Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week's food in focus was the anti-french-fry--the onion ring. The selected restaurants recommended by loyal Patch readers all cooked a great ring. We sampled each and selected a winner, then went home and brushed our teeth. Hackney's - Palos Park Palos Patch - They call it "the brick" for good reason. Hackney's has a unique take on onion rings that hits everything you could want in a deep fried dish. The crispy …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our popular weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but gives you the chance to rave about your favorite places in town.  The Chowdown Showdown has two components. The first is when we call on you, our brutally honest readers, and gather votes for the best representative from Palos. After we declare a Palos winner, we have a taste test where Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants are pitted against each other and each town's editor weighs in on who makes a particular dish best. It's all in good fun. Before the …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite places in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week we chowed down on the summer favorite--ice cream. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. Each town crowned their own winners and we take the local champions and have our very own taste test to crown the overall best in the nearby 'burbs.  The Plush Horse - Palos Park Evergreen Park Patch: Who doesn't like a classic? That's exactly what the Plush Horse offered in its butter pecan ice …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our popular weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but gives you the chance to rave about your favorite places in town.  The Chowdown Showdown has two components. The first is when we call on you, our brutally honest readers, and gather votes for the best representative from Palos. After we declare a Palos winner, we have a taste test where Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants are pitted against each other and each town's editor weighs in on who makes a particular dish best. It's all in good fun. Before the …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite places in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week we chowed down on the South Side favorite--the Italian Beef. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. Real South Siders know their Italian beef sandwiches, and these three proved worthy competitors. Pappys - Evergreen Park Evergreen Park Patch -  All hail king of the Italian Beef! Pappys was my absolute favorite. We got a few suggestions, including Rosangela's, who was in our Patch Pizza …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite places in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week's food in focus was the omelet. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. Fluffy or grilled omelets aren't just for breakfast anymore. Golden Griddle Pancake House - Evergreen Park  Evergreen Park Patch -  I just love a good omelet. Golden Griddle had most of the votes in Evergreen Park and now I know why. Their omelet had the most beautiful presentation, with a healthy helping of veggies …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite places in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week’s food in focus was pastries. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. This week we indulged our sweet tooth and sampled a variety of pastries from each town's best bakery.  Wolf's Bakery - Evergreen Park Palos Patch - The red velvet cupcakes were a favorite before I even had a bite. The red cake and fluffy frosting made this popular treat a feast for the eyes and the mouth. The cake was …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite spot is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  Read: Say Cheese: Who Makes the Best Cheeseburger? This week's showdown is a bit more open-ended. We are looking for the best pastry in town. Does a certain bakery serve up some …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite restaurant is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  READ: Super Subs: Who Makes the Best Subs? This week's feature focuses in on cheeseburgers, that flat patty of hamburger meat topped off with cheese, onion, relish, ketchup…

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week’s food in focus was sub sandwiches. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. We discovered a somewhat small pool of candidates in our towns. It appears the sub market has been inundated with corporate chains. Palermo's - Oak Lawn Palos Patch: This was a true Italian sub with some high quality ingredients. The red pepper added nice flavor and the fresh mozzarella was a great touch. …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite restaurant is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  READ: Brain Freeze: Who Mixes the Best Shake? This week's feature focuses in on submarine sandwiches, those perfectly balanced concoctions of meat, cheese, bread and …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week’s food in focus was the all-American milkshake. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. We were so excited to dive into our milkshakes that we forget to take pictures. It was a close contest but after sucking our straws inside out we made our decision. Somebody had to do it! Cupid Candies, Oak Lawn  Palos Patch: Cupid's had the richest shake of the three we tried. It had that …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week's food was the delectable Mexican taco. The selected restaurants recommended by loyal Patch readers all prepared tasty tacos. We sampled each and selected a winner. El Gallo Palos Patch: This was a nicely balanced taco. The corn tortilla was fresh and the toppings added a nice contrast to the texture of the meat. I have always been a fan of El Gallo's green salsa and it was a nice addition to the dish. I like my…

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our new weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite restaurant is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  READ: Corned Beef Cage Match: Who Cooks It Up The Best 'Best in Show': Who Made Top (Hot) Dog? This week's feature focuses in on the delectable Mexican food that a lot …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week’s food in focus was that St. Paddy's Day staple — corned beef.  The selected restaurants recommended by loyal Patch readers all cooked a great corned beef. We sampled each and selected a winner. Papa's Fresh Foods - Palos Heights Palos Patch: You can tell they take corned beef seriously. The tender meat was full of flavor and low on fat. Texture is what makes or breaks corned beef for me, and Papa's always …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our new weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite restaurant is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  Read: Flipside: Who Flips the Best Flapjack This week's showdown features that St. Patrick's Day favorite--corned beef and cabbage. I want you to tell me who makes the …

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week’s food in focus was that perennial breakfast favorite—the pancake.  We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. The selected restaurants recommended by loyal Patch readers all flipped a great flapjack. We sampled each and selected a winner. Royalberry Waffle House and Restaurant - Palos Heights Oak Lawn Patch:  A cakey pancake that an army can march on. The regular pancakes were buttery…

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our new weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite restaurant is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  READ: 'Battle of the Pops: Best Gyros Around This week's showdown features that breakfast necessity—pancakes! I want you to tell me who makes the best flapjacks in town…

Welcome to “Chowdown Showdown,” a weekly feature where we take one type of food and ask readers to nominate their favorite restaurants in Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn and Palos. This week’s food in focus was the Lenten staple, pepper and egg sandwiches. We tallied the votes on each respective Patch site and Facebook page. The selected restaurants for our second “Chowdown Showdown” all made great sandwiches. We sampled each and selected a winner. Grassano's - Oak Lawn  Palos Patch - Grassano's sandwich had the most green pepper flavor of the three we sampled. The bread was soft and complimented …

It’s time for another Chowdown Showdown, our new weekly feature that will not only give you great ideas on where to eat, but will allow you to tell everyone why your favorite restaurant is the best.  The Chowdown Showdown pits Palos, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn restaurants against each other to decide who makes a particular dish best. Before the competition starts, we need your ideas on who our Palos representative should be.  READ: 'Best in Show': Who Made Top (Hot) Dog? This week's feature focuses in on that Lenten special that has becomes staple of the Chicago area this time of year: …