Restaurants in my new 'hood - Division and Wood?

Hi, two years ago I lived in Chicago for a summer and ate quite well, thanks in large part to this forum. I posted quite a bit, but as life moved on so did my posting activities. Well, I'm coming back and this time for good, or at least a good long while. I'm sad to be leaving the East Coast, my homeland, and sadder still to be leaving NYC.

But all is not lost. I plan on immersing myself in Chicago's food culture to the fullest extent possible. I already posted this request on Chowhound, but hope get some even better recs here. I'm moving in the coming days and am looking for solid neighborhood recommendations around my new place at Division and Wood Streets. I'm well-versed in Chicago's destination dining scene but part of the reason I love and chose to live in the Wicker Park/Division area is its walkability. Looking for places that I could easily walk to from my place on a whim. Any cuisine, any price point, restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, whatever.

Thanks for the help, and I look forward to getting back into the LTH world.

Bryan,

Welcome back. Not a lot to mine, chow-wise, in the immediate vicinity of Division & Wood. The first thing that comes to my mind at this time is GNR Podhalanka, a Polish diner of sorts at Milwaukee/Division/Ashland. You'll especially enjoy the hearty fare when temperatures drop as they're sure to soon.

Yeah, that spot came up. On the flipside of things, I guess is there anywhere I should avoid outright.

The following places were recommended:
-Entoteca Roma
-Milk & Honey Cafe
-Crust
-Mirai (which I found wayyy to new-school sushi for me when I visited)
-Via Carducci La Sorella (if I'm being honest both here and Enoteca Roma seem a bit Italian-American to me, or at the very least seem uninspiring. The menu at Cafe Spiaggia, for instance, strikes me as much more exciting.)
-Sultan's Market
-Hot Chocolate
-El Barco
-Habana Libre
-Hoosier Mama Pie
-Pasadita

BryanZ wrote:-Via Carducci La Sorella (if I'm being honest both here and Enoteca Roma seem a bit Italian-American to me, or at the very least seem uninspiring. The menu at Cafe Spiaggia, for instance, strikes me as much more exciting.)

Although I've never been impressed with Via Carducci or Enoteca Roma, it would be extremely unfair to compare them and put them in the same league with Cafe Spaggia, the more casual outpost of 4-star Spiaggia. The level of talent, vision, and adherence to top-notch ingredients at Cafe Spiaggia is probably bested only by Spiaggia itself.

As for the others listed, Hot Chocolate in Bucktown is not quite in your neighborhood, but is good. Hoosier Mama's praise on its thread speaks for itself; I've never been impressed with the overpriced Crust, which has never garnered repeated love on this board (maybe a return visit is in order); Milk & Honey is fine but crowded with the stroller crowd during the day; I've not heard anything good about Sultan's Market from people I respect (or about El Barco, for that matter); GNR Habana Libre is quite good, although again, not quite in your neighborhood, GNR (East side) La Pasadita has both its fans and detractors on this board (for the meat being too gristly); and I have no comment on Mirai, which you've been to. Phew.

One other place I'd recommend for tacos al pastor is Carniceria y Taqueria Tierra Caliente.

Carniceria y Taqueria Tierra Caliente (was Carniceria Leon)
1436 N. Ashland
Chicago IL

I hope others chime in.

I work by Milwaukee and Noble, so I'm always down there, looking for great eats and drinks.
Although contested elsewhere on this board, Bari is most definitely worth a trip for an Italian sub. They'll deliver, but I'm pretty sure you have to order at least two (just do it). Harold's Chicken isn't far, either, and is a great, cheap lunch. Avoid most of the madness on Milwaukee, but apparently Taxim is killer. Planning on trying it next week - my mom loves Greek food. Piece has great pizza and some of the best beer in town, easily. For a pricier choice, there's Schwa. And a late night cocktail-and-billiards-fest at Bar DeVille ends best at Bacci for a giant slice of pizza and a pop for $5.

-----

Bari Italian Deli
1120 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 666-0730

Harold's Chicken Shack
1361 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622-9151
(312) 252-2424

Taxim
1558 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622-2008
(773) 252-1558

Piece Pizzeria and Brewery
1923 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-4422

Schwa
1466 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622-2215
(773) 252-1466

Bar DeVille
1958 W Huron St
Chicago, IL 60622-5527
(312) 929-2349

Bacci Pizza
2343 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 278-9434

BryanZ wrote:Yeah, that spot came up. On the flipside of things, I guess is there anywhere I should avoid outright.

