2 Queries: Hyde Park, Lahore (Devon)

1. I will be moving from my beloved north side, to H.P. Despite both parents and spouse being U. of C. alums, I am somewhat dubious about this fait accompli, both from a general fear of isolation from the rest of humanity, and uncertainty about the eats in particular. I am only vaguley familiar with the area. I hope to get to know The Valois. Been to Medici and Mellow Yellow. Have seen a handful of indifferent looking asian noodle storefronts. Does anything wonderful, intriguing, or even solid await me, or just an endless stream of bland, student-oriented places?

2. Rode with a Pakistani cab driver recently and he was going off shift and on his way to Lahore on Devon. Said it was real Pakistani food, been there a long time, spicy. Couldn't get anything more specific out of him. Anyone know it?

The search function will turn up some items about Hyde Park.

The Produce Mart, easily the best culinary attraction in the neighborhood, will be moving into a larger store front this summer. This is likely to be an awesome development.

Otherwise, please accept my condolences. At least you're a short drive from Uncle John's.

The ten best things to eat in the Hyde Park area (search other threads for addresses and details):

1. Yapchae jun vegetable pancake, kalguksu with handmade noodles, bibimbap, and beef with rice or noodles lunch specials at Seoul Corea / Cafe Corea.

2. Georgia peach colada, Johnny cakes, and Carolina pulled pork sandwich with liberal vinegar sauce at Dixie Kitchen.

3. That's-a-Burger with jalapeno peppers, bacon, and grilled onions (71st street near Stony Island).

4. Han's Favorite at the University Market - Westphalian ham, cheddar or swiss cheese, Medici croissant, Honeycup mustard

5. Chicken shawerma sandwich (over a pound of crispy shaved chicken dripping in tahini) at the Nile, with a cup of lentil soup with fresh lemon

6. The beef salad, ordered extra spicy, at Noodles Etc. on 57th (not the one on 53rd which has poor chefs and bad ventilation), and a Thai Iced Tea. Most other things at Noodles Etc. are very bland. Occasionally, the Bamee delivers - roast pork, ground peanuts, ground chicken, lots of cilantro, sweet sauce over noodles.

7. Just about everything on the Indian menu at Rajun Cajun. Try the Spicy Vegetarian dinner box with red lentils or chickpeas, cumin potatoes, parotha, samosa, and mango lassi, or build your own with a leg quarter tandoori chicken. Avoid the butter and curry chicken.

8. Thai smoothie at Bonne Sante (53rd street) from the back counter, with lemongrass, ginger, honey, banana, apple juice.

9. Caprese panino at Istria under the 57th street Metra stop, with lots of fresh mozzarella, red peppers, and pesto, washed down with a San Pellegrino Limonata and the Chocolate-chili gelato. Desperately avoid the prosciutto sub (funky on multiple occasions).

10. Chicken normandy or wild mushroom crepes at La Petit Folie, with off-menu foie gras, smoked trout salad, generous pours of Sauternes.

Others may enjoy them, but I completely reject the Medici (except for pan cheese pizza and eggs espresso once in a blue moon), Florian, Salonica, Snail, Siam (do Thai 55 if you absolutely have to, at least the owners are friendly and the bubble tea is usually good), Orly's, Maravillas, Piccolo Mondo, Noodles on 53rd, Far East Kitchen, Cedar's (except when they cater. Service at the new location is appalling), and the Hyde Park McDonald's, Jimmy Johns, and Subway, all staffed by incompetents. The best franchise outlet is the Potbelly on 54th and Lake Park. Veggies to Go, in an old Quizno's location on 53rd street, needs to be condemned. Ribs and Bibs is ok for an 11 PM Bronco Burger (frozen beef patty slathered in sauce) but should be avoided if you have any expectations for pulled pork or ribs.

Good summary.

Just to add a couple of notes, I am a real proponent of Medici's pan pizza but that's because I occasionally like a very "bready" pizza, and I think they do this kind very well. (Also nice that you can get single pizzas.) I wouldn't, however, order take-out there; I've always been disappointed with that.

As far as Ribs and Bibs is concerned--well, you're a lot closer to Uncle John's.

Harold's is still in the Kimbark Shopping Plaza, isn't it? Definitely my fast food go-to place in the deep dark past.

Grilled swiss on rye and a pitcher of beer at Jimmy's (Woodlawn Tap). 3 meals a day, four years of my life and I stand by it.

Sorry to lose you from our 'hood but you may want to pm sazerac. Though he's no longer in Hyde Park, he's a solid source of information and expertise on that area who I'm sure would be only too happy to offer suggestions.

Appreciate all the lists, suggestions, and insights. But, frankly, I'm starting to have panic attacks. Anyone want to split rent on a northside pied a terre?

I also lived in Hyde Park for longer than I care to admit, and would be happy to give whatever advice I can.

I'll concur with much have what has been said, especially praise for Istria (though it didn't arrive until after I left), the produce market, Harold's, La Petite Folie, Ribs N Bibs, and Rajun Cajun.

I will also say I'm a fan Giordano's for my beloved pizza, though I normally got delivery unless I was in the mood to watch a veritable circus. I'm a fan of Bonjour bakery, especially the lemon pistchio cookies, belgian roll, and their scones. Chicken and rice soup from the Snail always hit the spot when I was sick, too.

But my favorite thing to eat in Hyde Park: Swissburger at Jimmy's, washed back with a pint. Good stuff, and crazy cheap.

Where's Jimmy's in Hyde Park?

Impressive list, Santander - I appreciate the items of interest at each particular place.

Mrbarolo - my condolences; Welcome to our unhappy selection of slim pickings (this is probably why we drive to Arlington Heights and Niles on a consistent basis to eat and shop).

Jay K wrote:Where's Jimmy's in Hyde Park?

Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap
1172 E. 55th St.
Chicago, IL
773-643-5516

mrbarolo wrote:Appreciate all the lists, suggestions, and insights. But, frankly, I'm starting to have panic attacks. Anyone want to split rent on a northside pied a terre?

The Wife and I lived in the Hyde Park area for a while (though not together; she was stalking me), and I found it most simpatico. It is a tad isolated, but no more so than, say, Elmhurst, and it's got the lake nearby, more brainpower/sq.ft than just about anywhere else in the city, and a lot of fine old buildings.

Hammond

I enjoyed my time in Hyde Park. It is a bit isolated, but as mentioned, the lake is fantastic down there... I loved Medici bakery and their pizza, drank more $1.50 beers at the Falcon Inn than I can count, loved walking the campus. La Petite Folie is really a fine establishment and it's very reasonable, the Harold's down there is fantastic. Valois for breakfast, Snail Thai dinners, and I may be one of the only people left in chicago who enjoyed going to Morry's and ordering chopped-liver and pastrami. Plenty to like down there - great bookstores, the Checkerboard... Don't fret, it's really a great place.

p.s.- I've never been to Lahore on Devon. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen it?

I may be one of the only people left in chicago who enjoyed going to Morry's and ordering chopped-liver and pastrami.

As a matter of fact, there are still a few of us who go back far enough to fondly recall the fried- and bbq-chicken shack beneath the IC tracks run by the originator of Morry's (until he inadvertently fried and bbq'd the shack itself--I think there remains a cinder-stain there in commemoration).