CalinDay.com - Evanston Illinois Restaurant Reviews

Evanston Illinois Restaurant Reviews
By Calin Day

Disclaimer:
I don’t purport to be a fine cuisine connoisseur, but I do participate in the great art of eating. I eat more than my fair share of food, and I’ve found it necessary to write down my thoughts about these restaurants so as to remember for myself which ones are worth going back to.

Okay, okay, I'll admit it. I worked in the restaurant industry from age 12 to 24. I've been everything from a dishwasher to a bartender, server, host, manager, cook, fry cook, bus-boy, bell-boy and valet. But now that I work for Brella Productions, I get to judge food in my spare time with an eye trained to see the mosaic from every angle.

My ratings are based on a $10 or less lunch, atmosphere, quality of food, music, and service.

(I’m also a terrible speller, and not much of an editor, oh, and I cuss.)
If you can get past this, Enjoy! - Calin
(Oh, and I don't list addresses or phone numbers, but try to give intersections/streets to help, and they've passed the no-smoking ban in Illinois, yay!)

Quick Links: Breakfast - Coffee - Lunch/Dinner - Alfresco Dining - Non-Evanston Eats
Foods by type: American/French/Greek - Asian - Italian - Worldwide - Spanish/Mexican
Places to buy foodstuffs to cook yourself: - Places in Evanston for Spices, Liquor, Food, and more.

Legend:
***** 5 Stars possible.
* = Avoid it.
*?*=Not reviewed yet.
(*’s are not related strictly to cost, but also to quality of overall experience and food.)
Those listed with: (Outdoor Seating) have outdoor seating for warm days.
(Note: Sherman and Orrington are basically the same street, just different places because they are a 2-in-1 One-Way street set…) Orrington goes North, Sherman goes South, but they are basically the same street set.

Breakfast in Evanston

Dixie Kitchen **** (Church/Benson)
What can I say? This place continues to surprise me. It has Cajun style omelets, French powdered-doughnuts, and a wide variety of other breakfast fare. I had the jambalaya omelet, and wasn’t disappointed.
Wing Night, cheap chicken wings on Thursdays after 5pm. yay!

Walker Brothers ***** (Green Bay Road)
You won’t be disappointed with this place either. Unless, of course, you go on a Sunday for breakfast, because the line is literally out the door and down the block! I’ve waited in line for this place for up to an hour or more just for breakfast, so go after noon, or hit it as soon as they open, because when 9-10am rolls around, there’s no seating to be found!

LePeep ** (Church/Benson)
A well-known chain, this place is extremely standard, even though their prices are higher than they probably should be for the quality of the fare they serve up. Not impressive, but breakfast none the less. (Outdoor Seating)

Golden Olympic *** (Davis/Chicago)
Breakfast can be had at this amazingly affordable local joint at any time of the day. Dinner can too, for that matter, which makes this place a good one for fussy folks who are used to having it on their time their way. Great for in-laws and other folks on a budget.

Davis Street Fish Market*** (Davis/Chicago)
Recently renovated, this one-time fish shack and shanty has gone high end. They serve breakfast on the weekends in what I would say is now one of the nicer spots in town. Drop in for a unique spin on the traditional favorites, you won't be disappointed. Just be sure not to drop in until 11am.

Lucky Platter **** (Main street)
This rather interesting place is located east of Chicago on Main, and is usually very busy on the weekends for breakfast, so be sure to have a "plan B" if you arrive and it's full, or arrive early! The fare is also rather off the wall and unique, but if you ask nicely, they'll bring you warm cornbread with your meal, yum!

Blind Faith Cafe ****
I had very low expectations of a vegetarian place for breakfast, but was pleased with what I found to be a wonderful dining experience. (All except for the wait beforehand, that is.) The wait staff here is very professional and attentive, and the quality of the food is exceptional. The patrons were the worst part, but the local Evanston folks like myself can be an odd bunch. It's a bit more expensive than I would like, but natural food always is.

Prairie Moon *** Call Ahead to verify breakfast is available.
I've gone recently for breakfast at Moon, but I must say it's not really anything to write home about. But, seeing as how Evanston doesn't do breakfast very well, it might be an option.(Outdoor Seating)

Bat 17 *** (Church/Benson)
So I went in for breakfast, and the green chile omelet sandwich was really, really good. Oh, and free coffee? Yep, they have it!

Clarke's Cafe ** Clark (basically Emerson, which becomes Golf, sort of.)
The college kids from Northwestern pack this joint to the gills every waking hour of the day. They have hot sauce on the table, serve excellent sweet potato fries, and a very busy wait staff. Their prices are decent, but the food isn't all that great, nor is the atmosphere, unless you like lots of noise with your food.

Panera Bakery *** (Church/Sherman)
Good bagels and soup. Decent salads and sandwiches. Good coffee and tea. Normal Service, normal prices. The bread, which you can have sliced, is also very good.

Einstein Bro's. Bagels *** (Clark/Sherman)
Good bagel sandwiches. Atmosphere isn’t all that great. Service isn’t bad. Get it to-go. Prices compare to Panera and other Bagel places.

World Bagel, Formerly Bagel Art *** (Chicago/Dempster, now near the El Tracks)
Great local bagel place. Get six to go with a bunch of cream cheese and you won’t be sorry you did. ;-)
Carry-out only, pretty much, but the prices are normal and the bagels almost as good as the New York Bagel on Touhy.

Jamba Juice *** (Corner of Davis and Orrington)
I’d give this place good marks for taste of product. Fair marks for service and cost. Juice, Juice, and only Juice. In the form of smoothies, at this place. Seating is VERY limited, as is the selection of other fare. Get it and go, the best way to experience the smoothies from this place is on a summer day in the grass across the street after you get your order.

Bennisons Bakery **** (Davis, 1 blk. East of the Post Office)
A bakery that’s been in business for quite some time, and will continue to do so. Old fashioned bakery fare that hits the sweet spot right in the kisser. Excellent for pies, cakes, and other baked goods.

Tag's Bakery **** (Central, 3 blks West of Green Bay)
My wife and I ordered our 2nd wedding cake from this bakery, and I must say that the cake was delicious, the price spot on, and the service the local friendly kind you always look for but rarely find.

Prairie Joes * (Just west of Green Bay on Central)
I had high hopes for this local breakfast joint. But alas, it turned out to be a cash-only dirty spoon with a meal I could easily cook at home that would taste better and cost much less. The table was wet. The place needs a good cleaning, the wait staff needs work on their manners and, well, basic job training. Blind Faith Cafe and Lucky Platter kick the farking crap out of this joint any day of the week for almost the same amount of money spent.

Firehouse Grill Breakfast ** (Chicago/Kedzie, 1 blk south of Main)
I finally tried the Firehouse Grill Sunday Brunch. Skip it and cook at home unless you're too lazy. But if you are, then don't expect much bang for your buck. I could cook circles around these guys for breakfast. (And that isn't saying much.)

Coffee & Tea Joints in Evanston:

Brothers K Cafe **** (Hinman/Main)
If you're a local, you'll love this place. If you're not, you might not like the wait in line. The Brothers K, (K is for Kim, their last name, as I recall), is a wonderful place to hang out and drink tons of coffee while chewing on their wonderful bread, home made chili, or a scone. They're also two nice brothers who always remember you and what you like to order if you're a regular. The staff and patrons are always filled with interesting characters of the local variety. :-)

The Bros. K Cafe 2 *?* (Sherman/Grove)
So I've heard a rumor that Bros. K will open a second location. I do hope it's as good as the one on Main, but I'm also realistic that the space at the new place is much smaller. We'll have to wait and see!.

