From: schiller@tira.uchicago.edu (Eric Schiller)
Newsgroups: rec.music.gdead
Subject: Eating in Chicago (by request)
Date: 25 Jul 92 19:10:06 GMT
Distribution: rec.music.gdead
Organization: Center for Information and Language Studies / University of
	Chicago

Here, in response to requests, is some info on eating in Chicago.
I should've posted it before the Soldier Field concerts, but 
didn't think of it. Clip and save for next year. The immediate
audience is netheads travelling to SIGRAPH.

The 1992 Chicago Linguistic Society Dining Guide
Bouzup Tamada, Editor-in Chef with Al Lexicon, Debutant
Special Electronic Version (7/23/92) by Eric Schiller 
(schiller@sapir.uchicago.edu)

Warning: this edition lacks all the groovy icons of the published 
form!

Note to the uninitiated: The Chicago Linguistic Society is a 
venerable institution, now entering its 29th year. The student run 
"organization" is based at the University of Chicago, where it 
hosts an annual regional meeting featuring an open-minded exchange 
of ideas on subjects ranging from grammatical theory to 
historical/comparative studies, during which much beer is consumed 
and a major party takes place. The publication of the proceedings, 
containing papers by leading scholars and graduate students, is 
eagrly awaited each year. On Thursdays, the Society hosts a "tea" 
which features amber hoppy brews imported from as far away as 
Wisconsin, and food prepared by students and faculty. It also 
arranges talks on linguistic topics, usually followed by group 
meals at interesting restaurants. James D. McCawley is a 
Distinguished Professor in the Department of Linguistics and an 
authority on ethnic food. He is the author of the Eater's Guide to 
Chinese Characters (University of Chicago Press), which will teach 
you how to read Chinese-language menus, which often contain much 
more interesting choices than the English menus.

The story so far: Bouzup slept through the 1991 convention, still 
hungover from the 1990 party. He awoke only when a copy of the 
proceedings volumes from that year fell on him when they arrived a 
few weeks ago. In the meantime, a newcomer, Al, was scouring Hyde 
Park for good eats, armed only with our 1990 edition. Frustrated 
by all the out-of-date information, he carefully took notes on his 
adventures. Unfortunately, he forgot to feed the dog, who ate the 
notes. So after sobering up our veteran correspondent, this 
revision was proposed, and before Bouzup knew what had hit him, he 
was on the job again. After getting appropriately sloshed, our 
lads cooked up this list. Neither they, nor any of (either of?) 
their friends are responsible for any errors. If you want this 
guide to be even better next year, please give your comments to 
the CLS officers. 

By the way, showing your waitperson/customer service 
representative this guide will get you a discount - NOT! But it 
might confuse them!

Hyde Park Eateries:

Ann Sather's 1329 E. 57th (947-9323) Swedish & American. Good 
specials, excellent breakfast, especially the sweet rolls. Service 
can be slow, so leave sufficient time. 0700P2230. $ 

Cafe Coffee 5211 S. Harper (288-4063) Nice place to take a short 
break from 53rd St. shopping. 0800-1800 Cheap! 
 
Caffe Florian 1450 E. 57th (752-4100) In the old location of the 
Medici, this new addition has a nice, varied menu of light meals, 
and is open late on weekends. Cheesecake is good. 1100-2400 (-0100 
Fri,Sat) $ 

Cantina (El Lugar) 1601 E.55th (684-6514) Not up to the Chicago 
standards set by Mexican restaurants elsewhere in Chicago but 
acceptable food in a general small and crowded environment. 11-
2200 (-23 Sa) $$ Alcohol available. 
 
Chick'N Noodle 1610 E. 55th (493-9350) Eat in and take-away Thai 
and Chinese food. A little cheaper than the other Thai places on 
55th. 1030-2300 $ 
Ciral's House of Tiki 1612 E. 53rd. (684-1221) Polynesian, 
Tahitian, American, Cantonese. Who knows and who cares. If it is 
late enough, this is the only option for eating and drinking, as 
the clientel testifies. 0830P0400. $ Alcohol available. 
 
Classics Cafe In Classics Building A nice place to get healthy 
food and beverages with really fine coffee, including cappucino 
and espresso and variations thereon. Also many types of yoghurt 
shakes and Italian sodas and ices. 0830-1700 M-F 
Cobb Coffee Shop In Cobb Hall Filled with undergraduates. Go to 
Classics instead.

Dock' s 53rd & Kenwood Mediocre chicken and fish fast food joint. 
It is open late, though. They call themselves the place for fish. 
No way. 1100-2400
 
Domino's 324-3800 They deliver late at night. Consumption while 
alternatives are still open is a sign of deep depression. Please 
don't! 1100-0100 (-0200 Fri, Sa) 
Edwardo's of Hyde Park 1321 E. 57th (241-7960) 77 Great pizza, 
especially the stuffed Pesto. The crust is better at Medici, but 
the 1100-2300 (-2400 Fri,Sa) $ fillings are better here. Nice side 
salads. Service is often slow.

