodka cocktail class on the River North restaurant’s stunning rooftop lounge. Starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, participants will learn how to mix three vodka-based cocktails (EPIC Mule; Foxy Greyhound; The Effen Avocado) while noshing on passed appetizers and enjoying breathtaking city views. There is a $25 fee (includes tax and gratuity) to attend the class. Please call Epic at 312.222.4940 to make reservations.

Vodka Cocktail Class at Epic 

EPIC Mule: Russian Standard vodka, tarragon syrup (made in house), fresh lime juice and ginger beer.

Foxy Greyhound: Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, peach bitters, simple syrup and fresh grapefruit juice.
The Effen Avocado: Effen cucumber vodka, avocado puree (made in house) fresh lemon juice simple syrup, and a splash of soda. *pictured below
EPIC
112 W. Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654
312.222.4940
EpicRestaurantChicago.com

Fall Fest at Park Grill in Millennium Park 10.7-10.13

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Park Grill

Park Grill

Park Grill at Millennium Park
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 521-7275
ParkGrillChicago.com

A Week of Festivities to Celebrate the Harvest Season

Monday, October 7 – Sunday, October 13

Park Grill in Millennium Park will hold a week-long “Fall Fest” this October. From Monday, October 7 to Sunday, October 13, the restaurant will celebrate the harvest season with a special harvest menu (10/7-10/13), live ESPN radio remote and Bears viewing party (10/10), “Harvest HopDown” beer tasting competition (10/11) and a local farmer’s market on the Plaza (10/12).  The week will commence with an alfresco Chicago Marathon breakfast buffet and viewing party (10/13).

Executive Chef Bernie Laskowski’s harvest menu will feature ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. The menu includes local roasted pumpkin soup, apple and endive salad, La Quercia ham flatbread, Rushing Waters rainbow trout, Mercotte Farms dry-aged sirloin and local apple pie. The menus and full “Fall Fest” lineup are outlined below.

Fall Fest 2013

Monday, October 7 to Sunday, October 13
Park Grill Harvest Menu:

Local Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Burton maple syrup and pumpkin seed $8

Apple and Endive Salad
Pleasant Ridge reserve cheese, Brussels sprouts, and bourbon sherry vinaigrette $11

La Quercia Ham Flatbread
Roasted tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, Rose’s Farm mushrooms, local egg $13

Rushing Waters Rainbow Trout
Caramelized cauliflower, golden raisins, curry peach relish $24

Mercotte Farms Dry-Aged Sirloin of Beef
House made steak sauce, Gills and Greens watercress $42

Local Apple Pie
Malted caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream $9

Thursday, October 10
Beers and Bears
The Plaza at Park Grill will welcome ESPN’s Carmen and Jurko for a live radio remote broadcast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants football viewing party at 7:25 p.m.  Television monitors will be set up throughout the Plaza to catch every play of the game.

Friday, October 11
Harvest HopDown, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
A “Harvest HopDown” beer tasting competition will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Participants (21+) will sample the best harvest beers in Chicago and vote for their favorite fall flavor. Tickets are $25 per person, available atParkGrillChicago.com/events.

Saturday, October 12
Farmer’s Market on the Plaza, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
This family-friendly event will bring local farmers and local wine and spirit purveyors to the Plaza at Millennium Park from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Shop and sample items from farms including: Faith’s Farm (meat, soaps, balms); Mick Klug Farms (fruit); Sunkissed Organics (vegetables, pumpkins, mums) and Greens and Gills (aquaponic greens). Prepared food by Spice, Penny Pastry and others will be available for purchase. Melissa Z. Monroe Pottery will be displayed and sold, and Mary Lane will provide face painting for children.

Sunday, October 13
Chicago Marathon Breakfast and Watch Party, 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.,
Enjoy an alfresco breakfast buffet in the heart of Millennium Park starting at 8 a.m. Catch all the Marathon action and cheer on the runners via large monitors set throughout the Plaza. Tickets are $18, available at ParkGrillChicago.com/events. Park Grill is a featured restaurant of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Chicago Marathon Breakfast Buffet:
$18 per person

Local Seasonal Yogurts with stone fruit compote and spiced granola

Honey and Mint Fruit Salad

Chocolate and Classical Croissants

Banana Nut Muffins

Poppyseed and traditional bagels with sliced cucumbers, marinated tomatoes, shaved red onions, capers and chive cream cheese

Nancy’s Apple and Chicken Sausage

Raisin River Bacon

Parmesan Breakfast Potatoes

Chilaquiles with salsa verde and queso fresco

Skillet Scrambled Eggs with scallions

Eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon, toasted English muffins with balsamic hollandaise

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, cream cheese frosting

 

Oktoberfest Das Beer Boot at High Noon Saloon -Now- 10.6

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Das Beer Boot HNS

Das Beer Boot HNS

Das Beer Boot at High Noon Saloon

Get Your Oktoberfest Fill in Wicker Park
Available now through Sunday, October 6
$20/$26
In celebration of Oktoberfest, High Noon Saloon in Wicker Park is featuring “Das Boot” now through October 6. The 80-ounce beer boot stein, pictured below, may be filled with domestic beer for $20 (Bud Light) and import/craft beer for $26 (Southern Tier Hop Sun, Revolution Anti-Hero, Half Acre Daisy Cutter, Goose Island Green Line, Hofbrau Oktoberfest, Lagunitas Lucky 13, Stella).

Das Boots pair well with many of High Noon Saloon’s dishes, such as applewood smoked brisket tacos, barbacoa-style braised chicken tacos, sweet corn tamales, Outlaw burger, huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. The beers-in-a-boot may also be enjoyed while viewing Illini and Bears football games on High Noon Saloon’s 11 televisions.

High Noon Saloon
1560 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60622
773-227-9339
HighNoonChicago.com