The Unicorn Café *** 2 Blks N. of Davis on Sherman
This place dances well to the local beat. The muffins kick ass and the coffee and tea-pot are quite good. (they have fresh beans and leaves) Free reading material and outdoor tables make this place a fave for those looking to unwind in the morning before (or during), the rat-race. (Great outdoor seating on warm days here.) (Outdoor Seating)

Kaffeen **** 1/2 block north of Davis on Chicago
An excellent coffee/tea house with perks. It's open late, caters to the young crowd at night, but caters to codgers like me who want peace and quiet for lunch during their crazy work day. I love going here for a quiet, (and HUGE!), sandwich for lunch on days when I'm looking to relax.

Argo Tea *** (Davis/Sherman/Orrington Corner)
This little tea shop is just on the corner of Davis and Orrington. It has a very unique vanilla tea and excellent coffee and pastries. The help is friendly and really knows their stuff. Get it to go because the seating is scarce!

Peet’s Coffee/Tea Just North of Chicago/Davis*** (Chicago/Davis)
Great Dragon tea here. Hand sorted, and in a large hot-pot.

Mozart Cafe, Corner of Chicago/Davis *** (Chicago/Davis)
Standard bagel, coffee, and muffins here. They now have free wireless internet access.

Starbucks, North on Sherman from Walgreen’s, also on Main/Chicago***
Haven’t had a Starbucks coffee yet? Worth at least one try! Get a latte, or a cappuccino.

Dunkin Donuts *** (Purple Line Davis Stop EL & Sherman/Clark)
This chain has really stepped up their coffee campaign. It’s on par or better than Starbucks in many cases…

Borders & Barnes & Noble *** (Church/Maple, Church/Sherman)
These two monster-sized bookstores also happen to have conveniently located Seattle's Best and Starbucks service bars in them. They both serve up a mean latte and have a variety of food choices if you're looking for a place to read and eat in peace and quiet with service that's usually much faster than other places.

Lunch-Dinner places in Evanston:

American, French, & Greek Cuisine

Jilly's Cafe ***** (Green Bay Road, Near Central)
WOW. I almost didn't write a review for this place, because I want to keep it all to myself. I can't give this place enough stars. It's a hidden gem on Green Bay. The prices are high, but that's okay, because the service and the food will make you forget the cost. Go for a romantic dinner when money isn't an issue, and you won't be disappointed.

Davis Street Fish Market **** Davis and Hinman (East toward the lake.)
Excellent Catfish here. The chowder isn’t as good as it was when I went to New England, but then, nowhere has matched that experience thus far. The prices are typically higher as a result of getting the fresh fish further inland to Chicago, so be prepared to spend a bit more. I’d go for a dinner date, or one of the weekly specials. The service was decent, and the atmosphere a unique mariner style.

The Stained Glass ***** (Benson/Davis, on Benson)
Finally got the nerve to spend the $100+ dollars on this one. And I can honestly say I wasn’t disappointed. It felt like going to a fine day-spa and being pampered by some of the best wait staff I’ve ever had. Do the wine flight, the filet mignon, the duck, and the salad. Go early, get reservations, or don't go. Spectacular! 5 Stars well earned.

Dixie Kitchen (Cajun) **** (Church/Benson)
Home-style Cajun cooking. What more could a fire-breather like myself ask for? Great home cooked pot-cakes and catfish, hot sauce, mashed taters, and all the fixins. Not bad for a bunch of Northerners, even if I do say so myself. (And yes, I’ve been to New Orleans for Mardi-Gras, and the Grilled Alligator down there is much better than up here, but a guy takes what he can get.)

Rollin' To Go (Italian-American) **** (East of Ridge on Noyes, near tracks)
www.rollin2go.com
So a friend of mine was eating a really yummy looking sandwich, and I got jealous, of course. When I asked him where he got it, he said, "Rollin' To Go - have you heard of them?" Sadly, I had not. However, that has now been corrected! Across the street from D&D Finer Foods and D&D Dogs, near the El Tracks, is Rollin' To Go. I ordered a "St. James" - a bacon-cheese-chicken sandwich on warm flatbread and home made spicy chips. If you want naughty, this is SO your place to eat! Excellent! They also do Pizza, but I'll hold my review on their calzones until I've tried one. Hope they live up to Mama's Boy back home! Oh, and they're local, you can dine in, they have a flat screen for the games, and they're not a chain. Straight up Yum!

Jimmy John's Subs, Subway, Pot Belly
Ahh, the Sub sandwich. You know this song… the prices are almost all the same.
However, the atmosphere is different for each. Get it to go at Subway. Dine in or carry-out at Johnny’s. The same could be said for Pot Belly and Quiznos.
If I had to pit any of them against one another, or rate them from top to bottom, it would go something like this:
*** Jimmy John’s Subs, good service, not toasted, but good subs and sandwiches. 2 blocks north of Davis, ½ block west of Sherman
*** Subway, what else do I need to say? If you haven’t eaten here, go do it now so you know. 1 block south of Davis on Orrington.
* Pot Belly, sometimes over-the-top corny service, no service, bad service. Often I’ve had bad customers who cut, go past you to pay, order over you, around you, and ignore your existence in general. These folks need to work on their method of building the sub as well, the counter is also too high/far away for you to see the ingredients or for the person building it to hear you in some cases. Right at Davis and Orrington. (Outdoor Seating)
Quiznos closed!

Hecky's BBQ **** (Corner of Green Bay and Emerson/Golf)
http://Heckys.com
Hecky's BBQ is, (as I knew it would be), outstanding! You can order online. Their prices are great, the food is better, and they deliver! The crew was full of smiles, and the locals love the place. You cannot dine in, so be sure to have a place in mind or get it delivered. I tried the hot bbq full slab of ribs, and I wasn't dissapointed. If you are looking for excellent catfish, chicken, or ribs, look no further. I also hear that the mac'n'cheese and gumbo are amazing.

Merle’s BBQ *** (Benson/Church)
An interesting bar, good ribs, good fries. Decent Caesar salad, decent chili. Welcome to Texas in Evanston. The Lone Star flag hangs from this rib joint, and the food inside is your typical American/Western fare. Decent atmosphere, normal service, standard prices.

Wild Dogz **** (between Kaffein and Gio on Chicago, near Whole Foods)
www.WildDogz.net
Wild Dogz is affordable, they deliver, and the food is excellent. The grilled chicken salad rivals anything in town, the onion rings sing in their beer-batter, and both the chili dog, italian beef, and turkey-burgers are as good or better than anywhere else I've eaten. They even have veggie dogs and veggie burgers for vegetarians on a budget. Matt and his crew will also cater any large event you could hope to get food for.

Meca Fresh *** 1840 Oak Ave (1 blk East of Ridge, by Emerson/Oak near the farmer's market lot.)
www.mecafresh.com
Meca fresh has fish tacos! If you miss Rubios as much as I do, (a place out west), you gotta go! They do everything in the place fresh. The service was great, the prices fit into my under ten bucks price rule for lunch, and because their location is on the northwest side of Evanston's downtown, they might be closer to where you work! Ask for Meghan, and tell them CalinDay.com sent you. ;-)

Prairie Moon *** (1 blk S. of Davis on Sherman/Grove)
All around good food & pool table and bar included type of place. The prices are normal for an All-American Prairie style dinner. Some good off-the-wall selections of fare help make this place stand out a bit from the rest. Try the chowder, one of the many beers on their list, or a salad. All are good. However, if for some reason you have a male waiter, you might want to get a different seat. I'm not sure why, but the guys, including one of the bartenders, don't wait tables worth a damn.(I know, because I'm male, and I've been a waiter for many years in my past.) The ladies at the place however, kick ass at their job. I'm not sure why it's that way, but it is. I've eaten here many times, and it's a trend I've witnessed enough to write it down. (Outdoor Seating)

Chicken Bar *** (1/2 block South on Sherman/Clark)
www.ultimatechickenbar.com
So I just tried this place, and it was good. The food is fresh, the service was prompt, and the price was under 10 bucks for lunch. The Cajun Chicken Wrap was brown rice, black beans, cajun sauce, and any fixings I wanted. They have digital menus overhead, a novel concept for a price board, and very limited seating, but I could see getting a wrap to go as an option for a busy student, no problem!

