Instagram story viewer> @alt.erst> Posts
Brian Erst(@alt.erst)'s profile avatar HD Profile

Brian Erst

@alt.erst

59
followers
44
following
Alternate account for @brianerst
This account will be for non-pizza posts - street art, food finds, things I find funny.
POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED
Potato wedges and pork skewers @thealleycatchicago I originally came to check out the Stray Chef Sunday series - tonight was an au poivre burger by Siegel Bayer of @bar_berria but the hungry hordes of Chicago ate the whole batch before I got there - sold out in 30 minutes! Fortunately, @pepperonitonie makes some great bar bites. The potato wedges are an elevated version of his fried potatoes, which are some of my favorite things in Chicago. And the pork skewers have the perfect amount of fat to keep them juicy and yummy - plus the tamarind glaze is a knockout. Highly recommend the Alley Cat - good tunes, good bar, good vibes in a gorgeous space. taken in The Alley Cat Chicago by @alt.erst
0
a day ago
Download
The Shorty’s Smash @shortys312 Just a quick note - stopped in with my son to check out the smash burgers at Shorty’s 312 - a popup at @deserthawkbar The burger itself was fabulous - they really nail the smashed crispy frico of both the beef and the cheese skirt and it was incredibly well seasoned. The side of fries was also excellent My one complaint (and this is a me thing, not a strong recommendation) was that the giardiniera aioli tasted like chunky giard mixed in mayo. It didn’t seem cohesive and was slightly offputting to me - I think folding in finely chopped giard or even better @jpgraziano hot muffuletta mix would send it to the next level and feel like an aioli. But really, minor quibble - overall a fantastic burger and hopefully the first of many (although my homies down the block at @thealleycatchicago might get jealous) taken in Desert Hawk by @alt.erst
3
22 days ago
Download
Sitting in the 6th floor interior courtyard of @thenational.chicago eating your takeout shawarma doesn’t suck taken in The National 1907 Historic Burnham-Design by @alt.erst
2
3 months ago
Download
Steak (Asada) and Al Pastor tacos @npasanada57 Finally managed to get to No Pasa Nada, an amazing little taco stand in the driveway of an automobile repair shop. Owner and head grill master Isaac Jauregui make just a few kinds of tacos (steak, pastor and veggie) plus quesadillas and and a steak and pastor burrito. Horchata, sodas and “fresh water” round out the menu. I was confused for a moment until it finally dawned on me that it was agua fresca - a little slow on the uptake. Isaac’s buddy and and coworker gave me a sample of the mango fresh water - tasty! I mean, hard to go wrong with mango and lime. Very traditional - it wasn’t as highly sweetened or concentrated as some more Americanized versions. The tacos themselves were great. The steak comes with a scoop of avocado and the pastor has caramelized pineapple mixed with the marinated pork. That pork is nice and crispy from being cooked on a charcoal trompo (think of a gyro machine but with charcoal baskets for heat). Every culture that has adapted this vertical spit (Turkish and Lebanese doner, Greek gyros, Mexican al Pastor) have adapted them to their local meats and flavors. When Lebanese immigrants came to Mexico, they brought doner with them and switched to pork and local flavors of chilis, Mexican oregano and achiote. Which one had the idea to add a pineapple on top to hold the meat down was a genius - it caramelizes in the heat and adds a delicious sweetness and acidity. The steak/asada is grilled on a regular charcoal grill (they were grilling up more as I ate in the covered patio). Also delicious. Three salsas - aguacate/avocado, rojo and what I’m guessing was negra. I’ll leave it to my buddy @chibbqking to decide where it falls on the pantheon of pastor in Chicago but I for one was very happy. I talked briefly with Isaac about life and food. He and I share a similar outlook - you get back what you put out there. Be a positive force and good things come back, put out negativity and it will return to you. His version in Spanish was more mellifluous than mine. 😃 Great stuff, great people (the young woman taking my order was a delight as well), great story. Go and get some tacos. taken in Mayfair by @alt.erst
2
5 months ago
Download
