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Review: Paramount Room
"You like taking pictures", the man asked, as we set to the task of chronicling this week's "cheap eats."
"Yes, sir", we answered.
"You with the city?"
"No, sir."
"You with the building commission?"
"No, sir."
"Then why are you taking pictures?"
"Because I like to take pictures of places that serve good food. You serve good food here?"
The man smiled and answered, "Yes, sir. I do"
The man is Agustin Bahena, whose family runs Fogata Village Restaurant, a Pilsen restaurant that proudly claims to specialize in both Mexican and Italian cuisine. And not in a pizza joint kind of way, either. We're talking healthy comfort food, like chiles rellenos and chicken parmigiana side-by-side on the menu. Glancing at the array of third-party political endorsements, neighborhood activist group announcements, and Socialist Party flyers in the windows, Chicagoist can completely understand why we were subject to the third degree, even if we weren't necessarily dressed to look like a city worker. We were in Pilsen to pick up some tres leches cakes at BomBon Bakery and were feeling a bit peckish, so we decided to skip the carnitas shops and try out Fogata Village, mainly out of curiosity. But we'd also heard that they had an excellent daily lunch buffet for $8.99 (from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.). When you're budgeting, $8.99 can go a long way.
It ain't bragging if you can back it up. With that in mind, Fogata Village delivers the goods. We filled our plate with chips, navy beans with ham chunks, rice, spicy tilapia nuggets, chicken breast patties, and fresh melon slices. This was complemented with a bowl of spicy chicken soup and one of the largest cappucinos we've ever had for two dollars. The layout of the floor is comfortable and inviting, with artwork adroning exposed brick walls, dark hardwood floors, and funky track lighting.
We had such a good experience at Fogata Village that we plan on returning for dinner very soon. Fogata Village is located at 1820 S. Ashland. They open at 8 a.m. daily, close at 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 10:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The phone number is 312-850-1702. If you take pictures, make sure you introduce yourself first.
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why is it only South Side Cheap Eats? Last time I checked there was a North Side and a West Side still represented on the Chicago flag.
Someone make a note...Weds. October 11th at 9:27 AM: Chicagoist is accused of too much South Side coverage.
Mike, we've got two new writers coming on to cover other areas of the city. Watch the site in the coming weeks for more food coverage.
I like the South Side Cheap Eats reviews. They break up the monotony of the hip Wicker Park/Lakeview restaurant reviews.
Mike, lucky for you, this is West side cheap eats.
sounds tasty. but, honestly, "chicken parmigiana" and "healthy" being used in the same sentence? now that's just crazy talk.
South Side Cheap Eats ROCKS!
Still waiting (patiently) for an episode of South of 95th St Cheap Eats.
Think Calumet Fisheries, Wonderburger, Janson's, Beggar's (blue island but close enough), I-57 BBQ, Calabria...
Seconded!
I can live without reviews of overpriced Wick/coln Park joints that are already covered in the reader and everywhere else anyway.
Where's Wicker Park?
awesome... and in walking distance!
I was asked the same question this morning as I snapped a photo of my SMORE BANANA PANCAKES at Bongo Room II, it was with my Motorola Q, but I'll tag it "chicagoist" anyway, go have a look!
Mike: It's called "South Side Cheap Eats" for one simple reason: south side eats is my primary beat.As far as the city flag is concerned, I only care about the bottom blue and white stripes. As Scott said, stay tuned.
NSH: Was just down in Beverly a few weeks back, and was planning on Janson's ntil hunger pangs got the best of us and we ate at the Original Pancake House instead. Mitigating factor: we stopped at Cork & Kerry for a beer on the way back.
Everyone else: thanks for the feedback.
Chuffed to buggery, carry on!
We south siders got your back Chuck. Keep the south side cheap eats articles coming!
BTW, I love the exchange with the owner -
"Then why are you taking pictures?"
"Because I like to take pictures of places that serve good food. You serve good food here?"
The man smiled and answered, "Yes, sir. I do"
Classic.
Thank you for profiling a terrific cheap eats place in Pilsen. We've been going for years and owners Sr and Sra Bahena could not be a nicer couple. I love their huevos a la mexicana, homemade corn tortillas, and delicious cappuccinos and fresh-squeezed orange juice; friends swear by the chilaquiles verdes. It's more than worth the drive from the N side!