Andrew in Albany Park

Hello wondeful LTH foodies. Your suggestions have blown everyone at Bizarre Foods away! What a passionate food town. We have a lot of great stories, and we're trying to develope a few more. One angle that we're looking at is that Albany Park, and the surrounding area, is one of the most ethnically diverse in the entire country. How many far flung countries' foods can we find in that neighborhood?

Any interesting places you think we should check out?

How many far flung countries' foods can we find in that neighborhood?

Pretty near all of them (maybe not Andorra or Moldova).

Can't begin to scratch the surface but the ones that come to mind immediately are Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Korea (duh), Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, Sweden (okay, that's North Park, but close enough).

spinynorman99 wrote:

How many far flung countries' foods can we find in that neighborhood?

Pretty near all of them (maybe not Andorra or Moldova).

Can't begin to scratch the surface but the ones that come to mind immediately are Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Korea (duh), Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Philippines, Sweden (okay, that's North Park, but close enough).

I believe Tre Kronor considers themselves in Albany Park, so it’s a fair suggestion.

In Albany Park, I would definitely hit Great Sea (3254 W. Lawrence - between Kedzie and Kimball) for their amazing Korean chicken wings, pictured and described in this thread.

I think Ssyal Ginseng House is one of the more interesting establishments in Albany Park and certainly unique. I do not watch "Bizarre Foods" so I don't know if it meets the needs of the show, but short menu with the focus on their popular "healing" ginseng chicken soup makes it a special place.

Ssyal Ginseng House
4201 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL
(773) 427-5296

Best,
Michael

Thanks. I'd love specific names of restaurants and eateries if you have them.

While the food they serve isn't very bizarre, the fact that there exists three Iraqi/Assyrian joints serving nearly identical dishes right next to each other on Lawrence is. Definitely a reflection of Chicago's large Assyrian community, and something probably unique to this city (in the States at least). If you get them on the right day, or call ahead, maybe they can prepare some pacha for you, a stew of sheep head with other various bits and pieces.

If you are in Albany Park and want to explore ethnic diversity a bit more, go east a bit on Lawrence and hit up Aden Live Poultry to get a look at some birds (and other critters) being killed fresh for customers from around the world - Asia, the Middle East, Africa. The Yemeni (I think) owners are as nice as can be and would probably be accommodating.

Come to think of it, as diverse as Albany Park is (and I would submit that there are actually lots of countries you won't find represented there) you could get a more diverse slice of Chicago by simply driving west on Lawrence ave. from the lake to Milwaukee Ave. You will pass through Uptown (African, Asian restaurants), North Center/Lincoln Square (old German hood - still some delis and bars), Albany Park (Middle Eastern, South American, Korean), Mayfair (I don't even know), and finally Jefferson Park (Polish, other eastern European). Maybe a little too much for a one hour show, but a thought nonetheless.

Here are some addresses.

Aden Live Poultry
2731 W. Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 506-0169

The 3 Iraqi places:

Al-Amira (name may have changed to "Iraqi Kabob" or something)
3200 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

George's Grill Kabab
3216 W Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 588-1800

Ur Cafe
3222 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 478-3222

Notice the proximity in addresses? Kinda bizarre.

Have fun.

H

The neighborhood recently held a "restaurant crawl" with 18 venues. The list may give you some ideas:

From the website
http://www.albanyparkchamber.org/bon-appetit.html

Participating Venues include:
Marie's Pizza & Liquors, 4127 W. Lawrence Ave
Mayan Sol Latin Grill, 3830 W. Lawrence Ave
Cambodian American Heritage Museum/Killing Fields Memorial, 2831 W. Lawrence Ave
Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant, 4821 N. Elston Ave
Ay Ay Picante! 4569 N. Elston Ave
Salam Restaurant, 4636 N. Kedzie Ave
Nazareth Sweets, 4638 N. Kedzie Ave
La Baguette Bakery, 4734 N. Kedzie Ave
Al Khaymeih Restaurant, 4748 N. Kedzie Ave
Noli's Pizza, 4839 N. Kedzie Ave
Baladna Restaurant, 4835 N. Kedzie Ave
Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen, 4911 N. Kedzie Ave
Merle's Coffee Shoppe, 4642 N. Francisco Ave
Beijo de Chocolat, 3334 W. Foster Ave
Merla's Kitchen, 5207 N. Kimball Ave
Roots Room Social Club, 5203 N. Kimball Ave
**NEWLY ADDED VENUES:
Ssyal Ginseng House, 4201 W. Lawrence Ave
Pollo Campero, samples at check-in location, 4650 N. Kedzie Ave

(in the original of this list there are links to websites for most of the venues)

I've lived in Albany Park for several years now, and LOVE going to the ma and pa (or whatever other language, respectively) restaurants in my hood.
Here are a few of my favorites:

Noon-O- Kabob
4661 N Kedzie Ave
(between Eastwood Ave & Leland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625


They have the most delicious Lamb Shank stateside. It's served with your choice of dill or fragrant basmati rice, tender stewed vegetables, and covered in a ridiculously addictive cinnamon tomato based sauce. You MUST order an extra side of sauce to douse your food in. There simply is no other way.

Semiramis
4639 N Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 279-8900

The owner here (Joseph) is such a nice guy. He also makes the very best "garlic mousse" I have ever had. The beef kabob sandwich here is to die for, and smothered in the garlic mousse, it could be one of the best sandwiches ever. They also make a very notable sauteed fish dish.

