Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

DISH: SAVOR Mago Grill & Cantina; Pokeworks; State and Lake
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times
2017-12-22

This article shared 1034 times since Fri Dec 22, 2017
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


There are authentic Mexican restaurants—and there are spots that say they're "Mexican" but are actually more "Mexican-American."

Mago Grill & Cantina ( various locations, including 1010 S. Delano Ct., in Chicago; MagoGrill.com ) falls squarely in the latter category, although it makes sure to have all the bells and whistles in place, including sugar skulls and luchador masks.

However, that doesn't mean the food can't be good. Overall, Mago's cuisine is pretty tasty.

The meal began with a couple delicious drinks, including an horchata that I could've drunk all day. These were followed by empanadas that were mostly on the mark—as well as guacamole that a woman named Delores made at tableside, and that was pretty delicious.

The lunch entrees include chicken Azteca, which my dining companion really liked, and a jibarito that, for me, was the meal's one true misfire. The skirt steak was expertly cooked; however, instead of bread, fried plantains were used—and they were unpalatable to the point where I just ate the rest of the sandwich as a salad and removed the fruit.

Fortunately, dessert was a high point, with an appropriately moist ( and large ) slice of tres leches cake. BTW, this holiday season, Mago is offering pumpkin cream-cheese flan and eggnog tres leches—compelling ( albeit non-traditional ) reasons to visit Mago.

Pokeworks

Pokeworks ( 79 E. Madison St.; Pokeworks.com ) has a stated mission to serve "high-quality, healthy food in a convenient and responsible way"—and succeeds, deliciously.

For those not in the know, poke ( which originated in Hawaii ) is a salad containing raw fish. My experience has been that's made primarily with tuna, although Pokeworks has expanded that concept to include salmon, chicken or even tofu—which almost sounds like an "Americanizing" of traditional Hawaiian food, even though Hawaii is part of the United States.

Pokeworks takes what I call a Chipotle-like approach, with patrons choosing menu or customized options. From there, people select the base ( e.g., bowl, burrito or salad ), protein, "mix-ins" ( like diced mango, edamame and ogo seaweed ), flavor/sauce, toppings and even crunch ( leading to my current addiction to toasted rice puffs ).

The result was a pretty tasty salmon shiso ( shiso being a Japanese herb that's similar to basil, according to manager Matt ). And as for anyone who's worried about raw fish and what I call the "E. coli factor," Matt clarified to me that the fish is kept no longer than one day.

State and Lake

I have visited State and Lake Chicago Tavern ( 201 N. State St.; StateAndLakeChicago.com ) several times, and enjoyed the cuisine each time—and a recent dinner visit, done in conjunction with an overnight stay at a nearby hotel, only confirmed how pleasant this restaurant is.

In a spot with warm woods and an artfully decorated bar, State and Lake offers cold appetizers like smoked trout dip ( with trout, mascarpone, lemon, house hot sauce and crackers ) and a succulent golden beet salad ( roasted golden beets, avocado, napa cabbage, hard cider vinaigrette, hazelnuts and spices ) as well as some tasty hot apps like pork meatballs and crab fat-braised pork belly, which is worth the price of admission alone.

The entrees are just as indulgent, if not more, than the appetizers. A perfectly cooked tavern chicken ( actually, a half-chicken ) was accompanied by spaghetti squash, pickled ginger and root-vegetable panzanella. Unfortunately, my dining companion was not too keen on the cauliflower risotto ( the only non-meat entree ), which she said was a bit flavorless—and I had to concur. However, there are other options ( for carnivores, anyway ), including Faroe Island salmon and grilled New York strip. Desserts are sufficiently creative and delicious, with items such as maple banana croissant bread pudding and pumpkin cheesecake parfait.

Also, State and Lake has a late-night menu ( 11 p.m.-2 a.m. ), with big-bite items ( like the Diner Burger and the SLCT House Bratwurst ) that are no more than $9 each.

Note: Restaurant profiles/events are based on invitations arranged from restaurants and/or firms.