The obligatory Viet Dip sandwich at @phodega As this has became the new hotness in Chicago foodie twitter, I stopped by Phodega with my son Duncan tonight to try it out along with some other items on the menu. The Dip is very tasty - the star anise scented pho broth brings a whole different flavor experience than the standard French Dip. But don’t be fooled by people calling this a South East Asian Italian Beef - it is not that. Definitely French Dip territory - apropos for the former French colony. The pork belly banh mi was quite good as well - crunchy veggies somewhat overwhelmed the marinated pork belly but flavors and textures were great. Star of the show were the salt and pepper chicken skins, though. On their own, a little rich but the sambal-ish dipping sauce that came with it elevated it to elite territory. This isn’t blow out your sinuses sambal - mellow heat, a little acid and pepper forward flavor perfectly cut the rich fattiness of the super crispy skins. Rounded out with an Ube cookie (cakes but moist - texture is the draw as the flavor is muted) and a pomegranate and blood orange @sanpellegrino_us made it a perfect April al fresco meal. taken in Phodega by @alt.erst
0
6 months ago
Download
The Purcell Murals outside of Chloride AZ It’s a bit of a stretch to call this “street art” considering you have to go off-roading halfway up a mountain on a winding dirt and boulder path for over a mile outside of the nearest town (which is itself very small and quirky), but it is art painted onto a surface not owned by the artist on the side of a “road”, so I’ll allow it. The Purcell Murals were painted by artist Roy Purcell in 1966. He was working on a master’s degree in fine arts but worked as a miner in the Cerbat Mountains that summer to pay for school. At some point, with some local encouragement, he decided to to paint a massive 2000 foot mural called The Journey. It is very much of its era (think Carlos Castenada style outsider art) - full of indigenous symbolism in that outsider psychedelic style that was popular for a few years in the late 60s/early 70s. Roy came back 40 years later to touch them up, so the colors are still vibrant. Fascinating look at an era and an art style that had a brief moment in the sun before largely being forgotten. I was wandering all about the mountain, getting different perspectives and angles when a loud, unfriendly growl/purr came from some nearby bushes. I took that as a sign to skeedaddle considering there was no cell reception and you couldn’t even see the nearest town. Chloride itself is a odd place - whatever mining still exists obviously does t really support a community well, so there are a few “antique” shacks, some rusted art, a scattering of motorhomes inside yards filled with all sorts of unusual motor vehicles in various states of decay, what looks to be a “western town” complete with “gunfights” (it was hard to tell if this was still a going concern - certainly not that month or maybe even year). But it weirdly had a quite nice playground park and a hotel/restaurant combo - for who, I have no idea but theee you go. taken in Chloride Murals by @alt.erst
0
7 months ago
Download
The Saguaro Theater in Wickenburg AZ What is my alt account for if not for my alternate obsessions? Along with street art (more of that soon) and vintage signage (ditto), I’m huge fan of the movie palaces (large and small) built in the first half of the 20th Century. If I ever win the Megamillions or Powerball, high on my priority list (apart for making sure my family is set for life) would be restoring the Uptown Theatre in Chicago (spousal approval required). But until then, I will settle for seeing small community theaters that survived the multiplex takeover of the business. The Saguaro is one such survivor. Originally built in 1948 as a 300+ seat, square screened movie house, it was the first theater built by Red Harkins outside of Phoenix. Red sold the theatre to local investors after a few years and concentrated on growing out his business in Phoenix, where it is the dominant local chain to this day. Once widescreen movies became the norm, the screen had to be pulled forward and the seating was dropped to the current 240 seats. The theater did fall on hard times in the 1970s (closing for a while) before being purchased and renovated with new comfy seats with cup holders. They switched to digital projection back in 2012 or 14 which brought in a new projectionist who could understand the new technology. That projectionist is now the manager and he graciously gave me a little tour and history lesson. They are showing first run movies as well as classics (go see Project Hail Mary there now - it’s a first run movie destined to be a classic). Great to see survivors continuing to entertain future generations. by @alt.erst
