Food and fun in Rogers Park near Loyola

So I've searched the site high and low and haven't found an amazing amount about this area. I know about the great Indian restaurants on Devon which is only 2 miles away but I'm looking for something to do to locally. Where would the average Loyola student go to late at night? where would one go if they wanted a fine meal around Sheridan and Devon? If there's any tips or tricks to having fun and eating out in this area please let me know. I'm not picky and just want to make sure I'm not missing out on something. (I work 3-11pm daily at Spiaggia and don't get home until almost midnight so anything that's open late would be great too)


Thanks guys.

Off the top, two places come to mind:

Morseland
1218 W. Morse Ave.
Chicago
(773) 764-8900

Uncommon Ground
1401 W. Devon
(the old Speakeasy space)
Chicago,
(773) 465-9801

This will be spectacularly unhelpful, but a year or so ago there were a handful of posts regarding a somewhat high-end Indian or perhaps Middle Eastern place just east of Sheridan around Farwell or Pratt. The reports were all very complimentary and for the life of me I can't recall the name or cuisine, but it all sounded pretty promising. Perhaps this will jog someone's memory.

Beyond that, you may need to hike down Broadway into the 5000s before things get interesting. But once you're there, they get quite interesting indeed with all the Asian, Ethiopean, etc. that's been happening. And it's still a bit closer than the heart of Devon.

Are you thinking of:

Cafe Suron
1146 W. Pratt Ave.
Chicago

It's closed, although rumor has it a new Middle Eastern spot will be opening in that very handsome space.

nr706 wrote:Are you thinking of:

Cafe Suron
1146 W. Pratt Ave.
Chicago

It's closed, although rumor has it a new Middle Eastern spot will be opening in that very handsome space.

Bahh...that would have been perfect, I live at 1301 w. pratt

Not fine dining, but quality Mexican food that's right in your neck of the woods. Honestly this is one of my first and worst written reviews, but I stand by the quality of the food.



Yesterday after taking a trip into the city to visit my grandmother, I decided to stop into "Susupauto" at 6161 N. Broadway in Chicago. The taqueria is near Loyola University in between the Rogers Park and Edgewater communities. Like most taquerias, it's a small store front restaurant with a green, red, and white sign hanging above. Parking is by the way of meter's along Broadway, but be careful not to park in the Osco/CVS lot across the street because you may get towed.

Once inside you are greeted with a dimly lit, clean, and inviting atmosphere. Ceramic tiles stretch across the floor and lovely Mexican art work adorns the walls. There are about 10 tables inside each seating about 4, so not too small and not too large. As with everywhere else, smoking is no longer allowed.

My waitress is quiet but friendly and I quickly order a steak burrito and steak taco both with everything. Now I can eat my tacos 2 way's, one is with just onion and cilantro and the other is with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. I went for the loaded version.

The meal starts with a basket of homemade tortilla chips and two different salsas. The "green" salsa is a salsa verde that is very fresh tasting with plenty of lime and garlic throughout. Next is the "red" salsa that has a slightly higher level of heat but is geared more for flavor than burning your mouth. I am a firm believer that heat without flavor is pointless.

My dinner arrives and I am greeted with a large 8 inch burrito that has the right balance of ingredients. A thin layer of re fried beans line the burrito and then generous amounts of steak, cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomato follow. The flower tortilla is not soggy on the outside and the burrito overall has excellent flavor and texture. Next was my taco which is steak, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream all on top of 2 soft corn tortillas. Excellent, just like the burrito. The reason both are so good is the quality of the steak. It's quality tasting meat that is cut the right size and cooked to the right temperature and consistency. Many places over cook the meat or chop it up too small and it ends up like grizzle.

Overall this is an excellent option if you're in that neck of the woods. Great food and an inviting atmosphere make this a top choice.

This thread includes a list from a couple of years ago--it's a start. (Cafe Suron may not be the only one of the list that is closed.)

Bahh...that would have been perfect, I live at 1301 w. pratt

Hum. Thats literally like a half-mile from Big Buns and Pita on Clark, no?

A half-mile puts you in the range of tons of places (Big Buns itself is excellent Middle-Eastern, but probably closes by 11pm still Id guess). But near it on Clark there are tons of authentically excellent Mexican taquerias, many of which stay open plenty late. Id suggest you leaf thru one of the "Taste of Clark Street" threads, and you'll get tons of options.. from Middle Eastern, to Persian, to tons of Mexican, and now even pupusas (El Salvadorean), a Harold's across the street from Big Buns (which presumably serves excellent fried chicken till after midnight) and so on.

c8w

c8w wrote:
Hum. Thats literally like a half-mile from Big Buns and Pita on Clark, no?

It's not Big Buns anymore. Drove by there today. Looks the same on the inside from what I can tell.

