BombaWHAT? or Yeah, I'll Eat All of the Menu Please

"Old Chicago". It's something that tourists always ask about. Especially when it comes to food. I'm starting to think Old Chicago may be just really good stuff that's more that 15 years old and is a little dirty.  I think most of the places people suggest though are totally tourist traps or are a caricature of a former self. Don't get me wrong, many restaurants with that Chicago feel are great, but if you want a real gem, you should really go see Joe and Claudette at J&C Bombacigno's. (558 W. Van Buren) before this place ever goes out of business.  Bombacigno's is just around the corner from Lou Mitchell's (which really falls into the tourist trap-old chicago category). I had the pleasure of working nearby for a few years between Manny's Deli and J&Cs. It is a miracle that I still have arteries that function.  I would not recommend going from one location to the other in one day . . . or one week . . well, maybe one week.

J&C is absolutely mouth wateringly delicious and the menu is huge, but since it's written on the chalkboard behind the counter it makes it feel a bit easier to make a decision. It is the kind of place you go to and get all over your shirt. You will be smiling and wanting more. "Oh, did I order the right thing? Oh no. What about the beef, should I haven gotten that?!" Relax! You can go to this place more than once. Especially if you work in the loop. Now, I would probably recommend you go off times. It does get a bit crowded. There is first floor seating. You can hover over someone while your partner gets the order going. Just breath on them and make them feel incredibly uncomfortable until they get the picture. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I bump into you? My bad." 

There is also seating on the second floor. You are essentially taken your life into your hands walking up those stairs, but they've lasted this long soooooo. . . The decor is, dusty. There are a bunch of chachcas on the wall behind a bar that is not used anymore. The service can be slow, but the food is worth it. 

What I get: 

Ok, so there's like 25 things on the menu. I'm not sure anything is really a bad order so it will depend on your mood and how likely the people you are with are willing to share. My wife gets a little tight at this place so I ask her to grab some napkins or something while I steel from her basket. A few things for sure to order though. Someone in your group should honestly get a caesar salad. I know, that's not typical for me to say. In fact, I would never say that anywhere else. And additionally, I'm pretty sure I'm actually allergic to lettuce. But, the caesar salad comes with these big slices of parm cheese, a fresh piece of bread and butter (nothing special there), the famous cold noodle salad, and some fantastic dressing. I end up dipping the bread in the dressing and making inappropriate faces. That pasta can really be eaten on its own but I love how they make put it on the salad. I mean, how awesome is that!? It makes you forget about the lettuce. Angel hair with romano, basil, garlic and olive oil.
If you've heard of this place, you will already know about the cottage fries. Thick cut fries that will make you feel like you should be on a diet. I love it when they stick together.  How many can I shove in my mouth at one time you ask? A lot probably. I will end up dipping those as well because I can't help myself. Oh, those are good. 

Main dishes. The meatball sub is insane. The bread really is perfect. I think that's a key component to any of these types of places. I don't want to cut up the roof of my mouth on your bread! Why do restaurants think that's a good thing. I don't get it!  No, this bread is soft and easy to eat.  I sound like a Jewish grandmother; "Can you cook those carrots a little longer? They aren't quite disintegrated yet".  The eggplant sammy is also amazing. In general, anything with a sauce will make your knees shake. Don't wear a bib, but also don't be surprised if you spluge sauce all over yourself. You will inevitably have a "how'd that get there" moment.  The beef is also a must and if you're a sausage person you can get the whole Chicago combo thing, which may actually be tasty but in theory is gross.  I can't believe a place like this exists and people still go to subway. Seriously! Do you really think you're eating healthy at subway!? Ugh. No excuse people. Subway needs to go away. That smell is killing me. 

What She Gets:

I already told you. She gets the caesar salad! She does this purely to have an excuse to get the cottage fries. Classic lunch approach.

What They Get:

They don't. My kids never come down here. We don't live near the loop and it's not open late. Lunch place for sure. I'm sure if you brought your kids here though, they'd love it. I wouldn't be writing about it if that wasn't true. 

Wrapping up, you MUST go here. I honestly don't know how long it will last and if Joe and Claudette are passing this place down to there son or what. Order more than you think you will eat. If you don't, you may not taste it all and who knows when you'll get back!!!! I like the meatball, the caesar, the eggplant and the fries. And don't forget the pasta salad. But that's just me. Get whatever you want. That's just my usual. 

The unassuming entry.

What is that junk? I don't know, but it does add some character.

I know. It's a salad, but look closely.

Meatball and Cottage Fries. Don't touch my fries. Yes, I'll have some of yours though.

The Meatball. I am showing one sandwich here for safety. I could eat 3 of these easy.

A small line is always there. Do not be deterred. In this picture I'm getting uncomfortably
close to that couple chowing down in the foreground in order to eventually force them to turn over their seats. 

"Fill My Pocket". Or, "Shawarma?! I Just Met You!"

