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Moving to Oak Park, please help

Moving to Oak Park, please help
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  • Moving to Oak Park, please help

    Post #1 - July 13th, 2009, 6:57 pm
    Post #1 - July 13th, 2009, 6:57 pm Post #1 - July 13th, 2009, 6:57 pm
    We'll soon be moving to Oak Park (near Ridgeland and Jackson) and I'm hoping for some help in finding the places worth going. I've done a search here and turned up some restaurant info (although not much exciting - please feel free to suggest anything noteworthy) but very little as far as grocery, butchers, etc. I know about the farmer's market, TJ and Whole foods,but that's about it. Is there anywhere good nearby I'm missing? Basically any suggestions you have for surviving culinarily would be greatly appreciated.
  • Post #2 - July 13th, 2009, 9:09 pm
    Post #2 - July 13th, 2009, 9:09 pm Post #2 - July 13th, 2009, 9:09 pm
    Fair Share will be your go to if you like certified grocers. I do.
    Tony's in North Riverside is a bigger, brighter, nicer Certified.

    Billy's fruit market on Ridgeland/Madison has been there forever, but it's cramped. I'd rather shop at Familia Foods on Cermak just E of Harlem at the eastern end of that strip mall, or Tony's.

    There's an Indian Grocer in Forest Park on the Madison strip called "Priya." It's small, south side of the street.

    Oak Park Bakery gets high marks from quite a few for their cake doughnuts, and coffe cakes. It's on Oak Park Ave just south of the Ike on the E side of the street.

    I'm not really part of the "Whole Foods" or prime meats butcher only set - so these places might turn out to be a little more on the "common man" side for you if you were looking for the fancy stuff.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
  • Post #3 - July 13th, 2009, 10:03 pm
    Post #3 - July 13th, 2009, 10:03 pm Post #3 - July 13th, 2009, 10:03 pm
    Reviewing a list of savory bites from 2007 (far below), there have been some major changes, although the polestars (all outside of Oak Park proper) are still shining bright. Here would be my current recommendations.

    Grocers / Provisioners:

    Tony's Finer Foods (25th and Harlem, North Riverside)
    Familia Foods (7065 Cermak, Berwyn)
    Wettstein Meats (Farmers Market summer, Buzz Cafe winter, Oak Park)
    Trader Joe's (Harlem just north of Lake, Oak Park)
    Whole Foods (Harlem and Lake, River Forest)
    Billy's (Madison/Ridgeland, Oak Park, cheapest limes, salt pork, greens, and avocados)
    House Red (on Madison in Forest Park, wines and Vosges chocolates)
    Freddy's (Italian, see below)
    Riviera (Italian, see below)


    Dining in Oak Park Proper:

    Marion Street Cheese Market (good food, goofy service, also a grocer)
    Winberie (not a board favorite, has been good for me lately, steak sandwich and Caesar)
    Maya del Sol (brunch much better than dinner, homemade chorizo, great patio)
    Poor Phil's (oyster shooters and muffaletta, improving beer list)
    Hemmingway's Bistro (particularly the Moroccan dishes, forgive the decor)
    Khyber Pass (northern Indian with some pan-Indo-Pak, ditch the buffet)
    Trattoria 225 (wood-fired pork and veggies, pasta weaker)
    The Pasta Shoppe (wood-fired pizzas, pastas can be bland, outdoor dining)
    Fuego Loco (really nice service, stick with specials and carne caliente, faux-Mex)
    Papaspiros (excellent loukaniko, go small plates over entrees)
    Oak Park Bakery (donuts, German Chocolate Coffee Cake)
    Taste of Brazil (empanadas and coffee, feijoada on weekends)
    Five Guys (burgers and fresh-cut fries)
    The Onion Roll (breakfast with NY Bagel and Bialy goods)


    Dining in bordering towns:

    Bodhi Thai (creative pan-Thai, limited off-menu northern Thai, Berwyn)
    Yum Thai (American pan-Thai, extensive secret menu Thai, Forest Park)
    Xni-Pec (Yucateco Mexican, Cicero)
    Freddy's (southern Italian, Cicero)
    Klas (Czech, Cicero)
    Depot American Diner (American, Chicago [Austin])
    Cafe Laguradia West (Cuban, Chicago [North Avenue])
    Johnny's Beef (Elmwood Park)
    Gaetano's (auteur Italian/Sicilian, Forest Park)
    Paciugo (Gelato, Forest Park)
    Don Alfredo Carnitas (Mexican, Maywood)
    La Lupita (Mexican, Berwyn)
    Tamale Hut Cafe (Guerrero/Oaxacan Mexican, North Riverside)
    Mama Susi (Turano Bakeshop, Berwyn)
    MacArthur's (Soul Food, Chicago)


