hyde park spots???

New to the Chi-town foodie scene and this forum was recommended by a friend, thank god. Moved to town last fall and spend most of my time in Hyde Park (am currently a grad student at the University). Having a hard time finding dining options beyond your standard (often mediocre) shop and was hoping someone might recommend something to wake up the palate. So far I've hit up Cedars, Medici, Kikuya, Le Petite Foley, etc. While I've been moderately satisfied, nothing's jumped out at me. Any secret spots I have yet to unearth in the neighborhood? Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Hyde Park doesn't have too many inspiring food spots.
Cholies Pizza used to be good - I haven't had any in long while. Some offerings at Pizza Capri are good. Edwardo's Pizza and Medici are also good.

I haven't tried La Petite Foley in my four years in Chicago & Hyde Park. How was it?

Not too far from Hyde Park I've had superb fare at:
Uncle Joe's Jerk
Chinatown (not too far): Lao Sze Chuan, Shui Wah
(there's a lot more in Chinatown including LTH that I haven't tried. Yet.)

Bridgeport Bakery. The Bacon Buns are outstanding. You'll have to call in to get any. We were inspired by reading about Cathy2's 90min flyby and picked some up this morning as part of today's celebrations.

Lem's is not far away. The Maxwell Street Polish (24hr) on Stony Island & S. Chicago Ave will give you a good fix if you're up late.
Hope this helps for a couple of days.


Uncle Joe's Jerk
8211 S Cottage Grove Av
(773) 962-9935

Bridgeport Bakery
2907 S Archer Ave
(773) 523-1121

Welcome to LTH! There are a fair number of Hyde Park residents who frequent the boards (my husband and myself included); as a result, the dining options available in and around the neighborhood have been discussed a few times. This thread, for example, covers Hyde Park pretty well. If you do a search for Hyde Park, you'll get a good long list of threads to peruse (49 different threads, to be exact).
I know that there are more than a few fans of the Med bakery for bread, and the bakery-I-can-never-remember-the-name-of on 55th, across from La Petite Folie. I'll take this opportunity to reiterate my love for the produce market on 53rd and Kimbark (across from Nichols Park). In terms of dining out, OHOP serves very good pancakes, The Snail's Thai food is more than serviceable, and as a Hyde Park resident, you should try to eat at Sammy's, Ribs N' Bibs or Harold's at least once.
Also, keep Bridgeport in mind. It's a short bus or train ride away, and offers three little gems: Ed's Potsticker House (northern Chinese); Healthy Foods (Lithuanian comfort food); and the Ramova Grill (3510 S. Halsted), a tiny, greasy diner with the best BLT on the southside.
Also not too far from Hyde Park is the Abundance Bakery, home to giant, delicious apple fritters.

Thanks! I'm new to the board myself, but have been seeking out good eats for a while. Have a nice new list now thanks to LTH.

I was dissapointed with the bakery-I-can't-remember-either across from La Petite Foley. Quite stale filling in the eclairs, and gelatin based at that.
For the price it should have been better.

The croissants at Bonjour Bakery (just a block from my house) are not bad at all.

Dixie Kitchen in Harper Court (52nd/Harper) is probably one of Hyde Park's best. Good Cajun food at starving-student prices. Fun atmosphere too. Woefully underappreciated by students--but you may have to wait a little bit on weekend evenings.

On 57th:

The Medici Bakery has some of the best breads in the city. Baguettes and multi-grain are particularly good.

In the back of University Market, the deli counter makes very good sandwiches using Medici bread. Owner Hans is especially proud of the liver sausage.

On 55th:

Bonjour Bakery makes some good pastries (I'm partial to the morning roll and the lemon-pistachio cookies) and some pretty good French-style sandwiches. I enjoy their house-roasted Sumatra coffee.

On 53rd:

Harold's Chicken Shack should be tried by everyone. I'd suggest a half with hot and mild (plus plenty of cold beer). Not the best Harold's but it gives a pretty good idea.

Nathan's is basically a hot dog stand you wouldn't look twice at but they have a separate Jamaican menu. There's much better to be had outside of Hyde Park though; try Tropic Island on 79th.

