I love brussels sprouts and why not go around town eating some good ol' veggies. If I see brussels sprouts on the menu, you know I am ordering them! I was out at dinner with some friends, and I mentioned how I would love to find the best brussels sprouts in the city. As we started talking about it, it just hit me, I need to create a website for this (or in this case a tab on the website I already had) So thank you Clara and Megan for sparking this idea!
Here is a list of the places I've been to so far in Chicago. I also have a list of places outside of Chicago too. Now I should probably have some sort of rating system, but I'm not that fancy.
Ye once said, “Reading is like eating brussels sprouts for me”. Without any context, it sounds like he loves brussels sprouts because reading is so fun. No, it's the opposite. I will prove him wrong.
Disclaimer: I am NOT a photographer, as you can see with these pictures.
Just look at the presentation on this one! This was in the beginning stages of my brussels sprout journey. One thing I notice when you order brussels sprout is that they can be salty. I don't like my food too salty but this one was on the higher level of saltiness. Once you get past the saltiness, the brussels sprouts were perfectly made. I love a crunch when I eat some brussels sprouts
Would I recommend: Maybe? The salt threw it off
Okay, brussels sprouts were slightly soggy and crunchy. It was a good mix. The parmesan and the balsamic glaze were a perfect addition
Would I recommend: Yes!
This was the first brussels sprout salad I had. I don't know what I was expecting, but this was not it. For obvious reasons, I was not a fan. If you're into salad, then go for it. I will pass on this.
Would I recommend: Sorry, no :(
I take it back, brussels sprout salad isn't all bad. This salad was at Sunda, an Asian fusion restaurant. I was surprised to see this on the menu but I'm glad it was an option. Let me tell you the FLAVORS! It was so good. The fact there was shrimp on top plus onions and carrots made the salad flavors come together. Because it was a salad, it was shredded brussels sprouts so I did miss the beautiful feeling of biting down on a whole brussels sprout, but I was okay with taking this new adventure.
Would I recommend: yes!
I didn't have any notes on my phone on this one. But I can tell you that I took too many pictures of this one. I mean, look at it! Honey roasted, creamy aioli, and the brussels sprouts were perfectly cooked. For $14 I call this a win. This restaurant is located in a suburb outside of Chicago.
Would I recommend: Yes!
So, it was really dark and I was trying to take this picture really quick! Portland's Cartopia was one of a kind (Hawthorne Asylum is also great maybe better) It's a food pod where there are a group of food trucks in a specific place. It's a great way to try multiple restaurants during a meal.
I did like this one. My friend and I ate this with chicken wings, and it was perfect. It was slightly on the soggy side and I wish it was crunchier. I know some people love brussels when they are soggy, not me.
Would I recommend: Yes
Okay, look at this picture! It looks so professional. iPhone photo...what! This was my favorite in Portland. I couldn't stop eating them. This has been my favorite one by far! They added mustard so I was surprised when I bit into them. The mustard gave it the perfect tart/savory flavor. It was so good. I want to go back
Would I recommend: 100x Yes
Honestly Portland taught me how to take better photos of my food. I am not one to take photos of my food, but BS (brussels sprouts...don't know if this abbreviation will stick) is the exception! Matador was a Mexican restaurant. I was surprised to see this on the menu. It was the perfect crunch that I like in my BS (like it doesn't look right if I abbreviate) There were onions and peppers roasted on top, and I wasn't a huge fan. It just got in the way. But once you move them, the goodness of the brussels sprout was there.
Would I recommend: Yes!
The one and only place that offered the beloved brussels sprouts. For a hamburger place I have to say I was surprised by this side they had. Nothing extraordinary here, but it was a solid choice for a side.
Would I recommend: Yep! I would order them again next time I'm there.
What a kick! This recipe had lemon, Grana Padano (which I did not know was cheese) and Calabrian Aioli. The brussles sprouts were cooked to perfection and I wanted to order another one! If you don't usually go for spicy food, I would skip this. But to me, it was a showstopper.
Would I recommend: Yes!