    Dining within another 7 minutes of bordering towns on side streets:

    The Riviera (southern Italian sandwiches and grocer, N)
    The Brown Sack (auteur American comfort food, NE)
    Cemitas Puebla (Pueblo Mexican, NE)
    Emilio's Tapas (southern Iberian, W)
    The Epicurean Hungarian (Hungarian, W)
    Priscilla's (Soul Food, W)
    Edelweiss (German, N)
    Sol de Mexico (auteur Mexican, NE)


    Non-culinary but awesome people/resources:

    Two Fish (lighting, artglass, and gifts, Forest Park)
    Schauer Hardware (Forest Park)
    Emil's Barber Shop (Oak Park)
    Thiesse Plumbing (Forest Park)

    I'll come back and link as many of these as I can (use search function for now).

    Of the below, Cafe le Coq and Nola's Cup have closed. I do not currently recommend:

    Briejo (oversalted)
    Wishbone (overgreasy)
    Avenue Alehouse (insipid)
    JTs (unprocurable)
    La Majada (reconstituted)
    Nuevo Rebozo (exorbitant)
    Robinson's (flavorless)
    Mama Thai (vapid)
    King and I (careless)
    Amarind (supercilious)
    Luo's Peking House (Havishamesque)
    Szechwan Beijing (deceased)
    Penny's Noodles (pococurante)
    Erik's (spurious)
    Parky's (haggard)
    New Pot (canned)
    Grape Leaves (languid)
    Turco's (mercenary)

    Happy dining!


    Ancient History wrote:DH et al:

    Here are some other hopes for our native territory -

    - Beignets and coffee at Nola's Cup. Their muffaletta is still quite weak but man can they do deep fried, and are finally coming up to speed on some other entrees (pretty decent gumbo, and a nice pork shoulder special).

    - the Pilsen specials menu at Fuego Loco. They had it on May 5th and again over Memorial Day. Shockingly, someone at this yuppified Tex-Mex marg-joint finally hired a cook with some pride, as we had excellent cumin-lamb tacos, ceviche, and pulled roast chicken with three kinds of hot sauteed peppers. Their salsas are improving as well along with the service. The tasty 'carne caliente' with all of the sauteed peppers and garlic butter, does strongly remind me of something I had in Playa del Carmen - admittedly not the most traditional area in the country - but order it with the tortillas separate or you'll be dripping.

    - Moroccan plates du jour at Hemmingway's Bistro. I had a marvelous lamb with home-made couscous pearls and preserved lemon in April, and have noticed other lemon and harissa-laced specials of late.

    - Saltimbocca at the Pasta Shoppe - you must admit it's a very pretty room with all of the hardwood, but I'll understand if the very poor overcooked chicken entrees have disappointed in the past. Their fresh pastas are usually solid, and I've had a few above average items recently, including a nice saltimbocca and a very spicy arrabiata.

    Otherwise, yes, it's fairly dismal. I never want to go to the Avenue / Alehouse / Whatever again after their burgers and fries went from moist and tasty to frozen Sysco crud. Cafe le Coq did suck for a little while (gristly steak, oversalted cassoulet, no specials) but seems to be returning. Completely disenchanted with the cuisine at La Majada and the prices at Nuevo Rebozo, though Paco is affable and occasionally the pipian verde mole special or tortilla soup with frijoles negros can hit the spot. Winberie is just not there anymore, especially for brunch. They still make what I consider a good Caesar salad and an excellent Bloody Mary. Erik's has one reasonable sandwich to my mind - roast beef with french-fried onions on a croissant - but they have no good condiments to accompany (horseradish mayo, good Dijon mustard, any good barbecue sauce) and just about everything else there is dull beyond words. I always want to give Robison's BBQ another chance but have been affronted by surly or incompetent order takers and gloppy undercooked pork far too many times. Mama Thai makes me weep at the possibilities gone wrong (worst.beef.salad.evAr.)

    My guilty pleasures that offer sustenance but not really hope are Carnitas crispy tacos from Chipotle, the 'thai ravioli' bowl from Penny's (lots of peanuts, roast pork, sweet chile oil, dumplings), and a very few dishes from Szechwan Beijing (sic), including the salt and pepper chicken and Mongolian beef (well-spiced, although the meat quality isn't uniform).

    I have to remind myself that other places I frequent - Parky's, Amarind, Wishbone at Fitzgeralds, Johnnie's, Freddy's, La Piazza - are not actually in Oak Park even though you could hit most of them with a 3-wood from our borders. I have some hopes for Harrison Street (Buzz and the new place). Perhaps we can do a tour of the surrounding highlights sometime soon.
  • Post #4 - July 14th, 2009, 6:37 am
    Post #4 - July 14th, 2009, 6:37 am Post #4 - July 14th, 2009, 6:37 am
    I've been a happy eater in nine plus years in the lovely VOP. The key to this happiness, comes, of course, by what is proximate to Oak Park, not what is IN Oak Park. A collection of mediocre restaurants could not be found else where in the USA in such a high class neighborhood. Matt/Santandar mostly hits the nail on the head, although I would say that as bad as Parky's dogs are, their fries are some of the flat out best in the Chicago area. Just think of Oak Park as part of a greater near western area, and you will be very fine. In addition to the list above:

    Jimmy's - Red sauce Italian bar food, always hits the spot in Forest Park
    La Quebrada - The Mexican equivilant of a really good coffee shop/diner, with about the best house made tortillas I know, Cicero
    El Chimbombo - Berwyn, another place that does great things with house made masa
    Flamingo - 102 flavors of mostly good ice creams tag teaming ya after a meal at Chimbombo.
    Danny's - Melrose Park the way Melrose Park used to be. Where can you get better neck bones in red gravy?
    Dunk Donuts - The new Melrose Park - Cambodian made old fashioned donuts
    Los Tres Gallos - The newest Melrose Park - Birria, en consome or tatemada; carne en su jugo, fresh made tortillas

    Listen, you can do no worse shopping at the Oak Park Farmer's Market. Go just for a weekly fill of 2 day old goat cheese from Prairie Fruit Farms. Red Hen Bakery's at the market now and will be in the Village soon, so our bread supply has picked up a lot of late. Otherwise, do you shopping like your dining near the Village.

    Kolatek's - A ton of good stuff gets packed into this not so big store on Harlem just north of Grand - Always a tempting display of prepared foods, house made breads, outstanding value in smoked fishes on Fridays, and an all you need selection of deli meats at prices way below Domminck's (and way higher quality)
    Caputo's - This local obsessed shopper finds plenty of local produce at Caputo's on Harlem in Elmwood Park (at nice prices too!)
    The other Caputo's - Off of North Av in Melrose Park is all about cheese, especially the house made mozz, but best of all for the cheap bottles of Italian wines--I've had about a 79.4% success rate, which at their prices means I'm far ahead.

    Have fun.
    Think Yiddish, Dress British - Advice of Evil Ronnie to me.
  • Post #5 - November 16th, 2009, 4:07 pm
    Post #5 - November 16th, 2009, 4:07 pm Post #5 - November 16th, 2009, 4:07 pm
    I moved away from Forest Park 8 years ago. Glad to hear that my old faves are still around like Freddy's, Khyber Pass, and Jimmy's. Across from Freddy's, there was a butcher shop that sold awesome beef jerky and many other tasty, meaty, things. can't remember the name.

    I really liked Starship, too, a sub and soup place. Also, a bit further you have Gene and Jude's which makes the best hot dog I've ever had.
  • Post #6 - November 17th, 2009, 5:08 am
    Post #6 - November 17th, 2009, 5:08 am Post #6 - November 17th, 2009, 5:08 am
    Tom in NC wrote:Across from Freddy's, there was a butcher shop that sold awesome beef jerky and many other tasty, meaty, things. can't remember the name.


    Maybe it was called Jim's? Any way, it's been closed a few years now, unfortunately.
    "Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
  • Post #7 - November 20th, 2009, 3:35 pm
    Post #7 - November 20th, 2009, 3:35 pm Post #7 - November 20th, 2009, 3:35 pm
    One of the butchers from Jim's has a shop in La Grange Park on 31st Street just East of the RR tracks. He supposedly uses the same sausage recipes that Jim's did. He also does a marinated skirt steak that is just excellent. Spicy or mild.

    Morini's Meat Market
    1101 E 31st St,
    La Grange Park, IL 60526
    708-354-0430
  • Post #8 - April 5th, 2010, 5:28 pm
    Post #8 - April 5th, 2010, 5:28 pm Post #8 - April 5th, 2010, 5:28 pm
    n/m
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #9 - February 28th, 2013, 1:01 pm
    Post #9 - February 28th, 2013, 1:01 pm Post #9 - February 28th, 2013, 1:01 pm
    So pleased to have found this thread - I'm not sure how I missed it before. "Please help" is right. I recently moved to Oak Park and am in the process of sorting a lot of this out for myself. If anyone cares to update their lists of preferred outposts, I'd love to see them.

    Settling on a grocery store has been tough. There are things I like about that Tony's in North Riverside, but it's been jam-packed every time I've gone, and I don't think I can deal with it (to say nothing of the 25+ minute waits for deli service). I'll have to give Fair Share a shot. I bought most of my produce at Stanley's for the past decade, and I'm floundering a bit without it - Hyde Park Produce, on the way home from work, has been been doing an OK job of filling in.
  • Post #10 - February 28th, 2013, 1:58 pm
    Post #10 - February 28th, 2013, 1:58 pm Post #10 - February 28th, 2013, 1:58 pm
    Welcome! Maybe you can drive the OPHMWHC to re-form

    I've pasted what I wrote above with updates IN CAPS


    Jimmy's - Red sauce Italian bar food, always hits the spot in Forest Park - NO CHANGE, AS GOOD AS EVER, MAYBE BETTER 'CAUSE OF MEATBALL SALAD NOW ON MENU
    La Quebrada - The Mexican equivilant of a really good coffee shop/diner, with about the best house made tortillas I know, Cicero - NO CHANGE
    El Chimbombo - Berwyn, another place that does great things with house made masa - CLOSED
    Flamingo - 102 flavors of mostly good ice creams tag teaming ya after a meal at Chimbombo. - NO CHANGE
    Danny's - Melrose Park the way Melrose Park used to be. Where can you get better neck bones in red gravy? - MUCH LESS INFATUATED WITH THIS PLACE
    Dunk Donuts - The new Melrose Park - Cambodian made old fashioned donuts - STILL LIKE A LOT
    Los Tres Gallos - The newest Melrose Park - Birria, en consome or tatemada; carne en su jugo, fresh made tortillas - HAVE NO BEEN IN AGES, BUT I BELIVE PIGMON HAS COMMENTED IN THE CARNE EN SU JUGO THREAD/CHART

    Listen, you can do no worse shopping at the Oak Park Farmer's Market. Go just for a weekly fill of 2 day old goat cheese from Prairie Fruit Farms (SCRATCH THAT ONE). Red Hen Bakery's at the market now and will be in the Village soon (HERE), so our bread supply has picked up a lot of late. Otherwise, do you shopping like your dining near the Village.

    Kolatek's - A ton of good stuff gets packed into this not so big store on Harlem just north of Grand - Always a tempting display of prepared foods, house made breads, outstanding value in smoked fishes on Fridays, and an all you need selection of deli meats at prices way below Domminck's (and way higher quality) - SAME - JUST FEATURED ON HUNGRY HOUND, I LIKE TO THINK I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT
    Caputo's - This local obsessed shopper finds plenty of local produce at Caputo's on Harlem in Elmwood Park (at nice prices too!) - SAME
    The other Caputo's - Off of North Av in Melrose Park is all about cheese, especially the house made mozz, but best of all for the cheap bottles of Italian wines--I've had about a 79.4% success rate, which at their prices means I'm far ahead. - SAME

    Since I wrote my comments, here are some other places that I really like in the area:

    - Big Guys - It has its own thread. This, to me, is by far, the best thing that has happened to OP eating, pretty much since I moved here. I've tried about 4/5ths of the menu, and only once did not like what I had, the brisket. Their burgers are especially good.

    - Falafil - Also has it's own thread. Some like it more that others, but I really like it.

    - Jerusalem Cafe - For one thing, actually not one thing but many things, but what I really like here is the lunch buffet. Not the greatest renditions individually but in total, very nice.

    Edit: Fixed info re: Chimbombo/Flamingo
    Think Yiddish, Dress British - Advice of Evil Ronnie to me.
  • Post #11 - February 28th, 2013, 5:05 pm
    Post #11 - February 28th, 2013, 5:05 pm Post #11 - February 28th, 2013, 5:05 pm
    ndgbucktown wrote:So pleased to have found this thread - I'm not sure how I missed it before. "Please help" is right. I recently moved to Oak Park and am in the process of sorting a lot of this out for myself. If anyone cares to update their lists of preferred outposts, I'd love to see them.

    Settling on a grocery store has been tough. There are things I like about that Tony's in North Riverside, but it's been jam-packed every time I've gone, and I don't think I can deal with it (to say nothing of the 25+ minute waits for deli service). I'll have to give Fair Share a shot. I bought most of my produce at Stanley's for the past decade, and I'm floundering a bit without it - Hyde Park Produce, on the way home from work, has been been doing an OK job of filling in.


    Well, Fair Share is like a "Ghetto" Tony's. I don't mean the neighborhood, I mean it's funkier, less product, and the produce section of Fair Share simply pales in comparison. I generally just don't buy deli stuff any more, but my strategy at Tony's was always: Walk in, get a number from the deli, then shop for produce while keeping a watchful eye on the deli progression.

    Also, fear not the self check lanes at Tony's. Once you familiarize yourself with the "Look Up Item" button on the screen, waiting in line for a cashier is pointless. For the past 8 weeks however, they have not programmed Yali pears correctly. I'd guess there are more items that would cause a fuss at self check if you let them. I do not let these things phase me. I just use another code with the same price, or, well..I just...um...well, if I TRY to buy an item, and the system is set up incorrectly for me to pay for it properly is that MY fault? I know it's stealing, but if they were to accost me for a few lousy pears, no court would convict me. The first two times I told the self check monitor that whoever is programming their system, did the Yali Pears wrong, she grabbed the bag and said "Well, did you enter it correctly?" To which I responded, "Yes, but we should check if you can enter a number correctly too, right?" Next week, same thing, bit I simply told the monitor that, "Yali Pears are still wrong." For the past month or so, my weekly Yali Pear fix has been gratis. I TRY to ring them up, but the system will not allow me to do it. It's stuck in a loop.
    Anyway, long story short, Tony's is the best conventional grocery store in these parts. You have two Meijers's - one on North Ave in Melrose, and one on Cermak and Harlem just E of Harlem. Meijers just doesn't do it for me. Tony's is still my favorite by a pretty wide margin, they are practically across the street from each other in that Harlem/Cermak area.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
  • Post #12 - March 1st, 2013, 11:37 am
    Post #12 - March 1st, 2013, 11:37 am Post #12 - March 1st, 2013, 11:37 am
    Vital Information wrote:Welcome! Maybe you can drive the OPHMWHC to re-form

    I've pasted what I wrote above with updates IN CAPS



    Awesome. Much obliged. Jimmy's, Big Guys, Falafil, and Jerusalem Cafe are all on my short list. As far as OPHMWHC goes, I'm definitely in for the next Goldyburgers trip - I dragged a bunch of my city friends out to the Golden Steer last week, which was great, but I think trips to Forest Park are going to be an annual thing for them, if that.

    Is it weird that we moved to Oak Park without ever visiting to the farmer's market? I'm really looking forward to it.

    seabee wrote:Well, Fair Share is like a "Ghetto" Tony's. I don't mean the neighborhood, I mean it's funkier, less product, and the produce section of Fair Share simply pales in comparison. I generally just don't buy deli stuff any more, but my strategy at Tony's was always: Walk in, get a number from the deli, then shop for produce while keeping a watchful eye on the deli progression.


    If it were ONLY the long wait for the deli, or ONLY the tiny parking lot, or ONLY the crowds at the register-end of the store, I could suck it up, but all together it's just too much for me to handle on any kind of regular basis. I don't know how it is that the Bucktown/Lincoln Park Strack and Van Til is so much emptier.
  • Post #13 - March 1st, 2013, 1:34 pm
    Post #13 - March 1st, 2013, 1:34 pm Post #13 - March 1st, 2013, 1:34 pm
    I've been in Forest Park for about 9 years and some places that we frequent;

    Shopping
    ------------------------
    Blue Ribbon Meat Market - Ron and Russ, the owners are great guys and we always get great service when we go here. This is where I go when I'm having a BBQ or need to restock my freezer. I try to give them as much business as possible just because they are so accommodating.

    Olive & Well - A good variety of flavored olive oils and balsamics. I'm really glad this place is close by as it's helped expand my cooking repertoire with new flavors.

    Penzie's Spices - Spices, rubs, all kinds of different stuff in here.

    For groceries we've been jumping around a bit since Familia Foods closed but we stop at Ed's way a lot just because it's right by the house.

    Restaurants that I don't think were mentioned yet
    ---------------------------------------------------

    Yilin in Forest Park - Chinese and Japanese. I have yet to try a dish on their menu that I didn't like.

    Saigon Pho in Forest Park - Good bahn mi sandwiches and pretty tasty Pho. Though I don't really have a basis to compare them to anyone as they're the only Vietnamese place I've ever eaten at.

    Amelia's in Forest Park - This place is pretty new and we've been there a few times. The service is great, it's a nice relaxing atmosphere and their fries are top notch imo. Comfort food for the most part.

    El Milagro in North Riverside Mall - I was introduced to them in their Pilsen location and I was really happy when I found them in our area when we moved. Their strawberry tamales are something I just crave every once in a while. I like the way they prepare their tacos with shredded cabbage on top and whole flanks of meat. They're in the food court so we always just get take-out there. But, I never go there without buying at least a dozen different tamales.
  • Post #14 - March 1st, 2013, 3:34 pm
    Post #14 - March 1st, 2013, 3:34 pm Post #14 - March 1st, 2013, 3:34 pm
    [realize you're working on shopping - for us it's mainly Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Freddy's in Cicero for Italian pantry items, and Hyde Park Produce on my way home for greens, but here are some restaurant updates, will fill in more links when I can]:

    Some places I find myself increasingly frequenting lately:

    the aforementioned Big Guys (invaluable)
    Taste of Brazil
    Hutong [edit: was still Hutong one week prior to this post; may have morphed into the new Katy's location]
    Oak Park Home of Chicken and Waffles
    Lake Street Kitchen (flatbreads especially)
    Yum Thai
    another bump for Yilin Chinese (and sushi)
    Russell's
    Hala Kahiki
    Gaetano's
    Alpine Sub Shop
    Burger Boss
    Freddy's
    The Buzz Cafe
    Duckfat (best burger on Madison for me)

    And two post-fire reopenings:

    Autre Monde
    Skrine Chops

    I keep giving Aripo's on Marion a try and it is just too dry for me (salads and homemade juices are good, though). I've gone much cooler on Bodhi for food and service, and Papaspiros since it's depressing (food is still good). I had the worst meal in recent memory at the Marion Street Cheese Market, which has run hot and cold for me. Pineapple carrot curry soup with a side of Swiss-entombed "bacon sausage" rolls both beyond redemption.

    Piggyback has the same vague waft of promise as many early-stage barbecue places, especially from its fries and booze, but is not there yet.

    Keep an eye out for Katy's Dumplings, shortly forthcoming!
  • Post #15 - March 1st, 2013, 3:57 pm
    Post #15 - March 1st, 2013, 3:57 pm Post #15 - March 1st, 2013, 3:57 pm
    gorack wrote:
    El Milagro in North Riverside Mall - I was introduced to them in their Pilsen location and I was really happy when I found them in our area when we moved. Their strawberry tamales are something I just crave every once in a while. I like the way they prepare their tacos with shredded cabbage on top and whole flanks of meat. They're in the food court so we always just get take-out there. But, I never go there without buying at least a dozen different tamales.



    Thanks for the tip! I used to go to the one on Belmont all the time, when my daughters went to school not to far from there. They used to have a salsa that was almost like a Mexican version of giardianara (not pickled jalepenos). Do they still/do you know what I mean?

    Santander wrote:
    Chicken and Waffles...Yum Thai



    Yes on the first? On the second, when was your last experience. Mine, a few months ago was really awful, and since, my wife has had a mediocre meal too. I want it to be "as it was", I just fear the worst.

    On an un-related note, anyone been to the new Argentinian place on North?
    Think Yiddish, Dress British - Advice of Evil Ronnie to me.
  • Post #16 - March 1st, 2013, 4:09 pm
    Post #16 - March 1st, 2013, 4:09 pm Post #16 - March 1st, 2013, 4:09 pm
    On an un-related note, anyone been to the new Argentinian place on North?


    Pampas, where Antico Forno used to be? Facebook menu looks good. Haven't been.

