The Royal Grand Daddy Buffet of Chicago

The Royal Buffet! -- Now repeat that again…the grand daddy of all buffet, a place where us feeble pheasants can become royal.  You can find this monstrous place in the burbs of Hoffman Estates about 40mins NW of Chicago.   

The place is so humongous that I was surprised I didn't see a Boeing 747 parked inside. It has corridors, hallways, sectors, multiplex and VIP rooms. The friendly hostess greeted my friends and me on our first visit with kindness; before whisking us away like a celebrities from one room to another.  I kinda was expecting David Bowie to be our waiter after winding through this amazing culinary labyrinth.  I would say you can scrunch about a thousand hungry human beings in here.

The minute we got our table, we made ready and prepared for our delightful indulgence.  Like kids in a candy store, we rushed up from our table with great anticipation to the glorious food sector.  The array of dishes that lay before our retina was absolutely unbelievable! There was s o much food and so many varieties that we were literally awed and stupefied momentarily - didn't know what do, where to go or what to eat! We just stood rooted perpendicular to the ground; looking up, down, left and right in disbelief  for a good few seconds before the animalistic instincts hits our brain cells and made a beeline towards the most expensive dish within our grasp; without even knowing if we like the food or not.

I usually don't always wait in line but when I do I'm locked and loaded at the array of seafood.  The line can get very long - so plan your attack accordingly.  Don't wait in line for something you want 10 stalls down, just go up there and grab it.  Considering how big this facility is, one must imagine how big the selection is yea?  Well let's see, you can find dishes such as stone crab, snow crab, blue crab, ribs, salmon, goat stew, snails, oysters, clams, flounders, dim sum, Tom yum, foo young, pig feet, chicken feet, cow feet and yes you can also get happy feet!  Heck, it even has different styles of dining such as mongolian bbq, hibachi, sushi, tepanyaki, Kawasaki, maki ohhh sweet fancy Moses you name it they got it!  Oh did I mention for dessert they have cotton candy and yes even an everlasting gobstopper. Haha jk, might as well right since they got everything.  Each sector will have its own food preparatory; so you'll get to witness everything that needs to be done to get your food at the ready.  It's behind the scenes but brought right in front of your face! There's no such thing as the "let me check the back room" concept at this place.  I won't get into specifics about what the food taste like because I can't describe it all so you would have to go find out for yourself.  

In the end your bill per person with tip will come out on avg. $25 which isn't bad at all if you ask me.    This place has everything except for one thing - that my friend is - time.  It doesn't has a time limit whatsoever so chi-town chowdown yourself away to your next pants level.  Nevertheless you'll have a great dining experience at the Royal Buffet but keep this in mind, this certainly isn't a place for vegans so shoo shoo, stay away; this isn't your playground.  We don't need you blaring at the top of your lungs advertising to the whole planet you want your alfalfa's and tofu cooked medium rare.

This is by far the best buffet I've ever been too in my whole life, it would be extremely ludicrous to think otherwise.  Oh by the way, let me let you in on a secret, a little birdie once told me Wednesday and Friday is all you can stuff your fat face lobster night but don't quote me on that, I'm merely just a messenger.  So remember this, 'grace' socially can not exist in a place like this.Royal buffet official website

Japanese noodles at The Urban Belly

Simple menu, simple decor and a catchy name.  You wouldn't had guess The Urban Belly is an Asian restaurant if you didn't see the menu, in fact the decor resembles nothing like traditional zen atmosphere. 

I discovered this place by accident just like many of my other unique findings.  Me a friend couldn't decide on where we wanted to eat and had been driving around for quite some time, until she mentions a place call The Urban Belly.  I really liked the name so i didn't even care what kind food it serves.  It's located off of California and Belmont only a quarter mile south of the ever so famous Hot Doug's which will be showcase in future blogs.  The decor looks more like living in a box that a starving artist has thought up from their own crazy imagination.   Although I do still think the owner stole the idea from Apple's CEO Steve Jobs.

The decor consist of only four wooden tables, no chairs but rather solid wooden Jenga box to sit on.  Basically you're eating next to strangers unless a whole table is empty which is really rare.  But who cares as long as you can experience this unique chi-town chowdown setting.

