Restaurants you wish were in the City! (Chicago, Wheeling: real estate, neighborhood)

[ajolotl]

Something has always depressed me though about Skokie in general and Dumpster road in particular once you're away from east evanston.

Pita Inn is such a good deal though that I do it at least a few times a year. Should do it more.

Originally Posted by Drover

Well, for those of us who live well up into the Northwest side, Skokie isn't that far to go.


Here you go: Red Robin and Jack In The Box.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Something has always depressed me though about Skokie in general and Dumpster road in particular once you're away from east evanston.

Yeah but Poochie's is along there, great hot dog stand with fresh cut fries and good Polish, brats and burgers too. As good as Gene and Judes and more variety but without losing track of the basics---hot dogs and fries.

[southsidehitman]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Well if it's a greasy spoon you want there's one at 35th and Ashland and another at 22nd and Racine.

35th n ashland? are you reffering to scotts hamburger heaven? next to the pepsi plant that place is great and its definetly a greasy spoon they have this breakfest deal its like 2 bucks for 2 eggs bacon or sausage toast and hash browns or grits

[edsg25]

Some random thoughts...

1. I never understood why Bob Chin's never made it in the city. I know there were differences between it and the Wheeling original (I believe Bob's son owned the spinoff on the river downtown), but the place is such a suburban classic, it should have been a Chgo success, too.

2. Another strong-rooted suburban restaurant, Max & Benny's in Northbrook, didn't make it in Streeterville. M&B does a hell of a business on the North Shore, but perhaps that strongly Jewish feel doesn't translate well to the heart of downtown. I guess places like 11th Street are more suited to it.

3. Portillo's: they saturate the western and northwest suburbs and have a strong presence in the north. One River North location means Chicago is way under served by this best of the fast food places.

4. not a restaurant, but we'll throw this one in because of the relationship: Sunset Foods. The Highland Park super market is the best there is in a high end yet complete super market. It is large and complete. And it really does exceed what TI has to offer. Sunset covers the northern end of the North Shore and inland to Libertyville rather well. Lots of former North Shore residents have moved DT and would love to see Sunset located there. One last....and even more unrelated...point. The southern end of the NS (Evnstn, Wilm, Sk) could easily support a Sunset, too. Another missed opportunity.

[westernburns]

i love portillos they have the best hot dogs and italian beef i have ever had

[kamjah]

Originally Posted by westernburns

i love portillos they have the best hot dogs and italian beef i have ever had

you must not have had very many italian beefs or hotdogs in chicago then

[ajolotl]

I've seen it many times but never gave it a try. Will do so.

Now that you mention it there is an amazing bagel place on that big road that angles (Gross Point or something like that) near Dumpster. I had forgotten what real bagels tasted like after so many years going to Einsteins.

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Yeah but Poochie's is along there, great hot dog stand with fresh cut fries and good Polish, brats and burgers too. As good as Gene and Judes and more variety but without losing track of the basics---hot dogs and fries.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by kamjah

you must not have had very many italian beefs or hotdogs in chicago then

Portillo's is solid. Their beef may not be the best (and maybe it is) but it's very good. Their hot dogs are of very good quality with plenty of snap. My main beef with them (pun intended) is their frozen fries. They do well in burbs with a significant Italian-American presence, that ought'a tell you something.

And they have pretty good chocolate cake too.

I was eating beefs at Carms at Cicero and Harrison and Johnny's in Elmwood Park and hot dogs at Gene and Judes 50 years ago.

[kamjah]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Portillo's is solid. Their beef may not be the best (and maybe it is) but it's very good. Their hot dogs are of very good quality with plenty of snap. My main beef with them (pun intended) is their frozen fries. They do well in burbs with a significant Italian-American presence, that ought'a tell you something.

And they have pretty good chocolate cake too.

I was eating beefs at Carms at Cicero and Harrison and Johnny's in Elmwood Park and hot dogs at Gene and Judes 50 years ago.

oh, i'm not saying portillo's is bad. it's definitely tasty. but there are ton's of rundown shack-like spots in the city have much better of both. susie's for example. portillo's is a bit too mainstream chain to be the best.

in my experience, the older and more run down a restaurant looks. the better the food will be. because to me this says, this place has been sitting in this exact location forever making the locals happy doing what they do best..... making food that turns brown paper bags translucent.

[Mister Mappy]

Another greasy spoon: Lorraine's at Chicago & Damen.