WARSAW – “Apparently people don’t like us writing about exotic places to travel.” Tony folded his glasses and slipped them into his vest pocket. He munched a slice of pepper and scrolled further into the online comments of our last article. A dangerous move. “They think traveling to places like Chicago or San Antonio is irrelevant and even dangerous.” We were sitting at Cardoso 520 restaurant in Warsaw. I attempted to slurp my chicken tortilla soup without getting it on my suit.

“They have a point.” I waved around the Mexican restaurant. “I mean not about travel being irrelevant or dangerous. But we do have so many interesting places to find exotic fare here in Warsaw if someone is afraid of traveling afar.”

Tony took his glasses back from his pocket. He knew I was about to make a new list. “So, if someone wanted to *travel* without the expense or planning, where would they go within Warsaw itself? Perhaps something more hands-on than just a restaurant?”

#1 THE ASIAN MARKET 658 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw

When I first heard Asian Cajun was moving into Wabash Donuts, (and keeping the donuts), I was skeptical. But after a meal of velvet shrimp and grilled vegetables chased by a shared raspberry donut, I changed my mind. In a brilliant multi-taking move, three other tables around us took home boxes of donuts for breakfast.

As we sat in stunned culinary happiness, the waitress told us to visit the Asian Market behind the restaurant, and I remembered the amazing Maduros/Fried Plantains that we had eaten in Puerto Rico. Perhaps I could make them myself? A woman with a 1000-watt smile greeted us as we walked through the door, introducing herself as Sina. She personally chose the best plantains and told me how to make maduros in less than five minutes. She also sold me fresh steam buns, banana tapioca and the largest frozen shrimp I’d ever seen.

Tip: The charismatic Sina posts great how-to-make Asian food videos. I learned how to make PHO from her here.

#2 GREENS N SPICES INDIAN STORE 114 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw

If you’ve eaten Indian food, you know that the accompanying Naan or Roti flatbread has addictive powers. Of course, you can buy those fresh at Biryani Kitchen but, if you prefer the easy, hands-on method, you can purchase a package of pre-made ones in the Indian Store too. Along with high-end ramen, fresh Asian vegetables like purple and white baby eggplants, lovely spicy milky chai, and a large range of interesting cookies, crackers, and snacks that I’ve never seen before. If you need a cheap and exotic trip abroad, but don’t have the time to leave Warsaw, stop by and pick out a few things to try at home.

FYI – Beware of the innocuous-looking sweet and spicy wheat balls which have a powerful spicy filling. Tony’s face changed a few colors of pink when he bit into one.

Tip: Make a to-go Biryani order (I’m partial to mildly spicy Tandoori Chicken and Gobi Cauliflower appetizers). While you’re waiting to pick them up, go to the store in the back and grab some food for your next home adventure.

#3 – TWO MEXICAN GROCERY STORES

   CARNICERIA SAN JOSE 896 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw

   SAN JOSE FRESH MARKET 2283 N. Detroit St., Warsaw

Next in your local tour of the world we visit south-of-the-border. Also, if you’re tired of waiting in long fast-food lines, check out Carniceria’s quesadillas at their back lunch counter. While you’re walking through the grocery, grab the best-looking limes and cilantro in town. You might also find an excellent fresh meat counter and popsicles in amazing flavors like mango-chili- and lime-coconut.

Tip: Supermarket limes are Persian. Mexican limes are a totally different fruit. They are rounder with thinner skin and are much juicier. In my opinion, they are far superior for everything from squeezing on cut apples to making cocktails.

After trips to three exotic grocery stores in Warsaw (how lucky are we?!), the back of my Rav4 sprouted piles of grocery bags, so it was time to go home and make beans and rice and maduros with fresh limes. Tony, thinking about the InkFreeNews comments for this article, shook his head. “What do you think people will want to complain about this week?”

“I’m looking forward to finding out!” I backed out and headed home to make a gin and tonic and plan my next real trip abroad.

BONUS TIP: ONE Warsaw will host a downtown CELEBRATING US event from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, where you will find lots of exotic food, dance and musical performances, and lots of cool things to try such as Cricket, dunk tank, bingo, and prizes. Come take a local vacation!

Know of an interesting place, statue, or restaurant which you’d like to see featured in this column someday? Send SB Communications LLC an email at SBWritingHelp@gmail.com.

Friday night

Picture a glass building larger than a football stadium. When you enter, the air is so warm that you voluntarily remove your coat. You’ve found the Garfield Park Conservatory. If you squint, you can imagine dinosaurs between the prehistoric ferns and palm trees over the lagoon. Be sure to find the secret trails and to book your timed FREE ticket here.  

Tip: Wear a mask and bring your vaccination card to show at the door of all Chicago restaurants, events, and museums.

Puerto Rican dinner – After your feet get tired of wandering, and you’ve smelled enough flowers, and Tony has taken pictures of all of the hidden turtles and the enormous yellow goldfish, stop to eat mind-boggling amounts of warm roasted pork, rice, beans, and sweet fried plantains called maduros at Jibaritos y Mas at 3400 W Fullerton Ave. Easy street parking. Be sure to go in the dine-in side and not the pick-up side.

Saturday

Arise, brew some coffee in your Airbnb (or tea if you’re Tony), and Immerse yourself in the techno glitter twenty-first century mash up of music and images of Van Gogh’s paintings brought to life at the Lighthouse ArtSpace in the Germania Club. The paintings are so large, you can see his individual brush-strokes. 

Tip: find the secret entrance to the upstairs balcony so the images swirl around and below you. The show loops every thirty minutes. Stay for at least two.

After you finish marveling, head over to the Art Institute of Chicago and find hidden room 240 where you can see real Van Gogh paintings at the tip of your nose. The Museum has an entire room full although sadly, not Starry Night. Purchase tickets ahead of time here and avoid any wait in line.

Tip: When you pull into the underground parking lot, consider whether you want to park near the East Monroe Modern Museum entrance or the South Michigan Main Museum entrance between the copper lions. This way you can stay warmer underground and come up in the correct place.

Sunday

On your way back home, eat over in Greek Town as street parking is easy and restaurants are plentiful and affordable too. Try MelI Café 301 S. Halsted Street.for local and fresh options to please every eater. Try Banana Bread French toast, Chicken and bacon omelet, and a fresh-squeezed orange and strawberry juice.

At last, your summer longings have been assuaged. Put on your wool socks and drive the long, flat, gray highway home. With luck, you have Tony along to entertain you with a sun-drenched description of your next possible vacation trip.