Beef Roll!!!! Better than a Tootsie Roll.

What the?! What the hell is a Beef Roll? A Beef Roll is one of the best things I have eatin in a while. It is awesome! But it is not in my beloved Chicago. No.

The Beef Roll comes to us via Sam's Pizza in Ottawa, Illinois. 802 W. Norris Dr. to be exact.

I have been going to Starved Rock for years to go hiking, take pics. of the magnificent Bald Eagles, Great White Pelicans, etc. And on my way home, I always stop for pizza. Always! I usually go to another great spot, but my favorite waitress there is prego, so why not try a new place? I thought to myself. Yes, I think like a dude. I think it has something to do with my male organ. But luckily it made my choice, and it lead me to the Beef Roll.

The BEEF ROLL: The Beef Roll is made in a pizza pan like you see for stuffed pizza, or pan pizza. A layer of pizza dough is placed in the pan, then it is filled with a layer of fresh mozzarella cheese, a layer of thinly shaved italian beef, then another layer of fresh mozzarella cheese. It is then topped off with another sheet of pizza dough. Now it looks kinda like a pie going into the oven. When it is finished, removed from the oven, while it is still piping hot, they brush atop the Beef Roll, melted butter, then sprinkle garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. And it is served with a side of beef au jus sauce to dip the slices into. Monta-Frickin-licious!!!!!!

I swear, if I were single and trying to get laid, this is where I would take a girl to impress her.

totally worth the drive. And it's under 2 hrs. away. Go hiking, fishing, whatever at Starved Rock, then go to Sam's for the Beef Roll! Whatta day!!!

Lem's, some of Chicago's finest B-B-Q.

Lem's B-B-Q at 311 e. 75th st in Chicago's very own Greater Grand Crossing hood on the South See-ide! [[Yelled like a gang slogan]] is easily some of Chicago's best place for Ribs, Wings, Links, and Tips. And that ain't no lie.

The ribs come as either center cut, which has almost no fat, or the end cut, which has some fat. You wanna get the end cut, the fat is where the flavor is at yo! And they come served old school, or as my buddy said "These are prison style," in a basket, atop a pile of fries, topped off with two slices of white bread. Monte-licious!! These are meaty, chewable ribs, definitely not fall off the bone. And even though I prefer fall off the bone, these ribs are so meaty and delicious, that I love chewing into them and ripping the meat off into my mouth. It makes me feel like an animal, like I hunted the meat myself. The sauce is slabbed on with a paint brush, and is a sweet, vinegar sauce that is sure to make you sweat. They also have a spicy sauce if ya like. In the photos I have the center cut, which is the meatier rib, and has no fat. Next time I will be getting the end cut.

The wings are superb as well, and they too are served prison style. In a basket, atop a pile of fries, smothered in vinegar sauce, topped off by two pieces of white bread. These wings are larger than yer usual bar wings by almost double. They are fried to perfection, nice and crunchy with a soft meaty chicken on the inside. And topped off with a mild vinegar sauce, you can not go wrong. Unless of course you have a heart condition, then eating here may be the wring thing for you to do.

The neighborhood isn't terrible, but at night, it's not the safest area to be in. Even Lem's serves the food through hole beneath the cash register, and everything is behind bullet proof glass. Yeah, go during the day. They don't open till 2 p.m. though, and that is probably the safest time to go.

Lem's is Monte-riffic and worth the drive for sure.

The Brown Sack!!! And I'm not talkin bout yer balls!

The Brown Sack in Chicago's Logan Square at 3581 W Belden Ave. has a super tasty Sloppy Joe! First I'd like to mention they have a bevy of other delicious sandwiches, side items, soup, etc. but I am gonna speak to you about the Sloppy Joe.

The Sloppy Joe at The Brown Sack is Monte-riffic! I am usually not one to order a Sloppy Joe, I go for something that seems like I couldn't make at home in 5 min. And a Sloppy Joe just seems like something so easy to make, I never order it. But I had the sandwich here last summer (2010) as part of a foodie bike tour. Which first off I'd like to say something about the bike tour, they took us everywhere I have been going for years, or to a spot where I am friends with the owner of the restaurant. They shoulda paid me to give the freakin tour!!! Anyway, I had the Sloppy Joe as part of the bike tour, and I was instantly impressed. First thing I noticed was that they put cheese on their Joe. That was something I was oddly not familiar with. And I loved it! There is nothing better than a nice melting piece of cheese atop yer sandwich dripping down into the meat itself. So freakin good. And the meat itself has unobtrusive, fresh, pieces of green pepper, and onion that are cooked till they are soft. There is nothing I hate more than large, hard, crunchy, chunks of pepper or onion in my Joe. That sucks! The meat is rich ground beef, full of meaty flavor that you can taste through the sauce. The sauce itself is slightly sweetened, barely sticky, and along with the meat, it is all sandwiched in a toasty bun. Monte-licious!

There is a very comfortable atmosphere in the restaurant which I can appreciate. And they have an outdoor patio in the yard, along a not so busy street. Which is key. I hate outdoor seating on a busy street, or sidewalks where people can walk by and look down on yer food as you eat. Since it is in Logan Square, the not so gentrified part, I say leave nothing of value, visible in yer car. It is no joke.

I also love anywhere where they love Walter Payton, and they/Adam the cool owner loves Walter at The Brown Sack. He was my childhood hero next to my dad. Even though I was a brat to my dad, he was my main guy. Still is. But Walter was my number 2.

Check out The Brown Sack, I think you'll dig it.

They play lots of cool live music there, which I love. And they play lots of Bob Marley, which I do not love.

Before I forget.... They also have stuff for vegetarians, they have salads, peanut butter n jelly sandwiches, they deliver, and they make Shakes & Malts!!