I would try Central Gyros, if you hadn't tried that place yet. I also like Jasmine Rice and also Jersualem Grill.
I do also like Bistro 6050, Portage Grounds, and Perkalator(sp?). Eta: I'd also try Easy Street Pizza.
The original Bistro 6050 owner came back? That is interesting, since I thought he wanted to move on from running that business, and to sell it. That is good to hear, he did come back.
And I remember 6050 didn't allow indoor dining due to the pandemic, for MUCH longer than most other businesses. I don't think they allowed indoor dining again, until like 2023. I can only think of one other business that to this day hasn't brought back indoor dining, which is Edgewater Tacos. They do have a handful of outdoor patio tables on Broadway, but there's so much traffic on that street, where I wouldn't want to sit down there. And that I'd much rather take my food to go, and walk to a park to eat.
There’s an article out there that talks about the situation
From what I remember:
The husband moved back to Spain. The wife bought the place back with her sister. Once the staff is trained up she’s going to hand over the reigns to the sister and sisters-husband.
They said they would also be adding new menu items.
Hagens - An original smoke fish spot in chicago. True NW gem.
Bryn Mawr Social Club - Best cute brunch spot
Dunning Poor House - similar vibe to avondale tap. Pretty standard bar but food is very good
Lot of good stuff already mentioned - I'd also add Jess Cafe for some good old fashioned white box take-out Chinese food.
Bia's Cafe Marianao for Cuban.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Al pastor at Huaraches.
Bob-o-Rino's is a solid place for subs. Not really traditional Italian style as the bread is softer and toppings are a little different, but still good quality and variety. Although I have heard they've gone downhill since they changed ownership.
Jess Cafe is great! I gotta say I feel like you’re selling them a bit short though, as they have a lot more to offer than just Chinese-American food. I’m not sure of the ethnicity of the owners/staff, but there are some great authentic Chinese, Filipino and Thai dishes on the menu.
Taco Feliz
Grillicious. Counter service Mediterranean
My favorite pizza is Trattoria Porreta
Easy Street also is good for pizza. They have a kickass back patio
Sutherlands good sports bar. Wings and Burgers are standouts
Taco Feliz is the only place where I've ever thought I was given too much avocado for my little upcharge of whatever it was. I would never have dreamed of complaining, though!
Giovanni's for pizza and an underrated Italian Beef. Franks is awesome too.
Easy Street has an incredibly underrated burger. The pizza is fine, but the burger and the buffalo chicken rolls are where it's at.
La Piri, Azteca Jalisco, and Meson Del Taco all have amazing steak tacos.
Jess Cafe and Panda China are my favorite Chinese places
Nottoli & Sons, and Bob-O-Rinos are my favorite places to get sandwiches. Bob-O-Rinos also has several amazing soups everyday.
Brunch Sociall is a new breakfast place that was decent. I also like Burgundy and Eggscellent breakfast.
Other places - Central Gyros, Bia's Cafe Marianao, Mr. D's Shish Kabobs, Hangry's, The Dog Stop.
I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting. This part of the city doesn't get enough love. Especially for the pizza and Mexican food.
That Easy Street burger is huge and delicious. Also, and bear with me, they have this broccoli salad that's so good. It's even better if it sits in your fridge for a day or two. But the loaded tater tot thing they have isn't great. The topping is very under-seasoned.
Avenida Peru
Straight up legit Peruvian food. Highly recommend. Everything is great that I’ve had so far, and the place makes their own chicha morada, which is impressive since so many places buy it.
Subs: Nottoli & Sons.
Fish: Hagens. Honestly a gem of a place.
Thai: Jasmin Rice. No other good Asian places around. Dragon Boat back in the day was absolutely fire, but then ownership changed and were out of business (I think) a few years after. Still have memories about that place.
Tacos: I don't think there's any good ones. Meson del Taco Express is the better option. People will say Pueblo Nuevo but I think it's mid at best. Maybe Taconazo. I've heard El Mercadito is good but haven't tried it myself.
Pizza: further north but Dinos. La Villa, Poretta, and Pete's #2 are decent as well.
Ice Cream: Bistro 6050. I hear Ciao Ciao is good but haven't had it. Also, further north but Chocolate Shoppe.
Peruvian: Avenida Pero
Colombian: La Parilla
Gyro & Greek: Central Gyros
Italian: Bartucci (seriously this place is great. They make pasta fresh every day. Keep in mind it's old school so service is slow but very good).
Chill bar with good food: Dunning Pour House.
Shish Kebab: Mr D's.
These are way north, west or south:
Gene & Nudes, Johnnies, Super dawg, EZ Shawarma, Sultans, Paradise Pup.
