Chowdown Showdown Update: Where Do We Stand?

Each Monday, our Chowdown Showdown takes three local restaurants – one in Tinley Park, one in Orland Park and one in Oak Forest – and pits their versions of a specific dish against each other to find the best between the three.

This week we're giving our blood sugar levels a brief rest, and looking back on where we are at in the standings.

Going into May, it was all tied with Mickey’s in Oak Forest winning the Gyros challenge, Diana’s Kitchen of Tinley Park triumphing in battle Hot Dog and last but far from least, Orland Park getting on the board with Burrito Jalisco putting forth the best chicken and steak tacos.

But, just like the Highlander, there can be only one. Orland now has the lead 3 points, to Tinley and Oak Forest tied with 1.

Here’s how the recent battles shaped up:

We hoped some semblance of spring would’ve started by early May, but no suck luck. With temperatures still cold we decided to find the meatiest, crispiest and spiciest Buffalo wings in town. Between Tinley’s J.W. Holstein’s Saloon, Oak Forest’s Blarney Stone Pub and Rokwelz Bar Meets Grill, it was Rokwelz that triumphed in all categories. The bar ironically close to Orland Park’s Sportsplex fitness center took the win. By providing size, perfect cooking, solid ranch and fresh celery, but most importantly the right amount of heat, Rokwelz won. But it was a darn close battle with Holstein’s and Blarney coming in very close.  

Next we went with another meat-gnawed-off-bone treat: delectable baby backs.

didn’t particularly thrill our reviewer Joe Fletcher, though he did find solid ribsmanship by Nick's Barbecue in Tinley.

And yet in the end The Patio in Orland Park brought home the…bacon? Sort of. Not really. Same animal, right?

Feed Us…Ideas

We put it to you people, what’s the next dish to be chowdowned?

Pick wisely, because Orland is on the verge of a month-long sweep, and wouldn’t that be nice? (Note: That sentence was written by Orland Park Editor Ben Feldheim, who actually meant to say a Tinley restaurant should take the win. Signed, Tinley Park Patch Editor Paul Dailing)

Tell us where to find the best anything.

It’s in your hands.

Looking for local eats? Start with your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Please post a review on your favorite restaurant's profile page. 

• Orland Park establishments
• Tinley Park establishments
• Oak Forest establishments