The following places were recommended:
-Entoteca Roma
-Milk & Honey Cafe
-Crust
-Mirai (which I found wayyy to new-school sushi for me when I visited)
-Via Carducci La Sorella (if I'm being honest both here and Enoteca Roma seem a bit Italian-American to me, or at the very least seem uninspiring. The menu at Cafe Spiaggia, for instance, strikes me as much more exciting.)
-Sultan's Market
-Hot Chocolate
-El Barco
-Habana Libre
-Hoosier Mama Pie
-Pasadita

I feel all those spots are solid, and would add these as well:

Mana Food Bar (great vegetarian, tiny but warm space)
1742 W Division

Mariscos El Veneno (excellent Nayarit-style restaurant across from El Barco)
1024 N Ashland

Manee Thai #2
Chicago Ave & Ashland

Greek Corner
Augusta & Damen

Chickpea (cash-only Egyptian place, excellent food but no alcohol)
2018 W Chicago Ave

Jerry's Sandwiches (great sandwiches, shocking I know!)
1938 W Division

that is what comes to mind, but you are landing in a great spot for food and drinks indeed!

If you sit at the sushi bar and heed the ordering advice in the Bob San thread, a fantastic meal awaits.

wino66 wrote:Manee Thai #2
Chicago Ave & Ashland

Is this the old Thai Castle? Sad that they closed. I guess my wife really was keeping them in business.

I'm not a fan of crazy rolls, but I think if you stick with the nigiri and sashimi at Mirai the quality of their fish is good. We've always had good service, too. Sitting at the sushi bar there doesn't give you the interactive experience you might get elsewhere, though.

I haven't eaten much at Sultan's Market, but friends of mine like it very much.

For Thai in that area, I like Pot Pan on Milwaukee, and for a quick, cheap lunch, the special at Thai Village on Division gets you an entree, appetizer and soup for six bucks. Lovely Bake Shop is worth a visit for their great scones and decent pies. I also like Usagi Ya, a Sushi Bar and Pan-Asian place. I second the Jerry's recommendation as well as Milk and Honey. There is also a new Pannenkoeken Cafe on North Avenue which supposedly has terrific dutch pancakes. I've been to the one in Lincoln Square three times but never had the patience to wait for a table (They have like 10 or 12 seats). The new place is bigger and I'm planning on going there next week.

Pot Pan
1362 N Milwaukee Ave
(312) 862-6990

Usagi Ya
1178 N Milwaukee Ave
(773) 292-5885‎

Lovely
1130 N. Milwaukee Ave
(773) 572-4766‎

Thai Village
2053 W Division St
(773) 384-5352‎

Pannenkoeken Cafe
2257 W. North

Hey, here's my quick rundown of stuff that's in your immediate hood (some a little more bucktown or uk village)

Bar food/sandwiches/casual eats
Mac's - On the corner by you... mediocre bar food. poor service. Avoid unless you're just getting drinks.
Smoke Daddy's - bbq joint - try their pulled meat nachos.
Jerry's - great sandwiches and beer menus...everyone will find something they like.
SmallBar - Awesome bar food and beer selection. Delicious sweet potato fries, cheese curds, salads, etc ect
50/50 - decent bar food, decent pulled pork... We only ever go there or Innjoy if smallbar is full
My other personal fave for bar food is Cleo's on Chicago and Damen.
Moonshine - okay.. not good, but not awful. I always want it to be better than it is...I personally usually avoid
Piece - good pizza and hand-crafted beer. Their pizza is thinner.
Santullo's - thin crust, ny style pizza by the slice, good sandwiches and salads though.
Birchwood kicthen - a little further from you, but has a back patio and upscale sandwhiches.
Silver Cloud - great burgers, good brunch
People's Tapa's- only been once and don't remember too much about it. So it must have been okay?
Pint - again, okay bar food. some decent wraps and sandwiches.
Earwax cafe - vegetarian good food.

Mexican
Adobo Grill - good upscale Mexican
Las Palmas - really good upscale Mexican food
Picante! - totally decent taqueria - yummy fish tacos.
Flash taco - pretty gross food unless you're really drunk. Avoid chicken there as it's come with bones in it multiple times when people order it.