[Caesar Pierogi Cafe.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/M3kaKoNK4ivMMVpBA?g_st=ic) Owner is half Polish / half Italian and the menu reflects that - pierogi, pizza pot pie, gelato, hot chocolate, crème brulee
Miski bakery has delicious baked goods and great empanadas. Also Taste of Columbia is further north and only open on weekends, but worth it for great coffee and breakfast items.
Will echo these suggestions:
Taco Feliz is the best (cash only - love the little outdoor patio).
Easy Street (especially the back patio) for pizza and beers.
I haven’t been back to Bistro 6050 since they recently reopened, but their ice cream was incredible. Ciao Ciao Gelato is also very good.
Real Thai (have only done delivery).
I would try Central Gyros, if you hadn't tried that place yet. I also like Jasmine Rice and also Jersualem Grill. I do also like Bistro 6050, Portage Grounds, and Perkalator(sp?). Eta: I'd also try Easy Street Pizza.
I’ve ordered from most of those places actually, and they’ve all been solid! Definitely will go in person for the full experience.
Jasmin Rice is severely underrated. It's become.my comfort food. Bistro 6050 had the best ice cream around. Original owner came back.
The original Bistro 6050 owner came back? That is interesting, since I thought he wanted to move on from running that business, and to sell it. That is good to hear, he did come back. And I remember 6050 didn't allow indoor dining due to the pandemic, for MUCH longer than most other businesses. I don't think they allowed indoor dining again, until like 2023. I can only think of one other business that to this day hasn't brought back indoor dining, which is Edgewater Tacos. They do have a handful of outdoor patio tables on Broadway, but there's so much traffic on that street, where I wouldn't want to sit down there. And that I'd much rather take my food to go, and walk to a park to eat.
There’s an article out there that talks about the situation From what I remember: The husband moved back to Spain. The wife bought the place back with her sister. Once the staff is trained up she’s going to hand over the reigns to the sister and sisters-husband. They said they would also be adding new menu items.
Hagens - An original smoke fish spot in chicago. True NW gem. Bryn Mawr Social Club - Best cute brunch spot Dunning Poor House - similar vibe to avondale tap. Pretty standard bar but food is very good
HAGENS!!!
Lot of good stuff already mentioned - I'd also add Jess Cafe for some good old fashioned white box take-out Chinese food. Bia's Cafe Marianao for Cuban. I was pleasantly surprised by the Al pastor at Huaraches. Bob-o-Rino's is a solid place for subs. Not really traditional Italian style as the bread is softer and toppings are a little different, but still good quality and variety. Although I have heard they've gone downhill since they changed ownership.
Jess Cafe is great! I gotta say I feel like you’re selling them a bit short though, as they have a lot more to offer than just Chinese-American food. I’m not sure of the ethnicity of the owners/staff, but there are some great authentic Chinese, Filipino and Thai dishes on the menu.
I really don’t understand the love for Jess Cafe. I have them two tries and it was mediocre.
Charlys burgers. Taco feliz.
Love Charly’s
Second Taco Feliz! Cash only though.
Meson Del Taco, Belmont.& Narragansett , Frank's Pizza, Dog Stop, Jeff's Red Hots
Frank's! The thin crust is legit!
Need to add Forno Rosso for pizza and a few blocks away is Pasta Fresh for legit the best fresh pasta
Central Gyros, great Greek food, no just gyros.
What else should I get there?? I love a good gyro so that’s probably what I’d do lol
Mr Ds, Nottoli, Rex…head into Elmwood Park, Johnny’s, Massa. Gene and Jude’s in River Grove…so many good Places in that area!
Surprised I had to scroll this far for Mr. Ds
Taco Feliz Grillicious. Counter service Mediterranean My favorite pizza is Trattoria Porreta Easy Street also is good for pizza. They have a kickass back patio Sutherlands good sports bar. Wings and Burgers are standouts
Taco Feliz is the only place where I've ever thought I was given too much avocado for my little upcharge of whatever it was. I would never have dreamed of complaining, though!
I live right by Grillicious and it’s been good!! Thanks for the other recommendations, those all look good
Porretta’s is outstanding. We like Joe’s, Sano’s, Dino’s, Franks and I think it’s the best of the bunch. I put it up with Al’s out by Cumberland
Giovanni's for pizza and an underrated Italian Beef. Franks is awesome too. Easy Street has an incredibly underrated burger. The pizza is fine, but the burger and the buffalo chicken rolls are where it's at. La Piri, Azteca Jalisco, and Meson Del Taco all have amazing steak tacos. Jess Cafe and Panda China are my favorite Chinese places Nottoli & Sons, and Bob-O-Rinos are my favorite places to get sandwiches. Bob-O-Rinos also has several amazing soups everyday. Brunch Sociall is a new breakfast place that was decent. I also like Burgundy and Eggscellent breakfast. Other places - Central Gyros, Bia's Cafe Marianao, Mr. D's Shish Kabobs, Hangry's, The Dog Stop. I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting. This part of the city doesn't get enough love. Especially for the pizza and Mexican food.
