Coming Soon: The Beat Cop's Guide to Chicago Eats

From Chicago-based publisher Lake Claremont Press, the force behind On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department, comes a new work that blends Chicago’s culinary delights with a cop’s street-savvy know-how: The Beat Cop’s Guide to Chicago Eats.

Chicago Police Sgt. David J. Haynes teams with literary aficionado Christopher Garlington to produce this engaging, insightful guidebook sure to compel a drive — or two or three — to a recommended Chicago eatery. Packed with listings to Chicago’s culinary gems, greasy spoons, independent joints, and tucked-away outlets that embrace Chicago’s true character, The Beat Cop’s Guide gives more than a ho-hum tour of Windy City eats; it provides beat cop stories, recipes, and detours to Chicago area spots filled with history and spirit. And like a previous Lake Claremont favorite, The Streets and San Man’s Guide to Chicago Eats, The Beat Cop’s Guide comes complete with coupons to featured establishments above and beyond the cost of the book. How ‘bout that for a deal?

From those urban soldiers whose job it is to know the lay of the land as intimately as any of us, The Beat Cop’s Guide to Chicago Eats serves a hearty dose of information, comedy, and Chicago knowledge, culinary and otherwise. Some of my personal dining favorites make the list: Jimmy’s Red Hots on Grand Avenue, where ketchup is banned; The Steak and Egger, a legendary favorite of hungry Chicago Outfit members, on Cermak Road; the aptly titled Vienna Beef Café on the near northwest side; Manny’s Deli in the South Loop, a frequent political stop and a place “where all of the world’s problems are solved;” Elston Avenue’s Chief O’Neill’s, as fine an Irish pub as exists on Chicago’s streets. From Mexican joints to casual Italian diners, BBQ and chili, Chinese food emporiums to hot dog haunts and, yes, even donut shops, The Beat Cop’s Guide embraces Chicago’s diversity, flair, entrepreneurship, inventiveness, and adventure. It’s a journey worth taking.

Grab a copy of the book in early 2011 at your local bookstore or, better yet, give a jingle over to Lake Claremont Press at (312) 226-8400 to reserve a copy.