0
7 months ago
Download
A few scoops of @capannariswholesale ice cream and more @mannysdeli It’s embarrassing to me that I’ve lived in Chicago as long as I have and have only been to Manny’s a few times. I have had sandwiches and soup from there many times (working in the Loop we’d occasionally order from there) but even though it’s convenient with free parking to my downtown office, I keep forgetting to go. It’s doubly embarrassing that my first post is not about going there for food but because I had just gone to @haires_gulf_shrimp and walked right past it. And when circling back to at least soak in the aura, I saw a sign for Chicago’s best ice cream, Mount Prospect’s seasonal only Capannari’s. It’s amazing stuff - dense, chewy, packed with flavors and mix-ins. The sea salt caramel (more of a butterscotch) is life changing. You cannot get better ice cream in Chicagoland. And here it was at Manny’s. To hide my shame at going to Manny’s and only getting ice cream, I ordered a quart of matzoh soup to go and a potato pancake. They called it a latke too but it is not - it’s a pancake with potato. Good but not a latke. (Potato, onion, butter - that’s it in a latke) My final embarrassments? I’m still posting primarily about the ice cream and will undoubtedly end up here more often because it’s here. I’m a bad, bad Chicagoan. taken in Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen by @alt.erst
0
8 months ago
Download
Haire’s Gulf Shrimp in the South Loop(next to @mannysdeli ) A Twitter interaction with @chibbqking got me off my ass and my IG hiatus to go to Haire’s which to my mind is the best shrimp in Chicago. (Titus is a Heinie’s partisan but everyone is allowed to be wrong occasionally). I was ready to head down to 75th and Vincennes when I learned that Haire’s had a second location in the South Loop. A lot easier to get to! And while you can take the shrimp away from Vincennes, you can’t take Vincennes away from the restaurant- same bulletproof and robbery proof glass setup here too. Manny’s is right next door! This is not an area lacking in police presence, 🤣 The bonus of this spot is he entire kitchen area can be viewed behind the glass, so I got a front row view of the process. Fresh shrimp, properly butterflies and deveined, tossed lightly in dry breading and then deep fried to order. As the coating is light and dry, the shrimp cook quickly, leaving them plump and juicy but with plenty of crisp. Chicago style shrimp sucks - uncleaned shrimp are entombed in a thick batter and then fried until they are rubbery. The batter is usually poorly seasoned and thicker than the shrimp, so it all comes across as bland if crunchy slightly gross seafood. It always tastes off to me - likely from sodium tripolyphosphate, a full digestive tract and less than stellar food handling. Haire’s on the other hand is fresh, sweet perfection. The Loop location is less salty than at Vincennes - hitting somewhere in between would make it perfection. But really, this is the best shrimp in Chicago. Go and get you some! taken in South Loop, Chicago by @alt.erst
4
8 months ago
Download
Exclusive Maine donut content at @frostysdonutsmaine Must tag @scottverschoor - critical intelligence on Maine breakfast pastries! So far, I’ve been to three donut shops in Maine. I’ve been somewhat thwarted by limited days and hours after the tourist season, so I’ve only been able to get three non-Dunkin shops. #shoplocal The Holy Donut seems to be the most popular (it’s a mini chain) with all week hours. It’s also by far the worst - stodgy, flavorless donuts that feel like you’re eating a pastry-fied Play-Doh. Ruckus Donuts was a fluke (open on an off day) and although it’s was fancy and had a fascinating elderberry glaze and compote, we’re just solid, not amazing. Third time’s the charm! I can confidently say that Frosty’s donuts are the best donuts you’ll find on the Maine coast. They are so very good. This is an old school donut shop (look at that spectacular building) that isn’t trying to wow you with fancy donuts (although they do have a few less usual flavors) but just knocking you out on execution. To say these donuts were perfectly fried would be an