Chicago Hopcat

It's in the middle of Clark street, in the Lincoln Park area, on a Saturday,. and on Labor Day weekend. It absolutely will be a shit show and probably with the type of people you probably won't want to be packed into a bar with.

 

Sigh, another place I'd like to frequent on the clusterfuck of a street that is Clark. I already don't get to Dryhop nearly enough because that area is so congested.

I'm really looking forward to Hopcat, but as @Socalfan21 mentioned, I bet it's going to be tough finding a time to get in there, at least for a while.

 

I'm a Roscoe Village guy, myself. Keep meaning to sit down and eat at Corridor, but have only grabbed beer to go (it seems similarly busy when I go by). Southport is definitely becoming incredibly busy (I grew up right off Southport, so it's amusing to watch).

I'm really high on Bitter Pops on Lincoln at the moment, for exactly this reason; it's sometimes packed (mostly because of its size), but it's not popular enough yet that it's out of control. On the other hand, they don't serve food or brew their own stuff, so there's that downside, but it's a great place otherwise.

Hopefully Hopcat will take some of the heat off the nearby beer scene; I'm all for as many places as beer nerds will support, because they can't all always be packed, can they?!?

 

Just thought I'd remind you that you guys live in the 3rd most populated city in the country, so things will be busy sometimes.

I lived just down the street from HopCat for 8 years, and would've loved if it were there when I was. I never thought that stretch of Clark Street (between Fullerton & Diversey) had much to offer in terms of good bars (I would frequent Tin Lizzie, but that was just for MSU & Detroit sports games). I don't get over there much anymore, but it seems like it hasn't changed that much since I moved out 5 years ago - the bars never seemed too packed (except for certain times depending on the particular bar), but I also haven't really been a regular on the bar scene in years.

I would head over to HopCat the day/weekend it opens, but I'll be in Michigan that weekend (and the weekend after). I'll plan on going sometime on a weekend, or maybe a weekday would be better, when I'm back in the city (and more importantly, when the stars align for me to get a night out away from family/kids). I've actually never been to a HopCat, so I'm intrigued to check one out finally.

 

I was actually thinking the same about a BA Chicago Hopcat meetup - good idea.

I could definitely go to the Hopcat in Detroit while visiting family, but usually my time is booked with family. I may be going to the Tigers game in a couple weeks, so may head down early for some food and it could be an option (but may have to introduce my daughters to the fine institution that is National Coney Island instead). I could have stopped at the GR location as well when I go through on my way to Traverse City, but we end up stopping at Founders instead. So, having a Chicago location will make it much easier to get to on my own time.

 

Yeah yeah, but it's really more an issue of trendy places than it is of population density. Haymarket is right across from Au Cheval, and I can get a seat at 1pm at Haymarket instantly (and there will be empty tables). At Au Cheval that'd be an hour wait, for the worst table in the place (one of those damn 2 seaters in the back).

I'm just saying that the trendy beer places are always a pain to go to (unless we're talking off hours like 2pm on a Wed.), so I'm always looking for the new "undiscovered treasure."

 

Believe me, I know. But actually, it's not my absolute favorite in the city, and my favorite is yet another place I can always get a seat (it's not in the Fulton Market area though, so that helps). Honestly though, the Riot from Haymarket is fucking delicious, so I don't even consider it that much of a downgrade from "Oh Chevy" anymore.

The Au Cheval bacon, on the other hand...

 

My favorite isn't going to necessarily be everyone's, because of the nature of the place. It's a placed called Butcher and the Burger, on Armitage (Lincoln Park).
http://butcherandtheburger.com/

The reason I love it (and others may not) is that you pick everything about the burger; the type of meat (I just do standard beef, but you can do bison, salmon, grass fed, etc.), the seasoning in the patty (I do Chicago steakhouse), the toppings (I throw on American cheese, black truffle aioli and caramelized onion) and the bun (standard split top for me). I go medium rare on the burger so that it's really tender. It's a great burger, but a lot different than I'd have at a "typical" place.

My other favorites are:

For "fast food" burgers:
Edzo's (with garlic butter) standard burger (there's only one in the city, in a club called Deuces on Clark. the club is douchey, but if you go for the burger during the day, it's cool. there's also an Edzo's in Evanston, I think)
Meatheads 1/3 lb. Meathead with bistro sauce

"Upscale" burgers (places that are a little more full service)
Au Cheval single w/bacon (I keep off the egg just because it's so messy)
DMK - The Big DMK (triple decker w/their special sauce)

I can't remember if Haymarket does their own sausage or not; I think they might. It's a great sandwich either way.

 

Holy criminy, you caught me. I messed up and said National instead of Lafayette. I meant to say we'd go to Lafayette potentially before the Tigers game (never been to the neighboring American). My girls have been to suburban National coney islands many times (they only eat the plain hot dogs, but recognize them as "Michigan" hot dogs, and they are their favorite).

Slows is solid - haven't been there in quite a few years. That's another place I'd go to more if it were a bit more convenient, since my family is in the Troy/Clawson/Warren area.

 

I like Butcher and the Burger as well - it's probably never been something that I think of as the best but it's still really good. There is only one that stands out as best to me, and that's Kuma's.

Here we go with another Chicago thread that evolved (or devolved?) into a food discussion!