Here's how the ordering procedure work, first you order from a very small menu,  there's no waitstaff so you must grab your own menu up front and order first and pay.  You then seat yourself and find the most normal people to sit next too.  A number will be given to you.  Beverages are self serve unless it's a special drink you're getting.  You'll either be served by the chef himself or his lovely wife.

I'd ordered the shrimp udon noodles which was spectacular and full of flavors.  I really can't tell you if the noodles are made fresh but I had udon at many other places and it doesn't even compare.  The texture and flavor of the broth mix with the assorted veggies and shrimp was all cooked perfectly.

The Urban Belly specialize in dumplings and Japanese noodles such as ramen, solba and udon.  Udon is the largest and thickest of all noodles, ramen is an egg base flour and soba is wheat based.  These are you're typical Japanese noodle dishes which also can be serve cold with a dipping broth.  I highly recommend this place if you want a unique dining experience, plus no tips are required unless you are feeling generous that day.  

http://urbanbellychicago.com/

Hawaiian BBQ and Spam Sushi(chi)

Authentic Hawaiian cuisines are a rare gem here in Chicago, I happened to stumble upon one in Linkin Park while biking, it's called Aloha Eats which is on Clark in between Fullerton and Diversy.  It's only a block away from the ever so popular hot dog joint, 'The Wiener Circle'.  If you haven't heard of the Wiener Circle it will be showcase in future blogs.   

The establishment is very small, probably seats about 20 heads.  It's located in a very hip and young trendy area of Linkin Park.  You'll know if you're at the right place when you see a big Surf Board sign in front but don't expect to hang ten on sand and gnarly waves in this concrete jungle.     

Japanese makes up a big part of the Hawaiian population.  The menu can range from teriyaki beef, pork,chicken and even spam.  They also offer sample platters of seafood combo such as ma hi ma hi(Hawaiian whitefish)and shrimp.  Spam is also a big part of the Hawaiian diet.  The Hawaiians will cook spam with anything and everything.  The Government use to feed spam to the military on the Islands.  It was difficult to ship meat to the servicemen so they had to ship it in a can form.  Spam basically is pork shoulder mix with ham, water, nitrate and starch to help bind it together.  




I recommend that you order the sample platter which runs about $8.  It consist of pork short ribs, Chicken, Beef ,sides of rice and mac salad.  Mac salad is common back in Hawaii but it does seem like a weird combination to be consumed with rice.  I personally think that this combination lacks culinary ying and yang.  Everything I ate though was excellent especially the chicken.  I absolutely think it's the best chicken I ever had, normally  I don't like chicken because it's often very dry when cooked wrong.  Since the place was so busy we had to take it to go so we didn't eat the food until half an hour later, even so the chicken still stayed very very moist and tender.  You must try the chicken!  

One particular item on the menu that caught my attention was the musubi.  Musubi is a very popular finger food in Hawaii.  So popular they even sell them at 7-eleven shops all over Hawaii.  Musubi basically is grilled teriyaki spam placed on top of a big block of sushi rice and wrapped in seaweed. To be honest I really loved it.  Inside the rice block is a filling I believe it consist of crumble egg yolk and small pieces of pork.  Nonetheless it was very good and only cost $5 for two big blocks.  Don't be afraid to try the spam, it's not bad as how others perceives it as.  The saltiness of the spam goes absolutely well with the sweetness of the rice and whatever fillings it has inside.  In fact president Obama says it's one of his favorite food.  If anyone should know what's good it's the leader of the free nation.  Try the spam sushi just to say you'd tried it! 

