Ditka’s – Yeah, that’s Ted Williams
Ditka’s was a nice surprise. I picked on a bit of a lark, we hadn’t been there in a while but was concerned that it was merely a tourist destination at this point. Almost like going to a Hard Rock Café that is serves steak and the memorabilia is all Bears related instead of Rock and Roll. Did you get a bit of that? Sure, but it was also like a trip home for some home cooking.
For appetizers, I was ready to order the tuna tempura roll and the calamari, but after ordering those. In no uncertain terms, Mr. Phelps INSISTED that I order a shrimp cocktail, “I have a hankering.”
We got some nice wine as well, we implored the waiter to double check the cellar for some Rule of Three, which unfortunately they did not have. However, we polished off a few bottles of Flowers Pinot and some Cabernet bottles by the same folks who make Caymus (they take the Caymus marketing dollars and use them to improve the wine quality).
There was some spirited conversation about whether a picture on the wall was of Ted Williams and Bobby Hull, specifically the identity of the Splendid Splinter which was confirmed.
My particular New York Strip was good – they weren’t stingy with the salt. The sides of street corn, sprouts and fries were devoured as well in standard fashion. The corn especially received rave reviews.
The desserts were all good as well – the blueberry cheesecake and the banana cream pie were ordered with the cheesecake getting the nod. Hans’ chocolate birthday cake was also enjoyed.
And while B-Ray may be wildly successful in his work and family life, his steak night work-bag relations continue to fall short. He again somehow left his bag in the restaurant and Ditka’s was shut down like Fort Knox right after we walked out the door. We did find some UNRELEASED FOOTAGE of his computer bag aided fall at Gene & Georgetti that was recently discovered:
I walked free, which was nice, but I didn’t rake these guys over the coals with my ordering. I’ve walked free with heavy credit cards and this new Uber one I got is paper thin. It’s all in the presentation. Of course it costs me dozens of dollars at Pippin’s afterwards.
All in all, a spectacular group of gentleman at a favorite local standby that did its job, but didn’t blow anybody away.
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A twist in the business schedule had me back in Chicago and available for steak night, which was great as I would have missed two months in a row which starts to get you some Scottie and Don comparisons – neither of which I want to be tagged with…..
We hadn’t been to Ditka’s in years. I was the first to arrive and the bar downstairs was packed. So I headed to the upstairs area which was relatively empty. Pulled up to the bar to some strange looks but nevertheless ordered my Oban. The barkeep pulled down the bottle and as he is about to pour asks me if I am part of the party – to which I respond, ‘no, I don’t see signs for a private party’. ‘Sir, it is a private party up here’. I left and went over to Truluck’s for some room to have a drink. That place doesn’t have the best atmosphere in the world, I tell you. Few of the lads showed up and knocked back a quick one and went back to Ditkas.
Despite the Schaumburg-ish vibe in the place, my steak was actually quite good. Went dry aged tomahawk and split with Glick. It was a pleasant surprise, to say the least. Sides were also good as was the wine and discussion. I managed to forget my bag again and they had it locked up behind a full gate that required the manager to come down and open the entire thing up.
Drinks followed at some shite bar around the corner.
All in all great times and surpassed expectations from a quality of food standpoint.
With the exception of some half-hearted service at points, I thought this dinner ended up being pretty damn good. The vibe was informal throughout, but the food was as good as anything we’re paying for around the city. I really enjoyed the art and memorabilia, especially on the second floor during the quarter mile walk to find the bathroom. Looking forward to taking my kids here some day to fill them up with some Chicago sports history.
8.4/10
Getting a late start in joining the finest of Chicago I was in the cab when the texts starting flying about drinks at Trulucks ILO Ditkas due to a packed bar. I was truly hoping to never set foot in Trulucks again after the bag of shit they sold us at our steak night there. It didnt raise the bar any higher and seems to be a favorite among the elderly and the ladies night out, not the right kind of ladies. Nonetheless good company and a good bourbon made it a worthwhile detour.
Ditkas is a tourist trap, thats a given. The decor is top notch if you have respect for all that is Chicago sports lore. Mason is correct in the sojourn to the restroom being a trip down memory lane, a long, long trip. Dinner was indeed delicious. I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised by everything. Lately it seems like we get a highlight among disappointments but in this case, solid across the board.
The banter mainly centered around some upcoming political dealings that may well change the face of our democracy and BYOH sports. If you dont know what a BYOH sport is then you clearly arent nearly as successful as Kid Ray. Tremendously interesting backstory on the sport and its contributing members.
I need to procure one of these lead lined credit cards that seem to fall to the bottom thus delivering untold savings to their owners, alas that will be for another day. Fortunately anothers victory leads to my free Pippins ale. I am convinced one of these days someone will fall through the beer sogged wooden floor and end up on the train platform below, but not tonight.
8.52/10
We came, we (certainly) saw Ted Williams with Bobby Hull, we conquered. Just like the 2018 Chicago Bears, we came into Ditka’s with low expectations and left thinking a Super Bowl could be on the horizon.
Rick celebrated the return to Ditka’s by breaking out his bright gold blazer in honor of his support of Ditka getting in the HoF 2x (as a coach).
Apps were ok – shrimp cocktail was a throwback. Steaks were really good – BRay and I split a Tomahawk that was great.
After dinner we went to pippins for the second time this year – and let’s just say we were warmly received by the natives. RR was literally pushing the women away.
All in all great time.
8.53
Coach Ditka and God are sitting in a bar, what are they talking about? It’s a trick question Ditka is God. While Da Coach is no doubt an icon in Chicago his restaurant has yet to achieve icon status in the windy city. However we had not been to Ditka’s in a while and I was looking forward to returning.
After Brad got kicked out of the private party upstairs at Ditka’s we audibled to Truluck’s for pre-dinner drinks. Truluck’s is like Del Boca Vista with older clientele, the vibe in the place is somewhere between old and non-existent. However it’s close and we were able to down a couple drinks before heading to dinner. On a side note there is no reason to go to the bar at Truluck’s.
Walking into Ditka’s you are hit right away with a gift shop and the chance to buy souvenirs. It’s expected and has a bit of a tourist trap vibe but once you get past that there is actually a lot to like about the layout and décor. I’m kind of a sucker for all the sports memorabilia and game balls, even all those carved wooden bears with 89 jerseys are cool.
Ditka’s definitely has a burbs vibe to it but there was also a comfort to the dining room and the restaurant, there is nothing pretentious about it. I was pleasantly surprised by the food. I went with the bone in ribeye AKA the “Kick Ass” Paddle Steak and it was fantastic, really a great tasting steak. Apps and sides were good too. Maybe part of it was low expectations but overall the food was excellent. The waiter wasn’t bad but not great, he did nothing to diminish or enhance the experience.
Dinner conversation included the ins and outs of playing polo, why are Ted Williams and Bobby Hull hanging out and that you need a body man if you decide to run for public office.
A return to Pippin’s for post dinner drinks. While there some hammered old lady from the suburbs kept trying to take pictures of us to send to her friends. Weird but that’s the price you pay when you are some of Chicago’s finest. Good times.