11 decadent dishes to satisfy your gluttonous fantasies -- and pregnancy cravings
Pregnancy cravings are no joke. With our first born I craved savory and salt, while our second son demands some form of chocolate at the end of each evening. The other day, I found myself a bit perplexed while standing in line at Matt’s Chicago Dog in Uptown. I was on a mission for fried pickles, but then I saw they also offered chili cheese fries. Whoa, talk about being completely torn. After a few minutes I grew enough courage to ask the cashier if I could order my fantastically fried fantasy of chili cheese fried pickles. Much to my surprise, he smiled… said yes… and proceeded to encourage my creativity with other off-menu ideas! Needless to say, I was thrilled.
In today’s roundup, I’ll be focusing on 11 decadent dishes that have made my first 7 months of pregnancy deliciously awesome. Warning: If you’re looking for healthy salads or diet foods… this post is not for you.
Things are getting a little weird (& I like it):
Insert those chili cheese fried pickles here. Below are two other dishes that I have simply found interesting. Will I order them again post-baby? Absolutely!
Seoul Poke Bowl
3609 South Blvd.
What to Order: Build Your Own Bowl… and don’t skimp on the crushed Hot Cheetos. Customers get their choice of five bases, a protein, several regular and dry toppings along with their choice from a list of homemade sauces. Check out my favorite combination below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhAk5XHnowr/?taken-by=sliceofjess
Midwood Smokehouse
Multiple Locations
What to Order: I’ve included the Pimento Cheese Fries in this section because I enjoyed them so much that I freely shared this pile of taters, meat (go for the smoked brisket) and cheese with complete strangers sitting next to me. True story.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BblD50LH6U-/?taken-by=sliceofjess
I can’t believe I just ordered that (& enjoyed it immensely):
To make sure we’re all on the same page… this section is basically filled with gluttonous burgers and fried fare that you’d normally devour at 2am after a night out drinking. However, I am currently enjoying these at 11am… while standing up in line or walking to my next foodie destination. If you’re looking for a few burger recipes to make at home, I’ve got some killer ones on my blog.
BLT Steak
110 N. College St.
What to Order: Anything smothered in raclette cheese (but I encourage you to try it on the waffle fries). Seriously, you can get it slathered on any item on the menu… including salads. It’s gooey, bubbly and tastes like melty-cheese heaven.
Burger 21
14825 Ballantyne Village Way
What to Order: The Tex-Mex Haystack. A 100 percent Certified Angus Beef patty with applewood smoked bacon, onion strings, smoked gouda, chipotle-jalapeño sauce, guacamole, lettuce and vine-ripened tomato on a toasted brioche bun. Oh, and they offer a sauce bar with a crazy amount of dipping companions for your fries. I like the marshmallow sauce with my sweet potato fries.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjDDofunvpv/?taken-by=sliceofjess
Duckworth’s Kitchen & Taphouse
4435 Park Rd.
What to Order: They have a good variety of burgers and sandwiches to satisfy any palate (including a unique vegetarian option, which C5’s editor – Katie – just tried out last week). Duckworth’s also offers a “create your own” salad where you can choose from an assortment of bases, toppings, house-made dressings with a protein. A third suggestion would be their nachos… the plate is bigger than my head and can feed a crowd (or a really hungry pregnant lady + two friends).
Didn't go to the gym today…. but, the waiter’s name at the restaurant was Jim. Sooooo…. same thing?
A post shared by Jess Bentley | Food & Travel (@sliceofjess) on May 13, 2018 at 6:33pm PDT
Holler & Dash
2725 South Blvd.
What to Order: The Hollerback Club, with bacon, guacamole, a fried green tomato and Hollerback Sauce. I like asking for their extra-spicy hot sauce on the side. Everyone always looks at me strange when I request this… but baby gets what the baby wants.
Biscuits: you’re always there when I knead you.
A post shared by Jess Bentley | Food & Travel (@sliceofjess) on May 25, 2018 at 8:11am PDT
The Turnhouse Grille
1600 E. Woodlawn Rd.
What To Order: I have the pleasure of working with several restaurants, including this establishment (full disclosure: I manage their social media accounts and menu photography). A few months back I worked with their chef to create five insane lunch-time burger specials. This was SO FUN. These massive specials have come and gone by now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t bring them back from time-to-time. If you had a favorite, let me know in the comments section below! Until then, their Salmon BLT and Shrimp Burger are crazy good.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeQ5306n2mA/?taken-by=sliceofjess
Gimme all the Fancy Sweets:
Ice Cream and Donuts have played a big role in my second pregnancy. Since I’ve already gushed over those confections in previous posts, let’s focus on other desserts.
300 East
300 East Blvd.
What to Order: Make sure to try Ashley Boyd’s S’mores Tart with tahini, coconut, and honey marshmallow. Boyd has an uncanny way of transforming ordinary desserts into edible masterpieces, just take a look at her Instagram (it’s breathtaking).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhdImEugrPM/?taken-by=ashleybboyd
Haymaker
225 S. Poplar St.
What to Order: The Strawberry Shortcake. It’s made with Elderflower Strawberries, Marmalade, Roasted White Chocolate Crump and served with Strawberry Wine Sorbet. Talk about a mouthful of deliciousness. Personal Note: Their Fried Green Tomato BLT is also quite mouthwatering.
Hazelnuts Creperie
What to Order: I have nothing but fabulous things to say regarding their Not French Toast Crepe. Is it breakfast… or is it dessert? When something tastes this fabulous… who cares! What to expect: a crepe topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon, crushed walnuts a vanilla ice cream drizzled with maple syrup. Mmmmm… crepes (Homer Simpson voice).
A post shared by Hazelnuts Creperie (@hazelnutscreperie) on Mar 24, 2018 at 12:39pm PDT
Miro Spanish Grille
12239 N. Community House Rd.
What to Order: Their Tres Leches Cake is the perfect balance of spongy cake and condensed milk. It’s not overly sweet, so you can end your meal without feeling that sugar-slump an hour later.
Hey ladies – what are some of the craziest cravings you’ve experienced during your baby bump phase? Let us know in the comments section below (we look forward to trying them)!
This story was originally published June 11, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "11 decadent dishes to satisfy your gluttonous fantasies -- and pregnancy cravings."