Aloha Eats Menu

Bubble Tea@ Joy Yee Noodle Shop (Chinatown Chi)

Bubble tea is the popular Americanized name for Pearl Milk Tea and other similar tea beverages that originated in Taichung, Taiwan in the 1980s. Drink recipes may vary, but most bubble teas contain a tea base mixed with fruit (or fruit syrup) and/or milk. Ice-blended versions of the drinks, similar to smoothies, are also available, usually in fruit flavors.   

walk-thru window

Where can you find great bubble tea?  Well, in just about almost every Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai restaurants.  Where to get the best?  Well, from my experience the Chinese and Taiwanese does it the best because they don't skimp out on adding more of the natural fruit flavor instead of diluting it or using powder base instead of real fruit. From all of my experiences the best place is in the New Chinatown Square call Joy Yee Noodle shop(http://www.joyyee.com/index.shtml).  If you rely on public transportation than just take the redline to Cermak/Chinatown.  They also have locations in Naperville, Evanston and University Village Halsted.

It's a Taiwanese restaurants that serves Pan-Asian cuisines including desserts such as frozen yogurt and bubble tea.  The selection and combination of flavors at Joy Yee Noodles is endless.  My favorite is usually the avocado with tapioca balls.  Tapioca balls are black pearl shape starch balls that has a chewy texture to it.  This is also a reason why they give you a giant straw with the circumference the size of Jupiter, a conventional straw will not do.   

black tapioca pearls on bottom of cup

Bubble tea is a great way to beat the heat on hot summers days.  Popular flavors includes mango, kiwi, banana, cantaloupe, coconut, honey dew, lychee, papaya, watermelon, Thai tea and durian. Yes I did say durian.  Durian is a fruit originated from southeast Asia.  The smell of this fruit is horrendous and the texture is very mushy.  This is absolutely an acquired taste but when made into a smoothie it can be quite refreshing and interesting.  On average a big serving of bubble tea would run you about three to four dollars so quite affordable to even try it once. 

Joy Yee is very popular amongst tourist so be prepare to wait in line which is usually only about ten minutes max.  You won't have to enter the restaurants to get a hold of these sweet savoring delicacy.  There's a walk -thru window you can order from and places to sit down and mingle with strangers or just gawk at the designs of Chinatown Square while you wait. 

http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/joy-yees-noodle-shop/

The Castaway Beach Bar and Grill

Were you the one like me that never had a chance to go on spring break to disperse of all your stress and catch a few wet t-shirt contest?  Well, in Chicago you'll get that spring break atmosphere if you venture your way far East as North Avenue would go.  There you'll find  a huge facility that rest smack dab in the middle of North Ave. Beach running along Lakeshore Drive. 

What's unique is the design of this establishment, its shape like a cruise liner.  The party is on the roof or in better terms the bow.  It's a bar and grill that includes live booty bumping music and D J's spinning the day and night away.  Think of it as a night club outdoors on the beach.  No shirts, no shoes, no problem.  I must advise you to take public transportation or be ready to shell out 12 bones for parking and be prepare to dodge joggers and cyclists as you make your way towards the entrance.

You'll find typical bar food including burgers, fish and chips, nachos and assorted sandwiches.  Although this is a food blog I will not go much into detail.  I'd ordered the fish and chips and nachos which was okay bit pricey.   It's cheaper to pack your own food and drinks and chill on the beach to start your day then wiggle your way upstairs to the dance floor after some liquid courage.  If you do get tired and overwhelm of the chaos upstairs you can always venture back downstairs and just lay on the beach, go for a dip in the lake or maybe just wait for the sunset.  Either way it's a win win situation for any lazy American.  They're no shortage of volleyball courts, street vendors and performers.  Usually during the week they have volleyball tournaments and nearby is a roller ball rink you can watch and also rent chairs and variety of beach amenities.  

After a hard days of summer work, grab a few friends and make your way to the Castaway for a little r&r.  Enjoy the great view while chowing down on delicious bar food or a big and tall mixer to beat the heat.  Beautiful people scampering around half naked, you can't go wrong plus you'll get a spectacular view of the sun setting behind the city.   Don't forget that this is a perfect location to witness the free water and air show coming up next month.  castawayschicago.com  

Lucky's Sandwich Co. Challenge(chi)

Chicago's king of overstuffed sandwich is only located a spitting distance from Wrigley field off the Addison red line on Clark and Sheffield.  In this area of Wrigley ville you'll find many Cubs fans scattered out and about.  Having lots of Irish pubs and restaurants, it will give you a slight feeling of being in Ireland until you look up and spot the Willis Tower from afar.  I must advise you not to come during home Cubs game if you want to relax and get a table at any of these pubs and grill.

