Southside Questions from a Northsider (Chicago: house, live, restaurants)

[jackfrog <>]

Originally Posted by deechee

She would stick out like a sore thumb.

NOT a good recommendation. I was in that area last week.

Sorry deechee.

[Jillian_24]

Thanks for all the suggestions. They are very helpful. I drive and I think stony and 95th is my best bet so far. Just in terms of time/travel for the hour. Whereever I ended up the otherday I wont be returning to.


I think the southside is lacking food options other than fast-food. But I guess just spoiled working downtown where there are coffee and salad bars galore.

[ajolotl]

Yes, the food on the south side is disgusting. I live a few miles west of Chicago State. I tend to eat lunch at Cafe 103 on 103rd and Longwood (very good), or for something quick the panera or Chipotle on 95th and western. There are some ok restaurants along western (franconellos comes to mind and many decent chains -- potbellys, etc). East of beverly though its all ghetto trash food. 95th street where you are is ghetto but not really dangerous in the day. I wouldn't worry about running into any problems. 103rd and south is actually worse, better to avoid.

[chirack]

There are not many Coffee bars here but if you are desperate for Starbucks there is one in the mall on 87th. I will agree that this area mostly has fast food. However there is a jerked chicken place on 103rd near King Drive that is pretty good.

[ajolotl]

It occurs to me that on stony in the 80s and 90s there is a pretty good Leonas that I've eaten at once or twice and there used to be a very good BJs. Not sure if the latter is still there. Stony in 80s and 90s is pretty ok in general, though. I find 103rd to 111th to be rougher.

[deechee]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Yes, the food on the south side is disgusting. I live a few miles west of Chicago State. I tend to eat lunch at Cafe 103 on 103rd and Longwood (very good), or for something quick the panera or Chipotle on 95th and western. There are some ok restaurants along western (franconellos comes to mind and many decent chains -- potbellys, etc). East of beverly though its all ghetto trash food. 95th street where you are is ghetto but not really dangerous in the day. I wouldn't worry about running into any problems. 103rd and south is actually worse, better to avoid.

VERY GOOD suggestions. Remember I used to live over there? Lol, but yes, great choices for lunch and only fifteen minutes away. 95th street is not dangerous because it is so busy, there is no time for problems.

I don't appreciate you talking about my former neighborhood, however. I used to live in Roseland.

Originally Posted by chirack

There are not many Coffee bars here but if you are desperate for Starbucks there is one in the mall on 87th. I will agree that this area mostly has fast food. However there is a jerked chicken place on 103rd near King Drive that is pretty good.

Don't forget Starbucks on 103rd and Longwood.

[latikeriii]

That area isn't bad during the day but since you're White, you will stick out. Most people wouldn't pay attention but some will probably give you bad looks but don't let it bother you. I think the biggest concern is if you're young and white, the guys over there will gawk at you a lot, just ignore them.
95th and Stony Island is a good choice. You should even go over 4 more blocks to the east to 95th and Jeffery, there are a few more restaurants but of course fast food. There is a great Chinese restaurant over there that I used to go to when I lived in that area. Stony Island and 87th has more options too.
Be careful when it gets dark at 5 during the winter, and use good judgement. Always have your guard up(any woman always should) but you'll be surprised on how many women don't exercise good judgement. Like everyone else said, avoid anything south of 103rd.

Why don't you just bring your lunch? I know you probably want to get away from the office but there is nothing but fast food joints there and you will save money and eat healthier.

Anyone: I wonder if that Polish Sausage place is still there next to the 95th/Dan Ryan El Stop? That was good but obviously unhealthy.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by latikeriii

Anyone: I wonder if that Polish Sausage place is still there next to the 95th/Dan Ryan El Stop? That was good but obviously unhealthy.

Still there....

[Chicagoland60426]

Chicago State University is only 3% white, so yeah you are in the extreme minority. Look like everybody on here gave you good advice.

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by jackfrog <>

I think there's a small shopping mall on the corner of 63rd St. Halsted and Marquette Rd.

Gone! It was torn down for the new Kennedy-King College, which is nice.

Originally Posted by ajolotl

Yes, the food on the south side is disgusting.

Try 53rd street in Hyde Park. Or 55th street, for that matter.