Melrose Park lunch

I will be working in Melrose Park a couple of days a week for the next few months.
This is way out of my normal range and have no idea what to do for lunch.
What's interesting near North and Mannheim?

There are some interesting places in Melrose Park (mostly Mexican, like Los Tres Gallos on Broadway), but that's on the long diagonal from North and Mannheim. Depending upon your time constraints, it's probably a 15 minute ride to Johnnie's (which, at this point, feels like a cliche, but if you haven't gone, you should).

There is an interesting carnitas stand -- Don Pedros -- at the corner of like Lake and 25th. I've been there twice -- BOTH times they had just sold out of carnitas, and there were lots of people there. I have a feeling this is a good place, but have not had the pleasure of eating the piggy there yet.

Hammond

There's a broasted chicken place, I think it's called The Chicken Bowl, in the parking lot where Best Buy is. They do not have any seating though so you'd have to eat in your car.

A little further west, on the other side of the street, is Tom's Steak House. More expensive than I like to spend for lunch, but pretty reasonable as far as steak houses go and pretty good too.

What ever you do, stay away from Russels BBQ. It's loved by many, but IMO, it's really awful.

midas wrote:What ever you do, stay away from Russels BBQ. It's loved by many, but IMO, it's really awful.

I got to agree; it's not what I prefer in BBQ. Still, if time is short, and you want something better than the other options (which are slim in that area, and largely of the Ruby Tuesday's ilk), it's edible.

I mostly order the pulled pork sandwich at Russell's, and have never had one better - anywhere. Russell's is a classic - a hugely popular place with a clientel spanning generations. That the place has seemingly been overlooked for GNR designation is unfortunate.

If you hit Johnnies, my fav suburban sub joint is a stone's throw east, across the street from the Dominick's grocery. Alpine sub shop. Tiny little store-front
on the N. side of North avenue. Ask for extra oil.

Bill wrote:Russell's is a classic - a hugely popular place with a clientel spanning generations. That the place has seemingly been overlooked for GNR designation is unfortunate.

I don't know about overlooked, but the building blocks of a GNR are discussion on the board, and a search for Russell's turns up almost exclusively passing references.

If you're so inclined, you could start a thread (or find one to add to) and say a little more about what it is you like so much about Russell's. I've never been, but I know my parent's used to like to go way back in the day.

You're also not that far from Gene N Jude's, although the line might take up most of your lunch hour.

You are also reasonably close (3 miles) to Hillside, where there are several decent sit-down options such as Emilio's and Priscilla's.

Not in Melrose, but less than 10 minutes West by car in Elmhurst...Nathan's Noodles has incredible Panang Curry, and their egg rolls (not spring) are some of the best in Chicagoland, including the city...in fact I'm pretty sure it's my favorite egg roll ever, and I eat in Chinatown about once a week. I feel they're even better than the famous Lumpia at Uni-Mart on Clark (which I love).

Nathan's Noodles
685 N. York Road
630-834-1966

MJN wrote:Not in Melrose, but less than 10 minutes West by car in Elmhurst...Nathan's Noodles has incredible Panang Curry, and their egg rolls (not spring) are some of the best in Chicagoland, including the city...in fact I'm pretty sure it's my favorite egg roll ever, and I eat in Chinatown about once a week. I feel they're even better than the famous Lumpia at Uni-Mart on Clark (which I love).

Nathan's Noodles
685 N. York Road
630-834-1966

I grew up near S. York in Elmhurst and am familiar with the Nathan's area but have never been to the place. I notice you've written admiringly of this place before -- next time I'm around there, I will definitely give it a shot. I'm somewhat surprised such a place exists, there. The name is funny, too.

Hammond

I frequently have lunch at Caputo's Cheese Market. It is on 15th Ave. Just North of North Ave. behind the Walgreen's. Not only do I do a lot of shopping there, I frequently have lunch. Sandwiches or the special of the day. It can vary from homemade ravioli to ribs. And the prices are very reasonable.

I also have friends who like Capri Restaurant on North Ave. and 25th.

Is the come back inn still around? They have (had) great burgers!

ingridg wrote:Is the come back inn still around?

Alas, no.

Ahhh... the old neighborhood. I spent the first 18 years of my life around there.

It's not too out-of-the-way to get to Al & Joes... my favorite subs of all time. Just down Mannheim, kinda under where Mannheim goes over the train tracks:

Al & Joe's Delicatessen
10348 Addison Ave.
Franklin Park 60131-1520
847-678-6788

Squabs food is pretty decent, also just down Mannheim, gyros and your standard gyros stand food.

Squabs Gyros
2348 N Mannheim Rd
Melrose Park, IL 60164
(847) 455-5205
http://squabsgyros.com/

missvjw wrote:It's not too out-of-the-way to get to Al & Joes... my favorite subs of all time. Just down Mannheim, kinda under where Mannheim goes over the train tracks:

I've sort of driven by there a million times, but never tried it until today. It was very good. For such an out of the way place, they seemed to be doing a pretty good business.

