It is impossible to think of the Chicago sports scene without hearing the named Ditka. Mike Ditka, NFL Hall of Famer, feared tight end and Da Coach of Da 1985 World Champion Bears is a Chicago hero and legend. His popular downtown restaurant and bar was packed on the Thursday night that we dined there. We loved sitting at a comfortable booth in the tiered seating overlooking the bar with a view of big screen TVs and walls filled with signed Chicago sports photos and memorabilia. We ordered a few beers and enjoyed looking at the menu, which had many sports references, including “The Fridge Burger,” made with everything in the fridge named for Bears Richard “The Refrigerator” Perry.

Cowboy Oyster Shooters

 

Cowboy Oyster Shooters with spicy cocktail sauce and Tabasco vinaigrette was a delicious and light shellfish starter. The Hall of Fame Features (Entrees) that we had were both very hearty portions and excellent. The BBQ Baby Back Ribs were cooked to perfection and were so tender that the meat fell right off the bone. Ditka’s signature spicy BBQ sauce, coleslaw and hand cut fries were the perfect compliment. Da Pork Chop which came with apple chutney, cherry jus and mashed sweet potatoes was also prepared perfectly and delicious. We did not have steaks but hear from our friends who live in Chicago that they are fabulous!

Da Pork Chop

 

We were impressed that the Meat Temperatures are listed right on the menu, so there is no confusion about getting your steak prepared exactly to your liking. Rare is purple center, Medium Rare is warm red center, Medium is warm pink center; Medium Well is slightly pink and Well done is hot grey center.

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

 

We were too full for dessert but hear that Ditka’s Famous Banana Cream Pie with fresh bananas, rich custard, chocolate and caramel is fantastic. Don’t be surprised if you see  Da Coach, as he frequents his three restaurants, which are located in Chicago, Pittsburg and Oakbrook Terrace, but don’t ask him to teach you The Super Bowl Shuffle. No trip to Chicago is complete without stopping in for a drink at the bar or dining at Ditka’s.

By

Carol & Joe Davis

Dining Detectives

 

Dika’s Resaurant

The Tremont Hotel

 100 East Chestnut Street

Chicago, IL. 60611

312-587-8989

www.DitkasRestaurants.com