Lunch in Itasca area?

Hello all, I'm out in the suburbs all week in a class being held right at Thorndale Rd and Rt 53. Searching for "Itasca" didn't yield much other than a thread about late night options (which didn't net much for the OP). Looking for something decent that one can drive to, eat, and return within about an hour to hour and 15 minutes. Pretty open to all types of options though one of the group isn't a red meat eater (doesn't mind it, just doesn't eat it herself). While almost 30 years ago I lived in Schaumburg for a couple years the area has changed, a bit , and for the last 20 years or so I rarely venture west of Cicero Ave.

The only other Itasca hit was to La Placita in Addison. Addision in general sounds like a good suggestion as I believe there's a larger Mexican population there but searching for "Addison" returns a preponderance of Wrigley Field entries.

Thanks.

In the Hamilton Lakes Complex - 500 Park Blvd. - you will find Hirano (sp) Japanese resturaunt. Very tasty lunch boxes. I just had lunch there yesterday.

Yes - we ate there yesterday as well(our class is in this building). It is good and reasonably priced, too, IMO. Just trying to figure out what our options are beyond the building because after Hirano it's Shula's Steakhouse and the rather un-deli looking deli.

Actually, I work in this building and the deli is not bad. Option of two homemade soups everyday as well as chile. Both go great with their thick bread grilled cheese or panninis.

Two minutes away on Nerge is Rosatis Pizza. They have an all you can eat luch buffet with soup, salad, pasta, pizza etc. Not bad at all. Continue on Nerge another three minutes will bring you to Plum Grove Road. If you want a fresh, spicey noodle soup you will find Noodles Delight.

Great, thanks so much!

for Greek diner type places..Teddys diner on Rohlwing between Nerge and Devon or SunnySide Up on Devon just east of Rohwlwing..both very good ..
also Happy Elephant for Thai just a few doors down from Teddys..very small dining area though
i beleive the pizza place on Nerge & Plum Grove is Rosarios (excellent independent family own pizza and italian) not Rosatis which is a chain and not all that hot IMO
Addison? well just go east on Lake from Rohlwing /53..every chain you can think of but there are some good independents in there as well..my favorite is Stavs Place..atmosphere of a typical beef/hot dog place but they serve a killer Greek Chicken special..complete with rice and Greek roasted potatoes for just under 5 bucks.

Cucina Casale, a neighborhood Italian place, has good food and is not far from the Hamilton Lakes complex. The food is not earth-shattering or mind-blowing, but they definitely turn out solid Norther Italian food that is a step above the norm and the kitchen has always been accommodating with special requests.

Service is always attentive and they will let you take your time and do their best to make you happy.

Cucina Casale
210 N. Walnut Street
Itasca

630-285-0840

Kman wrote:Hello all, I'm out in the suburbs all week in a class being held right at Thorndale Rd and Rt 53. Searching for "Itasca" didn't yield much other than a thread about late night options (which didn't net much for the OP).

Well I'm the one that started the original thread. I think that was right after I started working there and it's now been 3+ years and I've moved to day shift. My office is also in the Hamilton Lakes complex, though I'm at 2 Pierce Pl. Needless to say, as someone that works 5 days a week, I probably have an eye on CHEAP more than someone that's only here for a week of training. But I'll give my suggestions anyway.

Our go-to pizza place is now Tree Guys. Not great by any stretch, but some of the other options in the area are abysmal.

My absolute favorite lunch spot is called Gina's on Irving down by RT. 83. It's nothing more than a little hot dog stand. But they have excellent fries. Be aware of a few things. It's ugly. It's small. And it gets crowded. Don't plan on getting a seat if you go there between 12 and 1. And did I mention, it's ugly? You know, those kind of places you look at from the outside and they look bad, but are really nice inside. Well, not this place, it's just as ugly inside.

A really good little taco/burrito place is in the little strip mall at Irving and Rowling. It's called Buenos Dias Burritos. Again, not fancy. But really good and pretty cheap.

Teddy's has been mentioned. My experience is that their breakfast is better than their lunch. It's not great, but the biscuits and gravy is decent. But for lunch, they committed the Cardinal sin of using pressed turkey on the club sandwich.

