Obama, "Check, Please!" and the South Side

There are lots of links to and posts about Barack Obama's appearance on the local food show "Check, Please!" The show highlights restaurants picked by the guests that are critiqued after they all have eaten at each other's selections. Obama's pick was the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop on the South Side. And while the restaurant discussion was interesting, his quote about retail and restaurant interest in the South Side was more telling:

"It also goes to show how I think a lot of neighborhoods, Hyde Park and the surrounding area, are communities that are starved for restaurants, retailers... so much of stuff that concentrates downtown in the loop and... Particularly in the south side we don't have the same number of options that some of the Northside neighborhoods do, like Lincoln Park or Bucktown."

It was then pointed out that he was representing his district with that quote. Though that was the case, what he said certainly was the truth. And it continues to be the truth.

In the years since the show was taped, the restaurant scene on the South Side hasn't grown like the rest of the city. In the past few years we've had or been awarded Gourmet's top restaurant in the country- Alinea, James Beard's Outstanding Chef (also from Alinea) Grant Achatz, Best Food and Dining from Travel + Leisure, America's New Culinary Star from Saveur, Best Restaurant City in America by GQ, and more 5 Diamond restaurants than any other city in the US in 2007: Alinea, Aruns, Avenues, Trotters, Everest, Seasons, Tru.

The Dixie Kitchen's still there, but there's room for more.

Comments

[gangwayjan]

Even if you count Taylor Street and Little Italy over by Blue Island and I do (most think it is the "West Side" -- even Taylor Street and and Little Italy think they are the West Side), Mr Brusin is right. I, who consider myself the quintessential South Sider, sadly must admit our food choices are pitiful. I could mention a few tasty pig out places he omits -- say the sliders/ chili combo at Lindy's or the chili in Bridgeport on 35th or the Ed's Dumpling House near 31st and Halsted, Bobak's; or the new eateries in the South Loop -- Giocco's, Opera, Room 22, Zaptista's, Cuatro.; or way in the 'burbs -- Courtwright's and Tallgrass. The question for me is: how many times do I really want to go to Dixie Kitchen or La Petite Folie or Room 52? Please, please -- we need some food here!

[coolmaiden]

What? There are many great places on the South Side! The South Side is SO much more than Hyde Park. Don't forget about Pilsen, Chinatown, Greektown, Beverly, and Little Village. There's also May Street Cafe, Soul Vegetarian East, and Illinois Bar and Grill (by Midway and at UIC). It may not be Grant Achatz, but the refried beans at Nuevo Leon is probably the single greatest dish I have ever eaten.