Lame Drive-Thru Options - Chicago Proper

LTHForum,

Last couple of months I've had intermittent problems with my left foot resulting in the occasional drive-thru meal, which has led me to the conclusion Chicago proper is slim pickings for edible, or even barely edible, drive-thru offerings. If one discounts McD's, Burger King etc the best I've come up with, in my general Northwest side Chicago proper area, are Panda Express, Portillio's and Superdawg.

For example, I had a Doctor's appointment in the 2600 block of N Halsted with plans to meet a friend at Sun Wah for lunch. Ten minutes into the apt I knew lunch was out, especially where parking is scarce. On the lookout for drive-thru options all the way home, I ended up defaulting to Panda Express, which I find tolerable.

My not so fleet feet problems seem to be nearing an end, but I'm guessing there are many in the same boat, there must, hopefully, be better drive-thru options in Chicago proper.

Enjoy,
Gary

What about Susie's? It's not gourmet, but it's a hell of a lot better than Sad Panda Express.

HI,

Some restaurants on the northshore will bring take-out to the curb. You call in advance, place your order and give your credit card. Upon arrival, you phone again and the food is brought outside. While this may take a little explaining, I am sure many places will accomodate you.

There is this long ago thread on non-chain drive thrus, though some are already gone.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Some restaurants on the northshore will bring take-out to the curb

Since opening, Sola (3868 N. Lincoln) has offered curb service, and my guess is that many restaurants will wrap and bring stuff to the curb (nice tip expected, of course), but my sense is you're probably looking for quality grub served with the speed and convenience of a fast-food drive-thru, and that would be a rarity in most cities, I'd think.

When my kids were of on age that getting them in and out of the car was a project akin to getting Alan Shepard and John Glenn in and out of their Mercury capsules, I wished for a city full of drive-thrus of various kinds, and settled, far too often, for Wendy's.

What really amazed me were the people who would build a place aimed at upscale take-out traffic-- Eatzi's, Zoom Kitchen, etc.-- yet make no provision for this kind of customer. I'd have kept the ZK on Belmont in business back then, if I could have just ordered some yuppie salad or pasta through a microphone and been on my way.

Doesn't Dengeos (which I consider to be serviceable) a drive-thru window? I'd imagine you have to call your order ahead, though. What about the Byron's on Lawrence? (the RIP location on Clark, which we loved, had a terrific drive-thru window - where you could get an excellent dog and a beer, and pay for it with a credit card)

As I am reading this, I am sitting with a nice limeade with a side order of onion rings outside of Murfreesboro, TN. It is really nice having options like Sonic where they deliver right to your car.

BTW, talking to some of the carhops tonight tell me that you have to hustle BUT they are the best paid servers in the fast food business.

Cathy2 wrote:Some restaurants on the northshore will bring take-out to the curb. You call in advance, place your order and give your credit card. Upon arrival, you phone again and the food is brought outside. While this may take a little explaining, I am sure many places will accomodate you.

Cathy,

Good suggestion and, in fact, I've done that a few times in the last month or two, but I feel it's an imposition to ask when a restaurant that is not setup for this service.

Suzie's is a good option, but I was hoping for something out of the hot dog/burger/gyro category. Hammond's correct, I was hoping for something quality with speed and convenience of a drive-thru. Ideally Tank, Sun Wah, Spoon Thai and Bari will put in drive-thru windows.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:I was hoping for something quality with speed and convenience of a drive-thru.

My favorite drive-thru option is Al's No. 1 on Ontario. As noted in the other thread, however, do not try to eat a wet combo fully laden with giardiniera while driving!

I've always wondered why there isn't more variety available in drive-thru food.

FWIW, Buona Beef on North Ave in Oak Park is drive-through. Across the street from Chicago proper though.

U Lucky Dawg, nee Fluky's, on Western just north of Pratt, has a drive-through, although it doesn't take you past hot dogs, etc.--and mediocre hot dogs at that.

Charcoal Delights on Foster just east of Kedzie has a Drive-Thru I believe. They do a pretty good job with fast food stuff--sausages, gyros, broasted chicken, etc. Again, just fairly standard fast food fare though.

Charcoal Delights
3139 W. Foster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone (773) 583-0056