I love it. when people buy the supplies i do it for free. i've done a few family reunions, church picnics, etc. they paid the supplies, i did it. getting alot of different food right is challenging but fun. There is no way i could do it to pay the bills but I definitely could see myself in 10-15 years slowing down working and picking up that hobby/side business here or there.

famous daves stole my idea of serving food on a trashcan lid.[/quote]

My wife gets upset with me when she decides that she wants to learn how to bbq or make gumbo and I balk at it when I'm tired/hurting/busy. There really certain things that if I don't feel it, I absolutely won't do it. Maybe it's being unreasonable or obsessive, but some cooking and baking seem to me to be things that I absolutely have to have a feel for and be completely committed to.

Making BBQ & gumbo are strangely the only times I really drink beer anymore. It's almost as if beer consumption is like a timer. I told my oldest son this and a few other steps a few months ago with gumbo and he just said screw it, (he)'ll just wait for when he's with me around to make it. Just like he did with BBQ. I told my wife Sunday that i couldn't do it because I didn't feel like standing over a big pot smelling and trying to feel the roux and food. Even for prep.

She's actually still salty because she also knows that I don't think she'd make it right and then I'd get the blame.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Now I'm mainly in there for bagels & whichever breads appeal to my hunger that day. Pretty basic.

I haven't gotten a pizza or other meal from there in almost three years.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

So I hated it, everyone in my family hated it, everyone in your family hated it except you, but I'm the one who's off about the cornbread??? Where's the Arsenio "things that make you go hmm" gif when you need it?

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If you're really serious about getting the best BBQ is the area I think the absolute must try place on your list should be Chicago Culinary Kitchen in Palatine. Check out this thread from the LTH board. I haven't been, but it looks amazing and everyone raves about it like its the best they've ever had. But, its only open Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11 and they close when they sell out. Apparently there is a line down the block by 10:30 so get there early.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=43775


Ironically, that thread was started by Jared, the guy who owned RUB.

Here is a link to their site...

http://chicagoculinarykitchen.com/

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why not roll with your younger days method but expand upon it into a business? serve bbq, take all the uneaten leftovers from customers, re-heat, re-sauce and re-serve

I don't think that level of cleanliness would last long in the only type of food known for being sold in unmarked gas station parking lots with a smoker.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I used to love having some of their cheesy garlic bread in the midst of a heavy drinking night--many of which were concluded at Ciral's and Harold's.

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Medici is solid. Hearth on Dempster in Evanston is kind of like a Medici now.

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I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

Y'all put me in the mood to try the nearest NC style place near my home. Fuck NC BBQ pork and mustard-vinegar sauce, minimal taste. I'd rather eat what passes for BBQ at Mission in Downers Grove, that's how insipid it was. At least the side dishes were good.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

you should try the Carolina BBQ sauce at TelegramSam's place. It's really fucking good (and I was also not a fan of Carolina bbq sauce).

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But how's the cornbread?

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

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That reminds me...I don't even think RUB calls it corn bread. It's corn bread casserole.

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If you can't enjoy smoked pork shoulder with a little cayenne/vinegar on it, I'm sorry for you.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

As much love as that gets around here, I've still never tried it or seen it made for any function.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

The only place I've ever seen it around here is in my back yard. Maybe this summer you can come over and we can smoke stogies and complain about Seacrest.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

In!

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I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

LOL. OK. will send around the passcode later.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Also in!

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Also also in!

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And I don't even care about the cigars and food...

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I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

Ruffcorn mentioned this place in other threads....gonna bring it here. The Mrs. and I went to Oscar Lee's Barbecue in downtown Libertyville.

Exceeded Expectations by A LOT. Brisket was amazing.

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I don't like the texture. The places around me here in the Triangle shred/mince the hell out of it.

The taste itself is acceptable, my bashing it above notwithstanding. It's not my favorite approach, but the provision of smothered cabbage balances that out.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I want to get in there and try it.

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My dad has become a convert to Texas style brisket and dry rub baby back ribs, after years of eating at baked with BBQ sauce places like Patio. To be fair, he used to make a damn good baked rib tip back in the day when he had his diner in the loop, but he was always very careful to call it by its proper description of "baked BBQ-style rib tips" so as not to offend anyone who expected him to have a smoker in the basement.

Mission BBQ is a few blocks from his place, and he's had me get it almost every time I'm back in town to see him. I think that part of the appeal is that the food at his retirement village's cafeteria is so fucking bland that he is jonesing on the salt on the dry rub.

Mission is ok. I like Shuster's place a little better for that kind of chain place. But my dad doesn't cook any more (or let anybody else cook in his kitchen) and I can't eat Portillo's every day when I'm visiting.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Mission was underwhelming. No thanks.

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So I'm eating a pulled pork sandwich from Earl's right now for lunch. Umm...how tight are you with these friends?

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I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

I saw them a couple weeks ago. Unforeseen circumstances caused a change in plans, so I wasn't able to eat at most of the barbecue spots I wanted to hit, Earl's included.

Is Earl's pulled pork bad?

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Green Street Meats is decent. Used to live in the building 25 years ago...

Smoke Daddy on Division is still my favorite.

I'd be down to try Big Ed's....15 minutes away!

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@audioidkid

It was not especially good. It was not especially anything. I wish it were, it's better across the board when the joints in this neighborhood have something special to offer.

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I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost