Savor Chicago: Unique Burgers You Must Try

While some people argue that the hamburger originated in Germany, there is no doubt that in the United States it has been perfected. A simple dish to prepare but very hard to master; getting that right combination of ingredients with a flavorful patty that will make people come back again and again is not an easy feat. Since arriving to Chicago this summer, we have taken the opportunity to explore the city and enjoy the many great places to eat including finding that perfect burger place.

Chicago is a cool city to explore, how the river blends into the city priceless

Before we talk burger shop, let me will put some spiciness on what a great burger should include. For some less is better just bun-patty-cheese will do the trick, others say that the more toppings the better. For me a great burger should have: bun-patty-cheese a good sauce (elevate the umami) plus a veggie (preferred onion). When going to a burger, try their signature as the chef intended it. However, it is your money, so order it the way you like it.

Finding a good place place that you can get by public transportation is a must… You get to enjoy all the nice things the city offer

After trying different places this 3 are currently at the top of the list, they food and service makes them unique and repeatable. All of them present unique proposals, with their own signature sauces, or caramelized onions with beer. One common denominator is the use of high quality ingredients, cooked the right way. On top of spot on service that will make you want go again.

Now here the top 3 places we have found…

BITTER POPS (OFF Paulina Station – Brown Line)

More than a burger shop, here you will find a great selection of Liquor and Beer on their shop. The bar has a nice selection of beer on tap to pair with their specialty burger called Pop’s Double Smash-burger. Ingredients for the burger are Courage Lager caramelized onions, American cheese, Honeycup dijonnaise, and house made pickles on the side. The burger brings the right level of messiness. When you top it with fries and beer, we have the BFF combination (Burger / Fries / Frosty Beer). Just take the brown line to Paulina Station and a 2 minute walk to land in Bitter Pops, surroundings are nice for taking a walk after your meal.

Great neighborhood place…Very nice surroundings

2. NADC Burger (OFF Grand Station – Blue Line)

What happens when a pro skater and a Michelin Chef get together to create the perfect burger… You get 720 of awesomeness. It took them 2 years to get to the right recipe and what a great product it is. A short 4-minute walk from Grand Station-Blue Line, the place has a nice selection of beers and monitors showing skating action. It is a small place, but when the only dish is their signature burger for sure the wait is worth it.

They made ordering food very simple, just one burger available the NADC burger and fries. If you dare and ask to make your own burger this will be the response “NADC” (Not A Damn Chance). The NADC is a Double patty of 100% Texan Ranch wagyu beef, American cheese, secret sauce, onions, pickles, slightly tamed jalapeños. The Smash-burger has the right level of messiness, with the selection of toppings delivering a huge Umami bomb of flavor. When your menu has only one main entree and the place is full, you found a winner place.

3. DIEGO (OFF Grand & Ogden Bus Stop)

Before Smash-burger was a thing, there was the big burger patty. Diego one of the best Bar and Restaurant in West Town has a good burger to offer. During the summer the place has a nice outdoor patio, where you can sip some good drinks while enjoying music. Easy to get there by Train or Bus. One nice feature is the great Chicago Skyline if you walk 5 minutes in Ogden.

Their burger is called the TJ, a good size single patty with melted onion, pickled jalapeños, white cheddar, and a mayo macha salsa. Diego gets this burger right with a nice combination of ingredients plus a nice seasoned patty. The meat is delicious and the melted onions really adds a good element to the dish. You will find a good selection of beer on tap plus some Mexican favorites like Cerveza Victoria. They also specialize in cocktails and one of the favorites is the Flor Morada a Mezcal based drink.

Will continue the search for other great burgers, but don’t miss any of these places. Try them and have a great food experience in Chicago. If you have a great place for burgers, please share…

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Exploring the Best of Hong Kong in a weekend

Looking to have one last trip before moving out of Dubai and coming back to America, I decided to visit Hong Kong / Macau, these are the 2 Special Administrative regions of China. These territories were transferred from British and Portuguese control in 1997 and 1999 respectively. This designation provides high level of autonomy to both places, and it was designed as a path to integration to China in 50 years. They have their own currency, government, and immigration policies; something that will create good debate as we come closer to the 50-year mark.

Now, sharing some of my highlights about Hong Kong. You will find 7.4 million people living in an area of about 1,100 square KM (Puerto Rico has 9,000 square KM) making it the 4^th most densely populated area in the world and the city with the most Skyscrapers. Their public transportation system is massive including Subway, Tram, Ferries, Buses, and even a system of escalators that has been given the tittle of the biggest in the world. 90% of the daily trips are done in some type of public transportation.

Hong Kong is always in constant movement…

You can easily move from the airport to the city by train and be in the heart of the city in 30 minutes, once you are there the blend of old and new is incredible, in my case I went first to Macau by bus from Hong Kong international and took the ferry from Macau to Hong Kong after exploring the other Chinese SAR (wait for a post on Macau later). The Ferry from Macau is also a very convenient mode of transportation and drop you in the middle of the city, from there you can either walk or get transportation to your hotel. I stayed at the Mira Moon Hotel, great location to get from the airport and to go exploring the city. You will also enjoy the views from the room.

You always find Chinese characters along the city…

Want to share 5 things you must do if you are in Hong Kong for a couple of days, there are many other things, but I will say this can give you a good sense of the city. You need to remember that Hong Kong never sleeps so you will find activities around the clock, you will feel very secure around the city and would recommend the typical safety recommendations.

ENJOY THE HK SKYLINE FROM VICTORIA HARBOR

HK has an iconic and beautiful skyline, easily at the top of the list as one of the best in the world. It is magnificent to see during the day or the night, there are many points around Hong Kong to see and enjoy the views, one of the best ways is to take a ferry across Victoria Harbor and walk along the Avenue of Stars where you will have a great view of the Skyline, plus get to learn more about the huge number of celebrities HK has including the famous Martial Arts, Actor Bruce Lee. During the night you can go to a rooftop bar to enjoy the view at night and the daily show they have with music and lights.

2. SEE HK SKYSCRAPERS / SKYLINE FROM THE TOP

If you want to get a different perspective of the city and feel that you are on top of the world, then you can take the tram to The Peak in Victoria where you would enjoy an awe-inspiring view from Hong Kong. Once you get to the top, you can walk to the Peak Tower and spent some time above the Skyscrapers, here you will understand why Hong Kong is so dense with the huge number of buildings side by side. The views will vary depending on the weather you encounter that day, for me it was a so-so day, but you need to always enjoy the opportunities you have.

Only way to fill with more than 7 million people… Go Up!!!

3. VISIT A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN OR A TEMPLE

Hong Kong is more than buildings and the stock exchange, once you start walking and talking with local people you will understand a more real side, where tradition and history take center stage. I stopped at one of the most stunning places in HK, the Nan Lian Garden a Chinese classical garden in the middle of all the concrete jungle that will make you forget that you are in the Skyscraper capital of the world. Is here where you can re-connect with your inner self or spend time meditating, is a newer place but still provides great insights on the Chinese culture and the Yin yang philosophy.

Another place to visit is the Wong Tai Sin Temple, a 100-year-old place where locals go to get their prayers answered. It is a Taoism temple with focus on self-cultivation. If you go in the first 15 days January, you will see numerous visitors that got their prayers answered. Most of the visitors come to the temple in search for a spiritual answer; they light incense sticks, kneel before the main altar, make a wish, and shake a bamboo cylinder containing fortune sticks until a stick falls out. This stick is exchanged for a piece of paper bearing the same number, and then the soothsayer will interpret the fortune on the paper for the worshiper.

Full of People looking to get their wishes granted…

4. WALK AROUND THE CITY EXPLORE THE OLD AND NEW

HK is a very walkable city, ready for you to get lost; from walking across the markets and see locals buying their produce to visiting Lan Kwai Fong and have a drink in one of the many bars there is some much to see and enjoy. It was in Lan Kwai Fong that I met Joe another Boricua that was currently working there and is one of thousands of #boricuaslivingabroad making “patria” and showing the world what we are made of. One curious thing that I saw while walking around the city was that many buildings under construction use bamboo for their scaffolding, asking to one of the locals he said that the availability, weight and ease of use makes bamboo the perfect material for workers to work around the buildings while on construction.

There are good boricuas all over the world!!!

5. DINE AT A MICHELIN RESTAURANT OR TRY HK NATIONAL DISH

One of the best things of travel is trying their food, getting something to eat on the street or sitting at a fine dining place is a great opportunity to now more about their culture, ingredients and the people that live there. While searching what to eat in HK I found that Sweet and Sour pork is the national dish of this great city, with a quick search found Sang Kee, a restaurant with almost 50 years opened and winner of Bib Gourmand recognition. They have moved now to a fancier place, but the national dish is so simple that is the main reason it works; the sauce is tangy and full of flavor it has the right stickiness that helps get the right amount of rice in each bite. You must try this dish at any of the many places that serves it.

