Metro Grill - Cheeseburger And Fries

Metro Grille - Chicago

I was in town during the Transworld Halloween show was in Chicago and made my hotel reservation with the Crowne Plaza. The Plaza is just a five minute walk to the convention center where the show is housed. Winning! Being in a suburb of Chicago and without a car, the dining experience was limited. The first night I opted for the hotel restaurant, the Metro Grille.

The restaurant was not crowded when we walked in. I recall perhaps ten people dining. Perhaps this wasn’t a wise choice. The hostess seated right away and brought us some water. A few minutes later our waitress took our order.

Cheeseburger And Fries

I went with a safe bet, a bacon cheeseburger and fries and a diet Coke. Like Indiana Jones, I choose wisely.
In about ten minutes my order was delivered to our table.

As you can see, it was a bacon cheeseburger. Upon further inspection, I noticed the bacon was not cooked completely. It was still fatty and greasy. I could overlook that if the rest of the burger was alright. A quick glance to my left to survey the french fries, which were well cooked and standard tasting, but seriously, if you can count the fries on your plate, the portion is small.

To the burger itself. The bun was fresh, lightly buttered and toasted. The beef was well cooked, well done as I specified. It was juicy with good flavor and the cheese melted added that extra touch. It wasn’t a big burger, certainly no half pounder, perhaps a little larger than a quarter pound, but no more. Nothing special, nothing terrible, just a typical burger.

The cost of this feast was $15 dollars without tip. Let’s see, uncooked bacon for a topping, a scant amount of french fries, a less than average size burger, for $15 dollars. It should have been set at around $10 dollars, no more.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2.25 out of 5 shots and only recommends Metro Grille Chicago for dinner for it’s convenience and proximity to my hotel. If you have a car, take the ride to plenty more options.

Back To Blue Plate Special Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Brasserie Restaurant – Angus Burger

New York Brasserie Bacon Cheeseburger

When in New York City, sometimes you don't have to leave your hotel to have a good tasting and affordable meal. One good example is the Times Square Crowne Plaza. Located at 49th and Broadway, the Brasserie restaurant sits inside the hotel. Attire is casual and it was busy, but not packed. Eating before 8pm in New York City helps as well.

We got seated quickly and the waitress brought out some bread and rolls and asked for our drink order. I ordered a Coke of course. A few minutes passed and our drinks arrived and we gave our waitress our dinner order. I asked her about the burgers and she said they were very good. I went with the Angus burger with bacon and cheese.

Shortly, my dinner platter arrived. It was exactly as ordered. The lettuce and tomato and onions on the side. Several toppings were also present. A generous portion of fries completed the meal.

The burger was hot, huge, juicy, and well cooked. The bacon wasn't your typical wimpy limpy slice but thick well cooked big slices. The cheese was a nice Monterrey Jack. The bun was fresh and warm. The taste was very good. The fries crunchy and hot. The cost was $16 dollars plus Coke.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends The Crowne Plaza Brasserie Restaurant Angus burger for dinner.

Back To Blue Plate Special Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

River Rock Deli – Pizza

River Rock

The River Rock Deli, inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois is a convenient choice for a fast dinner after a long day at the convention center. And with the Transworld Halloween show returning to Chicago in late February 2010, I will again be visiting.

River Rock Pizza

As stated earlier, the River Rock Deli is convenient. I ordered a large sausage and pepperoni pizza, cost was $12 dollars and a Coke. (Yes, this was before my Coke Zero switch) I paid the cashier and took one of the available seats. Twenty minutes later my order was called and I went to retrieve my pizza.
The pizza still came in a box, which I found strange, but hey, I'm not eating the box. (That sounded a little dirty) Of course the pizza was hot, the crust crunchy enough to support the weight of the cheese, sauce, and toppings. (I hate when you order a pizza and the crust is so thin and soggy that it just flops down and all the toppings fall off)

I only had three slices, because the other option, the small, was an 8 inch pizza that looked really small. The Pizza tasted good, nothing special, but not bland either as many pizza's can be.
The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3 out of 5 shots and recommends River Rock Deli for dinner.

                                           Back To Blue Plate Special Archives

Crowne Plaza Hotel Room Service – Cheeseburger And Chicken

Chicago Crowne Plaza Room Service

Sometimes when I'm on the road, I am just to tired to go out for dinner. At those times I rely on room service. Sometimes you get the bull, sometimes the bull gets you. Today, I got the bull. As in a side of beef.

I was in Chicago for a trade show and stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, just a quarter mile from the convention center. The flight was long and late. Tonight I would dine in room. I dialed up room service and ordered a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and an appetizer of chicken planks. And of course a Coke.

Twenty minutes later there was a knock at my door. My dinner had arrived. I signed and tipped and the waiter was on his way.

As you can see, the portions were huge. I underestimated the generosity of the Crowne. The bacon was crisp, thick, spicy, and hot. Three thick pieces covered the burger. The cheese was spicy and was also generous. The burger itself was a half pound of grade A beef. Perfectly cooked and juicy. The bun was lightly toasted and buttered. Combined, it was one hell of a cheeseburger.

On to the chicken planks. Lightly golden browned, crisp, tender chicken, with just the right spices. Very good. And let's not forget the fries. Very crisp, not soggy and undercooked. Very little grease present on them. And they were hot and very tasty.

All this for around $25 dollars with tip and room charge. Pretty damn good.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3.5 out of 5 shots and recommends the cheeseburger from the Crowne Plaza hotel in Chicago for dinner.

Back To Blue Plate Special Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL