Native midwesterner here to tell you she's right: tavern cut Chicago pizza is Chicago's best kept secret: loaded with toppings on a thin cracker-style crust.
But...isn't pizza in Chicago just...pizza? Like, several different styles but all just...pizza? No need to call it 'Chicago style' if you are already in Chicago.
No, there are distinct styles — tavern cut, deep dish, stuffed... though it's all an abomination to someone who just wants a decent New York style slice.
I gotta admit that I've never had a fulfilling banh mi, probly because I was already fully veggie by the first time I had one. What I probly missed is the flavors & textures of the various meats, because veggie banh mi is just too bland for me. Sure I could add the sauces (and I have done) but what they do is turn the sandwich into a sauce sandwich with some veggies added. So that's my quandary – how to enjoy that really good crunchy/soft sandwich roll without enough additional flavor added?
I've only had banh mi a couple of times and fairly recently, and it wasn't like any sandwich I'd had before -- huge amounts of cilantro (which my partner cannot stand!) and interesting spices -- so it is fascinating to read about the background of it and cultural issues around it. I'm loving this series of deep dives into all these sandwiches!
I first discovered Bánh Mì over 25 years ago when I lived in Mountain View, CA. I discovered a Vietnamese sandwich takeout shop in southern San Jose. At that time the regular Bánh Mì was only $1.00! Not only were these about the best-tasting sandwiches ever, they were also the best sandwich bargain I have discovered in my life.
Now that I live east of D.C. the nearest Bánh Mì is on the other side of D.C. which is a pain to get to. I keep hoping that someone will open a Vietnamese restaurant in my area.
Native midwesterner here to tell you she's right: tavern cut Chicago pizza is Chicago's best kept secret: loaded with toppings on a thin cracker-style crust.
Agree agree! Our favorite is sausage, onion, and giardiniera.
But...isn't pizza in Chicago just...pizza? Like, several different styles but all just...pizza? No need to call it 'Chicago style' if you are already in Chicago.
And same with 'New York style', etc.
No, there are distinct styles — tavern cut, deep dish, stuffed... though it's all an abomination to someone who just wants a decent New York style slice.
Funny thing is I like pretty much all the pizza I've had in Chicago, and New York, and western Mass, and even San Francisco, so there ya go...
Ooh, this has me thinking about my favorite Singaporean sandwich - Roti John. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti_john
Another fantastic piece
I gotta admit that I've never had a fulfilling banh mi, probly because I was already fully veggie by the first time I had one. What I probly missed is the flavors & textures of the various meats, because veggie banh mi is just too bland for me. Sure I could add the sauces (and I have done) but what they do is turn the sandwich into a sauce sandwich with some veggies added. So that's my quandary – how to enjoy that really good crunchy/soft sandwich roll without enough additional flavor added?
I've only had banh mi a couple of times and fairly recently, and it wasn't like any sandwich I'd had before -- huge amounts of cilantro (which my partner cannot stand!) and interesting spices -- so it is fascinating to read about the background of it and cultural issues around it. I'm loving this series of deep dives into all these sandwiches!
Learned a lot about banh mi and the colonial history. Great interview!
One of the only things I miss about my former job was the bánh mi shop next door which was run by the friendliest people ever.
I first discovered Bánh Mì over 25 years ago when I lived in Mountain View, CA. I discovered a Vietnamese sandwich takeout shop in southern San Jose. At that time the regular Bánh Mì was only $1.00! Not only were these about the best-tasting sandwiches ever, they were also the best sandwich bargain I have discovered in my life.
Now that I live east of D.C. the nearest Bánh Mì is on the other side of D.C. which is a pain to get to. I keep hoping that someone will open a Vietnamese restaurant in my area.