A River, A Forest, and a Half-Hour Lunch Break

I recently started consulting about 20 hrs a week for Dominican University, located at 7900 W Division. I did a search to see what good grub is to be had in the immediate vacinity of my office, and didn't come up with anything conclusive. As it stands now, my two options for a quick lunch seem to be eating in the school cafeteria (Oh, goody) and stopping into Panera.

Anything else in the area worth mentioning? I'm really horribly unfamiliar with this area, so the closer to the office the better. If I had more time I'd go exploring but, alas, I am chained to my desk.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Johnnie's Beef! 7500 W. North. You're practically right there. Other alternatives on North as well, so let us know if for some reason (like you're a vegetarian) that doesn't appeal.

I always liked Submarine Tender on the corner of Desplaines and Randolph in Forest Park. They have pretty decent sandwiches, but stay away from the butter and garlic fries unless you want to make people's eyebrows melt off when you talk to them. Also, I liked Mickey's on Harlem close to Chicago avenue. It's always an adventure.
Of course, a huge selection of restaurants can be found on North avenue, including Johnnie's Beef.

For a great breakfast or lunch, Harrison Street Cafe! Also, check out this old thread.

Harrison Street Cafe
7330 Harrison St
Forest Park, IL
(708) 366-6633

on North ave-
Cafe Cubano has a decent Cuban sandwich tasty appetizers like ham croquettes and delicious sangria.
Masa has pretty tasty sandwiches and great gelato
Spizzico has a pretty good pizza, you can get it by the slice. Old World pizza is also quite good.
Further down North, just past Harlem is Onion Roll, tasty bagel n lox.

I second Johnnies, Mickey's and Blue Max as well.

Don't forget the fritas at Cafe LaGuardia West.

As Gyros go, Mickey's on Harlem is one of the better versions (fer sure).

Capri on North makes a nice sub.

Jim n' Petes, also on North, has lunch specials but I find their food hit or miss.

Not the kinda place I'd send visitors to, but if in the 'hood, North Burrito in the strip mall at North and Oak Park is surprisingly not bad. I like the beef (i.e. picadillo) burrito with their home made hot sauce.

Edwardo's (North too) has a lunch buffet; again not destination dining, but it can hit the spot.

Pompeii, with JC Bombicignos, might be the two places that I alone* like on this board, and the Harlem branch is not particuliarly good; still, it can hit the spot too at times.

*OK, me at Jim in Logan Square...

Starship Subs is a great lunch spot.

They have 6 homemade soups daily on the menu out of over 100 and the sub sandwiches are fresh. Try The Beefeater (beef and provolone cheese with toppings) or The Crazy Club (BLT with turkey).

Often they will also have a daily hot plate special.

STARSHIP SUBS
7618 W. Madison
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 771-3016
http://www.starshiprestaurant.com/

In business for 40 years.

Don't forget the Alpine (7500 block of North) for very good subs and great potato salad. Also, if the line at Johnnies is too long, Spzzico's, across the street sells pizza by the slice that is pretty good.

I run to Dominican directly from work to catch 5:30 or 6:30 classes. All of the places named so far are very good. But, given the limited time you have to get somewhere you might want to try Russells BBQ on Thatcher just north of North Ave. Certainly not "gourmet" BBQ, but have always found them to be very quick on delivering the goods.....

thick wrote:Don't forget the Alpine (7500 block of North) for very good subs and great potato salad. Also, if the line at Johnnies is too long, Spzzico's, across the street sells pizza by the slice that is pretty good.

ditto on Alpine ..good sandwiches..Forget Russells unless you want mushy beef smothered in the most god awful tasting bbq sauce known to man (this place was great when we were 16 only because it was a cheap date)

Trattoria Peppinos, New Star Chinese, Cafe Cubano, Johnnies - all on North Ave.

In Oak Park, Papaspiros Greek, Erik's Deli, Geppetos (for salad bar) on Oak Park Ave and Lake St. There is a parking garage off North Blvd. There's also a Chipotle on Lake and Harlem.

In Forest Park/River Forest: Pompeii, Sub Tender, Parky's, Shanahans, Al's (diner), Louie's (diner), Cafe de Lucca

We had good sandwiches from a new place on Lake St, west of Lathrop, called Good to Go. I had a nice pulled pork sandwich, others had French chicken sandwich and a Cuban. Potato salad and cole slaw sides were good. Looking at the menu card they have specials nightly: Tues. Italian, Wed. Comfort Food (brisket, pot pie, stuffed chop, salmon), Th: BBQ, Fri: Culinary Classics (Coq au Vin, Pork Milanese, etc) Sat: Comfort Food (again).

Delivery for dinner only.

www.good2go1.com
Good to Go
7761 Lake St
River Forest
708-366-0880