I’m going to be in Chicago the third week of July for a conference, and would like to eat good Greek and/or Italian food. What streets should I aim for? Is the Thai restaurant on Illinois right next to the Chicago Reader office still open? Is there anything reasonably priced (~$10 - $16; I have my per diem to think about!) on or near the Miracle Mile?
Vlad/Igor
Star of Siam in Reader Tower at 11 E. Illinois is still there; prices reasonable - one of the few places in the Michigan Ave. area of which that can be said. For Greek food you want Greektown, Halsted St. between, I dunno, Madison and Van Buren. For unpretentious neighborhood Italian I’ve always been partial to Tufano’s on Vernon Park Place, but my tastes run to the basic, plus it’s hard to find, no sign, etc.
Great. Thank you, Ed.
I’ve been going to the Athenian Room for Greek food since the late 1970’s. It’s in the DePaul neighborhood. Can’t recall whether it’s Dickens and Halsted or Belden and Halsted. It’s connected to Glascott’s Groggery (on the corner). Food is excellent and reasonably priced. If you want a beer, you have to walk over to GG and bring it back. It’s not an upscale restaurant, just a “neighborhood” type of place. You won’t be disappointed.
My pref for Greek is on Halsted, called The Parthenon. We’ve eaten there a lot, and every meal has been fantastic (and reasonably priced) – traditional Greek, plus some interesting combos. And my wife thinks their gyros are the best in town.
We’ve also eaten at the Athenian Isles, which is also good, a block or so north of the Parthenon.
For Italian… Hmm. The best Italian is actually (IMHO) in Highwood, way far north in Lake County. They’re small family-owned restaurants – momma cooks in the back and the kids serve in the front. Can’t be beat.
Also, since this is about food, I’m moving it to the other forum.
Actually, it’s at Webster and Halsted, but you were close!
I’d definitely head for Greektown (south Halsted, not to be confused with the DePaul section of Halsted on the North Side) to get more than just the food, but the whole Greektown experience.
Italian is tougher; there is a broad spectrum of joints, from small, family places to upscale yuppie establishments, and they are scattered all over town. Theoretically, Taylor Street (from Halsted to Ashland) is ground zero for Italian food, so you could check that out, but it isn’t really as concentrated as, say, NYC’s Mulberry Street. My personal recommendation would be any of the Rosebud restaurants, Leona’s restaurants, or Father and Son/Marcello’s restaurants, but there are plenty of other great ones.
There is a Buca de Beppo at Rush and Grand, which is “family style” Italian, meaning that the portions are designed for a group. It’s reasonably priced if you go there with a gang, but not alone.
As for any other bargains on the Mag Mile? That’s a tough one!