Birthday dinner near Touhy & Lincoln?

Hi all!
My birthday is coming up so I need a place to go for dinner. Every time I pass Pueblito Viejo at 5429 N. Lincoln, it looks so cool on the outside, and I thought about going there. But all I've read were mediocre to bad reviews, and their website has nothing but times and an address. Is anyone familiar with this place? What are your thoughts?

Also, if anyone has some ideas for a dinner joint, not expensive, within 10 miles of Niles, I'd appreciate it. I'm up for almost any kind of cuisine, but please leave out anything that is heavily fish-centric. Thanks much!!

Pie Lady wrote:Is anyone familiar with this place?

MikeG is.

...Also, if anyone has some ideas for a dinner joint, not expensive, within 10 miles of Niles, I'd appreciate it. I'm up for almost any kind of cuisine...

Within 10 miles of Niles. Hmm. That includes all of Chicago north of Irving Park Road, and a few dozen north and west suburbs. Hmm, and any kind of cuisine. Nope, can't think of anything.

(on a more serious note, maybe you could provide a bit more guidance about what you seek, or choose one of the very many Great Neighborhood Restaurants within this vicinity)

Kennyz wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Is anyone familiar with this place?

[url=http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7493&highlight=pueblito]MikeG is.
Within 10 miles of Niles. Hmm. That includes all of Chicago north of Irving Park Road, and a few dozen north and west suburbs. Hmm, and any kind of cuisine. Nope, can't think of anything.

Tough, isn't it?

The article was mostly about PV, and the rest was just an afterthought. But okay, it was just a wee bit vague, so when my plans are finalized I'll ask again - with a more pointed request.

Thanks for the MikeG post, that restaurant sounds like hell.

So I don't know how big a ten-mile radius is!

All right, I thought of something else. My coworkers always take me out for my birthday, and I need some help.

The place needs to be cheap. I asked for Olive Garden last time, so something that much or less. (Please no rude remarks on my selection of Olive Garden )

No Asian/Middle Eastern/Indian/pizza/greasy spoons/McDonald's or evil counterparts.

The place needs to be less than 10 minutes away from the Touhy/Lincoln area.

If I eat one more meal at Wholly Frijoles or Portillos I will kill myself. (not because the food is bad, mind you, I actually like both places).

I'm thinking maybe Dengeo's for a nice fat gyros, but something healthier would be in my best interests (and for those attending).

Thanks!

Pie Lady wrote:The place needs to be cheap.
No Asian/Middle Eastern/Indian/pizza/greasy spoons/McDonald's or evil counterparts.

Happy Birthday, Pie Lady! You are asking about my (restaurant) neighborhood but have eliminated most of the places we usually go. Dengeo’s is good fast-food Greek: good gyros and I am very fond of their Grecian chicken and village salad (no lettuce). There are lots of choices there for picky officemates, and it’s very well run and cheap--though hardly elegant.

You might also consider What’s Cooking in the Lincoln Village shopping center. It’s quite reasonable with a large menu, also really a Greek diner, but it tilts Jewish deli. It’s a big place with fast service as a rule. Like Dengeo’s, there’s a parking lot.

I think if traffic isn’t bad you could get to the Red Apple Buffet (Polish) at Milwaukee and Devon within 10 minutes. It’s certainly cheap, filling, and can be quite good. Everything else that springs to mind is Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian, pizza, etc.!

Dengeo’s
3301 Main St.
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-7911

What’s Cooking
6181 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 583-3050

Red Apple Restaurant
6474 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-3407

Pie Lady wrote:No Asian/Middle Eastern/Indian/pizza/greasy spoons/McDonald's or evil counterparts.

The place needs to be less than 10 minutes away from the Touhy/Lincoln area.

Unless you are traveling at an extreme rate of speed I don't believe there is anything else.

EvA wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:The place needs to be cheap.
No Asian/Middle Eastern/Indian/pizza/greasy spoons/McDonald's or evil counterparts.

You might also consider What’s Cooking in the Lincoln Village shopping center. It’s quite reasonable with a large menu, also really a Greek diner, but it tilts Jewish deli. It’s a big place with fast service as a rule. Like Dengeo’s, there’s a parking lot.
I think if traffic isn’t bad you could get to the Red Apple Buffet (Polish) at Milwaukee and Devon within 10 minutes.

