Chicago Brauhaus
In another installment from my favorite pediatric resident from Chicago, we have a post about Chicago Brauhaus.
I must admit, that some times I have needs. Needs that can only be satisfied by commonly-unwanted-meat-products-pressed-in-gelatin. Yes, headcheese, that delicate molding of meat from a pig, cow, or calf's head, heart, feet (or really anywhere else) calls to me to seek it out. And as it turns out, there is a great place in Chicago's Lincoln Square to satisfy my overwhelming headcheese cravings. The Chicago Brauhaus has been a neighborhood institution for over forty years serving the classic German food in a "friendly Bavarian atmosphere."
While walking around Lincoln Square one afternoon, after already having some pannenkoeken just and hour earlier, I walked into the Brauhaus for a snack. Now it was around 3 in the afternoon and I thought that the space would be completely deserted, but as it turned out, it was not. The place was filled with people of all ages drinking mammoth beers and enjoying the Oktoberfest atmosphere. The house "band" (CD available online now!), which at this time was comprised of a lone singer at a keyboard, was in full swing and pumping out the German-English classics (good enough to make Hasselhoff proud). In front of the stage, bathed in the subtle red light reflected off the bar, was a dance floor occasionally filled with brave patrons dancing to Edelweiss.
The headcheese was not actually on the menu on that particular day, but luckily headcheese is never out of season. After a quick query with the waitress, our headcheese was on the way. The molded meet arrived quickly topped with a few raw onions and accompanied by assortment of mustards. The meat was surprisingly soft and sweet with a touch of pleasant sourness.
Next was the liver dumpling soup (basically a liver/meatball soup). The meatball itself was the surprise of the meal. The liver made the meatball smooth and light. The broth itself was clear and savory perfect for a crisp fall day.
The rest of the meal was filled with more of the standard German beer house favorites including a sampling of bratwursts and pork stew with Spatzle. When in the mood for that German beerhouse, or simply to fulfill a headcheese craving, the Brauhaus may be the place to go in Chicago.
Chicago Brauhaus
4732 N Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
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Mmmm... headcheese, yummm... I'm sure I'll find myself having a headcheese craving again soon.
Grace Tam
November 28, 2007 3:24 pm
I have never actually tasted headcheese before...
Danny
November 29, 2007 3:48 pm
dude, your missing out.
Jonathan
November 29, 2007 10:35 pm
Story of my life, buddy. haha
Danny
November 30, 2007 10:23 am
what is headcheese? is that like gelatin salami?
Jen
November 30, 2007 11:05 am
Wikipedia says, "a terrine of meat from the head of a calf or pig (sometimes a sheep or cow) that would not otherwise be considered appealing."
Danny
November 30, 2007 3:14 pm
that doesn't sound appetizing.
Ang
December 3, 2007 7:01 pm
that's kinda the point.
Jonathan
December 3, 2007 10:30 pm