Casimma — Review by Eating With Tod
Chicago, United States — Filipino, Polish, American burgers, Mexican, Italian, Steakhouse, Dessert
A food tour through Chicago featuring multiple viral and local establishments. The reviewer visits Casimma, a two Michelin star Filipino restaurant, Jim's for Polish hot dogs, Oshavevel for burgers, Beria Oakland for family-recipe goat tacos, Mr. Beef for Italian beef sandwiches, Acidor Bastion steakhouse, and Portillo's for chocolate cake. Every establishment impressed with high-quality, distinctive dishes.
What was great: The breakfast roll with hash brown, Filipino sausage, soul egg, and American cheese was rated 10 out of 10. The sausage at Jim's had perfect snap with caramelized onions. Oshavevel's burger featured thick patties, runny egg, thick bacon, and bone marrow for a god tier bite. Beria Oakland's goat tacos had incredible concentrated meaty flavor passed down through 95 years of family recipes. Acidor Bastion's dry-aged steaks cooked over hot charcoal with beef tallow had exceptional beefy umami flavors. Portillo's chocolate cake was outstanding.
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The culinary journey begins at Casimma with a breakfast roll priced at $16 that combines a hash brown, Filipino sausage, soul egg, and American cheese - a perfectly balanced 10 out of 10 start to the day. At Jim's, a $5 Polish hot dog features sausage with perfect snap complemented by caramelized onions and optional chili, representing incredible value. Oshavevel's signature burger showcases two thick patties, a runny egg, exceptionally thick bacon, and bone marrow that elevates it to god tier status. Beria Oakland serves goat tacos with a family recipe passed down for 95 years through five generations, delivering a ridiculously concentrated meaty flavor that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Mr. Beef offers Italian beef dip sandwiches featuring roast beef dunked in au jus and hit with pickled peppers, drawing nostalgic comparisons to British pie and mash shops. Acidor Bastion, rated America's number one steakhouse, dry ages beef in beef tallow then finishes it over hot charcoal with additional beef tallow, creating super beefy umami dry-aged flavors reminiscent of San Sebastian. Finally, Portillo's famous chocolate cake provides a theatrical finale worthy of Matilda.
The Experience
Casimma operates as a two Michelin star establishment with breakfast service but comes with a three-hour queue, suggesting the prestige and demand for their Filipino cuisine. The various establishments each offer distinct atmospheres - from casual street food to upscale steakhouse dining - all delivering authentic Chicago food culture.
Value & Pricing
The pricing ranges dramatically across the establishments, from Jim's exceptional $5 Polish hot dogs to premium steakhouse pricing at Acidor Bastion. The breakfast roll at Casimma at $16 provides excellent quality for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Notable Moments
Honestly, this was 10 out of 10. Absolutely incredible.
I'd argue this is the best $5 you can spend in Chicago.
The concentration of the meaty flavor is just ridiculous. And that consummate, oh my lord, we just simply can't get food like this back in England.
I felt like I was living in a scene out of Matilda.
The Verdict
Chicago's food scene offers something for every palate and budget, from Michelin-starred Filipino breakfast to legendary steakhouses and iconic sandwiches. This tour captures the essence of what makes Chicago a destination city for food lovers worldwide.