Lonnie's Best Taste of Chicago opening in the Highlands

Word on the streets says there's a Lonnie's opening behind the KFC in the Highlands. Has anyone heard anything about this?

[Robin Garr]

Word on the streets says there's a Lonnie's opening behind the KFC in the Highlands. Has anyone heard anything about this?

That would be cool ... No specific info here, but we do know that Lonnie's has had expansion in mind for a while. They were set to open Lonnie's No. 2 in the old Zap's downtown until building management went crazy on them, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if they still have branching out in mind.

Yep, it's true. Lonnie mentioned it a few weeks ago when I was having lunch there in St. Matthews.

Said it is going in beside that newer KFC, in that strip mall I assume. Told me they would be open "very late" to satisfy the Baxter Ave Bar Crowd.

Damn, it's going to be really tough deciding whether to stumble into LaBamba's, Lonnie's, or Spinelli's now.

It's actually going to be the house right behind KFC facing Bardstown Rd. Not where Stone Cold Creamery (sadly missed) used to be.

That would be awesome! I love me some Lonnies!

The old Kast Bindery?

That is the best news I have heard in a long time! Having Lonnie's walking distance will be awesome!

Man I am craving an Italian Beef right now....

They are hoping to open up in mid March....also they are going to be running the concession stands at St. Mattew's Little League, and Northeast YMCA's water park....they are also looking to open two more spots before years end. Lonnie's is getting ready to boom. Why shouldn't it? They don't do much, but what they do, they do it AWESOME....

This is a brilliant move. No better time for a chicago dog or Italian beef than after having a few (or few too many) at any one of the many drinking establishments in this area.

Adrian please don't throw La Bamba's in the mix for late night bites. I'll take Taco Smell over them any day (and that's not saying much). Lonnie's however, would be a great alternative.

Nothing beats a Super Combination from LaBamba's for me at 3am, hammered.

And their tacos are authentic, double-corn tortillas........w/ a layer of cheese between the two tortillas. Homemade salsas & sauce.

Get outta here w/ that Taco Bell crap...

Never been there sober, but the few times I've been there I definitely wasn't impressed.

I lived in Mexico for a couple months and the filling in those burritos is NOT auténtico.

Plus, it's hell getting a cab out of there.

....they are also looking to open two more spots before years end.

Any idea where the other 2 locations might be?

Never been there sober, but the few times I've been there I definitely wasn't impressed.

I lived in Mexico for a couple months and the filling in those burritos is NOT auténtico.

Plus, it's hell getting a cab out of there.

Wait, I'm really confused. By stating that you would rather go to Taco Bell, are you saying that Taco Bell is more authentic than La Bamba? Tha same La bamba that uses entirely fresh ingredients on everything that they freshly prepare at light speed without carrying "mild sauce"? La Bamba is my 4am hero.

[Robin Garr]

Wait, I'm really confused. By stating that you would rather go to Taco Bell, are you saying that Taco Bell is more authentic than La Bamba? Tha same La bamba that uses entirely fresh ingredients on everything that they freshly prepare at light speed without carrying "mild sauce"? La Bamba is my 4am hero.

I like La Bomba just fine, but I generally go for the tortas rather than the burritos. One more question: Isn't La Bomba based on Southern California Chicano fare, not South of the Border. Without picking on Jimmy, I'm also a little puzzled by his comparing them to "Mexican." Which Mexican regional cuisine? Puebla? Mexico DF? Oaxaca? Yucatan? It makes a huge difference.

All I know about a La Bamba torta is that it fills me up, reminds me of tortas I've enjoyed in LAX, goes great with green-chile sauce and seems plenty authentic to me.