El Lugar 1603 E. 55th Take out joint for mediocre but inexpensive 
Mexican food. 11-2100 (-2200 Fr-Su) Cheap!
 
Ex Libris Regenstein Library, A Level Just a place to nosh in the 
Library. Handy if you are there and Morry's is closed, or if it is 
raining heavily. 1600-2300 M-F 1200-2000 Sa,Su Cheap! 

Falcon Inn 1605 E. 55th A pub, inferior to Jimmy's.

Far East Kitchen 1509 E. 53rd St. (955-2200) Late Night take-away 
OK after big drinking bouts. Chicken dishes are least 
dangerous.1100-0100 (Tu-Su) 
 
Giordano's of Hyde Park 5311 S. Blackstone (947-0200) In the Great 
Pizza War the availability of beer is a big plus. Inconsistent, 
but spectacular on occasion. Vegetarian special is good. Some 
exotic toppings. 1100-2400 (-0100 Fri,Sa) 

Gold City Inn 5228 S. Harper (493-2559) Specializing in Chop Suey 
and Chow Mein. That says it all. 1130-2130

Harold's Chicken Shack 1364 E. 53rd & 1208 E.53rd The legendary 
chicken joint, not named after the late mayor. Fried Chicken with 
hot sauce is the standard fare, but the chicken livers are good 
too. 1100-0100 Cheap! 
 
Ida's Cafe ida Noyes Hall Decent food, cheap prices, and a fine 
place to grab a bit to eat between papers. Gets crowded during the 
conference, so please share tables with other participants. Cheap! 
 
International House 1414 E. 59th St Overpriced for non residents. 
Standard Cafeteria food. limited hours, $ 700-1000,1130-1430,1700-
1930. 

Jesselson's Fish & Seafood 1310 E.53rd (363-9186) A fish market 
with food prepared on site. Best seafood in Hyde Park, which isn't 
saying much. 1000-2200 $ 
Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap 1172 E. 55th St Great selection of beers. 
This is a place to drink, then talk. If you must eat, drink first. 
Food is strictly Nouvelle Grease. 1200-0200 (-0300 Sa) 
 
Kentucky Fried Chicken 1511 E. Hyde Park Blvd. SHAME! If you eat 
at places like this you should not bother reading this guide!

La Brioche 1650 E. 55th St. 257 Excellent place for French 
pastries and sandwiches. Wonderful cappucino, and they provide the 
newspapers. What more could you want for pre-conference breakfast? 
0730-1900 (-1700 Sa) Cheap! 
 
Lake Shore Cafe Ramada Inn Terrible, with bad service and mediocre 
overpriced food. If it is raining, order pizza from one of the 
many excellent local spots. $$$ 
Lung Wah Chop Suey 1368 E. 53rd 1100-2100 Take-away only - and 
only if you are blind drunk.

MacDonalds 1344 E. 53rd St. SHAME! If you eat at places like this 
you should not bother reading this guide!

Market in the Park 5050 S. Lake Shore Dr. A supermarket with 
dining facilities. OK place to grab a bite enroute to the 
conference, and likely to better than anything at the Ramada. 
0900-2100 

Medici on Harper 52211 S. Harper Pasta dishes and appetizers 
shine, alcohol available and pleasant atmosphere. The only 
downside is that the service can be slow. 1130-2300 (-2430 Fri,Sa) 
Alcohol available. $$
 
Medici Pan Pizza & Galleria 1327 E. 57th (667-7394) The new digs 
are even nicer, especially upstairs, and the menu is more 
interesting, Might be crowded for lunch on Thu and Fri. Good 
appetizers and desserts. 1130-0030 (-0130 Fri) $ 

Mellow Yellow 1508 E. 53rd (667-2000) 257 Mediocre, except for 
broiled chicken and apple pie - both best in Hyde Park. Their 
"award winning" chili must have been judged by Tammy Baker. 0730-
2230 (0800-2330 Fri,Sa) 

Morry's C Shop/Deli 57th and University $ You can get all sorts of 
food here, all of the same mediocre quality. But it is close and 
cheap and plenty of stuff for vegetarians. 0700-2100 (0900-1300 
Fri,Sa). Best bargain: bagels with black olive crfeam cheese for 
60 cents.
 