understatement- not a lick of grease but still unmistakably fried and fried well. The cake donuts are phenomenal - they have a fine but tender crumb that feels like good cake. Moist, crispy, with the proper level of density that they don’t feel “empty” inside. I bought a strawberry frosted and a chocolate frosted old fashioned - both were terrific. They are known for their large twisted yeasted donut that kinda looks like a whale - once again, moist, well fried with a light but substantial bite - they don’t disappear like Krispy Kremes. If I’m going to dock them points it’s probably on the strawberry frosting - it’s good but lacked deep strawberry flavor. It’s the type of strawberry frosting you’d expect on a Homer donut and is true to the type, but I’d add about 1/4 cup of dehydrated strawberry powder to a batch and bump that flavor up a notch. But that’s a quibble. Come to Frosty’s in Brunswick, ME and get some donuts if you want to be happy. Nice staff, gorgeous building and a donut maker who knows what he’s doing. #donuts #timetomakethedonuts🍩 #truemaine taken in Frosty's Donuts by @alt.erst
0
a year ago
Download
The clam chowdah at Gilbert’s Chowder House in Portland, Maine After a fun excursion to see Fort Scammell (a Third System Maritime Port commissioned by the US Army in the lead up to the Civil War), we docked right next to Gilbert’s Chowder House, where Julie and I and a few people from the boat ended up sharing a table. The two other men got the Seafood Chowder (fancy with lobster claw, crab, haddock and clams) while I got the clam chowder. There was a period of time when clam chowder was my soup of choice but a series of bad ones soured me on them. It’s probably been 5-7 years since I last had one. So I can’t honestly compare but I can definitely say that this one was excellent. The base was delicious and well seasoned with bacon and clam broth, the clam were cut fine (the way I like them - I don’t want big bellied clams in my chowder) and the potato was plentiful and perfectly cooked. Honestly one try of the best things I’ve had in Maine, and washed down with a Capt’n Eli’s root beer (brewed in Portland). Very satisfying lunch. Julie had the BL-T (no tomatoes for her) and enjoyed it. Highly recommended with a nice port side deck (not a huge view but you are by the water) taken in Gilbert's Chowder House Portland by @alt.erst
0
a year ago
Download
Continuous Maine Donut content exclusively for @scottverschoor @ruckusdonuts in Rockwell, ME After the fiasco of the stodgy Maine potato donut last time, I tried to go to the other donut shop in town (Frosty’s) but they were closed as were most donut shops (apparently once the season is over, donut shops go down to 3-4 days a week - which is crazy to me). As Julie and I were going up to Acadia National Park for a day trip, we took Route 1 (the ocean drive, although you don’t see a lot of ocean on it as Maine’s coast is essentially an endless fractal set of peninsulas). We entered the town of Rockwell, which styles itself as Maine’s art and music capital. We stopped for a bite at a local bakery (Atlantic Bakery, quite good - the sandwiches looked awesome) and then decided to do a “quick” trip thru town (60 minutes later…). One of the first things we came across was Ruckus Donuts, which was supposed to be closed (I had checked for donut shops along the way and it was listed as closed). But apparently a huge flotilla of tourists were hitting the town and the owner decided to open for the day. Lady Luck was on our side! These were fancy donuts - all sorts of toppings, fillings and such. But the one that caught my eye was the Elderberry donut - quite a looker and apparently only made every few years as he can’t source elderberries consistently. (I gather they are foraged) I have a story about elderberry wine that’s too long to get into but was happy to see it. But he had some on hand and made a couple that day and we got the last one. Fun donut - raised, yeasty donut with elderberry glaze and elderberry compote. I’d say elderberry lands somewhere between cranberry and raspberry in the flavor department - has a little of that cranberry bitterness but rounded out with raspberry. Very good donut. Scott would approve. taken in Ruckus Donuts by @alt.erst
0
a year ago
Download

Download All

Save the photos and videos currently loaded on this page.

0Photos
0Videos
Ready to download 0 / 0

Keep this tab open until your download is ready.
back to up