Pete Miller's Steakhouse *** (1 blk S. of Davis on Sherman)
Very expensive, nice atmosphere, pool tables by-the-hour. A true Chicago, (once) smoke-filled, meat-eating, hard-drinking heaven. If some crotchety old bastard bitches and whines at you to get out of his way as he plays pool when you enter, tell him to piss off! Then order a drink and try to get a table. (Either a pool table or a normal one, you choose.) Or skip the bar area all together and order yourself a huge slab of meat as you sit in their wood laden dining room. Call ahead to see how busy it is, this place fills up quick on weekends. They don’t do lunch.

Cosi (American Fusion)*** (Clark/Sherman)
This place is okay for lunch, and they seem to have finally figured out the customization situation. It's still not a place I go often, but the bread is quite good if you catch it fresh out of the oven, and self-serve refills on drinks are always nice.

Golden Olympic (cheap eats, not bad, Greek style) ***
This establishment has the feel of a good diner. It’s definitely priced reasonably, and reminds me of the places many grandparents like to frequent before the “kids” go out to eat. Good chicken, pie, and other “normal American and Greek fare” can be had here for a reasonable price in a recently rehabbed space.

Nevin’s Pub (formerly Tommy Nevin’s) *** 1 blk S. of Davis on Sherman
These guys get an extra star for having Guinness on tap, live music, pool tables, darts, as well as outdoor seating and a formal dining room all in one. The service is okay, the fare decent, and it’s open late. Go here to get a fresh Guinness after a long day at work. (Outdoor Seating)

1800 Club ** (2 blks N. of Davis on Sherman)
Good bar, ½ a dining room. The dining atmosphere is generally quiet. Haven't been here in a while, and they have reduced summer hours, but it's usually a good place to grab a beer on the weekend.

Buffalo Joe’s *** (2 blks North of Davis, then West.)
Hot wings, oh, the hot wings! Gotta love them. These guys do spicy-grease style hot wings like no other. (They’re not as good as Fire House Grill’s hot wings, but then, they’re a shitload cheaper.)

Buffalo Wild Wings *** (Next door to Borders and Century 21 Theatres)
The blazin wing sauce here is hot enough for this heat lover to smile about! Hurray! The service is good, the prices decent, and there is a ton of room in this sports bar to watch any game on. For a chain, these guys do a good job.

Fire House Grill *** (Chicago Ave. 1 blk. S. of Main.)
Don’t eat here if you’re looking for ultra-healthy! This place has burgers, excellent hot wings, damn good chili, Susan’s salad, and several other delectable delights. They even have what I want in my kitchen… a WALL of FIRE (hot sauce heaven boys and girls.)
If you want to burn down the house, then put it out with a pint of beer, look no further than this beautifully rehabbed Evanston Firehouse gone restaurant. Oh, and the service has always been good here too, and the prices are reasonable. (some outdoor seating on warmer days.) (Outdoor Seating)

Cross-Rhodes **** (Chicago Ave., just north of Main)
Damn good Chicken vinegar Greek-fries and Gyros here. Not much on décor, but the price and service is right. Excellent chicken. Cash only, as I recall, but well worth a visit.

Bat 17 **** (Benson/Church, near the Davis stop)
The bread here is purchased from Bennisons, and the sandwiches are big enough to fall on top of you, push you out of your chair, and crush you. Then you'll be forced to eat your way out, but you'll be happy about it. Get ready for a rush though, because lunch is usually packed full of people! They have a ton of beer on tap too.

EDZO'S Burger Shop *** (Sherman/Davis/Orrington)
Next door to Trattoria Demi, across from the Rotary Building, is a new burger joint. This place gives 5 Guys a run for their money! The burgers are fresh, fat, and come with not only a pile of goodies, but a compact round bun with loads of room to soak up the burger goodness. The angry fries will scream in your mouth while you eat them, and the fountain drinks are easy to reach. If you want a burger, you should give this place a try.

Uber Burger ** (Church, 1/2 blk east of Orrington, near the Library)
The place is under new management. I've heard good and bad reviews, but haven't been back in to try the burgers. I hear the food is decent if you can find a seat and get through the payment process. Good luck!

Sarpinos Pizza *** (Main/McCormick)
www.gosarpinos.com
The delivery was prompt, the pizza was good, but the bread sticks and wings need work. I couldn't complain, however, because Sarpinos does it right when it comes to price. Good in a pinch and at a loss for what to serve at a party.

Carmen’s Pizza *** (Church/Oak)
Chicago Style, Deep Dish Pizza is the best weight-gainer any bodybuilder could ever ask for on the market today. And Carmen's is the some of the best damn pizza I've consistently had over the years. Delivery is always an option, and their establishment is fun too.

Gigio's Pizza - *** (Davis/Maple)
SSHH! Don't tell anyone, but I sneak over to get a couple of slices of Gigio's Pizza once in a while. It's a guilty pleasure, cheap, fast, and good! The locals know about it, and many of them hang out here for lunch. The place is a little light on atmosphere, but you can get it to go! Sneak over some time and get a big slice, you won't be sad you did. ;-)

Giordano’s Pizza ** (Corner of Davis/Hinman)
Fair Chicago pizza. Never had anything else they serve.

Union Pizzeria *** - aka "Space" (Chicago/Dempster)
Cougars love space. They like to roam the open plains looking for prey. That said, the pizza here is pretty good. The bar, however, tends to close early and the bartenders can get a bit impatient if they want to go home. Maybe the cougars scare them... The prices match the upscale decor, but the atmosphere overall helps lessen the sticker shock for the drinks. The food is more reasonably priced.

D&D Dogs, D&D Finer Foods *** (Noyes/Sherman)
My buddy's family owns this local joint. It's got good gyros, fries, and greek salad, and a full-size grocery store right behind it! The prices are low and the service is quick and friendly. Drop by for a dog!

Coldstone Creamery *** (Sherman/Davis)
Damn good ice cream here. All sorts of goodies to put in it too. Call ahead to be sure they have your flavor in stock!

Andy's Ice Cream *** - (Church/Orrington, by Chipotle)
I scream. You scream. We all scream for Ice Cream! Andy has it all.

Red Mango **** - (Church/Orrington, by Chipotle)
When ice cream doesn't cut it, and you want to know what real yogurt is like, try it here!

38 Degrees *** - (Church/Orrington, by Chipotle)
A cute little frozen yogurt joint that just opened across from the Theatres near the Davis El stop. Yum!

Steak and Shake ** (Far south and west of downtown on Oakton)
If you work at Home Depot, or Petco, you’re probably very familiar with this place. They have very good milkshakes, burgers, and fries. However, my to-go milkshake came in a styrofoam cup, which kind of takes the fun out of it. (that crap lasts like 500 years, you know.) Anyway, it’s a good to go Burger Joint.

Burger King ½ a * (Orrington/Clark)
Fast food, anyone? Ubiquitous Burger Joint. Good for those addicted to McDonalds who don’t have one here anymore. I gave up fast food, by the way, can you tell?

Al's Beef - *. (Davis Street, 1/2 block west of Chicago)
Okay, so I gave these guys another chance. For a fast-food chain, they're fairly normal. The chicken on the salad is cold and definitely not fresh. The soda machine is in an awkward location near the pickup line next to the tables by the bathrooms. Not a very good setup. The fare is what you would expect from any fast food place, as are the prices, but not as cheap as Burger King.

The Rhythm Room * (Century 21 Theatres, Church/Maple)
Nothing against the staff, but the food here is horrible. I've met two people who have been sick after eating here. The drinks are expensive, but the atmosphere and the pool table help make up for it a bit.

