# Need Restaurant Recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 9, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413 "2011-11-09T18:08:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/1 "2011-11-09T18:08:38Z")
Hey, I’ll be traveling to Chicago for three very short days/nights at the end of November. I’m looking for restaurant recommendations for Evanston (where I’ll be staying near the Chicago Ave. El stop), and ChiTown / Loop or Near North area. Preferably by the El or subway … no taxi budget is available. Nov. 30 I’m dining at Buddy Guy’s Legends, FWIW. I’m interested in all kinds of intl. cuisine. Would prefer a cocktail before dinner, also. What can you local Dopers suggest? ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/2 "2011-11-09T19:52:56Z")
Russian Tea Time is in the Loop and a good stop. It mostly caters to the theatre crowd and is a bit shabby, but their tea is delightful, they have tons of house-flavored vodkas, and the food is tasty-if-predictable. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/3 "2011-11-10T02:03:32Z")
For your Loop/Near North dining I highly recommend Carmine’s on Rush Street. Great ambiance, great bar, and awesome Italian food. Only downside is, five or six days later, you’ll be hungry again. ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/4 "2011-11-10T03:33:01Z")
If you want a small/local place that serves GREAT Greek food, I suggest the Athenian Room on Webster just off the corner at Halsted (near north side). I’ve been a customer since the late 1970’s. When I’m back inChicago once or twice a year I still make a point of going there. Not a big menu, but everything, especially the Gyros and the Greek Chicken, is excellent. You can have a drink, but you have to go through a door just inside the entry which will take you into Glascott’s Groggery, a fine establishment in its own right. You can attempt to walk it off taking in Halsted St. Great neighborhood. Here’s some Yelp revues. I didn’t bother to read them as I suspect 99% are all good. > **[Athenian Room - Chicago, IL](https://www.yelp.com/biz/athenian-room-chicago)** > > Specialties: Greek American food > Casual dining ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/5 "2011-11-10T04:10:40Z")
> [@Atomic\_Mama](#): > > Hey, I’ll be traveling to Chicago for three very short days/nights at the end of November. I’m looking for restaurant recommendations for Evanston (where I’ll be staying near the Chicago Ave. El stop), There is no Chicago Ave. El stop. Do you mean the Main Street stop (which is right off Chicago Ave.)? If so, check out [Cross-Rhodes.](http://www.yelp.com/biz/cross-rhodes-evanston) It isn’t fancy, but the Greek fries are to die for (I like them dipped in tzatziki). Burgers are good, roast chicken is good…but most of the Evanston restaurants are downtown, off the Davis St. Purple Line stop, but that’s only 2 stops from Main St. (or a 20-minute walk). For River North, international, drinks before dinner, I like [Cafe Iberico.](http://www.cafeiberico.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/6 "2011-11-10T05:17:17Z")
Along Michigan Avenue I would suggest either [The Gage](http://www.thegagechicago.com/) or [The Purple Pig](http://thepurplepigchicago.com/). Easily two of the best restaurants in the city IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/7 "2011-11-10T13:53:25Z")
Around Evanston: Reasonably Priced: - There’s an Ethiopian Restaurant, Addis Abbaba (I may have the spelling wrong) on Chicago Avenue, if you’re looking for something international and different - Dave’s Italian Kitchen is an old staple (I haven’t been there in many years, so don’t know how it’s held up) - Dixie Kitchen is Cajun - Tommy Nevin’s Pub is Irish-style, usually good (but we weere there once on what musta been an off-night) - For an unusual experience, there’s a grill (I forget the name) on Church Street where you pick your own food combinations and they grill for you (fixed price) 'Spensive: - Davis Street Fishmarket - it’s good value for money, great seafood, but you pay for it. Those are the ones that occur to me offhand. We used to eat in Evanston a lot, still go there maybe once a month or two months. There are lots of little sushi places that are very good, too. In CHICAGO: Don’t miss Chicago’s Greektown, on Halstead west of the Loop. Almost any restaurant there is terrific; we like the Parthenon best. Also, if you want to experience Chicago deep-dish pizza, no one anywhere outside Chicago does it well. Lou Malnati’s is one of the top-rated (but we prefer a small take-out place in our suburb.) Actually, now I think of it, the CHICAGO READER has a dining guide on its website (our mother page) [www.chicagoreader.com](http://www.chicagoreader.com) that covers Chicago and environs very well. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/8 "2011-11-11T01:12:46Z")