Of course, What's Cooking! I just went past that the other day and thought, I wonder what that's like.

I'd love to go to Red Apple, but I'm not sure I want to be that close to home (I'd just want to stay). But seriously, it's pushing 15 minutes when a normal person drives, so that will have to go to the bottom of the list.

Great ideas, EvA. Thanks for your help!

Now that you've mentioned What's Cooking (which right now is #1), I seem to recall La Campeche across the street being nice, but that was ages ago. What's it like now, anybody know?

We absolutely loved Renga-Tai, and, though crowded, I can't think of a better place to spend a birthday.

Mhays wrote:We absolutely loved Renga-Tai, and, though crowded, I can't think of a better place to spend a birthday.

Renga-Tai is an excellent suggestion to which I would add Larsa's with threads here and here.

Enjoy,
Gary

Larsa's
3724 Dempster
Skokie, IL
847-679-3663

Renga-Tei
3956 W Touhy Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
847-675-5177

How about:

L Woods
7110 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood
(847) 677-3350

I've never had a bad meal there.

I thought the request said "No Asian/Middle Eastern/Indian/pizza/greasy spoons," but maybe I missed something.

Two ideas, fairly close:

Psistaria is a reasonably good Greek restaurant in the area.

Psistaria Greek Restaurant
4711 W. Touhy Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

L. Woods has a casual corner tavern that might work. As a LEYE restaurant, the food is reliable, if not outstanding. It, and other area options, are discussed here.

L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
7110 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Dave148 wrote:How about:

L Woods
7110 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood
(847) 677-3350

I've never had a bad meal there.

Actually, L Woods sounds like exactly the type of place that Pie Lady is looking for. Good, safe middle of the road food in a nice atmosphere. It's a place I take my parents often. There's something for everyone and it's a bit more festive than What's Cooking?.

G Wiv wrote:Renga-Tai is an excellent suggestion to which I would add Larsa's with threads here and here.

I can't believe I never noticed Larsa's. I'll be taking Pie Dude there one day for sure.

If Asian and Middle Eastern are also ok for your dinner, I'd add recommendations for Ben Tre Cafe (Vietnamese) and Hashalom (Israeli). Hashalom is especially cheap (but closed Mondays and Tuesdays). L Woods has a big menu and has reliable LEYE food, but is pricier than I gather Pie Lady is hoping for. Ben Tre and L Woods have parking lots; for Hashalom you can usually find meter parking on Devon or a side street. There are threads on both of these places, if you search.

Ben Tre Cafe
3146 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 465-3011

Hashalom
2905 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 465-5675

nr706 wrote:
Psistaria is a reasonably good Greek restaurant in the area.

We used to like Psistaria, and it could work for Pie Lady (although again I'm not sure how really, really cheap she wants), but I think it's gone down hill. The last time we were there, we decided we wouldn't go back.

Others may disagree....

I also agree that Psistaria has gone down hill. Even though my office is nearby, I eat there once or twice a year at the insistence of my secretary who drags me there.

She has absolutley no knowledge of good food. She loves Bennigans.

L Woods, as mentioned, is a safe bet, though in the less expensive category Jack's just West of the Edens on Touhy would fit the bill.

Enjoy,
Gary

Jack's Restaurant
5201 W Touhy Ave
Skokie, IL
847-674-5532
2 Blocks West of the Edens

Though it may be too far for your co-workers, I'd consider Smak-Tak, on Elston between Central and Austin.

Nearly all the entrees cost $10 or less, the servings are very hearty, and the place is never full, so your large party will feel free to make merry without fear of disturbing others.

It's a cozy place, with a Ski Lodge Lite decor, and the servers are unfailingly friendly.

The food is superior to the Red Apple's. I recommend the potato pancakes, goulash, sausage, and, of course, the pierogi.

There's plenty of street parking in the area, and they serve cake (for which I cannot vouch).

Smak-Tak
Open 7 days, 11:00am - 9:00pm
5961 North Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646
phone 773 763 1123

Pie Lady wrote:a dinner joint, not expensive, within 10 miles of Niles, I'd appreciate it.