Has anyone been there since the name change?

gp60004 wrote:It's not Big Buns anymore. Drove by there today. Looks the same on the inside from what I can tell.

Has anyone been there since the name change?

It's now Sahara Kabob (with a new awning with the new name), but their menu still has a logo that says "Big Buns and Pita" at the top in addition to the new name (and a notation to "Also check us out at LTHForum.com" at the bottom).

I made my first visit there about a week and a half ago (which I still have to post about), so I can't comment on the quality vs. what was offered before.

tarte tatin wrote:

gp60004 wrote:It's not Big Buns anymore. Drove by there today. Looks the same on the inside from what I can tell.

Has anyone been there since the name change?

It's now Sahara Kabob (with a new awning with the new name), but their menu still has a logo that says "Big Buns and Pita" at the top in addition to the new name (and a notation to "Also check us out at LTHForum.com" at the bottom).

I made my first visit there about a week and a half ago (which I still have to post about), so I can't comment on the quality vs. what was offered before.

Well....after your post I'll drop by. Make sure to link me to it so it's not looked past.

And thanks to the recommendations so far, I've put a few into my iPhone for usage when I have free time.

I just moved into this neighborhood, so I've been out and about trying to find good food. One place that doesn't get enough love is Viet Bistro. It's what I call "fancy" Vietnamese food. The place is owned by the former owners of Pasteur. The food is just fantastic, but it is a bit pricey, which is why I think it's almost always empty. I went last night, and everyone loved their food. I had the beef curry, and it was out of this world. I'm not so sure it's $20-out-of-this-world, though. : ) They have good specials. Last night, they had $20 bottles of wine, buy one get one free martinis (great specialty drinks here), and buy two-get-one-free appetizers. Even with the specials, it's a bit pricey, though. Worth checking out, though.

I also went to a new outpost of Baladoche last night. I was shocked when I saw this opened in my neighborhood. It's such a niche place, so I don't know how this place is going to make it up here. The proprietor was clearly having the same worry. Delicious waffles and gelato. He's trying to bring the Loyola students in, but it's not working yet.

I'm not that fired up about Uncommon Ground. The food isn't that great, and it's too expensive to frequent regularly. It's less than a block from my house, and I wish they had a few more affordable options on the menu. For instance, I went on Friday and had a Cobb Salad for $15. I had the same salad at Luxe Cafe (is that what it's called?) that was bigger and arguably better for $11.

I love Ethiopian Diamond, which is also within walking distance. I haven't tried Broadway Cellars or Morseland Cafe.

Viet Bistro
1346 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660 773-465-5720

Baladoche
1217 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60660 773-761-8810

nr706 wrote:Are you thinking of:

Cafe Suron
1146 W. Pratt Ave.
Chicago

It's closed, although rumor has it a new Middle Eastern spot will be opening in that very handsome space.

Dish to the rescue:

Penny Pollack and/or Jeff Ruby wrote:RoPa Restaurant & Wine Bar (1146 W. Pratt Blvd.; 773-508-0002), a new 115-seat spot, pays homage to Rogers Park with its name, but its heart is in the Mediterranean. “It’s basically American cuisine with a lot of Mediterranean influences,” says Tarik Emanet, a Turkish-born partner. “Some nice steaks, seafood, pasta, poultry, very easy cuisine. All of our salads are unique. Mediterranean style—a lot of olive oil is used.” Some of RoPa’s dishes break the mold, though, such as the appetizer of feta/parsley spring rolls, and a homemade cheesecake and apple pie. The former Café Suron space got a major makeover, which includes decorative tile and wood tabletops, plus a wine cellar for tastings unveiling in November.

[/quote]

Dish to the rescue:

Penny Pollack and/or Jeff Ruby wrote:RoPa Restaurant & Wine Bar (1146 W. Pratt Blvd.; 773-508-0002), a new 115-seat spot, pays homage to Rogers Park with its name, but its heart is in the Mediterranean. “It’s basically American cuisine with a lot of Mediterranean influences,” says Tarik Emanet, a Turkish-born partner. “Some nice steaks, seafood, pasta, poultry, very easy cuisine. All of our salads are unique. Mediterranean style—a lot of olive oil is used.” Some of RoPa’s dishes break the mold, though, such as the appetizer of feta/parsley spring rolls, and a homemade cheesecake and apple pie. The former Café Suron space got a major makeover, which includes decorative tile and wood tabletops, plus a wine cellar for tastings unveiling in November.

That helps a lot! I stand at the bus stop each day on Sheridan squinting at Ropa thinking "nah...it must be 'la ropa' which I think is Spanish for clothes...nothing can actually be there" but I'm wrong! I'll try to try it for lunch asap and let you all know.

edit: Hours: 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday I guess it'll be at least a few weeks until I get to try it...I work every night until mid October.