You can take the red line to Argyle and hit up Sun Wah for dynamite Chinese: > **[Home - Sun Wah BBQ](https://sunwahbbq.com/)** > > Sun Wah BBQ is Chicago’s award-winning destination for Hong Kong style Chinese barbecue. The Beijing Duck Dinner and Whole Roast Pig draws fans far and wide. If you like duck, you’ll looove the Peking Duck service. There are a number of neat, interesting yet inexpensive Asian restaurants clustered around that area. Try [Tank Noodle](http://tank-noodle.com/index.php) for pho. [Hopleaf](http://www.hopleaf.com/) is a pretty well regarded Belgian tavern and restaurant, also a couple blocks from the Argyle red line stop. That’s just one stop on one train line. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/9 "2011-11-11T13:16:32Z")
In Evanston, there’s a breakfast place called Lucky Platter practically across the street from the Main Street station. It’s just beyond the empty lot. If you like tapas, there’s a place called Tapas Barcelona about a mile north of there. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/10 "2011-11-11T13:56:06Z")
Hey, great suggestions from all, and I thank you! But yes, I DO know about the Chicago Reader’s Restaurant Reviews, etc. (How else would I have learned about The Straight Dope and SDMB?) I will also confess that I grew up in a western suburb & lived in Lincoln/Fullerton/Halsted for 10 years. Plus having family in Evanston. But I departed the city for points south and north in 1986 … hence, I need current info from y’all … The more the merrier! Of course I will be eating 6+ times a day & night to stuff in all these new places that you’ll be telling me about. Bring 'em on! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/11 "2011-11-11T15:54:55Z")
Friend of a friend owns [Mt. Everest](http://www.yelp.com/biz/mount-everest-restaurant-evanston) in Evanston. We had lunch there (with friend and owner, so it probably wasn’t the typical experience) and loved it. The Yelp reviews are really good on the whole. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/12 "2011-11-12T04:37:13Z")
Check out the LTH Forum, especially its Great Neighborhood Restaurant awards. [LTHForum.com - Announcing the Fall 2011 GNR Renewals](http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33222) ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/13 "2011-11-12T15:41:35Z")
I’m also looking for hole-in-the-wall ral Mexican. No edible Mexican food at my present location (coastal Maine) … Thanks again for all the tips! I’m googling like crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/14 "2011-11-12T18:36:33Z")
> [@Atomic\_Mama](#): > > I’m also looking for hole-in-the-wall ral Mexican. No edible Mexican food at my present location (coastal Maine) … > > Thanks again for all the tips! I’m googling like crazy. I don’t have any specific recommendations, but there are a ton of little Mexican places on Clark just a mile or so south of Chicago’s border with Evanston. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/15 "2011-11-13T07:00:16Z")
> [@Atomic\_Mama](#): > > I’m also looking for hole-in-the-wall ral Mexican. No edible Mexican food at my present location (coastal Maine) … > > Thanks again for all the tips! I’m googling like crazy. Hole in the wall Mexican? I got it! There is a joint called Allende on Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park that is _el fabuloso_. Actually, there are TWO locations, both on Lincoln Avenue. One is just north of Webster (at 2221 North Lincoln) and one is just north of Fullerton (at 2408 North Lincoln). Both are cheerless little Formica-plated dives with awesome food, friendly servers, and open until the weeee hours. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/16 "2011-11-13T21:24:33Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Hole in the wall Mexican? I got it! There is a joint called Allende on Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park that is _el fabuloso_. Actually, there are TWO locations, both on Lincoln Avenue. One is just north of Webster (at 2221 North Lincoln) and one is just north of Fullerton (at 2408 North Lincoln). Both are cheerless little Formica-plated dives with awesome food, friendly servers, and open until the weeee hours. I will heartily second this recommendation. This may be a little off the beaten path you mentioned in the OP but Allende is well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/17 "2011-11-15T17:49:25Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I will heartily second this recommendation. This may be a little off the beaten path you mentioned in the OP but Allende is well worth it. Yay! These two are in my old stomping grounds. W/luck, I can squeeze in a visit. FWIW, I’ll be printing out ALL these restaurant tips before I head out at the end of the month … then, it’ll be decision-time. Where to eat :too:little:time and too:small:tummy 😃 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-restaurant-recommendations/602413/18 "2011-11-15T21:06:40Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Check out the LTH Forum, especially its Great Neighborhood Restaurant awards. [LTHForum.com - Announcing the Fall 2011 GNR Renewals](http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33222) This is fantastic advice.