The Renga-Tei suggestion is excellent. Here are a few more of my favorite places in your neighborhood.

Amici Ristorante
847/967-0606
7620 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles
Cozy trattoria for old-fashioned Italian fare.

Charcoal Oven
847/675-8062
4400 Golf Road
Skokie
Steakhouse, 1950s Greek-style.

Daily Grill
847/329-4334
North Shore Skokie Hotel
9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
American comfort food in clubby environs.

Graziano's Brick Oven Pizza
847/647-4096
www.grazianos.net
5960 W. Touhy Ave., Niles
Boisterous, wood-fired pizzeria and pasta joint.

El Tipico
847/676-4070
3341 W. Dempster St., Skokie
Cheerful, reliable spot for Mexican standards.

Himalayan Restaurant
847/324-4150
www.himalayanrestaurant.net
Four Flaggs Center
8265 Golf Road, Niles
White-tablecloth Indian and Nepalese.

Kow Kow Restaurant
847/677-7717 847/677-7757
6755 N. Cicero Ave., Lincolnwood
Classic Chinese-American. G Wiv-approved egg rolls.

Myron & Phil's Steakhouse
847/677-6663
www.myronandphils.com
3900 W. Devon Ave., Lincolnwood
Steakhouse, 1970s Jewish-style.

Periyali Greek Taverna
847/296-2232
9860 Milwaukee Ave., Des Plaines
Excellent Greek taverna.

Ruby of Siam
847/675-7008
Fashion Square, 9420 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Very good Thai, a little dressier than Siam's House.

Siam's House
847/967-2390
Rayyan Plaza, 7742 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles
No-frills favorite of the Thai consulate's staff.

Pie Lady wrote:My coworkers always take me out for my birthday.... No Asian/Middle Eastern/Indian/pizza/greasy spoons/McDonald's or evil counterparts.

The place needs to be less than 10 minutes away from the Touhy/Lincoln area.

If you're not averse to chains, there's Bennigan's and the Outback Steakhouse. And Sanders is a better-than-usual Grecian diner serving good breakfasts and lunch fare. I love their Athenian-style broiled chicken. The cinnamon-laced rice pudding's tops, too.

Sander's Restaurant & Pancake House
847/673-2626
5320 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie

Dave148 wrote:She has absolutley no knowledge of good food. She loves Bennigans.

They do have good potato soup...

LAZ wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:a dinner joint, not expensive, within 10 miles of Niles, I'd appreciate it.

The Renga-Tei suggestion is excellent. Here are a few more of my favorite places in your neighborhood.
Daily Grill
847/329-4334
North Shore Skokie Hotel
9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
American comfort food in clubby environs.

Is this the same Daily Grill as in Lincoln Square?

Sanders is a good idea too. I have a favorite waitress who always seems to be drunk off her ass, so it becomes dinner-and-a-show.

No. It's not the same as the joint on Lincoln Ave. The Daily Grill in Skokie was renamed The Grill when the hotel changed names to the Doubletree.

Pie Lady wrote:

Dave148 wrote:She has absolutley no knowledge of good food. She loves Bennigans.

They do have good potato soup...

And a great Monte Cristo sandwich.

LAZ wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

Dave148 wrote:She has absolutley no knowledge of good food. She loves Bennigans.

They do have good potato soup...

And a great Monte Cristo sandwich.

I'm partial to the club. In fact I think it may be the best club I ever had (at least it was since the last time I ate it). You've given me the courage to speak out.

Dave148 wrote:No. It's not the same as the joint on Lincoln Ave. The Daily Grill in Skokie was renamed The Grill when the hotel changed names to the Doubletree.

Interesting. Apparently the restaurant in Skokie is no longer affiliated with the Daily Grill chain.

I've heard The Grill there may be changing its concept.

I'll second/third the Psisteria rec. I'm not sure if I'd say that they've gone downhill. It's not as nice inside as Periyali or Mykonos (I'd recommend those, too), but the food's still pretty good. And the waiters are fun- very jovial Greek guys. Psisteria also has an appetizer I love that none of the others have- beets with tzatziki sauce- yum!

Ruby of Siam and Himalayan Restaurant are also good.

Amici. The few times I have been there I found this place very lacking. I know people who like this place but I very much do not.