From your bus stop perch, you can also see Mandarin Restaurant across the street. It's been our go-to spot for Korean food for the past year, in part because the owners are so nice and our toddler loves the bee bim bop and chop chae (or at least, he loves to say "bee bim bop" and "chop chae," over and over). No delivery, but easy enough to hop off the bus and grab take-out.

Mandarin Restaurant
6803 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago
Tel: (773) 465-1299

Rice Thai, also close by the bus stop, is decent, too.
6744 N Sheridan Rd.
(773) 338-1717

Side note: I used to recommend Blue Elephant for dependable Thai and good delivery, but had a recent rotten experience with a botched delivery. Ordered 4 entrees and 3 apps for a small dinner party; they delivered one entree and one app. It took five or six phone calls and another hour+ to get the rest of our meal sent up, and we live only 3 blocks from the restaurant. And some dishes have been changed substantially, though the menu doesn't reflect it. New owners, I believe. We were semi-regulars, but we won't be back.
Blue Elephant
1235 W Devon Ave
(773) 262-5216

sassafrass wrote:From your bus stop perch, you can also see Mandarin Restaurant across the street. It's been our go-to spot for Korean food for the past year, in part because the owners are so nice and our toddler loves the bee bim bop and chop chae (or at least, he loves to say "bee bim bop" and "chop chae," over and over). No delivery, but easy enough to hop off the bus and grab take-out.

Mandarin Restaurant
6803 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago
Tel: (773) 465-1299

Rice Thai, also close by the bus stop, is decent, too.
6744 N Sheridan Rd.
(773) 338-1717

Side note: I used to recommend Blue Elephant for dependable Thai and good delivery, but had a recent rotten experience with a botched delivery. Ordered 4 entrees and 3 apps for a small dinner party; they delivered one entree and one app. It took five or six phone calls and another hour+ to get the rest of our meal sent up, and we live only 3 blocks from the restaurant. And some dishes have been changed substantially, though the menu doesn't reflect it. New owners, I believe. We were semi-regulars, but we won't be back.
Blue Elephant
1235 W Devon Ave
(773) 262-5216

There we go...two for two. If either or both has lunch I'll be dropping by very soon and hope to make it a common thing.

Whoops, Jayz, I forgot the time element in your OP. (Note my posting time; not at my most alert at 2 am.) Mandarin is not a late-night entry, but they are lunchable. (Not to be confused with a Lunchable . ) Ditto for Rice Thai.

I've got a hunch that lots of places on Clark Street would be more industry-friendly when it comes to hours. El Famous Burrito and El Taco del Rey come to mind for late eats.

El Rey del Taco
7104 N. Clark St., Chicago
Tel: (773) 262-9411

El Famous
7047 N. Clark St
(773) 465-0377

None of them fine-dining; Uncommon Ground would be closer to fitting bill in the late and finer categories.

I really like the Morseland, which has excellent food and a remarkable selection of sipping rums, plus interesting entertainment options.

The food at Viet Bistro struck me as incredibly dumbed down -- you'd be much better schlepping down to Uptown.

Don't forget the Heartland Cafe. "Good wholesome food for the mind and body!" since 1976.

Heartland Cafe General Store & Buffalo Bar
773/465-8005
http://www.heartlandcafe.com
7000 N. Glenwood Ave.
Chicago

Don't forget the Heartland Cafe. "Good wholesome food for the mind and body!" since 1976.

You have GOT to be joking. That place is a hellhole, in virtually every respect. Blech!

sundevilpeg wrote:

Don't forget the Heartland Cafe. "Good wholesome food for the mind and body!" since 1976.

You have GOT to be joking. That place is a hellhole, in virtually every respect. Blech!

That gave me a chuckle.You are so right. I used to have a weekly gig there years and years ago. Twenty bucks and free food. After a while we just took the money and left. Ha!

I generally agree about Heartland, as most of their food is terrible and their service is just as bad, but I do really enjoy their breakfast. Not the best in the city, but solid, and there's usually no wait, even on the weekends.

(re: Heartland Cafe's brunch)...and there's usually no wait, even on the weekends...

There's a reason for that!

Well I've decided to put everything in my life on hold (expense wise). I won't spend another dollar until I make enough to pay off my credit and book a ticket to California. I've decided to fly to San Diego to ask out the girl of my dreams which has recently moved there and I can't see go....if that all works out as planned I should be getting to some local restaurants this fall, thank you for all the tips guys.

Jayz wrote:Well I've decided to put everything in my life on hold (expense wise). I won't spend another dollar until I make enough to pay off my credit and book a ticket to California. I've decided to fly to San Diego to ask out the girl of my dreams which has recently moved there and I can't see go....if that all works out as planned I should be getting to some local restaurants this fall, thank you for all the tips guys.

