Don’t you just love Summer?  It’s my favorite time of year.  The city comes alive, there are people everywhere, and I can leave the house without a jacket (most days!).  Here are some of my picks for Summer eating.

Minghin – I’ll never turn down free tickets to a baseball game, even if it’s a Sox game (I kid…I’m pretty indifferent to baseball in this town but when it comes down to it, I’d pick the Cubs).  Either way, a beautiful Summer evening spent at the ball park sounds great to me.  I filled up on some food at the park but my friends and I were still hungry so we ventured to China Town after the game in search of Dim Sum.

As you can imagine, not many places are open at 10:00 p.m. on a Friday night in China Town for Dim Sum, but we found Minghin.  The atmosphere is a bit strange.  You have some decently bright lighting, chandeliers, and glass cases with shells (or something?) in them while still getting a full meal for under $10.  We ordered an assortment of things (no dim sum cart here) but my favorite was the pork bun.

Pork Buns

 A friend ordered off the regular menu and his dish looked fabulous.  Although, he had to ask multiple times for rice and soy sauce.  I’d probably skip Minghin next time and go for some of the established winners in the neighborhood.

Old Town Social – I’m trying to check out more festivals this Summer and the first one was the Old Town Art Festival.  I love a good art festival and it makes me nostalgic for the one in Ann Arbor  (mind blowingly awesome).  The bad thing about the festivals is the heat and all the bodies.  As a friend put it, it is basically human bumper cars.  We needed to cool off so we headed to Old Town Social to have some adult beverages, food, and listen to a friend’s band play.

I frequent Old Town Social a decent amount but have never eaten there.  I ordered the Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich and a side of onion rings.  I was starved and forgot to take a picture but I inhaled it so that gives you some idea of how tasty it was.  It also came TOPPED with onion rings.

One of the waiters walked by with DONUTS and I was sold.  A friend and I split an order which comes with two good sized WARM Cinnamon Sugar Donuts with a side of some kind of vanilla dipping sauce.

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

The sauce didn’t add much but the donut was pure bliss.  I’ll be back, and not only for dessert.

De Cero – Another weekend means another festival.  The following week was the Taste of Randolph and anyone who knows anything about Chicago food knows that this area can’t be beat.  It was another scorcher so I immediately quenched my thirst on some yummy white wine sangria.  I was starving and ordered a Lamb/Pork Belly sausage from Public Quality Meats which was pure heaven.

I tagged along with my best friend and his girlfriend and headed to De Cero for some Mexican food after the festival.  Can you imagine leaving a FOOD festival to go eat?  We are crazy…

I ordered the Kiwi Margarita.  I was skeptical but I had never had one and it was life changing.

Kiwi Margarita

It wasn’t overly sweet and had actual kiwi puree.  I could have had 10 (although I’d be on the floor and incoherent by 5 probably).  As for food, I ordered the Chicken Mole and Avocado Taco.

Tacos

The chicken was the standout and the flavors were smoky and delicious.  Definitely a good second dinner in my book.

I hope everyone enjoyed the 4th and remember our Summer days are limited, so take advantage.

Till next time, peace out food ninjas!