Bar Louie * (Sherman/Grove)
Okay, here's a scenario for you: Let's say you'd like to eat at Bar Louie, (a chain restaurant), but don't have quarters for the meter right outside. You'd think the waiter, bartender, hostess, or manager on duty would have the ability to exchange a dollar for four quarters, complete with a smile, right? You'd be wrong. Not only did my friend ask nicely, but he was rudely turned down by three employees there, and, I quote, "There is no change in the entire restaurant." said the Bartender. Bullshit, if you ask me. Go next door to Prairie Moon instead. I hear they're willing to change, as obviously, Bar Louie is not. If you absolutely have to eat here, get ready to pay through the nose, as everything is overpriced, including their martini's.

The Sher-Main Diner * ½ * (Main Street)
This place barely gets two stars, (ok 1 and a half). Talk about breakfast and grease. This place needs a new roof! It’s definitely cheap, and definitely a local joint. But the tea, service, and food weren’t half bad, so I can’t knock it completely off the list. They’ll cook to order, so have them burn the hell out of your potatoes, and disregard the Russian mafia that eats at the table…

Asian Style Food:

Futami **** (Orrington/Church, in the Orrington)
If Blu simply re-named their Sushi bar to Futami, I'm sure it's a good place to get a high-end meal that tastes great. I've added it as a place I need to re-visit when I get the time and money, and do hope my expectations are met when I go.

Joy Yee Chinese **** Davis (East toward the lake/Hinman.)
An excellent place overall. The atmosphere is “busy”, and this place thrives on speedy delivery, both in and out of the restaurant. The exotic blended tea drinks are on par with those from “Jamba Juice” and other “smoothie only” joints, but the food at Joy Yee is some of the better Chinese I’ve ever eaten. The string beans are fresh, the chicken is too. The vegetarian and non-vegetarian egg rolls are good, and their seafood soup, curry, noodles, and rice dishes are all prepared by someone from the old country. The prices are standard, and the service is prompt. If you’re looking for authentic Chinese, look no further.

Cozi’s (Thai) **** (Davis/Oak)
www.cozyevanston.com
Cute little place, recently did a rehab to update the style, which favors old movie posters and other oddities. The service is very friendly, and the size of the place reminds you what it’s like to have a good cup of soup in a little café somewhere in small town. The curry with crispy rice noodles and chicken is one of my favorites.

Pinto *** (Central/Green Bay 1/2 blk west.)
An adorable asian restaurant with excellent egg rolls, tom yum soup, veggie rolls, and traditional thai dishes. The service was prompt and polite, the prices are reasonable, and the food is quite good. And right next to the Spice House! You can't go wrong.

ZaBo's Home Made Noodles *** (Sherman/ 1/2 blk south of Davis.)
Zabo's just opened. They make home made noodles with Thai and Chinese influences across the board. I had one entree of each type for two different lunches, just to check, and I'm happy to report that the noodle and rice dishes are both very good! They also fall into the $10 or less lunch category and they'll bring you hot sauce if you ask.

Little Wok **** (Main/McCormick)
www.Little-Wok.com
Little Wok is in the mall area near Main/McCormick. I had the pork spare ribs Korean style, egg rolls, soup, and tea. It was excellent! In addition to good food at a very reasonable price, they also deliver!

Thai Sook Dee (Thai) *** (Church/Oak)
Good service, nice atmosphere, much larger space than their old one, and good authentic Thai food. These folks do Thai justice, for lunch or dinner, without breaking your wallet.

Koi **** (Davis/Orrington)
www.koievanston.com
Koi’s sushi was quite good, on par with many a sushi place I’ve been before. The prices are average for the sushi market, and the atmosphere is quite nice with a fireplace in the lobby and plasma screens at the bar in back. They also serve excellent Chinese food. Get ready to wait, however, as the lines for this place add up quick.

Sabai *** (Clark/Sherman, Near Northwestern's Clock Tower)
This little place used to be Vietnamese, but now it's an interesting (and good!) fusion of Chinese, Thai, and other Asian influences. I had excellent service, the prices were very reasonable, and the Kung Pao noodles I had were very unique and quite tasty!

Pine Yard *** (Davis, across the street from the Post Office.)
There is a reason this place has been in business since the 70’s. Damn good service, food, and prices. If you like Chinese food, and haven’t eaten here, you’re missing out! Vegetarians are also welcome, get the broccoli dish, it kicks ass! (and that’s high praise coming from someone who hates broccoli and eats meat!)

Kan Sa Ku **** (Sherman/Grove, 1 blk. South of Davis on Sherman)
It's strange, but I didn't try the sushi here. I tried the pork on a recommendation from two friends. Damn it was good! The atmosphere and service were stellar. The prices seem a bit steep, but it really was good.

Dozika *** (Corner of Chicago/Dempster)
Dozika has fair prices, the sushi was good, but not stupendous, and they have excellent tapioca drinks/shakes. The service was decent, and I found parking at a meter right outside.

Sashimi Sashimi *** (Orrington/Church)
To-go Sushi joint on the corner of Orrington and Church? Across the street from the Library. (I can’t remember street names, so sue me. ha!) Anyway, this place needs something. Atmosphere is sparse. Sushi was normal. Service was good when I went, but it’s pretty much take and go. The prices weren’t bad for Sushi, so I can’t really complain.

Kuni *** (East of Chicago on Main)
So I finally went in to Kuni for dinner. (I live about a block away, so one would figure it would be a given.) At any rate, it was decent sushi for a reasonable price. It's very "California Traditional", if one could say that about Sushi. They give you hot towels, Sake in a square bowl on a plate to drink from, and the traditional choice of Sushi at a reasonable price. They have beef and chicken for those who don't like the fish, and a kind staff who all know what they're doing. They also have valet parking, and they're closed on Tuesdays.

Hunan Spring ** (Chicago/South)
This Chinese joint has grown on me over the years. Their fare is reliable Chinese, and the service is interesting. (Family run/owned) One can get soup, egg roll, and dinner to-go, or delivered, for a reasonable price. Not as good as Pineyard, and only one step below Joy Yee. They’re close to my home, right next to Walgreens on Chicago, and one of the few southern end restaurants. Not bad.

Flat Top Grill *** (Church/Orrington)
I’ve eaten here time and again. Not because I like the atmosphere, but because I love to make my own food and see it prepared on a giant flat top griddle. There is definitely something to be said for making your own food, if you’re into that type of thing. The seating in this place is “a bit close for comfort” sometimes, and don’t come here during the lunch rush if you’re not interested in having a stranger sit next to you. Also avoid this place if you’re not interested in spending more than 10 bucks for lunch. The service is a mix of self-serve and wait staff, as well as the professional plate balancer who brings the food to your table after it’s been cooked. Overall, I’d say give this one a shot if you like stir-fry and self-reliance. (Outdoor Seating)

Siam Paragon **** (Main/Hinman)
Love the atmosphere, the service, and the food. The prices are reasonable and the variety on the menu was unexpected. It fits in well with the other two asian restaurants, Kuni and Oceanique for taste, but is much nicer to your wallet. Try the green tea ice cream. It's very interesting.

Noyes Street, Manchurian-Korean Restaurant *** (Noyes)
Looking for an egg roll that’s out of the way? Want some Bee-Bim-Bop that doesn't’t taste like an American made it? This little out of the way place has some real local charm, some of the best kim-chee that I’ve ever eaten, and damn good service. I love local joints that aren’t so well known. Go to Noyes on Green Bay, take a right, drive until just under the “el” tracks. Look for parking on the north side of the street. Damn good. Now it’s not a secret anymore, oh well.

Lu Lu’s **** (Davis Street/Sherman)
Okay, finally! I don't know what they did, but the menu choices were much more my style, and though the wait staff was still aloof, it didn't ruin the food. ;-) Give this one a chance, and try the Dragon Noodles, if you're looking for something out of the ordinary. The asparagus tempura was also exceptional.

