While you’ve likely heard of the famous Chicago-style hot dog, you may not be as familiar with the Chicago tamale. Windy City Red Hots is a Chicago-themed restaurant located in the heart of Ashburn, and it serves this unique combination of yellow cornmeal and tender ground beef that has been famous in Chicago since 1950. Windy City Red Hots also offers authentic Chicago hot dogs made with Vienna beef and poppy seed buns and topped with yellow mustard, relish, chopped onions and a juicy pickle.

As if the delicious menu of Chicago-inspired eats isn’t already enough to make you want to visit, Windy City Red Hots also serves a great selection of craft beer to go with it. The restaurant itself is located in a state-of-the-art food truck that travels to different places around the city, making it a convenient and fun stop for a casual afternoon lunch.

Windy City Red Hots
Mobile Food Truck
Ashburn, VA
(703) 505-6934
www.windycityredhots.com
www.yelp.com/biz/windy-city-red-hots-ashburn

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffreyww

Pre-flight jitters can be exacerbated by eating the wrong foods before take-off. However, there are ways that you can calm your stomach before your flight. Avoid these four foods before flying to keep your digestive tract in good spirits.

1. Alcohol. Although many travelers use alcohol to soothe their nerves before a flight, if you have a sensitive stomach this is not the best idea. Alcohol also becomes more intense at higher altitudes, which can cause you to feel much tipsier in the air than you did on the ground.
2. Greasy foods. If you’re in a rush to eat lunch before running to the terminal, avoid that greasy burger and fries. Many studies prove that your body has a much harder time digesting sodium and saturated fats at higher altitudes, which means that your supersized meal will start to feel even more supersized in the air.
3. Beans. Avoid foods that are known to make you gassy, such as beans, cabbage, or broccoli, as bloating will cause even more discomfort at high altitudes.
4. Carbonated drinks. Sodas and energy drinks cause dehydration, which is already problematic during air travel. Opt for hydrating water instead.

Five Foods to Avoid Before Flying [Independent Traveler]
10 Foods to Avoid Before Boarding a Plane [AARP]
What Not to Eat Before Flying! [NerdWallet]
8 Foods You Should Never Eat Before Flying [Yahoo! Travel]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/skyseeker

Ah, cheese. From mild cheddar to zesty Brie, there are a wide variety of reasons why people all over the world love this flavorful food. If you want to make the perfect cheese platter for an upcoming party, these foolproof tips will help you to turn your love of cheese into a perfect hors d’oeuvres for entertaining.

1. Choose the right amount for your guests. As a general rule, it’s smart to allot at least two ounces of cheese per guest. Calculate the number of guests you’ll have beforehand and do some simple math to ensure that everyone gets their fair share.
2. Mix soft and hard cheeses. A well-blended cheese plate includes a perfectly balanced blend of soft cheeses, like goat cheese, and hard cheeses, like aged gouda.
3. Mix mild and intense flavors. You also want to blend mild cheeses with more flavorful options on your board. Think mild options such as fresh mozzarella combined with an intense cheese like a firm Gruyère.
4. Serve the cheese properly. Organize the cheeses on a wooden platter, and be sure to leave enough space between cheeses. Set out a different knife for each type, and give each of your guests his or her own plate. Also, set out some neutral crackers or dry breads as palette cleansers.

Creating the Perfect Cheese Plate [Food + Wine]
How to Set Up a Cheese Platter [Food Network]
The Perfect Cheese Platter [Real Simple]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jules Morgan