Polish reunion
After three weeks at home, I felt almost entirely settled back into my post-Paris, pre-San Fran existence. But something was missing. I felt empty, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why. Then one day I found myself heading east on Lake in Wilmette around lunchtime, and realized that I had not yet snarfed down a polish sausage since my return. I felt like a parent that forgets their child's birthday.
I veered right and zoomed into the Irving's Red Hots parking lot. I'm not really a polish sausage snob; sure, some are better than others, but Irving's is more than adequate for my needs. I've been going there since I was about eight, and I swear the same guys have been behind the counter the whole time.
I ordered my usual: polish sausage with everything, cheese fries and a diet Coke, and scurried back home (Irving's has no ambiance to speak of; frankly I'd rather eat in my car then in the restaurant itself). There are only two issues at stake for me when it comes to the polish sausage meal:
1) When I order my sausage "with everything", I do not mean ketchup. This is a controversial issue for many Chicagoans, and I believe the mustard-only directive has its roots in the city's historic preparation of German sausages (I could certainly confirm this with two minutes of Googling, but I am feeling extremely lazy at the moment). When you are used to eating a polish avec moutarde, the addition of ketchup seems like a sweet, sugary affront to the balance of flavors.
2) The cheese that covers the fries must be of superior quality. There seem to be two types of cheddar sauce available in the Vienna Beef stands around the city: one is smooth, slippery and bland, and the other is chunky (almost grainy), tangy and clumpy. I prefer the latter.
Irving's fulfills both of these requirements, so they have earned a place in my polish pantheon. Maybe I'm just getting a little too grabby here, but I also think it's an extremely good sign if the polish's paper bag begins to bleed grease in the ten minute drive back home.
Greasy bag.
Polish with everything.
Cheese fries of superior quality.
I hunkered down with my dog, my fries, and my diet soda (stop laughing) and then added another Chicago product to the mix to complete my lunch: the Jerry Springer show.
I think I prefer the polish.
I veered right and zoomed into the Irving's Red Hots parking lot. I'm not really a polish sausage snob; sure, some are better than others, but Irving's is more than adequate for my needs. I've been going there since I was about eight, and I swear the same guys have been behind the counter the whole time.
I ordered my usual: polish sausage with everything, cheese fries and a diet Coke, and scurried back home (Irving's has no ambiance to speak of; frankly I'd rather eat in my car then in the restaurant itself). There are only two issues at stake for me when it comes to the polish sausage meal:
1) When I order my sausage "with everything", I do not mean ketchup. This is a controversial issue for many Chicagoans, and I believe the mustard-only directive has its roots in the city's historic preparation of German sausages (I could certainly confirm this with two minutes of Googling, but I am feeling extremely lazy at the moment). When you are used to eating a polish avec moutarde, the addition of ketchup seems like a sweet, sugary affront to the balance of flavors.
2) The cheese that covers the fries must be of superior quality. There seem to be two types of cheddar sauce available in the Vienna Beef stands around the city: one is smooth, slippery and bland, and the other is chunky (almost grainy), tangy and clumpy. I prefer the latter.
Irving's fulfills both of these requirements, so they have earned a place in my polish pantheon. Maybe I'm just getting a little too grabby here, but I also think it's an extremely good sign if the polish's paper bag begins to bleed grease in the ten minute drive back home.
Greasy bag.
Polish with everything.
Cheese fries of superior quality.
I hunkered down with my dog, my fries, and my diet soda (stop laughing) and then added another Chicago product to the mix to complete my lunch: the Jerry Springer show.
I think I prefer the polish.
posted by cindym at 8:41 AM
7 Comments:
oh that looks disgustingly good! and the pickle, i loves the pickle.. When I come visit you make sure you take me there. I might forgo the diet soda but sign me up for everything else.
Chunky cheese. Amen.
cheese 'n sleeze...welcome home!
Oh dear. Jerry enters the mix? Say it isn't so! tee hee....
Ooooh, cheese fries.... looks so yummy!
hahaha. "cheese fries of superior quality" hahahaha! that is excellent.
Drooling. Drooooooooling. I need to go visit Chicago while you still live there.
From Paris to Jerry Sringer and cheese fries. I would need serious therapy! LOL
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