Rajun Cajun is your only one-stop source for Indian home cooking and soul food. Nothing spectacular but can be enjoyable. The stew-like offerings are often the best bet (they survive on the steam table).

Valois is a classic steam table cafeteria dating from 1921 (recently remodeled). Good breakfasts and things like short ribs.

Dixie Kitchen (Harper Court) has fairly decent Southern cooking. The gratis johnnycakes may be the best thing there.

On 51st:

Original Pancake House is part of a national chain but serves really excellent breakfasts. Try the apple pancake if you're hungry.

Within a few miles of Hyde Park there is a wealth of good food that will keep you busy exploring for years.

The posters above just reminded me of Calypso Cafe (located across from Dixie Kitchen) - also a good spot, especially if the wait at Dixie Kitchen is interminable.
Sort of tangential, but if you're on campus, I highly recommend the Div School's coffee shop - they make good coffee, and have a selection of cheap food from around HP.
I feel bound to give some sort of a shout-out to Salonica's egg-lemon-orzo soup, as I live next door, and eat it every week. It's good, but in that "oh, god, am I really eating this?" kind of way.

bonjour is decent, but not as good as the deceased cocorico. and stay away from their 'french baguette'. it's a farce.

i've always liked the garfield/green line harold's chiken more. blame it on the 'authentic' environs.

bridgeport bakery isn't worth the trek from hyde park. heck, it's not even worth the drive from 33rd/morgan (where I live). yah, so they have the bacon buns. most of the other items, tho cheap, are uninspiring.

the kimchi jigae/yook gaejang @ the korean place (opened a lil more than a year? can't remember the name) on 53rd wasn't too bad, and is much more authentic than the busy noodle places nearby...

O.K., I just moved to 49th and Forrestville this weekend. This thread could not have come at a better time. Thanks to all that have contributed so far, I look forward to trying out the recommendations. Any suggestions on pizza delivery and bars in the area? Thanks

For sheer weirdness and really decent vegetarian versions of soul food -- Soul Vegetarian East isn't all that far: 205 E. 75th. It is run by the Black Hebrew Israelites so no meat, no alcohol. (I love both but I still like this place quite a bit.) It is the only place in Chicago where you can get a Garveyburger. Believe it or not the vegan mac and cheese is outstanding. It is right down the street from Lem's if you need a pork fix.

Marquee wrote:O.K., I just moved to 49th and Forrestville this weekend. This thread could not have come at a better time. Thanks to all that have contributed so far, I look forward to trying out the recommendations. Any suggestions on pizza delivery and bars in the area? Thanks

As far as bars go, if you're into a very casual spot with great bartenders, check out the Cove. Great bartenders, stiff drinks, no pretense, darts and plenty of room for a large group at the picnic tables in back.

1750 E. 55th, Chicago

Another favorite of mine was the Falcon Inn. Adjacent to Cholies pizza (not a bad Chicago-style cracker crust pizza joint), friendly, updated a few years back from major dive to dive, it's a great place to grab some beers and a pizza through the connected order window at Cholies. Cocktails are measured out however, so I always stuck to the $1.25 Busch drafts or $2 budweisers.

1609 East 53rd Street

There is also a Bar Louie you want something a little less divey. It's still very much a Hyde Park joint in character when you step inside, despite the chain name and menu.

I second the Valois recommendation, great, simple breakfast. Chinatown is the areas greatest food resource as some people have commented. Harold's Chicken is some of the best fried chicken in the city. I always found Snail Thai a pretty decent option for Hyde Park as well.

Rene G wrote:Rajun Cajun is your only one-stop source for Indian home cooking and soul food. Nothing spectacular but can be enjoyable. The stew-like offerings are often the best bet (they survive on the steam table).

FYI... Gapers Block reviewed it recently http://www.gapersblock.com/airbags/arch ... jun_cajun/

I'll have to keep this list handy, as I'll be joining the grad student ranks this fall (although I'll be living downtown).

There will soon be a new dining and social option in Hyde Park, Istria Cafe.

Istria Café is pleased to announce that construction has commenced at its 57th Street location (1520 E. 57th St), opening is slated for Spring. Adjacent to the Metra station, this will be a full-service Italian-style café. The second Istria Café location, adjacent to the Hyde Park Blvd. Metra station (1549 E. Hyde Park Blvd) will also begin construction soon.

