delivery to and within Portage Park?

Hello all,

I've been lurking for a while and now am brave enough to post a question. We moved near Irving Park Rd. and Central after living in Ravenswood for a number of years. The new 'hood is unfamiliar territory for us. We're very close to the Dairy Queen though have yet to try its offerings (I've never been to one). There is an interesting looking taco place on the corner of Irving Park and Central, and I've read here that Central Gyros is good. When we lived in L.A., we were within walking distance to a fantastic gyro place and have not been able to find a comparable one since. The meat there was always moist and flavorful. I've only found dry, tough and tasteless here...

But I digress. Bottom line is, I work in the Loop and get home fairly late, and I have two tiny kids to feed. I'd love some suggestions of places that deliver good, satisfying food, and fast. We like all of the Asian cuisines, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Italian - pretty much everything that's out there.

Thanks!

Yo, mama,

Sorry I have no delivery options to suggest, but having spent my early years in Portage Park, I feel I must provide a link to a post bearing the second funniest of MikeG's funny subject lines -- and it may just provide some direction for you in the neighborhood: http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2175

i life fairly close to you and we frequently order from leona's on elston (near irving) and father and son. there's also a mexican place called pico de gallo on milwaukee that has a sign saying they deliver, although i've never tried them.

I'm not sure if all these places actually deliver, or if they'll deliver to you specifically, but some of these might do the trick

Hey urbanmama,

I too am a mom in that neighborhood. We regularly get delivery from La Villa (good cheap thin crust pizza) and Siam Taste Noodle (Better than average storefront thai. great cheap lunch specials)

Hope you enjoy the neighborhood, as an off food topic, be sure to check out Portage Park Center for the Arts for great kids (and adult) programs and Portage Park itself - the kids' pool rivals the suburbs and it's FREE!

Welcome!

Siam Taste Noodle -
4323 W Addison St,
Chicago, 60641 -
(773) 286-6020

La Villa
3632 N. Pulaski Rd, Chicago
(773) 283-7980

http://www.portageparkcenterforthearts.org/
5801 West Dakin Street
Chicago, IL 60634-2600
PHONE: 773.205.0151

kafein wrote:Hope you enjoy the neighborhood, as an off food topic, be sure to check out Portage Park Center for the Arts for great kids (and adult) programs and Portage Park itself - the kids' pool rivals the suburbs and it's FREE!

That pool, built for the Pan American Games sometime in the early 60s, is where I spent most summers. I jumped off the 10 meter board when I was in third grade (9 years old), much to my horrified mother's dismay. I believe that board is now closed to the public.

Hammond

We've also ordered from Siam Taste Noodle, Father & Son and La Villa. I would add:

Porretta's Trattoria, 3656 N. Central, 773-736-1429, which IMO is a few steps up above LaVilla

Manee Thai, where the Thai consul eats, 3558 N. Pulaski, 725-0911

newly opened Chicago Pizza at Kolmar/Irving Park (don't have number; same owners as the location at Montrose/Damen and others)

Suparossa/Biagio's, 4256 N. Central, 773-736-5828, haven't eaten there lately but it's been there forever

La Pena (Ecuadorian), 4212 N. Milwaukee, 545-7022

There are lots of Polish delis in the area where you can buy ready made entrees (frozen and fresh) and reheat; closest would be Montrose Deli, 5411 W. Montrose, 725-6123 Don't know if any of the Polish restaurants deliver.

Hope this helps--there are many more options, let us know if you need more tips.

My fondest memory of Portage Park pool is when Mark Spitz qualified there for the 1972 or 1976(?) Olympics. It was the talk of the neighborhood when I was in grammar school nearby.

Welcome to da be-you-ti-ful nor'west side! Portage Park Neighborhood Assn. publishes a monthly newsletter where they do restaurant reviews (they have a website). A few new restaurants, some Bosnian, have recently opened on Irving Park west of Cicero. Happy exploring--Anna

There's a Las Tablas on Irving Park that is okay, but I would definitely check out La Palapita on Milwaukee between Montrose and Berteau. Frightening looking taco place but great food.

Been in Portage Park since 2001, long live the fireworks!

My favorite places in the Portage Park area:

Trattoria Poretta: On Central between Grace and Addison - Good homestyle pastas and pizza. Inexpensive, authentic, and really, really tasty. Their spaghetti and meatballs is my go-to comfort food. Good delivery times, arrives hot, and good. Even better for dine-in... charming seating area.

Hagen's Fish Market: Montrose, just west of Central: Fried fresh seafood available for takeout or to eat at the couple of small tables out front. Best fried shrimp and tilapia in town. A regular stop for sustenance on the Portage Park Pub Crawls

Mucho Gusto: Corner of Irving/Central. There are two taquerias at this intersection. This one is between the 7-11 and the Little Ceasar's. Forget the other one (see below) Great burritos and enchiladas for super cheap.

La Pena: on Milwaukee, south of Pensacola: Peruvian/Ecuadorian/Columbian food that just rocks. Probably doesn't deliver, but the trip is worth it. So very worth it.

Wong's Chinese: on Irving Park. Great Chinese delivery, and not exorbitantly priced. Good Chinese take-out/delivery is surprisingly rare in this neighborhood. These folks spank anyone else within miles.

Places to avoid:
The other taqueria (currently named Taqueria Amigo Chino) at Central and Irving is very disappointing. My wife and I have eaten there on several occasions under different names/owners, and were repeatedly disappointed with the quality and service. Has a better external appearance than Mucho Gusto, but the service and food at the Gusto blows them out of the water.

Chicago's Pizza: on Irving, just east of Six Corners. Really liked this place when it first opened. Then I got sick from their food on two separate occasions. Oversalted and undercooked is no way to go through life!

Gone but not Forgotten:
Toots: Used to be at the corner of Central/Montrose. Great place for that late night chili dog/burger run when you are too buzzed to go to bed. Was supposed to relocate to Diversey/Central, but I haven't been down to check it out. If it's not in walking distance, I don't really care...

I'm pretty sure Marie's will deliver pizza (and booze) to Portage Park.

Marie's Liquor & Pizza
4129 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL
773-725-1853