The Streets and San Man's Guide to Chicago Eats [Paperback]

Dennis Foley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

Midwest Independent Publishers Association - First Place - Humor Book Award

Midwest Independent Publishers Association - Honorable Mention - Midwest Regional Interest Book Award

Winner of 2 Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Awards!
1st Place--Humor
Honorable Mention--Regional

Tongue-in-Cheek Style.
Food-in-Mouth Expertise.

Prepare for the Total Chicago Lunch Experience.

So here's my scoop. I work for the City of Chicago. You might have seen me out on the road before, or at least one of my co-workers. We drive around the city all day in those blue vehicles marked 'City of Chicago, Department of Streets and Sanitation.' Now ask any Streets and San guy what he truly enjoys most, and the answer will be--lunch. That's right--lunch. Any reasonably intelligent Streets and San guy will map out his day according to where he wants to eat lunch.

I've been driving these city streets for many a year now, and as such I know where some of the best food joints are. No, I'm not talking about those expensive, high-falootin' places. See, Streets and San guys are bargain hunters--and we're not real big on fighting off high cholesterol either. This handy guide highlights some of our favorite eating spots, places where you will not only get a good bite to eat at a good price, but places where you can taste some of the culture our neighborhoods have to offer at the very same time.

Whether you're a native Chicagoan or a tourist, on the Southeast Side or the Northwest Side, in the mood for rib tips or a combo, I'll help you find a place to satisfy your mid-day cravings according to the strict standards of the City of Chicago's Department of Lunch.

Enjoy and eat big.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is based on a simple premise: Who better to advise you on where to grab a tasty, affordable midday meal in Chicago's neighborhoods than people who consider lunch to be the highlight of the work day? You always assumed this was true, but Foley confirms it in enough detail that, tongue-in-cheek or not, you will be more than tempted to take his dining tips. --Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-Times<br /><br />The former electrician for the city's Department of Streets and Sanitation has become a local icon since releasing The Streets and San Man's Guide to Chicago Eats. --Robert Elfinger, Chicago Tribune<br /><br />The reviews are informative and insightful. They can also be downright outrageous. Foley pokes fun at all things Chicago. --Memphis Commercial Appeal

The former electrician for the city's Department of Streets and Sanitation has become a local icon since releasing The Streets and San Man's Guide to Chicago Eats. --Robert Elfinger, Chicago Tribune

The reviews are informative and insightful. They can also be downright outrageous. Foley pokes fun at all things Chicago. --Memphis Commercial Appeal

About the Author

Dennis Foley, a lifelong Chicagoan, is an electrician for the City of Chicago's Streets and Sanitation Department. He received his MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College, and his work has appeared in Poetry Motel, Hair Trigger 22, Hair Trigger 23, Block's Magazine, Gravity, The Beverly Review, The Villager, The Ever Dancing Muse, and Life Stories—a casebook in the first person. Dennis has also taught English composition at Richard J. Daley College, and currently coaches basketball at his alma mater, St. Laurence High School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Lake Claremont Press (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893121275
• ISBN-13: 978-1893121270
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,390,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Travel > United States > Illinois > Chicago

More About the Author

Welcome to mayhem. In The Drunkard's Son, award-winning Chicago author Dennis Foley tells the powerful and humorous story about growing up on Chicago's South side in the 1960s and '70s, a time of strife that also found his family running head on into an endless series of roadblocks. This memoir, featuring a young, wise-beyond-his-years narrator, received rave reviews from the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and other local media upon its release in May of this year.

The odd agents who weave their way across Dennis' pages make for a fantastic read. While the book is filled with a number of sad stories reminiscent of Angela's Ashes, Dennis' humorous stories bring good balance to this work. The strengths and weaknesses of the City of Chicago are seen through the eyes of this young narrator. These are the stories of Chicago's neighborhoods, corner taverns, families, and the quirky people who inhabit all of these.

Dennis holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College-Chicago and a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. His first book, The Street's and San Man's Guide To Chicago Eats, won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association Book Awards--1st Place for Humor. Happily married to Susan, Dennis is also the proud father of Matt, Pat, and Mike. The Foley clan resides in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great places to eat--and funny too June 6, 2004

By Pat Riley

Format:Paperback

I just picked up the Streets and San Man's Guide and I read it in one sitting. If you are a Chicagoan, this book is a must. He serves up a bunch of neighborhood eateries (diners, pubs, fast food joints) where the price is right and the grub is good. And what's better than that is the Streets and San Man's tone: the guy is funny as hell. I drove to a few of the detours he provides and they were great. The Big Chief detour was hysterical. I went to one of the eateries the other day for lunch (T's Tap) and it was just like the Streets and San Man said it was. The food was good, cheap, and the people were nice. Foley has a winner here.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A no-nonsense guide to the tastiest places in Chicago August 7, 2004

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

The Streets & San Man's Guide To Chicago Eats is a no-nonsense guide to the tastiest places in Chicago to grab a bite. Each brief restaurant listing offers a rating for food quality, address and phone number, directions, and a sumptuous summary of the quality of food to be found therein. A selection of coupons good until December 2006 rounds out this useful and handy reference for travelers and Chicago natives alike.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheap Chicago Food Places July 20, 2010

By Darlene Ruh

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun, interesting guide to Chicago eats from those who like the hidden places to dine.