How you decide a place to eat when there are 79 Michelin restaurants, offering all kind of different foods. You search your soul, and I found Mono a restaurant owned by a Venezuelan Chef. In his restaurant he pays homage to his Latin American roots and serve top quality food. What a great choice for last dinner in HK, the food they prepare is superb, the way the team explain each dish and how they connect with you made it a night to remember. Please have that sourdough bread it is truly signature. They images talk by themselves…

Hong Kong might look and feel crazy based on the people density and walking through so many high rises, but after being there you can find space to breath and be on your own or connect with locals and learn about their life. Thanks for reading the post, please share it with your friends and sign in to receive our updates; also follow us on Instagram, and Facebook search for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD. Until next time….

Zihuatanejo… great beach town with a strong local vibe!!!

For the 2nd year in a row we decided to spend the last week of the year in a Mexican beach town, this year the reason was very different since the COVID affected our plans to see family in Puerto Rico. Zihua as the locals call it is located around 6hrs drive from Queretaro on the State of Guerrero a very fertile land located in the Pacific Coast. Very close is the more known Ixtapa also on Guerrero, is more focused on big resorts and you will have a less local experience.

We got a reservation via Airbnb for an apartment located within walking distance of the town center and with a great view of the Bay, the view was as great as advertised and the people living in the building were great, between locals and retired persons the building has great character. During the stay we had an issue with our beloved dog “Tina”, the people from the building and local veterinary were marvelous in supporting us during the incident. One more proof that the good ones are more everywhere we are. She is doing very well if you want to know!!!

The center of Zihua still looks very simple, kept very clean and you have tourist and locals in the restaurants, stores and pier all day long. There you can have some fresh seafood, buy your ticket to Playa Las Gata or talk with local fishermen to buy fresh fish to make at your apartment. One morning we had a great breakfast in Cafe Galerias the “huevos rancheros” very tasteful with a little bit of spice to get to a great start, we also tried “La Sirena Gorda” for lunch during our stay the Adobado fish very tasteful and the ceviche fresh. Definitely the Zihua center has alternative for the family with many alternatives to eat.

The standout of food in this trip for us was Letty´s restaurant it is very close to the town center, their specialty Coconut Shrimps. Their food was so great we went there multiple times to eat, a great thing of going to small towns is the closeness of service from the owners, Letty is a great woman with many years of experience in the kitchen, her cooking secrets are comparable to big international chefs. We were no fan of octopus but the way she prepares it makes it a gem. As many restaurants from around the world they are suffering from the slowdown in business, i hope that next time we are there we will have the great Coconut Shrimps.

If you go to Zihua it means you are going to the beach and here you will find a good number of them, we went only to a couple of them but they have similar experience: fun, great food, beers, sun and nice water. You get to the beaches in different transportation modes from walking, by car or public transportation to a small boat. The important thing is that you plan for the day since there are many activities to do and lots of places to eat, drink and be merry. I will share some insight from 2 beaches that for us were great

Las Gatas beach is located in front of the pier in ZIhua, to get there you need to take a small boat (cost $80 pesos both ways / $4USD). If you want to take a good place you need to arrive around 10:30AM and will guarantee some lounge chairs in front of the beach. Once you arrive you have many restaurants to choose from, we went to Otilia´s and the experience was good. Here the service was 5 star from a guy named Franco , the attention to detail was phenomenal and that made the day great. From heavy surge there are lot´s of rocks in the sand so you should bring shoes to be in the water

La Ropa beach is also in Zihua, this beach is bigger in size compared to Las Gatas. You can arrive by car or walking (30 minute walk from our place), here also you have multiple restaurant you can choose from and we went to La Perla, here the food was very good and the service from Jesus also phenomenal, they really made our days even better. In La Ropa you have many choices of water activities, you can get close to them and negotiate good prices from a Jet Ski to be launched in a Parachute to appreciate the bay. We feel pretty secure there, following common rules of security.

At night you can go to the many restaurants to eat and have a drink or if you have a great view get some food and have dinner by the moon. For us it was a full day of action and at night #chillax at the apartment.

As we close 2020, we hope that 2021 is a year were we can get to explore more, for me life is measured in the experiences you have and share, we still need to know lot´s of places in Mexico and I know 2021 will be a good year to continue our journey

As you know the idea of the blog is to share a little bit of how we see Mexico, and the great places and people they have. If you just read it forward to your friends and sign in to receive our updates about how you can enjoy Mexico as much as we have done. Follow us on instagram, or facebook look for #BORICUASLIVINGABROAD . Until next time….