    Yum Thai is a weekly delivery order for us. They have not disappointed us.
  • Post #17 - March 1st, 2013, 6:34 pm
    Post #17 - March 1st, 2013, 6:34 pm Post #17 - March 1st, 2013, 6:34 pm
    ndgbucktown wrote:(re: Tony's)
    If it were ONLY the long wait for the deli, or ONLY the tiny parking lot, or ONLY the crowds at the register-end of the store, I could suck it up, but all together it's just too much for me to handle on any kind of regular basis. I don't know how it is that the Bucktown/Lincoln Park Strack and Van Til is so much emptier.


    If you ever find yourself thinking you should try Tony's again, my regular parking spots are on the West end of the store, SOUTH of the entrance doors on that west end. I've never understood the ppl driving around and waiting for parking spots in that lot when there are always 4 spots on the SW side of the building. There always seems to be a semi parked there, you'll see it. I've never, ever, had to wait for a spot, and those are only a few steps from the door. Hope this helps a little, but if you don't dig Tony's, you don't dig it. For the area, I'm a big fan.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
  • Post #18 - March 7th, 2013, 11:51 am
    Post #18 - March 7th, 2013, 11:51 am Post #18 - March 7th, 2013, 11:51 am
    Vital Information wrote:
    gorack wrote:
    El Milagro in North Riverside Mall - I was introduced to them in their Pilsen location and I was really happy when I found them in our area when we moved. Their strawberry tamales are something I just crave every once in a while. I like the way they prepare their tacos with shredded cabbage on top and whole flanks of meat. They're in the food court so we always just get take-out there. But, I never go there without buying at least a dozen different tamales.



    Thanks for the tip! I used to go to the one on Belmont all the time, when my daughters went to school not to far from there. They used to have a salsa that was almost like a Mexican version of giardianara (not pickled jalepenos). Do they still/do you know what I mean?


    Hmm, I haven't noticed that stuff before but I'm going to be on the look-out for it the next time I get over there. Is it served with chips or over enchiladas or something like that?
  • Post #19 - March 7th, 2013, 12:08 pm
    Post #19 - March 7th, 2013, 12:08 pm Post #19 - March 7th, 2013, 12:08 pm
    I just brough my two little ones to CHoC&W-OP last week and we thought it was good as ever.
    My little (7 yo twins) ones had their first visit and they loved it. The waffles and chicken were both very good and our sides of mac & cheese and red beans & rice were both well executed and very comforting.
  • Post #20 - March 7th, 2013, 4:06 pm
    Post #20 - March 7th, 2013, 4:06 pm Post #20 - March 7th, 2013, 4:06 pm
    gorack wrote:
    Hmm, I haven't noticed that stuff before but I'm going to be on the look-out for it the next time I get over there. Is it served with chips or over enchiladas or something like that?


    Granted, this is over ten years ago, but I remember a three compartment thingee, like some places used to give you for baked potato condiments, with salsas, and one of them was a chunky green one that reminded me of giardinara. It was just one of the table salsas. Generally, I used to get one of the steam table guisados there if memory serves me.
    Think Yiddish, Dress British - Advice of Evil Ronnie to me.
  • Post #21 - August 6th, 2013, 8:22 am
    Post #21 - August 6th, 2013, 8:22 am Post #21 - August 6th, 2013, 8:22 am
    Hi everyone,

    I'm not moving to Oak Park, but I will be there for dinner tonight with my wife and we have time to grab an early dinner before heading back to our toddler. I wanted to see what the Oak Parker's current recs were for a night out (at 5 p.m. mind you). Looks like the reviews of Maya del sol and New Robozo are very mixed (tending to be mediocre) and Yum Thai reviews are quite positive, but I think that and Katy's dumplings may be a little to casual for the evening. Other places I'm thinking are Cucina Paradiso or Marion Street Cafe. Any thoughts or additional recs based on recent experiences? Thanks in advance.

    Adam
  • Post #22 - August 6th, 2013, 8:50 am
    Post #22 - August 6th, 2013, 8:50 am Post #22 - August 6th, 2013, 8:50 am
    You should look into Gaetano's, imo.

    http://gaetanosforestpark.com/


    http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18915
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
  • Post #23 - August 6th, 2013, 10:10 am
    Post #23 - August 6th, 2013, 10:10 am Post #23 - August 6th, 2013, 10:10 am
    Done. Didn't realize Gaetano's was as close to where we will be as it is. Thanks seebee.

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