Menu Masterpiece: Shanahan's Gumbo, New Steak Options

Welcome to Menu Masterpiece, a weekly column where we try some of the best and most unique menu items at local restaurants, as recommended to us by chefs, restaurant owners and readers. What should we try next? Email michael.sewall@patch.com. 

Menu item: Gumbo and a 14-ounce angus steak

Restaurant: Shanahan's, 7353 Madison St. in Forest Park (Write a review)

More Menu: The restaurant is known for its creole food, so you can't go wrong with the jambalaya. The Louisiana bread pudding dessert is made daily. Shanahan's also makes its own hot sauce, Leprechaun's Fury. (See a full menu here.)

Shanahan's is a creole restaurant of the highest quality. Owner Tim Shanahan went to school in Louisiana, learned to cook there and spent 22 years doing it before moving back to the Chicago suburbs. 

The first item I tried was the chicken and sausage gumbo, a delicious reciple Shanahan and his buddies from "N'awlins" have been working on for years. They make everything in-house, and all ingredients come from Louisiana. The crushed red pepper gave the gumbo a great kick to it, and I love anything with andouille sausage. 

Next, I had a 14-ounce angus beef steak. The selection of steaks are new to the menu at Shanahan's, and the owner said some will have a creole spin on them. That includes the blackened steak with crab meat and one with jalapeno hollandaise. I really enjoyed how the steak was seasoned, and it came with roasted red potatoes. Other sides include broccoli au gratin, garlic shrimp and more. 

Check out our business directory for more restaurant reviews:

• Forest Park dining
• Oak Park/River Forest dining