Ed Debevic's

Every day on my way to work in the Loop, I always pass Ed Debevic's. It takes up a block in River North, within spitting distance of the blown-out tourist chains like Rainforest Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, Fogo de Chao and an overdone McDonald's. But Ed Debevic's is more like a local spot that became a tourist trap. A 50s diner famed for its Edy's ice cream beverages and smack-talking wait staff. The original in tchochke chains. When my fam came through Chicago a few years ago they ate here, and recommended it as a "Must-See". So I finally saw it on Monday for dinner.

I have always had a special place in my heart for diners. As I have learned with Clarke's: there is always something on the menu that sounds good, you know it will be tasty, and it has the added bonus of killing you just a little faster. Oh, and the music is usually good. And since moving to Chicago, I have developed a major thing for cheeseburgers.

For a Monday, it was hopping. There were slow-moving groups of touron lemmings snapping pix and crawling to their tables. I just sidled up to the counter. Ah the freedom of "Party of 1". The waiters/waitresses moved fast trying to serve everyone, so I barely had a second to blurt out my order. Cheeseburger medium rare with a double chocolate malt. Yum! The food was fast and tasty and deceptively filling. I didn't even realize how gluttonously full I was till I waddled to the car. The food fell into its python position due to the movement. But oh so good. And the malt was super good. Extra rich with real whipped cream. But I think I liked my double fudge milkshake from Steak and Shake I got on my way back from one of my school adventures. THAT was an amazing ice-cream/chocolate/beverage masterpiece. Sipping on that as I flew down the Skyway, I tasted the fringes of nirvana. And it was nice.

Sadly I missed the counter-dancing ala Cowboy Ugly. Probably just as well. Saddle shoe does not make a great burger topping.

on the iPod: "Echa Pa'Lante" - Thalia