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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