Budget birthday food with bar to follow

So I have a rather specific request. I am on the prowl for a great yet reasonably priced place (under $15-18 entrees) to go on my birthday and to be followed by a bar for drinks. My friends and I are self-proclaimed low-budget foodies so a place with delicious grub is a must (not that the people on lthforum would suggest anything less than a tasty establishment). I would then love to round out the night with drinks at a fun bar within walking distance from dinner (my only request is that it be relatively frat-boy free). I live in Lakeview so anywhere on the general north side is fair game (Lincoln square, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Uptown, etc).

Hoping you can help make my 29th birthday a tasty one...

I know you asked for a place to eat and then a place nearby to drink but two places come to mind when I hear "good reasonable bar food", Dublins and Glascotts. Dublins is in the gold coast and when it comes to bar food at a reasonable price, I think it takes the belt. They seem to do most of their dish's to an above average rating and the service is always good, when your done eating, start drinking without leaving the establishment.

Any of you that have been to Glascott's might be saying "huh", they dont serve food" and no they dont, but for years now Glascott's has paired with the adjoining, Athenian Room. Glascott's provides diners at the AR with drinks and the AR supplies drinkers at Glascotts with food. As far as bar food goes, I dont see how you could ask for anything better, gyros, burgers, chicken, Greek fries and the skirt steak all really hit the spot and the skirt steak is the priciest at $12. This might be exactly what you are looking for, good "budget" food (AR) and a bar that you dont even have to step outside to enter in Glascott's next door.

Dublin's
1050 N State St, Chicago 60610
Btwn W Oak & W Maple St
312-266-6340

Athenian Room
807 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-5155

Glascott's
2158 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: (773) 281-1205

Is the Hopleaf. Delicious food, most entrees in your range, ten bazillion tasty beers.

GNR thread here:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=8606

As an aside, I have never experienced the service issues/crabbiness others have discussed. I have also experienced many wonderful meals. I moved from Edgewater to Logan Square recently, and the Hopleaf-shaped hole in my heart is significant.

Or you can start at somewhere like Sunshine Cafe for Japanese, or somewhere on Argyle for Vietnamese, Thai, or Chinese, and then go to Hopleaf.

I'd consider Tac Quick. I'm actually planning a b-day dinner for someone,
and let the guests vote where. I gave them the choice of Thai or Mexican.
I'm a tiny bit disappointed that they voted Sol De Mexico. I wanted to basically order "one of each" at Tac. Anyway, I'd consider Tac. BYOB, grab a btl of champagne, and some other pricey booze. Walk outta there
a little bubbly, VERY well fed, and then start your evening.

Hmm...29, huh?
I'm certainly not a fratboy

Happy - B-day!

Dinner:
Sun Wah BBQ
1134 W. Argyle
Chicago, IL

Call at least a day ahead and order the Bejing Duck dinner. The price this past weekend was $28 for five courses for two people (Lettuce and Noodle salad with lemongrass vinaigrette, Bejing Duck, duck and wintermelon soup, duck fried rice, rasberry sorbet with tuille). As it was a special, I don't know if the menu will be identical, but the duck was outstanding.

Drinks:
Fat Cat
4840 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL

Swank, speakeasy kind of atmoshpere, good beer list, interesting cocktails.

Finish the evening with a late set at:

The Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL

One of the best jazz clubs in the city, and so much more enjoyable now that it's smoke free. I don't think they've redecorated since 1940 so it's the real version of the look to which Fat Cat pays an homage.

Have a great birthday.

Some good combos:

1)
Dinner at Turkish Cuisine in andersonville (wonderful, cheap turkish food, pretty space and byob!)
+
Drinks at Simons or Charlie's

2)
Dinner at San Soo Gab San or Cho Sun Ok in Lincoln Square
+
Drinks at at Daily Bar, Atlantic, Grafton, Globe Pub (depending on which you choose)

3)
Dinner at El Tinajon in Roscoe Village for Guatemalan food
+
Drinks at Village Tap, Four Moons, Mulligans, etc

4)
Dinner at Silver Seafood for Chinese in Uptown
+
Drinks at Uptown Lounge

Unless a change of venue is really important, I'll second the recommendation of Hopleaf all night.

Have you considered LUXBAR? I have had some good food there and the prices fall into the $12-$20 range for entrees. Also, like with Hopleaf you won't have to go anywhere else.

LUXBAR
18 E. Bellevue

I'd be nervous to do a birthday celebration at Hopleaf. I love it, but there's no guarantee you'd be able to get a table, and it seems like a hard place for people to drop in and say hello.

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. I definitely have some mulling to do before the big day. Oh, and as far as the Hopleaf goes, I do love that place oh so much but I think I go there too frequently for it to be a special event.

If you're in Logan Square, may I suggest anything on California between Fullerton and the boulevard. Italian, Contmprarary American, Thai, etc.. And no matter where you dine, finish the evening off at :

Whirl-a-way Lounge.

Great bar - Friendly people and the best jukebox in the neighborhood.
No distractions - No TV - No bs....
Can't think of a better way to
end a night of Logan Square culinary adventure.