J.K. Sweets ** (Clark/Sherman)
The one-way street, Church? 2 blocks north of Davis, between Orrington and Sherman. Excellent Sushi, provided “mom” is there to make it. Good Miso soup, and free water cooler with cups in the self-service area. These folks also have a full Asian kitchen, and a wide variety of sweets and ice cream. All this for a very reasonable price makes high marks, even though the atmosphere is a bit café, there’s plenty of reading material.

Noodles & Company ** (Church/Maple on Church)
This place should be called: “The Normal Noodle”
The noodle place “isn’t bad”, but not to my taste. The atmosphere is pretty normal, the service is normal, and the food is normal. If you like stir-fry noodles, you’ll like this one. The prices are normal for lunch. Oh, did I mention this place is normal? I have discovered that their Mac N Cheese is quite good.

Phoenix Chinese Restaurant (Re-Opened!)** Davis (East of Orrington.)
This restaurant suffered a fire, and the Phoenix has arisen from the ashes. A “greasy Chinese spoon”. A cheap lunch, which includes soup, egg roll, hot tea, and entrée. A very good choice for those on a budget looking to whet their Chinese food palette. The service was excellent, the tables are new, and the place has been fixed..

Italian Cuisine:

Va Pensiero **** (Oak/Davis, on Oak)
This place, under the Margarita Inn, is about as formal as it gets. A valet will park your car out front, but only if you’re dressed appropriately. Oh, and get ready to spend some money, because the good eats and wine here don’t come cheap. Italian fare.

Trattoria Demi **** (1/2 Blk S. of Davis on Sherman/Orrington)
Very good Italian food for both lunch and dinner. The Chicken Salad, Pizza, Sandwiches, and Pasta are all excellent. They bring bread to your table, (olive oil too if you ask.) The prices are reasonable, the service has always been good, and the atmosphere nice. It tends to get crowded, so drop by and see if it’s not too busy to grab a bite before you settle on it. (cozy outdoor seating in the shade on warm days.) (Outdoor Seating) They now deliver! We'll see if it lasts. Evanston is tough for delivery.

Gio **** - ( ½ blk north of Davis on Chicago)
The menu boasts cheap pizza that tastes like 4 stars. An excellent chicken dish with mushrooms and cheese wrapped in a chicken breast, and excellent olive oil with bread for dipping. they also have affordable beer along with their expensive wine. The service for a Thursday night was quite good, though I wonder what weekends hold. (I’m sure they’re packed.) The atmosphere is also quite nice.

Convito Italiano **** (Not Evanston, but feels like it.)
A wonderful little outdoor seating venue, complete with their own Italian store and deli. The food is excellent, the prices reasonable, and the memories of wonderful picnics at Ravinia with wine from Convito is worth the stop at the Plaza De Lago, about 10 minutes north of Evanston on Sheridan.

Symphony *** (Central, 3 blks W. of Green Bay, north side of street.)
The Italian I had in this restaurant was very good, the service decent, and the prices reasonable. Not a bad choice for an out-of-the-way Italian place on an otherwise busy weekend.

Bravo! ** (Next to Borders & Century 21 Theatres)
Nice atmosphere, decent service, ungodly prices for the fare. (13 bucks for a salad, anyone?) But, not a bad place to take the high maintenance in-laws in a pinch if they expect that sort of thing.

Trattoria D.O.C * (1/2 Blk W. of Chicago on Main)
Good thin crust, wood-fired pizza. However, like Dave's, they don't know how to make a calzone worth a damn. What is it with Chicago and their no-sauce calzone? Come on guys, it's whatever the customer wants in it, lots of interesting non-mozzarella cheeses, and sauce on top. Not dry-ass pizza of single choice folded over with no sauce on top. Look it up! Oh, and both times I went, their service was horrible. I won't go back.

Dave’s Italian Kitchen * (Chicago/Church)
Saturday night, November 2003. The wait was 20 minutes to get in, so my wife and I had high expectations about the place regardless of our previous skepticism. (Dave’s has two stout porters in a bottle, A+ so far.) Then, the service. It was less than exemplary. The Calzone, so unlike Mama’s Boy Restaurant back home where I used to make calzone's, was simply a pizza folded on top of itself. No marinara sauce, no olive oil coating, no special cheese inside. Just a folded over pizza. The pasta my wife ate was very bland. The bread was also bland. The prices were a bit more reasonable than Gio next door. It’s a shame you still get what you pay for, because I had high hopes for this one. Maybe I’ll go back, but probably not.

Other Worldwide Cuisine:

Hop Haus **** (Howard/Chicago)
1/4 a block south of Evanston in Rogers Park, near Dominicks - the folks from Leona's have opened "Hop Haus". If you're as excited by wild game on a menu as I am, you're gonna LOVE this place. They have Wild Boar, Ostrich, Lamb, Buffalo, and Kangaroo burgers!!! The Kangaroo was the best, in my opinion, and not just because it's strange, but because it's really good. The prices are what you'd expect to pay at Leona's - about fifteen-twenty bucks, but it quickly ramps up if you get any of the excellent imported beer on the menu. ;-) Go now! "Chew slowly! It's the good stuff."

Bangkok *** (Church/Orrington)
This little restaurant opened rather quietly. If you're looking for authentic Indian and you're not interested in Everest, try this little place! It's on the same block as Panera, across the street from The Chicken Bar. I had the Paneer and Aloo Ghobi, and wasn't dissapointed.

The Celtic Knot *** (Church/Orrington)
As good as it gets for truly authentic Celtic food, if not the atmosphere. The place was “The Roxy”, then “Bombay”, now it’s been re-renovated and made into this excellent Irish Pub/Restaurant. Though the atmosphere hasn't’t changed much from it’s Roxy Days, and the service is new but caring, the food is completely different. So far, I’ve tried the Salmon Plate, an excellent dish of North Atlantic Salmon with a salad, home made vinaigrette, and home made Irish brown bread. Yum! The other dish I’ve tried is “The Ploughman’s Lunch”, heavy Blue and Irish Cheddar cheeses that “will knock you on your arse!.” Most excellent. Oh, and they of course have Guinness and Harp on tap. Go now if you like Celtic food!

Mt. Everest *** (Church/Orrington)
Good Indian buffet, quick service, nice atmosphere. For dinner, the authentic Vindaloo dishes from Nepal will set you on fire, just the way I like it. Their naan is almost as good as on Devon, but the parking is much easier and the prices are about the same.

Pomegranate **** (Orrington/Church)
This place has great air conditioning, the Mediterranean fare is quite good. Try the hummus. Their falafel, chicken, and steak-pita sandwich are all excellent choices as well. They're on Orrington, near the library. Their service and efficiency are welcome additions to their large tables and comfortable atmosphere. And my suggestion to upgrade their paper cups was heard!

Olive Mountain *** (Davis, ½ block East of Orrington)
Good value for lunch, good falafel, nice atmosphere, brisk business. Overall not a bad choice for lunch.

Whole Foods: Salad Bar *** (Church/Chicago)
Overall, I’d say this salad bar is very well maintained. It also has an Oriental Bar next to it, which for the same price, one can mix and match. The price is about 5 bucks a pound, and drinks are near the front, as well as some seating, so overall, it’s not a bad deal. The foods are almost all organic in nature, and the store contributes to the organic movement, so you’re sure to have a clearer conscience when you eat at Whole Foods. The service is grocery-store style, and serve yourself. So if you’re not a good waiter, don’t eat here. ;-) (Outdoor Seating)

Campagnola *** (formerly Champagne)
Highly pretentious, and expensive. However, the service was impeccable, and the food was very tasty, if “a bit skimpy” for this Colorado bred, meat eating, 250 lb. male. (who is used to rather large portions and voluminous fare.) The downstairs would probably be more to my liking, cheaper, more food, and not as fancy. At least the wine was very good, and when you eat less food, you get drunker faster…

Rotary Building Cafeteria ** (Sherman/Grove)
This place is affordable, lots of seating, and buffet style service. The lines can get long, and the food is average, but not bad for a full-force cafeteria on the ground floor of the Rotary building. I hear they have breakfast too.

