Category Archives: Seafood

9ers Grill

American, Burgers, Cajun, Chain, Montgomery, Seafood

After waiting for over a year for them to open, I was able to go on their first day of business.  Walking in you are greeted by a staff member who explains the process, “it is like Portillo’s where you order at the counter but we bring the food out to you” and the menu. From there you proceed down the steps to the counter to order. The menu is huge and is posted on the wall behind the registers and on the menu you are handed as you enter.

I order the “Big Burger”, 9 ozs of meat on a huge bun with fries. I also opted for some bacon but no cheese. Drinks are filled behind the counter. Once you find a seat and place your number on the stand, you sit and wait. It didn;t seem to take too long to get my food so that was good. Make sure you pick up ketchup and silverware before you go sit down because you are going to need to cut the burger in half (at least).

The burger was tasty but huge. 9 ozs of meat squashed into a 5-6 inch disc on a bun that is just as big. Lettuce was fresh but the tomatoes were poorly sliced and inedible. The fries are steakhouse style, large pieces of sliced potato that, to me, were undercooked and tasteless.

Total  cost for the burger, fries and a cup of water was around $10.

About ten days later I decided to go back and try them again. I ordered the same burger but with tater tots this time. Unfortunately, this time the burger was over cooked and almost tasteless. There was no seasoning on it and I couldn’t eat more than a few bites. It just didn’t taste good. The tater tots were good, though. They serve enough for a family of four however so be aware of that. It seems everything is “Texas-sized” which might go over well in Texas but in Montgomery, I think it is just too much food. Compared to other restaurants in the area, they are seriously over-compensating there.

I will be going back to try some of their other options like the steaks or cajun poboy or their catfish and shrimp platter.  I just won’t be doing their burger again anytime soon.

 

 

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Heaven on Seven

Bar, Cajun, Downtown, Naperville, Seafood

Located on Main Street in downtown Naperville, Heaven On Seven, is a little slice of New Orleans complete with everything cajun and spicy. From the decor to the food you are transported to ‘nawlins when you walk in the door.

The things that we like the most are their gumbo which is talked about everywhere including on the back of the servers shirts. You have to get a cup or bowl or you are just doing yourself a disservice.  They also have an appetizer called Bayou Jalapeno Corn Blasters with Honey Jalapeno Dressing that are worth getting and sharing. They are addictive just like the gumbo

Try their po boy sandwiches, catfish is our favorite but they also have shrimp or friend chicken or crawfish and more.  Their Red Beans and Rice is a ‘nawlins staple and they do it right here.

Did I mention their crab cakes? If not, I am sorry, but you have to get these at least once. Served with the same Honey Jalapeno Dressing as the Bayou Jalapeno Corn Blasters they are to die for. No one makes a better crab cake in the area.

And if you like hot sauces, make sure to check out the wall of them. At last count, I think there were 1,800 or more unique bottles. They even put 8 to 10 bottles on your table for you to use. If you want something hot, order their Hot as a Mutha Habanero Chile Stuffed with Jalapeno Chihuahua Cheese, Peach

If you want something hot, order their Hot as a Mutha Habanero Chile Stuffed with Jalapeno Chihuahua Cheese, Peach Puree and Peach Salsa.

If however, you like your food really hot and I do mean REALLY HOT, ask them about the next Hot as a Mutha! dinner. Seven courses that get progressively hotter for $50. Featuring seven tonsil-searing courses plus one cocktail, this dinner is not for wimps, sissies or cry-babies!

To give you an idea of what you might be in for, the menu for the last Hot as a Mutha! was:

  • Thai Peanut Chicken Wings with Caramelized Pineapple Sauce
  • Pozole Rojo with Crunchy Garnishes
  • Chicken Tinga Tostada with Refried Black Beans
  • Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sliders with Housemade Pickles
    Hot as a Mutha Sausage Wild Boar, Peach Scorpion and Grilled Peaches
    Sichuan Braised Pork Cheeks over Cilantro Rice
  • Chocolate Banana Icebox Cake if you dare!

If you are in the area, you owe it to yourself to stop in for brunch, lunch or dinner and make sure you don’t forget to pick up your beads on the way out.

McCormicks & Schmicks

Chain, Chicago, Loop, Seafood

We went to McCormick & Schmicks at One East Wacker in the city on Saturday night for dinner. I have to say I am really glad we chose this place because everyone loved their meals. It was one of the best dinners we have had in a long time. The service was excellent, the staff knowledgeable, the food was prepared perfectly and the atmosphere was comfortable.

I have to say I am now a fan of Barramundi which was described as sweet, buttery, delicate and moist. It can be compared to red snapper, Dover sole, sea bass and other premium white fish. They prepared this delicate fish covered with a Miso Glaze on a bed of Udon Noodles with a Spicy Black Pepper Sauce and a Miso Broth. I ate the entire dish and wanted more, it was that good. I also ordered the lobster mashed potatoes. It is true, lobster makes everything taste better and these potatoes were no exception. Everyone at the table tried and loved them.

Karen had the cedar plank salmon which was big enough for two people. She asked that it be served with their Asian blank pepper sauce which made the dish melt in your mouth.  Along with the salmon, she had the Roasted Potato Medley. There was enough left over from her dishes, along with the lobster mashed potatoes to take home, which we did.

Alice had the Kobe burger and as far as Kobe goes, it was fine. Marc had the Chicken, again okay, but nothing to write home about. Mom had the Chefs Special.  Coho Salmon stuffed with shrimp, crab and a few other things that I cannot remember at this moment. She enjoyed it very much and said it was an excellent meal.

Deserts were the usual cakes and creme brule. We ordered one slice of their peanut butter pie and one of their chocolate cake. The peanut butter pie was the winner here. Karen had the creme brule and it was delicious.

If you are in Oak Brook, Rosemont, Skokie or the city, I would recommend McCormick & Schmicks for a special occasion.