Reader Bites celebrates dishes, drinks, and atmospheres from the Chicagoland food scene. Have you had a recent food or drink experience that you can’t stop thinking about? Share it with us at [email protected].
If you were to ask me what my favorite foods are, I would basically just list out the entire menu of Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade. Serving Chicago fast food staples like super Philly cheesesteaks, Italian beef, pizza puffs, and gym shoes, my love for Baba’s began about a decade ago when I was a high schooler living in the south suburbs. My friends and I were frequent patrons of the location on 183rd Street and Cicero Avenue in Country Club Hills, and at that time, the Italian beef was my go-to. I’ve moved around the city a couple times since then, but wherever I end up, I always make sure to know the location of the nearest Baba’s. And with a number of them scattered around the south and west sides, as well as in the south and west suburbs, Baba’s has become a hood staple for more than just me.
Since high school, I’ve heard people raving about gyro cheeseburgers. Having never tried a gyro, the idea of combining the two was off-putting to me. A couple years ago, though, I decided to put on my big-girl britches and give it a try. From the first bite, I knew I’d been missing out on a delicacy. The bottom half of the sandwich consists of a perfectly chargrilled burger topped with American cheese that rests on a bed of lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and mustard. On top of that, you’ll find a generous heap of gyro meat dressed with tzatziki sauce. Depending on the location—and in true Chicago fashion—you may be able to get a jerk variation of the gyro cheeseburger, which will include jerk gyro meat. Of course, you have to get your fries topped with lemon pepper and mild sauce on the side. It’s very filling, and I feel extremely gluttonous every time I have it, but it’s worth it for such savory satisfaction.
Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade
Price varies
Locations across Chicagoland
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