carnitas snack shack

Carnitas Snack Shack, which recently opened off of University Ave. in North Park, is pretty close to perfect. They use local ingredients. They deliver. They're open until midnight. They're just around the corner. AND they have a giant metal pig on their roof. [did I mention the food is pretty incredible too?]

So far, I've tried the carnitas tacos [garnished with the traditional toppings and made to order - I ordered mine extra crispy] and the fries. After stalking their ever-changing daily menu, which is now a link on my bookmark bar, and impatiently waiting for something cheesy to be posted, today [finally] they had mac n' cheese. HOLY QUESO. It was made with the traditional elbow macaroni, combined a medley of different cheeses, potentially a bit of bacon grease or something that gave it that flavor and topped with chives. Talk about heaven.

I also tried the brussels sprouts, my new favorite veg, and they were quite tasty. a little spicy since they were made with serrano peppers, but the hint of lemon evened out the flavors.

{winner winner carnitas dinner!}

latest gems and by gems i mean work products

I kinda love my job. Getting paid to research the world's greatest cities and quaintest towns, the most popular attractions and pretty much planning my next vacation? Yeah I'd say it rocks. check out my latest articles below:

• European Food on Guided Tours - Best Bites!
• Scenic Cruise Vacations...See It To Believe It!

{stay tuned for some absurdly good weekend eatin'}

nutty tacos

continuing on with "inspired veganism," I whipped out an old favorite, an influence from one of my best friends, Hillary. when i visited her hometown, we went to an adorable all-natural food stand called Sunflower Drive-In. known for their nutty tacos, Hillary swore on her life that they'd change mine. skeptical, I agreed to try them. Turns out she was right... they did change my life. I have tried, time and time again, to recreate them. They'll never be quite like sunflower makes them, but I think I've gotten pretty close.

{p.s. it's almost Friday!}

vegan schmegan

Since I totally cheated in my month of veganism with my pizza feast last night, I decided to create a new situation: to try to eat vegan... several times per week... a vegan-inspired lifestyle, if you will. I feel a little guilty for bailing, but, I tried and that counts for something... right? But I'm continuing on with vegan dinners with my friends and tonight, Tim made an absurdly incredible Asian feast and I had to share [recipes to come, I hope]!

tofu and veggie summer rolls

steamed rice and homemade peanut sauce

GREEN CURRY [!!!]

no really, i wanted to dunk my face in the whole thing.

{wonderful end to a stressful work day}

urbn

Sometimes, you just need a little pizza and beer with your friend. So I did it. My hungover self threw veganism out the window [just for one meal] to indulge in a feast of epic proportion. urbn, located on University Ave. in North Park, has to be my new favorite place... in the world. From sobbing to the bar tender at 2 p.m. [alone] while ordering a giant pizza to eat [by myself] to having the best time ever with my best friends there on a saturday night to pizza and beer on a sunday, this place has become my home away from home. The bar tenders are cute and genuinely awesome, they have quality, not crappy, beer and the pizza...oh the pizza... is for sure the best in the area [maybe the world]. I'm semi opposed to tomato sauce on my pizza [don't ask me why] and their white pizza option makes me probably more excited than it should.

hope everyone had a lovely, food-filled weekend!