House call at Doc B’s
It is unusual for the patient to be the one that visits their doctor’s home, but in this case, it is to be expected. Founded in 2013, Doc B’s was named after owner Craig Bernstein’s father who was a doctor. Needless to say, though you will not actually see a medical practitioner here, there will be a “clinic” of food that will be awaiting your arrival and hopefully heal your hunger.
I visited the River North location in Chicago. The location is quite stylish and has the upscale but casual type of environment that brings forth a bit of class without being too intimidating for the everyday person. The place is filled people and upbeat music, making for a fun and welcoming ambience.
The host guides me to an open and soon a waitress comes over with menus. After looking for it, I opted for “the number six”. It is a Cajun, buttermilk chicken sandwich that includes sliced pickles, roasted garlic dressing, and habanero honey sauce. I chose some fries for a side and root beer for a beverage.
The chicken was balanced in sweetness and spice. Unlike most chicken sandwiches, the number six tries to have bit more depth in its profile by having you enjoy the sauce as much as the chicken. With some dishes like lasagna, it makes sense to be more generous with the sauce. But for chicken and their sandwich derivatives, the chicken and the sauce should synchronize, not compete. Having said that, the number six manages that distinction quite well. The chicken is tender without losing texture and the habanero-honey provides an extra layer to contemplate while chewing. Indeed, the number six is a solid chicken sandwich.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the fries. While they were seasoned with salt, they have nothing much to offer beyond that. Not overtly terrible but forgettable to say the least. However, the fries are not inherently part of the number six, so one cannot be too critical in that sense. Still, one would have hoped for better. As per rule, the root beer was not house made. Consequently, it will not be taken into consideration for this review.
Doctor visits can be horrific, but one should not have fear when visiting Doc B’s. Quite the contrary, one should immediately feel the excitement from the lively spirit in the space. Similarly, one should also feel satisfaction with the food that provides the pleasurable cure to your hunger. Thank goodness for doctors.