Sushi
Aki sushi - kind of bleh, not the worst sushi I've ever had
Bob San sushi - ditto
Mirai - good, arty, expensive sushi
Usagi ya - decent...does other stuff too if I recall.
Blue fin - decent.
Zen sushi and noodles - avoid. everything is bland.
I usually order from coast or sushi x. Coast is pretty straight forward, but sushi x you really have to know what's what - since some of their stuff is really odd, and some is amazing - some is pretty basic too. People either usually love sushi x or hate it.

Italian
Francesca Forno - good Italian American food, does a good Italian brunch. Tue nights awesome $29 pre fixe option. If going with one other person usually one will do the deal and the other just orders an entree - then we split the app and the dessert.
Via Carducci - decent American-Italian. Supposedly good pizza. Of the 3x I've eaten there it's been pasta which is totally fine, but always cooked perfectly.

Other stuff
Sultan's Market - amazing, cheap falafal, shwarma, and spinach and meat pies, etc. The egg and cheese bread is awesome with their hummus on it. Great lentil soup. cash only
Milk and Honey - definitely worth checking out.
Vegibite - vegetarian and vegan food. If you like eating Boca products it's fine.

Nicer places:
Bristol
Hot Chocolate
Duchamp
Schwa
Le Bouchon

I usually go out of the neighborhood for Thai as nothing in the neighborhood has ever impressed me. Though in desperate times I'll order from Thai Lagoon on North ave. The place on Division and Hoyne is mediocre and will also do in a curry emergency.

Oh, I saw a new Sushi/Thai/Pan Asian place opened on Milwaukee, south of division, recently... anyone been? Can't remember the name now.

Thanks again. It'll take me a while to get to these spots, but I'll make the rounds eventually.

What's the best farmers market in that area. I know of the Sunday Wicker Park one, but are there any others nearby? Am willing to drive a bit if necessary.

I move in two days.

The nearish other markets are Logan Square and Lincoln Park, and of course the Green City Market. The Wicker Park market is small, but not bad at all. Plus it's Sunday and most other markets are Saturday.

So far I've been to Mana, Pasadita, Milk and Honey Cafe, and Mado.

I've written full reports on Mana and Mado. Mana was interesting, but I think the jury is still out as to whether I'll make it a regular stop. Mado is the neighborhood restaurant every restaurant should have. I plan to become a regular fixture at their bar (which, ironically enough, isn't a bar; this of course appeals to my inner-hipster).

Milk and Honey Cafe was a solid spot. I was impressed by the light touch they put on items that could've easily been throwaways--a grilled chicken salad and a breakfast burrito. A couple dollars more expensive than your typical cafe, but probably worth the premium.

I lived in Durham, NC for four years, and grew to love the Mexican cuisine there. In NJ and NYC it's hard to find a decent taqueria. I'm so excited to be surrounded by them again. Went to Pasadita at the lunch rush and grabbed an asada, barbacoa, and an horchata. $5 and change and totally delicious. Can someone point to The Thread for finding the best tacos in this sprawling city.

That's all for now.

May Street Market, (Mon-Wed great deals and BYOB on those days)
Macs-Good burger
Honey 1 (BBQ-stretches your boundaries a bit, but oh so worth it)
Irazu-Costa Rican
Le Bouchon
Coalfire
Windy City Cafe, Jam, Sunrise Cafe for brekkie. The Boundary-breakfast, only on the weekends (their other food options are sport bar food) but on the weekend, they open early and have a bloody mary bar. This is a place I take people if we are more than four people, no waiting in line for eggs, which is a biggie for me, and why I abhor Milk and Honey.
La Condesa-jalapeno steak and fresh tortillas, and a wonderful shrimp ceviche tostada.
Piccolo Sogno
Juicy Wine Co
Silver Palm
Old Oak Tap -the best fish tacos, and pork belly plate
Kin Sushi
These are all places in and around your hood, most are bus and El accesible, all have been talked about on LTH

BryanZ wrote:What's the best farmers market in that area. I know of the Sunday Wicker Park one, but are there any others nearby? Am willing to drive a bit if necessary.

Not a farmer's market, but you'll want to check out Green Grocer on Chicago for your seasonal produce, boutique meats, real buttermilk, etc. A bit of a walk, but probably your closest option for that sort of thing, and they're very nice folks.

I'd also advise you not to overlook Greek Corner, at Damen and Augusta. It doesn't look like much, but I've yet to find a better gyro in the city. Salads are always surprisingly fresh and dressed with a light hand. A bowl of their avgolemono is the best $1.50 you can spend in the area.

