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The other day in Extra, Extra, we pointed to a story about Amante Enad, who was cited by the Village of Wheeling for roasting pigs in his backyard. Enad argued he was simply preparing lechon -- "roast pork" -- in traditional Filipino style, and was donating the pigs to his church. It seems this porker prosecution has sparked the attention of a libertarian group, the Philippines Consulate General of Chicago, and even the ACLU is taking a break from aiding terrorists and persecuting poor Christians to look into the matter. Is the future of backyard weenie roasts in peril?
"He should have the freedom to roast as many pigs on his property as he wants as long as he doesn't harm anything in his neighborhood," said Izzy Santa, press secretary for theSam Adams Alliance, a Chicago-based non-profit libertarian organization that offered Enad legal assistance, media training or other help.
But while the Tribune story seems to tell a tale of village officials run amok, the Daily Herald presents a different side to the story. It appears Enad's setup was a bit more elaborate than a backyard BBQ -- at one point he had up to five roasters going at the same time, and last year he admitted to selling the pigs to pay for his kid's college tuition. Then in November, inspectors questioned a market owner about a roast pig for sale, who claimed it was from Enad. Enad is sticking by his assertion that the pigs were for his church.
But [Village Manager Mark] Rooney and [director of economic development for Wheeling James] Lang said the village never intended to stop anyone cooking for their church or any other religious organization."We're not the barbecue police," Lang said. "It essentially was a catering business in the guy's garage."
To run such a business, Lang said, Enad would need a license and to submit to inspections. Rooney said the village is not trying to trample on Enad's cultural freedoms.
Now we have the hankerin' for some crispy pig skin and tender pork -- where's the best lechon in the city?
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I just watched Rick Bayless cook a pig in his backyard subterrainian fire vault - I doubt he has a permit for that either. Maybe we could just sell Pig Roaster permits for Todd Stroger. While we are at it, urban chicken licenses may be a good idea to.
"While we are at it, urban chicken licenses may be a good idea to."
Why stop there? Why not just require licenses to roast chicken, beef, pork, vegetables, etc.? Charging per type of item roasted will, Toddo, bring in more revenue since most people don't just roast one thing.
I don't know if there is lechon there, but there is a really authentic Filipino restaurant up near Ravenswood Manor. The front is a grocery store; in the back is a little restaurant and buffet with Filipino food. Not much for ambience (at all) but judging by the number of old Filipinos I saw there, I bet it is the real deal.
Joy & James Cafe, or maybe Isla Pilipina. I haven't been recently, but I'd also check Uni-Mart.
If you're looking for lechon, I think the Joy & James Cafe would have it. I like Isla Pilipina. And though I haven't been recently, but I'd also check Uni-Mart.
I wonder if Filipino style lechon is the same as Puerto Rican style lechon. I assume the seasonings might be a little different but I dunno. I know there's supposed to some great places to get lechon around Humboldt Park. If I were still in Chicago, I'd head over there and just start asking around.
Ha! I loved the phrase: "porker prosecution"!
Yeah, I might be upset if my neighbor was outside every day with five pig roasters going in his backyard. The guy is clearly selling them for profit and thus should have a permit. Unless you all are fine with potentially getting botulism or something because this guy is not being held to any food safety standards and secretly selling meat to your favorite neighborhood Filipino market.
@Jasmine:
My best friend in high school turned me on to Filipino food a while back and I've been looking all over it on the north side for some time now.
Are those places CTA accessible, or at least in city limits? My buddy Manuel says all the ones he knows of are in the burbs.
I'm a boarderline Libertarian, but even I'm with the village of Wheeling (and thirdshiftdave) on this one. Multiple pigs = guy needs a permit. Be realistic. Wheeling is not anti-BBQ.
Oh come on people, Wheeling sucks!
How do I know this? Well I will not confirm or deny rumors that Le Spook was crazy enough to date a woman out there, which is forbidden in the anti suburban women dating clause, but I can say that Wheeling zuuucks like Zima beer.
What kinda town has an old army tank as its symbol, parked on the road side!?! And a really bad faux Cajun joint! Those glue sniffing republi-creatures make SpookHatesPuppies sound like Aristotle!
ANY type of BBQ preparation has to be protected somewhere in the Constitution! To infringe upon this sacred RIGHT is not only anti American but flies in the face of the Universal Deceleration of Human Rights!
But my beef with lechon is that even in Humboldt
Park and Logan Square, it’s just not seasoned enough! What's up with the lack of hot spices!? Maybe the Filipinos do it better?