Istria Café will feature a premium coffee and tea experience; fresh, authentic, made-on-premise gelato; along with savory, unique panini sandwiches and other innovative dining choices. Cultural offerings will include art and live, emerging local music.

Café visitors can take advantage of ample seating in the 57th Street location, Istria Café will also feature complimentary Wi-Fi service with purchase at both locations. For further information and the latest news on Istria Café visit the website at istriacafe.com or the blog at istriacafe.blogspot.com.

Have an excellent day.

Are the owners/managers Italian, Croatian, or both? Any specifically Istrian dishes planned? Also, it looks like you are affiliated with the place. The professional forum might be the appropriate place for the post.

This is sort of tangential, but it does have to do with Hyde Park: The 55th st. Co-op is liquidating the wine leftover from the dearly departed 47th street co-op. Every day they put out another batch, priced at 3 and 5 dollars a bottle. The 3 dollar bottles go pretty quickly, before noon, I'd say, but the five dollar bottles stick around. Note that they aren't giving away $200 Bordeaux for $5, most of the stuff was originally in the 9-14 dollar range. I probably woundn't make a special trip to Hyde Park for this sale, but as I live here, it is easy to stock up on eminently drinkable wine for cheap. The sale is in the downstairs liquor store only, the sale bottles are marked with red ($3) and blue($5) x's.
Hyde Park Co-op
1526 E. 55th Street
Chicago Illinois 60615
Phone: (773) 667-1444

I was wandering Hyde Park, Jackson Park, Burnham Park-- any or all-- with the kids today, and just when we needed ice cream, what should appear but... a name dimly remembered from a long ago post or two.

I have to say, it's one of those just too cool urban things to find an artily-designed little gelato and coffee place tucked into the crumbling infrastructure of the Metra.

I had strawberry, excellent, and green apple, pretty good. I thought both of mine had more flavor than the kids' white chocolate and papaya, respectively. But nobody was complaining, believe me.

Istria Cafe
1520 E. 57th St. & Lake Park Avenue
www.istriacafe.com

I've been meaning to post about Istria for some time. I've been a regular since they opened last year and, in addition to the gelato Mike wrote about, they have definitely raised the bar on coffee in Hyde Park. They use only Intelligentsia beans (which is not all that uncommon these days) but they seem to treat them with the same respect that Intelligentsia does, which is not always the case at other places serving those beans. The brewed coffee is always fresh and hot and the espresso drinks well made. They serve espresso and cappucino in real cups (including a proper 6 oz "traditional cappucino, not listed on the drinks menu) and always add two or three little chocolates to the saucer. The little chocolates are a favorite of my three year old.

The three young owners are very friendly and clearly devoted to Hyde Park. While plans for an Italian dessert place in the Hyde Park Coop mall fell through, they have just announced that they will be the cafe in the new Hyde Park art center at 50th and Cornell. I think the cafe will not open there for several months, but Istria will be serving free coffee next weekend (April 29 and 30) at the public opening of the Art Center.

Maple Leaf and/or Mike,

does Istria serve food, beyond the coffees and gelato? Their website mentions panini, but doesn't give a menu. Can one have lunch there?

thanks,
Amata

Amata wrote:Maple Leaf and/or Mike,

does Istria serve food, beyond the coffees and gelato? Their website mentions panini, but doesn't give a menu. Can one have lunch there?

thanks,
Amata

Well, I can now answer my own question, since I stopped by Istria yesterday afternoon. The lack of a menu on their website is matched by the absence of a paper menu in the cafe, but the counter guy told me that they usually have two panini available of a set of three: mozzarella and roasted red pepper with pesto spread; prosciutto and provolone with pesto spread; oven roasted turkey and swiss with olive spread. Panini are $5.50 each.

Elsewhere in the cafe I also saw listed as (possible?/constant?) offerings: Cobb salad, breaded chicken sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, tuna wrap. These items are also $5.50 each.

The place is pretty tiny, and it was packed in the late afternoon yesterday. I think I've ruled it out as the lunch destination I was hoping to find (for Administrative Professionals' Day...)

But I'll make a point of trying their gelato on some other occasion.

Amata