Noyes Street Café *** (Noyes)
Hmm. What can I say about this place? Oddly eclectic, eccentric? Strange menu with not-so-strange
ingredients. Above average prices, and odd hours. Good luck on this one!

Globe Cafe' and Bar * (In the Orrington Hotel)
What can I say about a place that has an ambiguous hostess stand when you first walk in? Or how about the $3.00 Iced Tea with my $9.00 cheeseburger and fries? Maybe it was the wait staff that didn't greet me right away, or the inept plate delivery by someone other than my waitress. Whatever it was, at a grand total of Sixteen bucks after tip, (yes, I tip well even for poor service, as I've worked in a Restaurant since I was 12 years old), I don't think anyone could convince me to go back. Next time, I'll spend that kind of money at Flat Top or on fresh Sushi next door at Sashimi Sashimi. I'll definitely get more bang for my buck that way.

Spanish & Mexican Cuisine:

Tapas Barcelona **** (Chicago/Davis)
The company I work for has had it’s get-together at this fine Authentic Spanish Cuisine restaurant for several years running. They have a large full bar, a very knowledgeable staff, good service, and some of the very best in authentic Tapas. (small taste portions.) Fresh bread, sangria, and other goodies flow out of the kitchen. All this can be done for a reasonable price, unless you’re really hungry, in which case you might spend a bit more. But overall, I’d say it’s definitely worth at least one try if you’re in the mood for Spanish. (Outdoor Seating)

Chipotle *** (Church/Orrington)
Burritos, “let us help you roll a fatty” is what one t-shirt used to say in this place. Big burritos filled with goodies, or in a bowl, to your liking? Then come on into this place. The prices are reasonable, and the decor a mix of old wood and metal. The place is PACKED during lunch, so don’t expect a seat during the rush. I do like the fact that they serve alcohol, and will make your food SPICY if you wish.

That Little Mexican Café *** (Church/Oak)
I've had their lunch buffet, it's quiet good. The food is decent, the wait staff pleasant, and the overall atmosphere very typical of a dine-in Mexican place. The prices are a little high, but the food a bit above par, while the chips could be improved upon, but at least one basket is still free. (They might charge for the second basket of chips, so look out!)

Lupita's Mexican Restaurant *** (Main/Chicago)
This little family run Mexican restaurant isn't bad. The food is traditional for the most part, and the home-made chips and hot salsa really add to the atmosphere. They also have live music some nights. Not as good as my hometown, Durango, Colorado, for Mexican, but hey, a guy takes what he can get here up north.

Las Palmas *** (3 blks. N. of Davis, 1 blk West of Sherman)
Another Mexican restaurant that does some justice to the trade. The fajita’s here are decent, and the chips not-so-bad. The service was good the 3-4 times I went, and the atmosphere is also authentic. A good substitute for any other Mexican place that’s overpriced and overbooked. (see Chili’s entry…) The prices here are reasonable too.

Chili’s * (Church/Maple)
Lunch is the same price as dinner at this corporate eats place. So avoid it. Oh, and the service lacked big time last time I was in. No one sat me, so I sat at the bar, and the bartender was so busy he didn’t ask for my order for at least 10 minutes. Not good for those in the lunch rush mode. Food is decent, service rough around the edges. Price much too high in comparison with other lunch joints.

Taco Bell * (Sherman/Clark)
Cheap. The cheapest sort-of non-Mexican one can buy. If you’re on a budget, not a diet, then go here and grab 20 tacos for 20 bucks.

Alfresco Dining in Evanston:

al·fres·co:
–adverb 1. out-of-doors; in the open air: to dine alfresco.
–adjective 2. outdoor: an alfresco café.
- Also, al fresco.

My first recommendation: Grab a cooler, something to grill, and head to one of Evanston's parks that have a built-in grill. Bring your charcoal and some friends! The location is free if your event is under 30 people, the food is what you're willing to spend at the store, and the views near the lake are some of the best in the country.

For more information, check out the Park Regulations PDF:
http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/parks/pdf/ParkPermitRulesJune13.pdf

Also, Outdoor Faires and Festivals go without saying. They're a "No brainer for outdoor food."

That said, "What else is available for outdoor seating in Evanston?"

First, let's define "Outdoor Seating." I think it's important to note that in my book, there are a few types of Alfresco dining in Evanston:

1. A place that has outdoor seating, hopefully with a separate patio and umbrellas.
2. A place that has seats outside, but little or no service at said seats.
3. Places with outdoor seating that I refuse because I don't like the atmosphere enough.

There's a huge world of difference here folks, don't let them fool you!

Keeping my rule in mind, and my other rules for a balance of price, atmosphere, service, and quality of food, I'll leave you with the following list of places to dine Alfresco.

1. Tapas Barcelona (Separate Patio)
2. Prairie Moon (Separate Patio)
3. 1800 Club (Separate Patio)
4. Koi (Indoor windows so big you're eating outside.)
5. Pot Belly Subs/Jamba Juice (Practically a public square.)
6. Firehouse Grill (Separate Patio near sidewalk.)
7. Nevins (Big tables, big sidewalk.)
8. Trattoria Demi (Good service/food, sidewalk.)
9. Noodle Company (Shady, big sidewalk.)

Places that have outdoor seats, usually without service:
1. Whole Foods
2. Unicorn Cafe
3. Brother's K Cafe
4. Starbucks on Sherman

Places that are currently open that have outdoor seats that I don't personally consider, regardless of the quality of their service/food:
1. Argo Tea (Too much traffic, sidewalk.)
2. Le Peep (Too much sun, sidewalk.)
3. Dixie Kitchen (Too much sun, sidewalk.)
4. Bar Louie (Takes up whole sidewalk, expensive.)
5. Davis Street Fish Market (Wind tunnel, traffic, sun, sidewalk.)
6. Celtic Knot (Too much traffic, sidewalk.)
7. Flat Top Grill (Too much traffic/sun, sidewalk.)
8. Chipotle (Too much traffic/sun, sidewalk.)
9. Clarke's Cafe (Not enough tables, sidewalk.)
10. Globe Cafe & Bar (Too expensive, sidewalk.)
11. Kan Sa Ku (Not enough seats, too small, on sidewalk.)
12. Chef's Station (Too expensive, sort of patio/sidewalk.)
13. Bat 17 (Tiny table on a sidewalk, anyone?)
14. A few places on Central in Evanston. (I don't go north enough to have a strong opinion.)
15. I might have missed some, but you get the idea.

Reviews for establishments that sell food, drink, and things related to eating and drinking:

The Spice House - Central, 1 block west of Green Bay Road. ****
This unique establishment sells only spices. Sea Salt is the tip of the spiceburg here folks. They do classes, they have every relevant spice you can think of, and then some. This isn't Jewel. It doesn't come in a can. It's FRESH spices. Expensive, hard to find spices, powders, and other things you can't get easily elsewhere. Stop in and check out the powdered cheddar for your popcorn! This place would get five stars, but the staff can be "rough around the edges", so I gave them four, but it's definitely worth a trip to check it out.

Evanston 1st Liquor - Davis/Oak on Davis ****
I lived in Evanston for a few years before I even heard of this place. When I walked in, it was like I won in Vegas! They even have microbrews from my home town in Colorado! Mead? Yep. Scotch that isn't one of the big four? Yep. Absinthe? Yep. Mixers? Check. Lemon squeezer? Check. Ping-Pong balls? Yep. Kegs? You bet. All the hard stuff I need to make a White Russian, Long Island Ice Tea, or Tequila Sunrise? Yep. Why are you still reading this!? GO GO GO! Go now, and smile when you see the beer collection. If you're too lazy, they DELIVER too.