Inside Lucky's you'll only find a small menu on the chalkboard with only about fifteen items max all consisting of only sandwiches.  It looks nothing like a restaurant, just bar stools and tables that seats about twenty-five heads.  They offer a challenge with the reward of a picture taken and free food.  If you finish three overstuffed sandwiches of your choice in an hour you'll win one free sandwich.  If you finish in half an hour all three sandwiches are free.  

Here are the rules, you'll have about six different kind of sandwiches to choose from for your challenge ranging from fish, corn beef, pastrami etc. etc.  Each sandwich weighs about a pound and a quarter and are stuffed with Cole slaw and french fries then are held together with two slices of bread that is almost two inch thick.  You must finish every single scrap that falls in the basket.  It cost about seven dollars per sandwich. 

I took two of my friends to join me and take the challenge.  The pastrami, corn beef and fish was my sandwich of choice.  The first sandwich easily went down for me since I love fish.  I'd soaked the bread in water so it glides down easier. Once I finished the first one I was ready to throw up but I couldn't give up.  What made the second one difficult was the starchy thick fries they stuffed it in.  It was a struggle for me to even take one bite but I manage to finish the whole sandwich anyway.  I couldn't even begin to think what the third one would do to me.  At this point I begin to regurgitate my own food.  That's when I knew it was time for a doggie bag.  I was proud of myself for devouring two sandwiches.  

For most Asians I wouldn't recommend this place for a daily visit.  I've eaten tastier sandwiches around town.  For someone as hungry as me and hadn't eaten all day, the sandwich had no big flavors at all, but if you are a sandwich guy then I would  give this place a try.  although it can be very entertaining to pop in and watch stupid people do stupid things all the while enjoying a nice cold one.  luckysandwich.com

Dharma Thai Garden Nocturnal Dining and Karaoke(chi)

By day Dharma Garden is your typical Thai restaurant that serves typical Thai dishes, but after midnight it turns into a festive food and whiskey gathering, perhaps at times some crazy dancing but always great singing.  It's located on Irving Park and Kedzie hidden between Walgreen's and Duncan Donuts.  Easily acessible off the Irving Park Blueline then a few minutes ride on bus number 80 heading east.  When you do arrive don't make the same mistake I did by not requesting the gringo menu.  They gave me the Thai version which looks like abstract squiggly writings to me.  This is a BYOB establishment but if you do forget there's a liquor store just a spitting distance away.    

Where are you going to find spicy Thai food that serves after midnight?  This is not your typical bar and grill because it's not a bar.  Everyone here brings their own booze and you won't find typical bar food like chicken fingers or buffalo wings.  Over here you can get anything from deep fried pork skin to snails the size of Montana or your typical normal Thai dishes such as spring rolls, spicy papaya salad, variety of soups, sticky rice and desserts such as 'bubble tea' which you will learn about in future blogs. There's other unique dishes that's not on the menu so you must requested it specifically which means if you're an outsider you must have a local with you to obtain these phantom items. http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/dharma-garden/

The Dharma Garden also offers great entertainment such as live bands and karaoke that goes on until four in the a.m.  It has a few futons and ottomans surrounding coffee tables the size of Nicole Kidman's forehead but also a separate dining quarter for a regular table.  It's a great place for friends and family to unwind after a long and brutal work week and catch up on current events.  The drink of choice for most Thai is Johnny Walker which will have you walking straight to the dance floor if you hangout with him long enough.  Typically mix with club soda and ice or if your a weakling like me I may add a few dash of cola to the mix.  Beautiful people and beautiful food with great entertainment, you can't go wrong.  At the end of a festive night please don't forget to pitch in for the bill, I myself tend to forget that part sometimes.

You can also get the same delicious food during lunch and dinner time.  Stop on in and let the ever so kind 'Nikki' greet you with a lovely radiant smile and feed you with care.  So remember, if you're hungry for a sit down cafe after midnight just make your way towards the Garden for a nocturnal dining experience and test out that voice box your mumma gave you.