Editor Pick
Solid
- June 12, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
r2texas from Fort Worth, Texas
SHC is the real deal, as is the proprietor, "Groma" (Slavko Gromovic), of Yugoslavia by way of Chicago. The food is authentic--from the Fontanini sausage on the pizza to the Vienna Beef hot dogs, polish sausage, and Italian beef. Groma even stocks Jay's potato chips.
Portions are outrageous (huge) and there is a lot of interesting diversity to the menu--over and above the afore-mentioned Chicago staples. Groma makes what he calls a "Greek salad," that's terrific--especially when eaten as a part of his mountainous gyro plate. The lettuce-free salad includes cucumber, tomato, onion, green pepper, feta cheese, and spices in a dressing that tastes strongly of lemon. He makes it in pretty large batches, and IMHO, it's best when it's at least a couple of days old. It doesn't often stick around that long, though.
Sometimes we have been lucky enough to show up on a day when Groma decided to make something off-menu--probably because he was hungry for it himself. Last winter, on a chilly day, we got some of the best bean soup I've ever tasted: loaded with ham and, well, "hearty" just doesn't adequately express it. We've chanced on some great garlic chicken on occasion, and once some spaghetti with a meat sauce that was unbelievable.
Besides the "specials," though, the standard fare is, as they say in Chicago, "solid." A Maxwell St. style (grilled onions) polish sausage is a spectacular eating experience (and usually a gift that keeps on giving), but gut-burner or not, it's great food. BTW, I'm sorry (as I'm sure is Groma) that the guy from Arlington got sick after eating a Dogzilla. I can only say that my sons, ex-wife, current girlfriend and I have eaten there a lot of times, and, apart from the occasional indigestion this kind of food sometimes creates (no matter where you get it), we have had no bad experiences. Also, we always see "regulars" eating there who probably wouldn't be coming back if the food made them sick. Maybe he caught a bug coincidental with eating the hot dog.
The decor is real Chicago, too: including some street/bus/etc signs that Chicago would probably like back. The baseball memorabilia is pretty evenly divided between Cubs and Sox. Da Bears and Da Bulls are well represented too (lots of MJ stuff).
If you want to reminisce about Chicago, or just want some good Chicago comfort food, Groma will be waiting at the counter ready to ask you "How you doing?" and to feed you his best stuff.
Dogzilla
- February 25, 2008
- Rated 1 of 5 by
speyerer from arlington, Texas
My wife and I had lunch at Sweet Home Chicago Restaurant. I had the Dogzilla with chili and cheese and true to it's name after eating the Dogzilla, I became sick as a dog. I mentioned to my wife while we were there that the cook did not wash his hands between handling money and preparing the food. That should have been our clue to walk out. Needless to say we won't be back. Life is too short to eat dirty food.