CHICAGO DIVISION:
#2: Arthur Bryant's Kansas City:
There's not a lot in Kansas City. But somehow, I've made the trip three times now. My favorite of the three trips was towards the end of my senior year of college, where I had realized that, with a post-graduation job and a respectable GPA secured, I could pretty much coast, so spent a long weekend in KC to watch the Red Sox open against the Royals. It was a good weekend; the debut of Daisuke Matsuzaka (which I feel silly for once being excited about); country music karaoke; Arthur Bryant's. It's not in the best part of town, and it's not the fanciest eating. It's heavy, KC-style BBQ with thick, sweet sauce, served on a red cafeteria tray without a plate. Go with the rib tips. And fries. Framed pictures of celebrities, some recognizable, some obscure, line the walls. It's perfect. Grabbing an extra bottle of sauce on the way out is the best gift you can give anyone, ever.
#7: Guacamole, Las Palmas
I have a weakness for Mexican food. If I go to the grocery store because I want to cook dinner, without a plan, I'll inevitably end up making steak fajitas or fish tacos for dinner. I like the cheap Mexican, like Anna's Taqueria in Porter Square, or the dozens of burrito shops in Lincoln Park. I like the higher end too, Frontera in Chicago or Taquiera in London. One of my favorites, also one of my favorite places in Chicago, is Las Palmas on North Ave. First discovered it on my first day living out of the south side, when my friend helped me with a move that took an hour, and left the rest of the day free. As bad as Chicago winters are, the summers can be just as good. This was one of those days, and we got a place on the patio and got drunk on big margaritas and tequila. We had just graduated earlier in the week, and somehow this felt like the first day of being an adult. They made the guacamole on a cart, right at the side of the table, with lots of customization available, extra garlic, tomatoes, jalapenos. Las Palmas makes it near the top of restaurants I'd visit over a Chicago weekend, though it's hard to decide if it's for the guac or the margaritas.
WINNER: Arthur Bryant's. It's tough to eliminate the only representative of Mexican food on this bracket, but KC BBQ is a heavyweight.
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