Capitol Fax: Remembering #hotdoggate

I wasn't paying attention to this four years ago. A Rauner staffer - back before he became governor of Illinois - wanted ketchup (catsup) on their hot dog. The staffer in question later started working for President Donald Trump and almost four years ago wrote this memorable tweet that Rich Miller remembered back when.

Hey, that hot dog with ketchup was for me. What happened to a woman's right to choose?

— Lindsay Walters (@LWalters) October 28, 2014

I didn't know this until recently and Miller explains. In general with hot dogs it's not at all expected to eat hogs dogs with catsup. Since I don't know about this local culinary peculiarity, it's possible that I would've made that same gaffe also.

In general though I don't even use catsup for Polish sausages (I generally don't eat hot dogs). I have little issue eating sausages with relish or mustard or both. Of course why does putting catsup on a hot dog have to create drama?

I like to eat a Maxwell Street Polish sausage smelling the strong scent of grilled onions with such a dish should create social media drama. Imagine if any politician in Illinois or Chicago did that and had the breath to prove it! 

A "Chi-raq" restaurant...

I must say I'm proud of this kid. In spite of the name he's attempting to turn Chi-raq into a positive. Chicago and young people like him are getting a bad rap these days, but he turned his life around and has opened his own business. Respect and as for the name of his establishment, it's just a name as time goes on he can choose to change it if this proves to be very successful. For now he got the attention.

Took a stroll through Hyde Park earlier this week...

Wednesday I paid a visit to the President's Chicago neighborhood Hyde Park and snapped a shot of this restaurant Park 52. I was here last fall for a political fundraiser hosted by "SWIPO". SWIPO stands for the Seventh Ward Independent Political Organization and it was headed by 7th ward alderman Sandi Jackson who is also the 7th ward Democratic committeeman.


Little did I know attending this fundraiser that Ald Jackson was about to wind down her career as a Chicago Alderman. When I attended this fundraiser she was being interviewed by Chicago news anchor Cheryl Burton. After arriving we saw various local news vans staking this place out possibly looking for  her husband then Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to surface after having been absentee since it was revealed that he was under medical leave from the House of Representatives.

Congressman Jackson had resigned his congressional seat not long after winning another term to the "People's House". Since he had been on medical leave since last June he didn't even campaign. Ald. Jackson also resigned her Chicago City Council Seat almost two months after her husband resigned from Congress. They both have since pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds in Jesse Jr's case and in Sandi's case tax evasion. It appears we'll hear more about this case on Friday as their lawyers are due in federal court.

Until doing a Google search I just found out that Park 52 was closed permanently. The signs were still up when I took my stroll through Hyde Park, however I wasn't certain that this was remodeling or what. Having done the Google search and finding this article via Crain's there's certainty that this restaurant isn't coming back at all!

Park 52 itself was located at 52nd & Harper.

Also I have to figure out how to edit some of the video I shot along Lake Park Avenue in Hyde Park

Since we're on the subject of tablets...

[VIDEO] This report is from CNN and how to restauranteurs use an iPad to enhance their eatery:

Christian and Nacasha Ruffin are using iPads to revolutionize their Atlanta restaurant.

I plan to return to ATL in time for homecoming. Hopefully I can visit their restaurant do at The View when I finally do return.

Thank goodness for some ingenous Googling because I was able to find them! It all started with their twitter account @DORestaurant.

Gladys' Luncheonette

If I drive thru the Bronzeville neighborhood I might run by this abandoned restaurant on 4527 S. Indiana. I wonder when this place closed but the owner, Gladys Holcomb passed away in 2003. The person who took this photo (by Curtis Locke on Flickr) said that she served her soul food on the south side of Chicago for 52 years.

Attached to this is a resolution by the Illinois General Assembly of course I can't figure out when this was written and passed. Surely this happened not too long after Mrs. Holcomb's death in 2003. I was surprised to find out some of the luminaries who ate at this place...

WHEREAS, Gladys' Luncheonette became one of the most popular "soul food" restaurants in the Midwest, known for its delicious fried chicken, smothered chicken, smothered pork chops, peach cobbler, "melt-in-your-mouth" biscuits, and other down home, southern delicacies; many famous people were known to dine at the Luncheonette including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lou Rawls, Redd Foxx, Governor Jim Thompson, Della Reese, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Gladys Knight, and a host of others...

The food must have been that good with all the luminaries going to this place, especially the governor of Illinois.

Here's another nice picture of the building from David Schalliol on Flickr!

On Spring Break...

I stopped by a rather famous restaurant on Stony Island. You may have heard of this place, Soul Queen. A place that has so much history.

If you step inside you'll see pictures of famous people from entertainers, athletes, or even politicians. You will see pictures of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Mayor Richard M. Daley, Mayor Harold Washington, and even President Bill Clinton. This is just to name a few prominent individuals to have their pictures of the wall.

Owner Helen Anglin has picture of her family including a graduation picture of her son from law school. I understand that he died tragically but I don't remember the whole story. Unfortunately I hear rumors that she may sell her restaurant and they will close. I hope not, however.

While it's here it's still a good place to eat. The buffet is good. You have your choice of meat and vegetables (and that include dressing). And how about those corn muffins?

Still if you're looking for some soul food and taking in a little history. Stop by this place. I think you'll like the food too.