Cost Plus World Market - On Maple at Church/Maple ****
This national chain carries a wide variety of wines, beers, and interesting party foods like chips, chocolate, cookies, canned sauces, spices, dips, and other goodies. Most of which are affordable. They also sell all the housewares one would ever need, from tables/chairs to plates, flatware, cooking gear, containers, and even sofas.

Foodstuffs - 2 1/2 blocks west of Green Bay on Central ****
This place is expensive. Let's just get that out of the way first. The service is spotty too. However, the selection and quality of the products they sell are very good, fresh, and unique. The place is packed on weekends and evenings, so go on a weekday during the day if you can. Know what you're looking for before you go in though, because the place is tight on space and packed full of goodies to buy and people buying them. The foodstuffs these folks cater is something worth writing about on a web page. Maybe I'll find one somewhere...

Great Harvest Bread Co. 3 blocks west of Green Bay on Central *****
Screw the carbs! The bread here is the best. They make it all on site and it smells amazing. Breads, baked goods like brownies, cookies, etc. And their sandwiches are gigantic as well as tasty. The prices are reasonable for the high quality of the food, and they even carry unique brands from other states for honey, jam, and other things to slather on your loaf. YUM.

McGaw YMCA of Evanston - Grove/Maple on Grove *****
So you eat all this good food, but need to keep the weight off? Yep, you guessed it, you need a workout plan! I've been to many YMCA locations in my time, but this one is the best by far. Two swimming pools, racket ball courts, every class under the sun, a children's center, reading lounge, huge weight room, tons of aerobic options, massage, basketball, running track, spinning, the whole bag. I joined the YMCA because I realized that the other gyms in town don't contribute to the community or give back. The YMCA does. Simple. If that doesn't help, they have a sliding pricing scale and family rates. Oh, and a steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi.

Special Reviews for Non-Evanston Eats:

M. Henry - Edgewater/Andersonville - Clark just south of Peterson. *****
www.mhenry.net
It was great! Wonderful atmosphere. Large space, excellent service with a smile. I had the stuffed poblano pepper with adobo sauce, stuffed with eggs & chorizo, and sweet plantains. Go early! They don't take reservations, and they are VERY busy for good reason. We got lucky and were sat almost immediately just before 10AM on Sunday.

REZA's in Andersonville *****
www.rezasrestaurant.com
Great price for excellent Mediterranean food, vegetarian options, tons of food, excellent drinks and outdoor seating, indoor atmosphere, and an all around good time. I've been many times, and have never been disappointed.

Big Jones Chicago - Andersonville, across from the Swedish Bakery *****
www.bigjoneschicago.com
I went here with my wife for dinner, and I had a huge smile on my face the whole time. Homemade corn cakes with honey butter, creole ya-ya gumbo, real sweet tea, cheeze fritters, grits, catfish, cajun fries, red velvet cake. These southern cats have it all, and they do it right. If you're from Orleans and you're missing home, try them out! You'll be happy you did!

New York Bagel, Touhy/94-Edens *****
Ok, I know this isn’t Evanston anymore, but these Bagels will kick the ass of any two other bagel joints within 15 miles. The homemade lox style cream cheese is to DIE for, as is any of the other spreads they have. The bagels are homemade on-site, in their giant oven, and well worth the trip. Oh, and they’re open 24 hours a day. What more could you ask for? Yes, they sell sea-salt bagels, and drink too. Definitely worth it, because they’re cheap to boot!

Japan Noodle House, Belmont/Ashland *****
Best Sushi I’ve ever eaten in Chicago! It’s all Japanese folks here, real nice service/staff. Pictures of almost every guest who’s ever eaten there on the walls, and an All You Can Eat Sushi that doesn’t Suck! And only 12 bucks! Excellent place. I’ve made several special trips to go there on several occasions.

Gulliver's Restaurant, Howard street, Chicago ****
www.gulliverspizza.com
WOW! This place is worth the visit if even just to see the interior decor. The owner has collected a vast variety of sculptures, lamps, and other interesting oddities that defy description. The stuffed pizza is spectacular, and the service excellent. Go in for a visit if you haven't had the chance to yet!

Home Run Inn Pizza *****
Yes, they make frozen pizza. No, the review is not for the frozen pizza, which while good, is nowhere near as good as the actual restaurant! I've made two pilgrimages to the original place, and I'll go again. This is Chicago Pizza at it's finest folks, trust me. Check out their locations here: Home Run Inn locations

3rd Coast Cafe **** (Dearborn/1 blk north of Division)
This Chicago establishment has changed over the last couple of years. They used to be open 24 hours, then started closing earlier and earlier, until now I believe they're only open until Midnight or so. The staff and the owner, Janet, (as I recall), are very friendly, and the live music is always good. The menu is well priced for being downtown, and it has something for everyone. I particularly like Diablo's Tacos and their Caesar salads. The sandwiches are also always good. They used to have smoking, but thankfully that's gone in Chicago now too! Yay! Parking is hard to find, and Sundays are so busy they're bursting at the seams, but otherwise it's a wonderful place overall.

Tsunami ***** (Dearborn/Division)
Excellent Sushi, wonderful atmosphere. You know it's good when patrons come from Japan to eat here. What else can I say? Go now if you have the time and the money. Oh, and parking is tough, so get ready.

Hot Chocolate Chicago ***** (1742 W. Division)
www.hotchocolatechicago.com
Have you ever passed out from eating too much chocolate? I must say, it's a wonderful experience. Mindy has outdone herself by creating this place. If you like Chocolate, and you haven't been here, you need to go! It's as close as I've come to having Hot Chocolate in Paris, when I was there, and it's here in Chicago! GO GO GO! GO NOW! Get the Dark Chocolate French Cup, with a home made marshmellow, and the Pecan Pie. You'll cry tears of joy, then pass out with a chocolate smear on your smiling face.

Mana Food Bar ***** (1742 W. Division)
www.manafoodbar.com
Wow! Go early! This place is standing room only! And for good reason. The place is really little, but in the spring they have outdoor seating. The food is a-maz-ing! It's vegetarian & vegan, and the staff and service were all wonderful. The saki-cocktails were unique and good, and the food was outstanding. I think I had almost one of everything on the menu. They build petite plates and price them low so you can try several. I'll go back, (I'll go early), and that's high praise coming from a guy who just cooked 10 Elk steaks on his grill.

The Green Zebra * (Ashland/Chicago in Chicago)
Now I've been to pretentious places before, so I knew what to expect in the vegetarian place. Hence, I ate before I went and I wasn't sad I did. In fact, I almost laughed in the waitress' face when she looked at my rather large frame in shock when I said I was "full" from eating the tiniest bowl of onion soup I've ever eaten for ten bucks in my life. HA HA! Talk about a place for people to blow their money on vegetarian fare I could make at home for 1/10th the cost! Save your bucks and avoid this place like the money-sucking-barely-cooked-almost-good-but-not-really fashion show it is and go to a real Chicago restaurant instead. OH, and the owner of The Green Zebra? Yeah, she owns Custom House. They server VEAL and FOIS GRAS. So much for vegetarian ethics.

Himalayan **** (Golf/Milwaukee - Des Plaines/Glenview)
One cannot go wrong with a place packed to the gills with folks from the region the food purports to hail from. In other words, this place is full with authentic people and food, so it's good for a reason. The service is stellar, the food out of this world, and the price reasonable. If you like Nepalese or northern Indian, don't wait! And don't let the fact that this nice sit down joint is in a strip mall next to the DMV fool you. I'll definitely be back. Heck, I make trips from Evanston just to eat here regularly because it's good.

Uncle Mel's Ribs and Sauce *****
I met Uncle Mel by chance as he was in a restaurant doing a taste test for the staff, and I have to say that it's the best I've had in Chicago. The Marinade and Southern Original are both from an old Louisiana Recipe, according to Mel, and you'll believe it on the first bite! Damn good stuff. I have to remember to order a jug of marinade for the house!