Hey OP, it's been a couple of weeks - where have you been going???

Nowhere yet; the project start got delayed until this Friday.
Thanks to everyone who responded and I will report back to this thread with my impressions of the various places.

midas wrote:

missvjw wrote:It's not too out-of-the-way to get to Al & Joes... my favorite subs of all time. Just down Mannheim, kinda under where Mannheim goes over the train tracks:

I've sort of driven by there a million times, but never tried it until today. It was very good. For such an out of the way place, they seemed to be doing a pretty good business.

They had a not-so-great period of business a few years back when they messed with some of the ingredients in the subs (I think to save costs... they eventually returned to the old ingredients and just raised prices accordingly).

FYI... forgot to mention that if you go by at lunch they will have a bunch of grab & go subs, but they are also happy to make ones to order, or if you just want one "fresh".

Yes, I am passionate about my Al & Joes. If I'm within five minutes of that place and it's during business hours, I will stop and get a sub if I'm hungry or not. They travel well, even all the way back to Palatine (and once, even after spending four hours in a cooler while I was at a baby shower).

The Phoenix on North Ave. (closer to 290) does some average to decent Chinese food. Good egg rolls. Good pressed almond duck. Nothing super exotic, but better than a lot of other choices in the area (trust me, my parents spent 20 years figuring this out!). You do have to compete with Wal-Mart parking lot traffic to get in & out, though.

Phoenix Oriental Cuisine
(708) 409-0007
101 W North Ave
Northlake, IL 60164

There are also a ton of taquerias that have popped up since I departed the area (and sadly, old favorites that are gone).

And my husband is highly suggesting that I mention that the White Castle on Mannheim & Grand serves the best Sliders to be had in the suburbs.

Sorrento's Village was our pizza place for a long time, and I think last time I passed it they were offering slices at lunchtime (but it's been two years since I passed it). Perry's Pizza Joynt is a locals favorite, but I never got the attraction much (too much cheese, crust too thick).

http://www.sorrentovillage.com/

Perry's Pizza Joynt
39 W. North Ave.
Northlake, IL, 847-562-5334.

missvjw wrote:And my husband is highly suggesting that I mention that the White Castle on Mannheim & Grand serves the best Sliders to be had in the suburbs.

My office used to be out there (Schiller Park, actually) and I second the Al & Joe's recommendation. Also, I just thought I would mention that I once had an encounter with Alice Cooper who was waiting in line for sliders at that particular White Castle.

missvjw wrote:

midas wrote:

missvjw wrote:It's not too out-of-the-way to get to Al & Joes... my favorite subs of all time. Just down Mannheim, kinda under where Mannheim goes over the train tracks:

I've sort of driven by there a million times, but never tried it until today. It was very good. For such an out of the way place, they seemed to be doing a pretty good business.

They had a not-so-great period of business a few years back when they messed with some of the ingredients in the subs (I think to save costs... they eventually returned to the old ingredients and just raised prices accordingly).

FYI... forgot to mention that if you go by at lunch they will have a bunch of grab & go subs, but they are also happy to make ones to order, or if you just want one "fresh".

Yes, I am passionate about my Al & Joes. If I'm within five minutes of that place and it's during business hours, I will stop and get a sub if I'm hungry or not. They travel well, even all the way back to Palatine (and once, even after spending four hours in a cooler while I was at a baby shower).

The Phoenix on North Ave. (closer to 290) does some average to decent Chinese food. Good egg rolls. Good pressed almond duck. Nothing super exotic, but better than a lot of other choices in the area (trust me, my parents spent 20 years figuring this out!). You do have to compete with Wal-Mart parking lot traffic to get in & out, though.

Phoenix Oriental Cuisine
(708) 409-0007
101 W North Ave
Northlake, IL 60164

There are also a ton of taquerias that have popped up since I departed the area (and sadly, old favorites that are gone).

And my husband is highly suggesting that I mention that the White Castle on Mannheim & Grand serves the best Sliders to be had in the suburbs.

Sorrento's Village was our pizza place for a long time, and I think last time I passed it they were offering slices at lunchtime (but it's been two years since I passed it). Perry's Pizza Joynt is a locals favorite, but I never got the attraction much (too much cheese, crust too thick).

http://www.sorrentovillage.com/

Perry's Pizza Joynt
39 W. North Ave.
Northlake, IL, 847-562-5334.

I'm sorry to report, but the Phoenix is no longer there. Its been bulldozed.

OP, for the best Chinese, go to New Star in Elmwood Park, across the street from Johnnies and down the block from Alpine. You can't go wrong for lunch on North Avenue in Elmwood Park.

I wouldn't recommend New Star! A much better Chinese offering is Lotus. Further east on North Ave/Harlem. In the stripmall with Blockbuster. Also a great pizza place...Old World is next door.

Also, if anyone wants to travel a little farther east on North Ave/Oak Park Ave. I always recommend Amarinds(Thai) and Cafe Laguardia(Cuban).