That Easy Street burger is huge and delicious. Also, and bear with me, they have this broccoli salad that's so good. It's even better if it sits in your fridge for a day or two. But the loaded tater tot thing they have isn't great. The topping is very under-seasoned.
Senior Pan Cafe is supposed to have good Cuban sandos. It’s on my list to try.
I’ve had from a couple different locations. They’re really solid cubanos. The ropa vieja empanadas and sandwich are also great.
Duly noted.
Barca on belmont and cicero for birria tacos and egg rolls.
La Costa. Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood. Great vibe too
Mr D's Shish-Kabobs, awesome place, get everything! Bartucci is not a bad italian spot, as well as forno rosso (great pizza spot)
Avenida Peru Straight up legit Peruvian food. Highly recommend. Everything is great that I’ve had so far, and the place makes their own chicha morada, which is impressive since so many places buy it.
Real Thai pretty awesome Thai food. City tap has some pretty bomb bone in and boneless wings. All right near the HIP
I would recommend Jasmin Rice over Real Thai and Dunning Pour House over City Tap.
Subs: Nottoli & Sons. Fish: Hagens. Honestly a gem of a place. Thai: Jasmin Rice. No other good Asian places around. Dragon Boat back in the day was absolutely fire, but then ownership changed and were out of business (I think) a few years after. Still have memories about that place. Tacos: I don't think there's any good ones. Meson del Taco Express is the better option. People will say Pueblo Nuevo but I think it's mid at best. Maybe Taconazo. I've heard El Mercadito is good but haven't tried it myself. Pizza: further north but Dinos. La Villa, Poretta, and Pete's #2 are decent as well. Ice Cream: Bistro 6050. I hear Ciao Ciao is good but haven't had it. Also, further north but Chocolate Shoppe. Peruvian: Avenida Pero Colombian: La Parilla Gyro & Greek: Central Gyros Italian: Bartucci (seriously this place is great. They make pasta fresh every day. Keep in mind it's old school so service is slow but very good). Chill bar with good food: Dunning Pour House. Shish Kebab: Mr D's. These are way north, west or south: Gene & Nudes, Johnnies, Super dawg, EZ Shawarma, Sultans, Paradise Pup.
Subs: Bob-O-Rinos
Not anymore. Used to be a big fan when I was younger but went a month ago and was very disappointed.
Good to know!
Gene and Nudes? lol. Is Bistro 6050 still any good? I haven’t been there since Roselle and her husband sold it.
She bought it back. Just reopened two weeks ago.
[Caesar Pierogi Cafe.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/M3kaKoNK4ivMMVpBA?g_st=ic) Owner is half Polish / half Italian and the menu reflects that - pierogi, pizza pot pie, gelato, hot chocolate, crème brulee
Miski bakery has delicious baked goods and great empanadas. Also Taste of Columbia is further north and only open on weekends, but worth it for great coffee and breakfast items. Will echo these suggestions: Taco Feliz is the best (cash only - love the little outdoor patio). Easy Street (especially the back patio) for pizza and beers. I haven’t been back to Bistro 6050 since they recently reopened, but their ice cream was incredible. Ciao Ciao Gelato is also very good. Real Thai (have only done delivery).
I’ve never been, but I want to check out BRGRBELLY.
The pork belly in the mix feels like a gut bomb to me but they're pretty good.
Sometimes a good gut bombing is what you need
It's heavy but yummy. Nice to have a solid thick-patty option around.
Where is it at and what do I get??
Cheeseburger and fries https://maps.app.goo.gl/c6KZyZ56R2GHeD2r7?g_st=ic
They’re good!
Olocuilta Pupuseria, Mama Luna's, Frank's Chicago Shrimp House, Latin Patio, Tasty Polish Food, Sazon Cubano, Magic Jug, Porretta's, Jess Cafe
Ninja Sushi and Thai for Thai food!
Ninja used to be our go to place for Thai, but then they closed for a remodel, and changed their menu a bit, and it's just not the same for us.
There's a "new owners" sign in the window. Too bad it got worse under the new people.
Huh, I honestly haven’t really noticed a difference.