This article shared 1034 times since Fri Dec 22, 2017
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

SAVOR Easter roundup for 2024
2024-03-24
Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth, spring, life—and brunches. Chicagoland restaurants will be out in full force on Sunday, March 31, offering Easter meals—some with their own twists (including ...


Gay News

SAVOR WhiskyX, an Easter soiree, a pizza-making class and more
2024-03-24
I'll drink to that: On March 21, I was invited to check out dozens of whiskeys, rums, tequilas and other spirits at WhiskyX, which took place at the Chicago venue Morgan MFG and which hundreds of ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW Sushi By Bou
2024-03-19
Going into a sushi restaurant, I didn't expect to hear a 1920s version of the Carly Rae Jepsen hit "Call Me Maybe" emanating from the speakers. However, that and other Great Gatsby-like flourishes can be found ...


Gay News

SAVOR Gemini Grill opens, 'Rick Bayless Day' and more
2024-03-17
—And I quote: I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal."—Groucho Marx —Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW La Grande Boucherie
2024-03-14
Just a few months ago, The Group NYC—a hospitality consortium based in you-know-where—opened the Italian restaurant Olio e Piu in Chicago's River North neighborhood. You can read my review of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Let's Talk Womxn's 'More Than March'; Adobo Grill's tequila dinner
2024-03-06
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a culinary event that celebrates the achievement of women—and, fittingly, it happened during Women's History Month. On March 1, Let's Talk Womxn Chicago held its annual "More Than ...


Gay News

SAVOR James Beard contest, a new Publican opens and a PAWS event
2024-02-25
Contest: You have a chance to be in on all the action during the chef-studded James Beard Award weekend of June 8 in Chicago. Among other things, the grand prize winner will get a three-stay in ...


Gay News

SAVOR Green City Market; Sofitel's 'Un-Tea' time
2024-02-24
For those who wonder about the lack of a farmers' market in Chicago during the winter months, I point you toward Green City Market (GCM) Avondale, taking place on Saturdays at 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through March ...


Gay News

SAVOR A new Sushi By Bou, a seafood boil class and James Beard scholarships
2024-02-18
Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so much to the people who've already subscribed. The latest entry (Feb. 17) features Beyonce, Zendaya and my Oscar predictions. Subscribe ...


Gay News

SAVOR At Willies 'n Waffles, sexuality is on the menu
2024-02-12
Having written about Chicago's culinary scene for at least 15 years, this writer has covered all sorts of spots—from Michelin-starred upscale establishments to those so-called "holes in the wall" that can serve some of the best ...


Gay News

SAVOR 'The Bear,' new pizza lounge, Chicago Black Restaurant Week
2024-02-11
"Bear" necessities: The third season of the Chicago-set series The Bear will debut in June, per Variety. FX chairman John Landgraf made the announcement during the network's presentation at the Television Critics Association's winter 2024 press ...


Gay News

SAVOR Taylor's Tacos' Chef Taylor Mason on being part of the Vegas event 'Pepsi Dig In'
2024-02-08
On Feb. 8-10 (Super Bowl weekend), Taylor's Tacos Chef Taylor Mason and wife/co-owner Maya Mason will be showcasing two exclusive dishes at the Pepsi Dig In: Brunch with the Best takeover at Delano Las Vegas, giving ...


Gay News

SAVOR Jean Banchet Awards, new Black-owned spots and free pizza
2024-02-04
Congrats!: The winners of the Jean Banchet Awards—which honor Chicago cuisine—were recently announced at Venue Six10. Longtime Chicago Tribune critic Phil Vettel was (justifiably) honored with the Culinary Excellence of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Chocolatier Uzma Sharif on being part of World of Chocolate
2024-02-03
AIDS Foundation Chicago will hold its annual World of Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Attendees will embark on a global tour of chocolate—but there will ...


Gay News

SAVOR Valentine's/Galentine's Day offerings for 2024
2024-02-01
Love is in the air—until it isn't. While some couples will be getting ready to celebrate their closeness (and all that other mushy stuff) on Valentine's Day, others will get together to celebrate Galentine's Day (celebrating ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.