It has been more than a year. I know. I know. You have been craving my tasty insights. Your mouths have practically gone dry without my in-depth and food passions. Enough people. Oh yes. I AM HUNGRY AGAIN.  I'd like to say I was doing something really important that kept me from this blog. Yeah, I mean I do have a real job and all that.  Ok, I will admit that 2 or 3 of the places I was going to blog about went out of business. Then I got too fat to blog about food. It may not look it (you are so nice to not comment) but I was definitely feeling fat on the inside.  So, what has brought me back to this? Well, first there was the Cubs! I mean, who can eat at a time like this?! I CAN actually. I mean the Cubs were incredible, but I pretty much go to Wrigley to eat and have occasionally taken a nap when the wind blows just right. Oh, then there was the whole election situation. Not commenting on your choices out there people, but let's face it, when the going gets tough, we eat. Food is perhaps the only way out of this mess.  It is what brings us together. Not that I'm going to have matzo ball soup with any white supremacists, but you shouldn't talk with your mouth full anyway, and that's how I like it, full.

Where was I going with this. . . Let's eat. Only a half-hour ago I was told to figure out dinner. It's 4:30pm for goodness sake. But such is the way in this house. Instead, I decided to write about it.

So let's discuss a place you may already know. Perhaps you haven't been in a while and need a reminder. Perhaps you've never visited this incredible establishment that has been around since the 80s but are thinking, "Hey, I've heard of that place, maybe I should give it a try." Is it worth the trip? Indeed people. Indeed. In fact, we occasionally refer to dinner there as a "pilgrimage".  
Yes, you know it's coming. You know what I'm talking about. It's PITA INN BABY!
Pita Inn is a Mediterranean restaurant with three locations. The original location, which has moved and been rebuilt, is located in Skokie. There is a location in Glenview, and apparently they are either opening, or opened a place in Mundelein. While that one is so far north of Chicago, it is in prime kids soccer tournament location and I see a visit in my future.
When I even mention Pita Inn to my kids, their eyes go wide like it's Halloween or something. Like Halloween, I steal the food right from under their noses as a "tax" because, "I made them". At least that's what I told my daughter when I wrestled a mini musketeer from her greedy little fingers last night.  
It's addictive. Really addictive. I don't smoke, but if I did, I think I'd smoke their shawarma.
Ok, so the reality is with this place that I eat everything. It's cheap. . . I mean, "inexpensive" and most everything on the menu is worth it. I would say the steak can be a bit dry, but with enough sauce on it, and schlopped together, it works.

This spread may have been under $30. Such a deal.
Jerusalem Salad, Many Meats, Soup, Warm Pita. It is all so good. 

What I Eat:  I guess I'll start with the Pita. It's warm and fresh. It used to be made in the bakery next to the old place and I believe it may still be. So, it's incredible. You can dip it or fill it or whatever. It aint low carb.  I tend to have a really hard time deciding what to eat here. I know, that's not the kind of pointed direction you are looking for, but hold on your "judging". The real technique here is about controlling what the rest of your family orders. Make sure there is enough extra so when your kid doesn't finish his or her plate, you dive in and devour the leftovers while boxing others out protecting your own bounty. There is just such a massive quantity of food on each plate, that this is my recommended approach.  I am showing a soup above. It's not amazing. But why not get it?  You look a little thin. I mean, really. That's my plate on the right. I like the kefta (ground meat), the chicken breast is a little dry, falafel is very good and the rice, OH THE RICE! I've attempted to remake this rice with little success. I'm sure there is some kind of salt from the waters of god or something that is flavoring this rice. I think the Israelites really should have considered bringing this rice out of Egypt or something. I mean, it would have been a lot better than matzah and I'd love eating that every Passover instead of crunchy cardboard.
The Shawarma is really where it's at though. It's spiced perfectly. Both the chicken and traditional Shawarma are delicious. And I love to watch them shave it off the "Cyclone of Meat".  I like to get as many extra little cups of Tahini sauce as possible. Some people like the hot sauce, but I don't get those people. So they must be wrong.
I get about 3 cups of tahini and then make sure my kids are also loaded up with Tahini sauce and then take there's. You can walk the 20 feet back to the counter and get more Tahini, but I wouldn't want to seem "greedy" or anything.

What They Eat: The kids and my better half do the Chicken Shawarma. It's awesome. A little salad on the plate, mix that all up and dig in. I mean, I think I need one of those bibs they give you at the dentist just thinking about it. . . . Maybe we should go to Skokie tonight. . . See Ya!

The Baklawa is pretty damn spectacular. I told my wife we were getting a little bite but end up buying a giant plate of it. Bring it home and eat it with a cup of tea to balance out the sweetness. This platter was gone in 3 days. . max. 

My plate. This speaks of my need to accept all races and cultures.
We can be one Mix Plate all together in a delicious warm Pita. Just don't touch my plate. 

The Lentil Soup. Good.  I seem to always order something extra.
I usually get the grape leaves, but I was still on a "diet" when these photos were taken and
was told by someone at the time that "you don't really need that, right?"
I do think I ended up taken some home though.  

The Kids Plate of Chicken Shawarma. It's kind of perfect. Get lots of Tahini on the side. Don't be embarrassed. Why do they give you those teeny cups anyway?