JD’s Taste of Chicago opened quietly in February in a gas station on Rimrock Road. It features both Chicago and Southern favorites.
I have mixed feelings about the place. On the one hand, the food is good. On the other hand, the service needs major improvement. One time I placed an order during lunchtime, and then the restaurant canceled it one hour after that with no warning or explanation, so I didn’t get my food. Another time, I was told it would be a 20 min. wait for my order, but it ended up taking almost an hour. As I sat there waiting and waiting, I wanted to cancel my order, but they kept saying, “it’ll be right up.”
As mentioned, you’ll find Chicago classics such as the Italian beef sandwich ($8.99) and the Maxwell Polish sausage ($5.99). I ordered the Chicago hot dog ($4.99), which featured a plump, juicy wiener and a generous amount of the standard toppings. The pickle was withered and had an off-taste, but I otherwise enjoyed the Chicago hot dog.
I also enjoyed the steak burger ($6.99). The steak patty–reminiscent of Salisbury steak–was tender, and it’s topped with lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, ketchup and mayo. The lightly toasted bread was too weak to hold this sandwich together, so don’t take too long to eat it.
The catfish nuggets ($5.99 for about 10) caught my eye, and I’m glad I ordered them. Breaded in cornmeal, the nuggets are moist and flavorful and don’t require any dipping sauce.
Lastly, I couldn’t resist ordering a sandwich called the Gym Shoe ($9.99). It’s a Philly cheesesteak and corned beef sandwich combined into one, and wow is it delicious. The sandwich is so big and heavy that I had to cut it into smaller portions just so I could pick it up.
JD’s Taste of Chicago is open every day for lunch and dinner.
Tags: American, south side