Though it seems a little far, the Schaumburg/Arlington Heights area is very accessible. You're only about 15 minutes away from the Johnnies on Arlington Heights Rd. Close to there at Algonquin and Golf is a decent real deli called Siegelmans (probably spelled wrong). There's been some talk here about it. If you like Kreplach soup, it's worth the drive.

A little further at Roselle and Golf is pretty good Mandarin flat top type grill. I can't remember the name at the moment, but it's in the same shopping center as the Babie's 'R' Us.

As mentioned, Lake St. in Addison does have a plethora of chain restaurants. Off the top my head I can think of Culvers, Giordono's, Home Run Inn, Applebees, Al's Beef/Nancy's Pizza and I'm sure a ton more I'm forgetting. The only independent place I've tried is Franky's. Pretty mediocre overall. But their Gyros is decent and they have a really massive menu that includes hot dogs, beefs, pizza, ribs (don't even think about it) and pasta type dishes.

Speaking of ribs, you could also hit Sweet Baby Ray's. Not the best BBQ in town, but at least it's not meat jell-o. If you're looking for more upscale, there's a Benihana's on Higgins just west of 53 and very fast to get to. You can also hit Portillos, either the one on Golf or the one on Busse.

Well, hopefully that's enough to get you through the rest of the week

A few places I forgot to mention. Over on Biesterfield is a place called Coaches Corner. They have decent pub style burgers and awful pizza. More popular is Real Time Sports over on Devon and Rowling. Burgers are decent but, IMO, very over priced. They also have pizza. It's not awful, but I find it really bland.

Thanks to everyone, this has been very helpful.

Al's/Nancy's has been closed for a while. On Lake Street just east of Rt. 53 is a great independent place called Mario's. Great pasta and sandwiches along with desserts. Stick to the daily specials for bargains.

Another half mile east is Dapper's if you need a solid Greek breakfast.

I only get there infrequently but my office is in 2 Pierce Pl. Co-workers and I like Happy Elephant (Thai) which is located at the corner of Nerge and Rohlwing. There are only a dozen or so tables to eat in but turnover is quick. They also offer the menu for takeaway. www.happyelephant.net

They do make the spicy dishes spicy but you can ask them to jack up the heat if you dare.

There's a diner and hot dog stand in the same strip mall if you're looking for alternatives.

Hi- I am going to be at the Westin hotel at 400 Park Blvd. in Itasca tomorrow. I was wondering if there were any cheap lunch places in the neighborhood, as in $5 or less. I am open to pretty much anything. Thanks, Nancy

NFriday wrote:Hi- I am going to be at the Westin hotel at 400 Park Blvd. in Itasca tomorrow. I was wondering if there were any cheap lunch places in the neighborhood, as in $5 or less. I am open to pretty much anything. Thanks, Nancy

First road past 53/290 is Rowling Rd. 2 miles south of you, at the NE corner of Irving Park & Rowling is a little taco place. Decent Mexican fare. Big burrito is $4.75. Tacos are $1.70. Lots of other typical stuff on the menu.

Another place, a little farther way at Irving Park & Ill 83 (on Irving Park) is Gina's Hot Dog. Great fries, great dogs, great Polish. People have even told me the Italian Beef is good. Never tried it. Polish with fries I think is $3.50.

E.T.A.
Looks like I talked about both these places upthread. But they are the ones that are under $5.

They used to have an Aurelio's pizza on Lake St. somewhere near the Marcus Theatre complex. It was good but I don't know if its still there.

Zip down 53 to - http://www.mariosonlake.com/index.html

Aurelio's Pizza
1455 W. Lake Street
Addison,IL
630-889-9560
Dine-in/Delivery/Takeout

I worked at 2 Pierce Place for 5 years, but it's been about 9 years since then. Is there still a driving range/small golf course just east of the Hamilton Lakes complex? They had pretty good sandwich/burger lunches for reasonable prices.
Helen's for Polish buffet (I think that was south on Irving Park?) comes to mind.

c10 wrote:I worked at 2 Pierce Place for 5 years, but it's been about 9 years since then. Is there still a driving range/small golf course just east of the Hamilton Lakes complex? They had pretty good sandwich/burger lunches for reasonable prices.

Still there, although the driving range has now been modernized into Top Golf. And it's actually part of a complex that has 2 9 hold Executive courses. Alas, I've never actually eaten there.