Looking for something different to eat in Mexico try the “Aguachile”… Enjoy these Pacific delicacy …

Now that we are on our 5th year in Mexico, many of the local food flavors and recipes are part of our day to day life at home. During the first few years eating “picante” was more done outside our home, maybe in a restaurant or a friend house, we did like some of it but were always cautious of the level of heat in the food. With my travel across Mexico I have learned to enjoy “picante” food and began cooking some of the dishes at home, today is normal to have many type of chiles in our fridge. I will have to admit that now it is mandatory to put some Jalapeño peppers in my burgers or a homemade salsa with chile Serrano while doing a BBQ, tolerance has increased a lot since we first got here!!!

Here some types of chile: Manzanero, Cuaresmeño, Serrano, Habanero ( Ranked by hot level)

One of the dishes I have come to enjoy a lot is the “Aguachile”, is the mexican version of the ceviche. The main difference is that it is always HOT!!!! In reality the hotter the better…. One of the best peppers to use in the “Aguachile” is the habanero, the level of hotness mixed with other ingredients like mango makes it for a wonderful culinary experience. We have tried a couple of recipes and my favorite is the Mango/Habanero Shrimp “Aguachile”, it is a great dish with a very cold beer at your side. There are many other recipes, like a Green “Aguachile” made with a white fish like the Snapper and Chile Serrano. Picture of both below.

Mango / Habanero “Aguachile” Great mix of flavors with the big kick of hot

In Mexico City you can try this dishes in one of the many seafood specialty restaurants, also in Queretaro we have various restaurants but having the experience of eating were it all begin is wonderful. Some of the places i have tried are in Mazatlan “El Cuchupetas” and in Culiacan “El Que Ceviche” also there is a Mexican chain called Cabanna, the quality of their product is excellent and their service superb ( In Mexico City that would be the place for you to go)

“Aguachile verde” The Chile Serrano mixed with the green tomatoes and cucumber really drive the flavor

The current contingency has made us stay at home, but when the new normal arrive be prepared and go to the local restaurants and spend in the small business across Mexico, order an “Aguachile” with a cold beer and enjoy being outside with your family and friends.

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Mexico cuisine is more than tacos… Still the taco is champ!!!

If you ask 100 different people in Mexico their favorite dish, you can get 100 different answers. Mexico extensive land and climates provide a huge pallet of flavors and texture in their food. The other key element in their food is the wide variety of peppers from mild to extremely hot, it is important to say that in order to enjoy Mexican food it is mandatory to use their salsa made with peppers. For me is key the freshness of their ingredients, today they have hundreds of open air markets were you can get vegetable, fruits, meats that go directly to their cuisine. I will share my experience of “el mercado” in another post.

“El mercado” is an experience that every one needs to have in Mexico

If you ask for my favorite dish it would be almost impossible to just select one, but for the exercise I would tell you that the “Cochinita Pibil” would take the number 1 place, it is a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish from the Yucatán Peninsula. Preparation of traditional “cochinita” involves marinating the meat in strongly acidic citrus juice, seasoning it with annatto seed which imparts a vivid burnt orange color, and roasting the meat while it is wrapped in banana leaf.

The best way to try Mexico food is thru a buffet, we found one in a trip to Guadalajara (more to come about these beautiful city) the price was around $20 USD per person and had more than 100 different options, see the photos below from one of our trips. On Sundays many hotels and restaurants have their own Mexican buffet, give a try to food made on the spot …

Buffet from Santo Coyote in Guadalajara, you will find many buffets like these all across Mexico on Sundays

Cochinita can be served in many ways: Tacos, With beans, As a sandwich but my favorite is the “Panucho” (Corn Tortillas filled with mashed black beans, cochinita pibil , topped with purple onion and habanero sauce), the secret is that the tortillas are fried before putting all other ingredients.

Best place to try “Cochinita” in Mexico City / Panuchos in the making

The great thing about Mexican food is you can enjoy a simple “Taco de Canasta” from a lady in a street to a tasting menu from Pujol one of the best restaurants in the world, one in front of the other. The alternative are endless and for every budget and taste buds. I will try and cover different foods and places in my posts, also will share a list of places we have enjoy thru the years in the Food section.

I hope this brief introduction have set you up for a culinary trip across Mexico, give a try to their cuisine and taste the large variety of foods from Seafood to local produced meat, from local fruits to the more than 100 hundred different peppers to make a salsa.

Continue enjoying our blog as we share our stories of #boricuaslivingabroad .