Joe’s-A Chicago Classic
It had been a couple of years since we attended Joe’s for Steak Night, one of the best places in Chicago and one of my personal favorites. In my opinion this place should be in the Steak Night rotation once a year.
We started the evening across the street at Eddie V’s. Crenshaw and I arrived to find Zee German off Daddy duty and drinking alone at the bar. We were soon joined by Brad, Mason and Colorado’s finest Roddy. Eddie V’s has a nice vibe for pre-dinner drinks. It’s bustling but not obnoxiously crowded with a band adding to the atmosphere. We all got our drink on and reminisced about the time Brad asked how dinner was before we actually ate.
We walked across the street a couple of minutes after 8:30, unfortunately no Alice Cooper sighting this time but we did spot a celebrity later in the evening, more on that later. Glick joined us at Joe’s and it took about 15-20 minutes to be seated. This was one of the only negative moments of the evening, the wait, not Glick joining.
The dining room was packed as always and the group was seated at a round table on the left side. Starving from the late start I ordered apps immediately,I passed on the stone crabs because they were out of season and are overrated as far as bang for your buck. We went with the fried chicken, shrimp De Jonghe and ahi tuna tartare. The fried chicken is excellent, it could demote Colonel Sanders to Lieutenant Sanders. The shrimp de jonge is a breadcrumb and garlic delight and one of my favorite apps, the tuna was good also. I decided I needed some crab bisque too just to make sure I ate a full meal before my actual meal arrived.
Bone In ribeye medium rare for this guy: prepared, flavored, seasoned and cooked perfectly. Sides included lyonnaise potatoes, Jennie’s mashed, mac n cheese and creamed spinach. All good but the Lyonnaise were the star, I had never had them at Joe’s before and I love their take with the caramelized onions. Joe’s just does everything aspect of the meal well. My only regret is that I ate too much prior to my steak arriving. For dessert we got some key lime pie which generally is an overrated dessert but Joe’s does that well too with that graham cracker crust.
The vibe and conversation at dinner was really pleasant, there was no political talk at all. I pointed out that John Smoltz was at the table behind us. At first Glick claimed this was a Jerry Sloan like call which is a reference to the time he claimed a guy that didn’t resemble Jerry Sloan even slightly was at the table by us. However it was confirmed that it was Smoltz who was in town to broadcast the Cubs playoff game. In fact while watching the game the following evening I realized that Smoltz’s broadcast partner Matt Vasgerian was also at the table with Smoltz. These guys now join the other celebrities we have seen at steak night: Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Alice Cooper, Ken Griffey Junior and Scotty Martin.
Hans won a credit card roulette, at least Mason didn’t continue his Dimaggio like streak. Post dinner drinks were at Siena Tavern. Great evening, food and company.
Cheers.
Joe Predicto
Filed under: General
Started off the evening at the bar at Joe’s and was nearly picked up by a prostitute my bar-neighbor must’ve arranged blind. Checked email and realized I should’ve been across the street, as if that wasn’t already clear.
Great to see the Chicago’s Finest. It’d been awhile. Nothing says “appetizer” like a dinner portion of fried chicken. Enjoyed the mac & cheese on the side but the hash brown was the star. Filet oscar was prepared perfectly. To correct Mr. Reeshard, the only political talk was of the potentially aspirational sort, in reference to a member not present.
Key lime pie, a short walk to the bar across from where Kinzie used to be (RIP). Once inside, it seemed like the talent may have improved a bit in the past few years, though maybe I was just in time for the sweet spot, just as summer ends, before the winter fattening-up begins.
Celebrations included a nod to Mr. Bradley Ray’s 3rd on the way (!!!)
Until next time, gentlemen!
Huge bonus this month as we had Roddy in from NYC. In surprising news, Scottie ended his historic run of consecutive steak nights at 2.
Late to arrive as I had an unfortunate engagement in the suburbs, I still beat the host staff at Joe’s. My only complaint on the night was the unfortunate wait we had for our table.