Well...I followed through with all of that except for getting the girls of my dreams...sometimes things dont work out the way you'd like them to. But...I have managed to try David Burke's Primehouse again ($5 40-day dry aged burgers) and Urban Belly, both great meals.

I also plan on getting to Ropa in the near future but we'll see when people have time to join.

i think this thread has gotten sidetrcked between what the average LTHer would eat and what the average loyola student would eat... i posted a thread about Ropa, it's a great restaurant in the area... but i don't think there's a slight chance that the average loyola student is hanging out there... they do have an $8ish burger that i've been meaning to try though.

morseland, uncommon ground, heartland cafe seem to fit into the average loyola student fare more so.

i had brunch at heartland the other day... the breads were really dense as rocks (whole wheat everything isn't great... ehh). my potatoes were the worst thing i've ever seen plated, i think they were last night's baked potatoes tossed and mashed sliggghtly with tabasco. i had a mexican omelette or something with chili, jack cheese, avocado, and that was edible. but overall everything lacked flavor and REALLY lacked in the salt department. and their $7 well bloody is a tad pricey particularly given that the first round was nearly nonalcoholic, but the $12 premium is almost insulting. my SO had a buffalo meat scramble though that was actually unique and good. they seem to be big on buffalo meat there.

panini panini is a nice coffee shop, but based off of my one trial there, their sandwiches are skimpy and way overpriced. there's a sandwich shop a block or two north of morse on the east side of the street that might be decent, not sure.

has anyone been to carmine's? that seems to be a loyola hangout. they have an all you can eat lunch buffet for $5.95 and there always seems to be people there for that at least. their regular entree prices are really inexpensive (sandwiches and pasta entrees are $5-8ish, they always pass out coupons too) .... i imagine it's not anything special but probably passable.

btw, you can find a coupon on couponhead.com for morseland, carmens, and heartlandcafe ...unfortunately i found the coupon when i was at home and had no way to print the damn thing...

a few blocks south, Broadway Cellars has good food and daily specials that are sometimes worthwhile... Monday is $5 burger and $5 fat tire night... and they don't charge you extra for cheese/fries and all the crap that other places try to. and the $5 fat tire beer is a huge one...

This won't do you much good now, because the bakery is closed for repairs after the facade collapsed, but the Caribbean American Baking Co. on Howard Street makes the perfect college budget snack: beef patties. And I have no qualms saying these patties are the best I've had in Chicago.

Maybe you can keep an eye out and let us know when it reopens...

Caribbean American Baking Co.
1539 W. Howard ST.
Chicago, IL 60626

dddane wrote:i think this thread has gotten sidetrcked between what the average LTHer would eat and what the average loyola student would eat...

My intention was to get the full jist of the area and so far it's worked well. I've got opinoins/tips on places anywhere from a simple cafe or breakfast joint to places like Ropa and what not. Anything opinions about the greater Loyola area are welcome. ( I hope to try Ropa soon)

Thanks for the help so far guys...I'll keep reading if you keep posting.

The food at the Heartland may not be exciting, but the atmosphere is something to go there for. It is like walking 30 years into the past. As long as the food is ok even if not exciting I will continue to go from time to time-- just to pretend that it is 1975, and that I am incredibly young and sexy, but adult enough to have fun, I have hair down to my behind, and the smell of dope lingers in the air at the streetcorner, (although not too near me as I am terribly allergic and my fantasy is not potent enough to take that away)! If you want decent brunch with some retro atmosphere you can go to the Sweet Maple on Taylor, but the atmosphere is not NEARLY as authentic. I suggest ordering something as 70s as possible-- preferably vegetarian, and buying cute little buttons with messages on the way out. Don't think food. Think time travel!


Dory

Don't forget that Jarvis at Greenview has some great and varied spots. There's Taste Food & Wine for to-go vittles, soups, etc. On either side are some groovy spots: Grupo di Amici for Italian, Charmer's Cafe (more of a coffee house), and Poitin Stil Irish Pub for drinks.

Luzzat's Indian is across the street and is delish, but not the fastest preparation so bring a bottle (it's BYO) so you'll have a drink to tide you over while the nice lady cooks your food.

And Dagel & Beli is around the corner on Greenview for soups, salads, bagels, sandwiches, etc.

wino66 wrote:And Dagel & Beli is around the corner on Greenview for soups, salads, bagels, sandwiches, etc.

FWIW, Dagel and Beli is no longer run as a separate business, but is fully integrated with Charmers Cafe. I guess I don't know if you can actually enter from Greenview, but sandwich orders are placed in the cafe and the Dagel and Beli space is just auxiliary seating (and restrooms).

I believe that Charmers bagels are sourced from New York Bagel and Bialy. They are good, although never as good as bagels fresh from NYB&B.