Morry's Deli Too 970 E. 58th St. A place to nosh if you are 
visiting the UC Bookstore. 0700-1700 M-F, 0900-1500 Sa 

Morry's Three 5500 S. Cornell A second-rate Deli with an ice-cream 
parlor. Mostly take-away. 0700-2000 

Nile 1520 E. 55th (324-9499) A new Middle-Eastern place. Early 
reports are mixed - from rave reviews to disappointments. More 
expensive than University Gardens. Large portions. 1130-2200 (-
2300 Fri, Sa) 
 
Original Pancake House 1517 E. Hyde Park (288-2322) Excellent 
breakfasts, among the best in Hyde Park. Fresh squeezed OJ. Very 
reasonable prices. A bit noisy, and often crowded. 0700-1500 (-
1700 Sa, Su) 
 
Orly's 55th and Hyde Park (643-5500) 257 Alcohol available. Trendy 
place with lots of booze and California-chic cuisine. Sunday 
brunch is very good, and most meals are of decent quality. 1130-
1430, 1700-2230 (-0000 Fr Sa) $$$ 
 
Piccolo Mondo Cafe 1642 E. 56th (643-1106) Very good italian fare 
to eat in or take out. Generous portions. 0900-2100 $$ Alcohol 
available.

Pizza Hut 1408 E. 53rd (288-5899) 1100-0100 SHAME! If you eat at 
places like this you should not bother reading this guide!

Ribs 'N Bibs 5300 S. Dorchester (493-0400) Strictly for 
carnivores, but some of the best ribs on the South Side. Take-
away. Call in your order in advance. 1200-0000 $$ 

Salonica 1440 E. 57th (752-3899) Good value. Breakfast is 
universally recommended. The "Greek" dishes are liked by some of 
our students. There is no accounting for taste! But not bad. 
(0700-2130) 
 
Siam 1639 E. 55th (324-9296) If you haven't dined here yet, try 
it. The seafood dishes are particularly good, Large soups are 
good, too. Becoming the consensus favorite in Hyde Park. BYOB. 
1100-2200 $$ 
 
Swift Coffee Shop Swift Hall basement Excellent coffee, Medici 
pizza, fresh pastries and a wide range of healthy eats. God has 
been known to drop by for coffee, though he avoids the divinity 
students. Cheap! (0800-1600) 

TenPtsuna 5225 S. Harper (493-4410) This has been a gem of a 
Japanese restaurant, but it is priced accordingly. Lunches are 
more reasonable, but you will have to miss a paper to get it in. 
Too bad they don't serve lunch on weekends. Some negative reports 
recently. 1130-1400, 1700-2130 $$$

Thai 55th 1607 E. 55th (363-7119) An excellent Thai restaurant, 
but beware the "market price" fish which is better described as 
"overpriced". Only Mee Grob in Hyde Park. 1200-2200 $$ 

Thai Twin 1604 E. 53rd (493-1000) Very good Thai food, but the 
portions are small, and they use MSG, which they will omit if you 
so request. 1130-2200 $$ 
 
Tipsuda 1649 E. 55th (667-5423) The first Thai in Hyde Park, and 
still unsurpassed. Specials tend to be very good. $$ 

University Gardens 1373 E. 53rd St (684-6660) Good MiddlePEastern 
food at low prices. Free relish bar with olives and other goodies. 
Muhammed Ali likes to eat there when he is in town. Often crowded. 
1100-2200 $ 

Valois See Your Food 1518 E. 53rd St (667-0647) A Hyde Park 
tradition - authentic steam table and one of the best of its type 
anywhere. Just choose whatever looks best, and watch for slumming 
intellectuals. 0600-2200 $ 
 
Wendy's 1530 E. 53rd 0700-2400 SHAME! If you eat at places like 
this you should not bother reading this guide!

Woolworths Hyde Park Shopping Center If you are tired of sitting 
still at CLS, go and spin around on the seats and watch everyone 
watching you. Cheap eats are a cut above greasy spoon. 1100-1630 
Cheap! 
 
Ethnic Food: Ethnic food is what fuels Chicago, where people eat 
it because they like it, not just because it is trendy. You can 
get all kinds of onolicious stuff, whether you be carnivore, 
pescovore, herbovore or omnivore. "People in the know" all have a 
copy of Jim McCawley's famous guide, the mere sight of which has 
been known to send the staff scurrying for the native language 
menus. But for a select, if blurred, vision, here are our faves. 
Limited to one example per cuisine, so you should remember that 
there are a lot of other places that are good too.

Afghan The Helmand, 3201 N. Halstead Expensive, but perhaps worth 
it. Good atmosphere, small portions.

African African Vilage, 4406 N. Broadway

Argentinian El Gaucho, 2856 N. Clark

Armenian Casbah, 514 W. Diversey Food is highly recommended, 
though we haven't been there recently.

Assyrian Arbela, 6243 N. Western

Brazilian/Portugese Rio's, 4611 N. Kedzie A lesser-known, but very 
rich cuisine

Burmese Minaya, E. 6th St. New York City A long way to go for 
dinner!

Cantonese SixtyPFive, 2409 S. Wentworth Decorated with fish tanks 
- great food at modest prices.