Only other things I have to add are that Smoke Daddy's only OK, you're way better off driving to Honey1 or Smoque, and Via Carducci, in my limited experience, is aggressively mediocre and too expensive for what you get.

Green Grocer
1402 W Grand Ave.
(Corner of Grand and Noble)
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (312) 624-9508

Greek Corner
958 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622-4950
(773) 252-8010

BryanZ wrote:Went to Pasadita at the lunch rush and grabbed an asada, barbacoa, and an horchata. $5 and change and totally delicious. Can someone point to The Thread for finding the best tacos in this sprawling city.

For now, I'd contend it's Taqueria El Asadero on Montrose at Lincoln for their ethereal asada and al pastor. Chorizo and lengua are great, too. By next month, it could be the new Kahan spot on Damen in the former Pontiac Cafe space.

kl1191 wrote:

BryanZ wrote:Went to Pasadita at the lunch rush and grabbed an asada, barbacoa, and an horchata. $5 and change and totally delicious. Can someone point to The Thread for finding the best tacos in this sprawling city.

For now, I'd contend it's Taqueria El Asadero on Montrose at Lincoln for their ethereal asada and al pastor. Chorizo and lengua are great, too. By next month, it could be the new Kahan spot on Damen in the former Pontiac Cafe space.

I can't wait for that to open, it will be too easy come December to start early at the Hour with perfectly made cocktails, then cross the street for cheep beer/bourbon/tacos. ....... now I made myself thristy, maybe the Hour is in my near, like three hours close, future.

SSDD

headcase wrote:I can't wait for that to open, it will be too easy come December to start early at the Hour with perfectly made cocktails, then cross the street for cheep beer/bourbon/tacos. ....... now I made myself thristy, maybe the Hour is in my near, like three hours close, future.

SSDD

Yes, it will be sorely tempting. When I heard they'd purchased the space, I was deeply concerned for my wallet. Thankfully, it's expected to be much much cheaper than if they would have opened something there closer to The Publican's price point.

Everything up-thread is solid, have yet to go to a few but hear nothing but great things. Green Grocer is great for a neighborhood store that specializes in organic & local everything.

Definitely check out Chickpea on Chicago just west of Damen. Great mid-eastern food, cash only.

Can't wait for the taco spot to open in the former Pontiac space, either. For now, though it's either La Pasadita, or Tierra Caliente at Ashland and Blackhawk. best.al pastor.ever...outside of Mexico City of course.

wino66 wrote:Everything up-thread is solid, have yet to go to a few but hear nothing but great things. Green Grocer is great for a neighborhood store that specializes in organic & local everything.

Definitely check out Chickpea on Chicago just west of Damen. Great mid-eastern food, cash only.

Can't wait for the taco spot to open in the former Pontiac space, either. For now, though it's either La Pasadita, or Tierra Caliente at Ashland and Blackhawk. best.al pastor.ever...outside of Mexico City of course.

I think we're just but a few of the people super excited about bourbon and tacos. Seriously, what more could a guy want? Maybe cute girls, but they'll probably show up, too.

I went to Jerry's the other day. Pretty solid, but a bit expensive. I really liked the pretzel roll but wished they'd include the salt crystals, too. The menu is freaking huge, which kind of rubs me the wrong way. Also, talk about an unexpected place to have such an extensive beer list. Will have to delve into that over a couple sandwiches.

wino66 wrote: For now, though it's either La Pasadita, or Tierra Caliente at Ashland and Blackhawk. best.al pastor.ever...outside of Mexico City of course.

I stopped by Tierra Caliente today, and it's a solid spot. I always get a good feeling walking into those Mexican grocer-dry goods-carniceria-taco-torta shops. I got the pastor at a good time, so there was a fair amount of Maillard that had built up on the log. I will say, however, that the pastor here lacks what is, to me, a definitive part pastor experience: the pineapple. In Mexico it's pretty common in my experience for a whole pineapple to be slowly roasted above the spinning pork log. With each top, a slice or two of pineapple. At TC, that sweetness wasn't present.

The asada was solid, but it came form a hotel pan, not from the grill as it did during the lunch rush at Pasadita last week. The carnitas en salsa were probably the weakest item. A special of the day, I thought this dish could've used more body and, again, more sweetness. Loved the large bowl of salted, roasted jalapenos. Scarfed down a few of those. Again, for $5 and change I'm not complaining.