HELMET HEAD
PRIDE & JOY
Monday, September 15, 2014
JUST MY OPINION: BACK TO A LIFE TIME AGO - but with a REMARKABLE fi...
JUST MY OPINION: BACK TO A LIFE TIME AGO - but with a REMARKABLE fi...: I recently moved back into the neighborhood where I pretty much grew up. I went to junior, intermediate and high school in this district...
Saturday, September 13, 2014
BACK TO A LIFE TIME AGO - but with a REMARKABLE find...
I
recently moved back into the neighborhood where I pretty much grew up. I went to
junior, intermediate and high school in this district. I had my first crush, my
first curfew, my first part time job, my first kiss, my first .... well there
were a lot of firsts here. It was also where the biggest part of my singing
background, where heavy activity during these particular years, took place. My family was
unique not only because we were on television regularly, (which held few fond
memories for me), but my Mother, in addition to being a music teacher, also ran
a Saturday night dance for teenagers. Now you might think this would be
mortifying, but as it turned out - my Mom was actually cooler than I ever could
be. The kids loved the dance, and they loved her. But all of that is another
story.
Settling in, I have been trying to find a decent convenience store and a good take out/delivery food spot. It is astounding to me that every corner store, which I was quite looking forward to being able to frequent, seem to be run by the same policy. Stock nothing, try to make it look like you are stocking everything and generally convey that you really don't give a shit. This formula persists amongst several - strike that - ALL of the variety stores in my proximity. How they stay in business is a complete enigma to me. They have a remarkable skill for lining up in a single row, one of a number of products on their shelves. One box of Cheerio's, one pack of Bounce, one packet of tea, one roll of tin foil, etc.. And, milk - milk, don't even get me started on milk. The one thing that I would have expected these stores to not only have plenty of, but to have reasonable expiry dates on a regular basis, is no where to be found. And when they do have it in, it is very costly, as are the single product items. Stymied.
Thinking that I had made the worst mistake ever by moving back here; I was getting quite down about my walkable prospects - which isn't the end of the world as I love my ebike, but... A couple of days ago, out for a stroll, I find "The Oak Park Deli". It is a little hole in the wall corner bakery, deli and home cooked food - err, you name it spot. Everything from fresh, out of the oven sweet pastries, (muffins, eclairs, home made rice pudding, fresh tart cheesecakes, brownies and more); to home made hamburgers, Lasagna, Souvlaki - to full on breakfast, including eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, westerns, home fries - the works - and with "fresh fruits". Did I mention that they also make home made Pizza??? This place is a remarkable find! I've only tried a couple of items so far, - Lasagne and a perfect corn beef on rye, and they were delicious! I'd have tried more, but they are quite busy, and I am a little impatient. They will, however, make food to order for you if you give them a few hours notice. Otherwise, you have a huge selection of clearly fresh food.
It seems to be family run - and to be candid, "Deli" doesn't quite cut it. It is a fabulous fricken' little miracle food outlet. I believe it is a son and Mother team. Each time I have been in there they are both working in harmony on a number of freshly created meals. It is fascinating in that they do not seem to be in any kind of hurry. They are synchronized, efficient and expect the customer to realize that it is going to take as long as it takes. Everything is made on the spot. It is really an incredible little place. Personally, I have not seen a small "deli?" that carries such a wide variety where you can actually watch them prepare the dishes. I'm looking forward to catching them without a full house so that I can inquire as to their relationship and history.
So, may I highly recommend The Oak Park Deli! This one little find is making me feel a whole lot better about my decision to move back here. Very intense memories of these formative years. Enough to fill one entire lifetime.
I'm digging my new digs!
One
further thing. They are so affordable, it makes it difficult to even think of
cooking for myself. And I love to cook. It is worth the wait if you have the time, and I do plan to make the time.Settling in, I have been trying to find a decent convenience store and a good take out/delivery food spot. It is astounding to me that every corner store, which I was quite looking forward to being able to frequent, seem to be run by the same policy. Stock nothing, try to make it look like you are stocking everything and generally convey that you really don't give a shit. This formula persists amongst several - strike that - ALL of the variety stores in my proximity. How they stay in business is a complete enigma to me. They have a remarkable skill for lining up in a single row, one of a number of products on their shelves. One box of Cheerio's, one pack of Bounce, one packet of tea, one roll of tin foil, etc.. And, milk - milk, don't even get me started on milk. The one thing that I would have expected these stores to not only have plenty of, but to have reasonable expiry dates on a regular basis, is no where to be found. And when they do have it in, it is very costly, as are the single product items. Stymied.
Thinking that I had made the worst mistake ever by moving back here; I was getting quite down about my walkable prospects - which isn't the end of the world as I love my ebike, but... A couple of days ago, out for a stroll, I find "The Oak Park Deli". It is a little hole in the wall corner bakery, deli and home cooked food - err, you name it spot. Everything from fresh, out of the oven sweet pastries, (muffins, eclairs, home made rice pudding, fresh tart cheesecakes, brownies and more); to home made hamburgers, Lasagna, Souvlaki - to full on breakfast, including eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, westerns, home fries - the works - and with "fresh fruits". Did I mention that they also make home made Pizza??? This place is a remarkable find! I've only tried a couple of items so far, - Lasagne and a perfect corn beef on rye, and they were delicious! I'd have tried more, but they are quite busy, and I am a little impatient. They will, however, make food to order for you if you give them a few hours notice. Otherwise, you have a huge selection of clearly fresh food.
It seems to be family run - and to be candid, "Deli" doesn't quite cut it. It is a fabulous fricken' little miracle food outlet. I believe it is a son and Mother team. Each time I have been in there they are both working in harmony on a number of freshly created meals. It is fascinating in that they do not seem to be in any kind of hurry. They are synchronized, efficient and expect the customer to realize that it is going to take as long as it takes. Everything is made on the spot. It is really an incredible little place. Personally, I have not seen a small "deli?" that carries such a wide variety where you can actually watch them prepare the dishes. I'm looking forward to catching them without a full house so that I can inquire as to their relationship and history.
So, may I highly recommend The Oak Park Deli! This one little find is making me feel a whole lot better about my decision to move back here. Very intense memories of these formative years. Enough to fill one entire lifetime.
I'm digging my new digs!
Oak Park Deli
(416) 424 DELI (3354) Open Mon-Sat: 7am-7pm
If you visit it, I would love to know what you think? My best. Bonnie
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