Chicago Hot Dogs Byron's, 1701 W. Lawrence Best in Chicago, 
according to Howie Aronson and the Frugal Gourmet.

Cuban Costa Brava, 4006 N. Broadway

Czech Old Prague, 5928 Cermak Road, Cicero Food is very good, and 
filling, according to Aronson.

DimPSum Hong Min, 221 W. Cermak A wide variety at reasonable 
prices, but expensive for gluttons!

Ecuadoran Ecuador, 2923 W. Diversey

Ethiopian Mama Desta's, 3215 N. Clark A Chicago landmark. Good 
veggie food available. Try the spicy combination plate.

Filipino Ihaw Ihaw, 5945 W. Fullerton

French trust us, you can't afford it!

German Lutz's, 2458 W. Montrose Desserts, desserts, desserts...

Greek Greek Islands, 200 S. Halsted Go Thursday - crowded on 
weekends.

Guatemalan El Tinajon, 4638 N. Western Highly recommended.

Hunan House of Hunan, 535 N. Michigan Slightly expensive. Best 
eating in the area.

Hungarian Kenessey's Wine Cellar Not impressive, but nothing 
better in this category.

Indian Moti Mahal, 1031 W. Belmont Excellent vegetarian and non-
vegetarian food. Bargain buffet for lunch.

Italian Scoozi, 410 W. Huron Not cheap, but good atmosphere and 
consistently good food. Very Crowded!

Jamaican Blue Mountain Cafe, 3517 N. Clark crowded on weekends

Japanese Matsuya, 3469 N. Clark Deservedly crowded, moderately 
priced.

Jewish The Bagel, 3000 W. Devon Jewish food for New Yorkers 
experiencing withdrawal pains. Great soups. Not Kosher!

Khmer 1108 W. Leland service is painfully slow

Korean Dee Ho, 2741 W. Devon "One of the best Korean restaurants 
outside of Korea" - McCawley.

Lao Nhu Hoa Cafe, 1020 Argyle also Vietnamese food. Huge menu.

Lebanese Cafe Phonecia, 2814 N. Halsted Best Aronson has ever 
tried! Try the Chicken Couscous and Trout stuffed with herbs.

Lithuanian Healthy Food Lithuanian, 3236 S. Halsted

Malay Kasturi, 1530 Fulleron 

Mandarin Fortune, 2407 S. Wentworth Recommended by McCawley

Mexican Ostioneria Playa Azul, 1514 W. 18th Wonderful appetizers 
and seafood dishes.

Moroccan Taste of Morocco, 3235 N. Halsted

Pakistani Shalimar Gardens, 6418 N. Western McCawley recommends 
the lamb's brain curries.

Persian Reza Restaurant, 5255 N. Clark Large portions of excellent 
food at reasonable prices.

Peruvian Rinconcito Sudamericano, 1954 W. Armitage

Pizza stay in Hyde Park at Edwardo's, Giordano's or Medici

Polish Sava. 3802 Diversey All-you-can-eat!

Puerto Rican Ibis, 2509 W. North

Roumanian Little Bucharest, 3001 N. Ashland Dinner is only served 
MondayPThursday, 1700-2200)

Scandinavian Ann Sather's see listing above.

Scottish The Duke of Perth, 2913 N. Clark Wonderful drinks, much 
of the food is thinly disguised American fare.

Seafood Moonraker's,733 S. Dearborn Amazing, still relatively 
undiscovered!

Shanghai Moon Palace, 2006 S. Wentworth Walk up to the second 
floor for Ningpo shredded eel.

Sichuan Dragon Palace, 3357 W. Peterson

Serbian Miomir's, 2255 W. Lawrence

Soul Food Army & Lou's Award Winning Rst, 422 E.75th This is an 
upscale place so dress appropriately!

Taiwanese/Hakka Dragon Palace, 3357 W. Peterson McCawley rates 
this as the best Chinese restaurant in Chicago.

Thai There is no point in leaving Hyde Park, with its 5 from good 
to excellent Thai eateries.

Tibetan Nothing closer than New York, as far as we know. Sorry.

Ukranian Galans, 2210 W. Chicago Elegant retaurant with huge 
portions and reasonabl prices. Try the Stuffed Potato Pancake.

Turkish Konak, 5150 N. Clark Very good and very reasonable - 
Aronson.

Vegetarian Chicago Diner, 3411 N. Halsted. Excellent fare at 
reasonable prices.

Vietnamese Mekong, 4953 N. Broadway Wonderful sugar cane wrapped 
with shrimp 
mousse (much better than at Pasteur!)
or Hau Giang, 1104 W. Argyle Great for eel curry and lemon chicken
 
Stranded Traveller Vegetarian Special: Chowpatti, 1045 So. 
Arlington Heights Rd, 15 minutes from O'Hare. The best vegetarian 
restaurant in the Midwest.
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