Rick shot down the stone crabs – as was his right – going to Joe’s and not having crabs didn’t feel right. However, the apps we got were solid so I respect the call.
Seated next to us was the Fox Sports crew – my only skepticism on it being John Smoltz is he looked like a middle aged balding accountant from behind- but that’s how most HoF Baseball players from our youth look these days.
What’s amazing about the Steak night celebrity sightings, with the exception of Steve McMichael and Jerry Sloan, all have taken place outside or inside Joe’s*.
Rick seized on his favorite month for NFL uniforms, honoring Breast Cancer Awareness with a pink ascot. Considering I don’t even know how to tie an ascot, Rick continues to crush us on the fashion field.
Split a steak with BRay – thought it was great. Cooked perfectly. Hash Browns were off the charts.
Dinner discussion centered around whether Scottie could make it as a politician. I voted on yes, he would make America great again.
Great times as always. Went to Sienna after, but that was enough for me.
Overall: 9
*We can argue whether Shawn Mar(ym)ion counts at this point – I vote no given he lives in Chicago and we’ve seen him enough times that he’s boys with Scottie.
Who doesn’t love Joe’s? Well, Jevon, for one; and he is wrong. Alas, The Banister was not present for this addition of Chicago’s finest. As per usual with Joe’s, we started at Eddy V’s across the way because the bar at
Joe’s is just lousy. I will refrain from recanting some of the finer (foggier) drinking/dining moments of Eddie V’s past – let’s just say this time I recall everything and they served me a proper Oban.
Arrived to a few of the gents and we were off. Great boost to the evening and what a treat to have Roddy join. Kudos to Roddy and his dedication to the group from afar – some closer to home could learn a thing or two. Looking good Roddy (Feeling good, Louis)
Across the street we went, to be packed like sardines while waiting for too long. Finally shown to our table near Mr. John Smoltz, we settled in. Great banter and pleasant, non-heated discussion for dinner was a nice return to form.
Reeshard ordered a $55 “Fill Up” of friend chicken. Joe’s fried chicken is outstanding but I would have stayed away as an appetizer – the shrimp and tar-tar were spectacular.
I split the ribeye with Glick. Again, a bit Ghey, yes, but it is all I need after the apps and sides. It was as one would expect from Joe’s; superb. Creamed spinach is some of the best in the city here.
Drinks after at Sienna proved to be good times but not overdone – which I was thankful for the next day.
Joe’s still reigns in my book.
As in my typical fashion I was hot to trot for steak night and arrived at Eddie V’s perfectly on time- 7pm. The bar area was filling in but found room to setup shop and consume a beverage while I waited for the usual suspects. The crooner was accompanying the pianist behind me, playing their hits. Chicago’s finest began filtering in, I was expecting a Roderick, but alas he was not part of this initial contingent. That should have been a red flag to make a call since I know he was on the way at the same time I was…. He managed to sort out the location debacle and strolled into the welcoming arms of the crew.
I was quite dismayed to be kept waiting upon our arrival to Joe’s. A group of this caliber and level of handsomeness should never be kept waiting, be it at Underground at 4am or at Joe’s at 830pm. Never. Our table was off to the left side of the dining room which was a change for us. I prefer the back of the room, but it was still a good table with ample room to kick out. I made the mistake of washing down a fried chicken (I think it was the whole bird) with a bowl of the bisque as a starter. That was the equivalent caloric intake of a village in Ethiopia for a day and we called it an appetizer. i had a hard time getting half the bone in filet down after that beginning. It was a perfect cut of meat but quite honestly, way too salty. I like a salt crust as much as Scottie likes Jeri-curl but this was just too much. I barely even tried the sides, and really was only offered the scraps that fell off Crenshaw’s plate. The key lime would make Holingwa proud, thick buttery graham cracker crust with the bitter zing of the lime filling, top notch.
I didn’t pay for dinner, doesn’t happen all that often, check the tapes. So in turn, I bought two rounds of drinks at Sienna which was probably the undoing of the evening and closed it out by scurrying young Glick off to bed.