Exterminate with your mouth

Americans see squirrels as cute little acorn hoarders; Britons see them as dinner. So says a recent New York Times story about how gray squirrels, which are decimating native red squirrel populations, are winding up on English plates. While Hot Doug's wild game sausage of the week is a rite of passage for Chicagoans, it's not the only restaurant serving up troublesome critters with a side of fries. Decider takes a look at what unusual, pest-based meats are available around town.

Kangaroo Burger at Hop Häus
The wild game sliders at Hop Häus seem to exist for aging frat boys to dare their bros into eating exotic patties. But with toppings like smoked gouda and roasted red pepper, they'll want to take things a little more slowly.
Pest Factor: Kangaroos have been known to attack humans. Their powerful legs also knock down fences and bulldoze crops.
Tastes like chicken? Not so much. The meat is juicier and more finely textured than a hamburger, with a greasy, beefy flavor.

Wild Boar Ribs at Bonsoirée
Chef Shin Thompson advises diners to get messy with the boneless, brown sugar-cured ribs. No problem there. It's pretty much impossible to resist lunging hands first into the tender, sauce-slathered swine.
Pest factor: Damaging crops and competing with native wildlife for food, wild boar is a USDA classified invasive species.
Tastes like chicken? Well, pork—but the only thing separating these ribs from the plain ol' pig kind is their extra deliciousness.

Vibora de Cascabel (rattlesnake) at La Casa de Samuel
The oval discs leave little doubt this white meat wasn't sliced from fowl. Served fajita-style with a side of tortillas, the dish comes with ample heaps of beans, rice, and slaw.
Pest factor: Though less than 1 percent of rattlesnake bites are fatal, the venom can destroy muscle tissue if the injury isn't treated quickly.
Tastes like chicken? Well, yes, albeit a little dryer. The pungent red sauce moistens the meat and adds a chili-spiked kick to an otherwise ordinary mouthful.

Yum Jelly Fish at Sticky Rice
Scoring high on pretty presentation, the clear, rubber-bandish strips share equal billing with slivers of green apple and red onion.
Pest factor: Jellyfish stings hurt; plus, a common (though ineffective) home remedy is to go number one on the affected body part. Pain and pee: two great tastes that taste great together.
Tastes like chicken? The flexible yet oddly crunchy ribbons of skin taste like nail polish remover. For a more appetizing—but similarly novel—dish, try the onion-y Thai omelet with ant eggs.

Artisanal Wild Game "Corn Dog" Trio (Duck, Venison, and Rabbit) at The Tasting Room
Like six donut holes filled with meat, the corn dog sampler arrives fresh from the deep fryer slicked with grease and plopped into tiny puddles of grainy mustard. Paired with the cheapest glass of wine from a menu that features bottles pushing $750, it's the fanciest carnie meal this side of Cirque du Soleil.
Pest factor: With their freakishly oversized front-teeth, Bambi and Thumper wreak havoc on carefully tended trees and plants.
Tastes like chicken? Don't blame the bunny for the failure of this dish. Chewy sausage casing and soggy breading distract from the rich, gamey flavor of the wieners. But the skewers make for a great game of pick-up sticks.