Mel lives in Wheeling, but you'd swear he imports his stuff straight from New Orleans. Not at all like the store-bought sugar and high-fructose stuff. Only the best goes in these sauces. He makes each batch by hand, and it shows. Oh, and he sells ribs by the rack, heat and eat!

Uncle Mel's, Inc.
Phone: 847-818-8987
ribsandsauce @ comcast.net for pricing and orders. (space included to avoid spam)
Tell him Calin sent you!

Reviews for places that have Closed:

Ambrosia Cafe (Closed!)*** (Davis/Orrington)
Run by two brothers from Ann Arbor, I love to hang out here with friends and grab a latte or hot tea. It's got a good vibe and the food that's brought in is as good or better than many other coffee joints. It's also across the street from Chase Bank, which makes it easy for us in the downtown area.

Le Petite Amelia ***** (Church St., near Whole Foods) (Closed!)
Very professional wait staff, nice atmosphere, reasonably priced, and best of all, the food was wonderful. The escargot was particularly good, and the chopped chicken salad rivals the rest in town. Crusty French bread and a long list of drink and dessert choices was also a nice touch. C'est Bon!

Ommagio **** (Orrington/Church) (Closed!)
This place opened up late in 2007. Extensive renovation was done to the interior, and I must say that it was well executed. The restaurant has a lot of natural wood and brick and makes the space seem warm and inviting. I tried the braised octopus appetizer, the insalata anipasto, the wild boar ragu, the Patta chocolate dessert, iced tea, and coffee at the end of the meal. I must say, it was all very good, particularly the octopus. The boar wasn't gamey enough for a country boy like myself, but I'll try the venison next time, and probably won't be disappointed. The prices are reasonable for the quality of the fair, and the deli attached to the restaurant looks interesting as a to-go option.

Gary Poppins Popcorn **** (Sherman/Clark)(Closed!)
Dang. I am sorry to see this place go. The cheese popcorn is definitely for the hard-core cheese heads among us, and I expect to see many great things come from this little shop. I’m so happy this store opened I could just pop! (please forgive the cheese flavored pun.) heh. Oh, and just had the caramel corn, very good!

Jamaican Gate: **(Closed!)
The culture both in the small eatery and the food is authentic to a "J". :-) LOVED the chicken I had, and the service was very up-front and friendly. Ja Mon! Drop in for a bite sometime if you're feeling adventurous. Oh, and the Carrot Cake was excellent. :-)

GNC (General Nutrition Center) ***(Closed!)
Good smoothies, low-carb bars/supplements here. Not much in the way of “meals”, but a good place to grab a healthy alternative to the candy and other crap we Americans eat all the time.

Coach’s Café, Orrington Hotel, Evanston *** (Closed! See Globe Cafe and Bar, if you dare...) 1 blk N. of Davis on Orrington (Sherman)
This little Northwestern University café has a nice little sports bar next to a fairly well put together dining room. The service is good, the food very normal, and the prices typical of a diner. It’s not thought of by the main stream very often, which means it most likely won’t be too busy to pop in and grab a bite. (Unless it’s game night, then look-out!)

Baja Fresh ** (Closed!)
A mixture of fast food style cutlery with a bit of a home cooked touch feel, without the home. Serve yourself a drink style refills and a “salsa bar” with plastic ramekins remind me of all that’s good in an eat-in Mexican restaurant without the atmosphere of an eat-in Mexican restaurant. Price isn’t anything special, neither were the enchiladas. Free chips with order, pretty normal. Salsas weren’t anything to write home about.

Corner Street Bakery **** (Closed!)
Corner street bakery is one of the best overall places on my list. The food is always good, the service is always prompt. I’ve eaten there at least 10 times, and have eaten almost every entrée on their menu. The prices are reasonable for an entrée, ($9 bucks with drink as of Oct. 2003), less for the lunch specials. Their salads, sandwiches, soups, and cookies are all good. Try this place at least once and see what you think. Oh, and the seating is nice too. (Outdoor Seating)

Bombay **** (Closed! Now it’s “The Celtic Knot”)
Good Indian buffet, in fact, so good, I eat there regularly. 10 bucks with tip for lunch. Good atmosphere, good service.

Chicago Dog **½ (Closed!)
Can you say, “greasy spoon”? Wow, cheap eats, fast service, and grease. They all go together for some off-the-wall menu items in this all American style fast food gone extra joint. Get a Hot Dog, a Gyro, a Chicken Sandwich, some soup, fries, and a pickle, and you’re all set. Oh, and don’t forget the soda pop, coke, or other carbonated, sugar laden beverage. You’ll spend about $5 bucks in this joint for lunch. Get it to-go, or get grease on your shirt.

Sherman Café **(Closed!)
Traditional breakfast fare, not that great, but reasonable price and fairly normal.

Aladdin’s Eatery *** Davis (East of Orrington)(Closed!)
Modern but comfortable atmosphere, interesting lighting. Both of my service experiences to this new restaurant in Evanston, (as of September, 2003), I would rate as good.
The carrot cake is VERY delicious. The green bean appetizer was good, as well as the salad and chicken dishes I ate. Standard Greek/Mediterranean food at this place, and the prices are standard.

Meet Farang, formerly Blue Sapphire (Thai) ***(Closed!)
Comfortable atmosphere, good people waiting on you, good food to eat. For Thai, this little gem is worth a try, so long as you can get a seat.

Fusion *** Near Taco Bell on Sherman (Closed!)
This little eatery, formerly known as Camille's, was quite good. As the name suggests, it's a fusion of different ethnic cuisine fused together to create something new. Good to go for lunch, service was very good and the prices reasonable.

Arigato Sushi **(Closed!)
Fair sushi here. Nowhere near as good as “Aki-Hana” on Lake further north, nor anywhere near as good as “The Noodle House” on Belmont/Ashland. But, for Sushi in Evanston it’s either here or “Kuni”, (which I have yet to try.) The prices for lunch are normal for sushi but I’d avoid it if you are a sushi connoisseur.

Cereality ***(Closed!)
Ever wake up in the morning and fly off to work without time for a bowl of your favorite cereal? I have. This place has it all! Even my old favorite cereals are here, and they'll even put in a few custom options for you like honey and bananas. Now all we need is a place that serves grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in a brown bag for lunch like they have in New York... :-)

Asado Brazilian Grill **** (Church/Oak)(Closed!)
Yep, it's too bad. Another interesting-but-expensive niche restaurant has gone away for now. It's a shame, really, but their prices were a casualty of the high competition. There's a lot of vegetarians in town, too. My wife is one. (I'm definitely carnivore though.)

Wolfgang Puck ** (Church/Maple)(Closed. Not surprised.)
For a guy who has his own market, and stuff in the super market, you would think that the fare here would rival some of the best. Well, you’d be wrong. This place is Normal with a capital “N”, and a bit on the expensive side for what I consider normal, as well. The tall German beer is good, but I can get that almost anywhere that sells liquor, and the burgers, soup, chicken, salad, and martini’s aren’t anything to write home about either. Skip this one, then take the money you saved and go see a movie next door. (Outdoor Seating)

**** Quiznos(Closed!) first, best service, best toasted subs. On Davis, just west of Sherman. (Outdoor Seating)

Viva le Crepe(Closed!) **** (1/2 block south on Sherman/Davis)
Viva le Crepe is about as good as it gets for French style food at a reasonable cost in Evanston. Oceanique, which I’ve been told has a bit of a different style, is much more expensive. The Godiva Crepe, the Banana Foster Crepe, and both the Creole and Steak Crepes were all very good. The red pepper soup was wonderful, and the baked Brie was also excellent. Tre Bien!

Tacos Del Lago (Closed!)*** (Clark/Benson)
This authentic Mexican restaurant has some of the best two-dollar tacos in town, and isn't nearly as crazy during lunch as the other joints in town during the lunch rush. Their burrito was pretty good, and their salsa is muy bueno!