The Tamale Guy
Right on the corner in the parking lot of Cermak Produce, there stands a hut. Not just any hut, but a makeshift hut with the word T-A-M-A-L-E crudely painted on the top. For 5 bucks, you get a fat 2 lb "Guatamalan Style" tamale. Complete with your choice of chicken or pork, smothered in a red sauce, olives, capers, and other assorted goodies on top. By far the best bang for your buck in A.Park.


Lawrence Fish Market
3914 W Lawrence Ave
(between Harding Ave & Springfield Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625

This place is the cat's meow! The tattered little store front can in no way represent the deliciousness that awaits you inside. This is the cheapest, freshest sushi you will find in or around A. Park. You're looking at about $1 a piece for nigiri style sushi, with specialties such as Uni running you around $2.95, Toro a modest $3.95, and maki rolls all around an average of $5.
There is nowhere to eat inside. In fact, if you have to wait, you'll find yourself parked on an old seat taken out of a very dirty van, but this place is well worth the uncomfortablilty. Also note that the owners don't speak English too well (they're Korean), so know what you want to order before calling in. There is much lost in translation here. They have only JUST come out with a menu. You used to have to just guess what they had, and try to order it! If it worked, great! If not, well... you try something new.



Great Seas Chinese Restaurant
3254 W Lawrence Ave
(between Sawyer Ave & Spaulding Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625

Great seas has the best chicken wings, hands down. I've never had anything quite so sticky and sweet yet spicy and delicious. Words really can't explain the phenomenon that is Great Seas wings. You just have to try the spicy little chicken lollipops yourself.

Jafaar Sweets
4825 N Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625


My sister and I ducked in here one cold and rainy day to have a little something sweet while we waited out the storm. Little did I know I would be leaving with LITERALLY one of everything they had to offer. The owner has a beautiful array of delicious little treats lined up under a glass encasement. I wasn't sure what to try, so I picked out one here and one there. The owner was such a nice guy, he ended up giving us one of everything to take home and try so that we would know our "favorite" for next time. Baklava is the specialty here, but customer service and genuine politeness is a close second.

I'm sure there are more that I'll think of and post here (such as the Elotes from the carts sold on the street. $1.50 gets you a cup of steaming hot corn, smothered in mayo, Parkay, chili, cheese, and a bite closer to a heart attack!)

I hope this helps you out for now.

If you're looking for something a little fancier, there's always
Arun's Thai Restaurant

4156 N Kedzie Ave
(between Warner Ave & Berteau Ave)
Chicago, IL 60618

It has been awarded 3 times by Chicago Magazine as a Top 20 Chicago Finest Restaurants
AAA Motorclubs 5 star rating award
DiRONA award
Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine etc, etc....
It's a prix fixe restaurant with 5, 7, and 12 course menus available, I believe.
I haven't tried it yet, but really, with all of those awards plus a few, how bad can it be?


I hope this helps!

Cheers!
Bella

bella54330 wrote:I haven't tried it yet, but really, with all of those awards plus a few, how bad can it be?

If Arun's were one third the cost it 'might' be the best Thai resturant in Cleaveland.

Great Sea is an excellent suggestion, if asked they will amp up the spice level to ~just kill me now~ but the extra hot are spicy, sweet, crunchy and delicious.

Andrew,
if you need a Tour Guide for Albany Park-
I recommend my Uncle Burt, who grew up in that once Jewish neighborhood,
and he can point out the former PoolHall he used to hustle pool in, various neighborhood
"clubs" (a precursor to Street Gangs) that usta run the strets, etc.
Uncle Burts got theatrical background having appeared in several Joe Sedelmaier commercials
(Clara Peller & Wendy's Where's the Beef fame & FedEX's- Absolutely,Positively has to get there Overnight!)

As to where to eat-?
do visit Naseer @ Dawalli (Middle Eastern)- and ask for Abdul-the-funniest-waiter ever!
Do visit the Tunisian Restaurant- Carthage Cafe on 3446 W. Foster.
Do visit The Iranian/Persian Noon-o-Kabab restaurant.
Do visit the Korean BBQ spot nestled in the corner of a Strip Mall off of Kedzie,
4849 N. Kedzie> Kang Nam Galbi
are just a few of my favorites in that hood!

OH- and do PM me for Uncle Burts info!
Have Fun in Chicago!

Also, lets not forget
Nhu Lan Bahn Mi
2612 W Lawrence Ave
(between Rockwell St & Talman Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625


You haven't eaten a sandwich until you've had Nhu Lan's Chicken with Lemongrass sandwich. It is just so darn fresh and aromatic. It screams picnic in the park!
They also have an assortment of other sandwiches such as tofu, head cheese, pork pate, grilled pork, pork belly, beef, etc... as well as ready made foods such as sticky rice, spring rolls, and sesame balls. They also make fresh Bubble smoothies to order. They have a nice array of flavors, and all of the fruit seems to be pretty fresh.

I also enjoy the aforementioned Kang Nam @ 4849 N Kedzie
- The lunch special is a great deal. For around $8, you get a cup of piping hot barley tea, assorted vegetables, kimchi, sweet sticky potatoes of some sort, rice, and a choice of meat (always Bulgoki for me!)

-Bella

Albany Park's excellent ethnic food varieties were also well chronicled by talented Chicago Reader reporters.

I don't think South American food has been noted here yet despite its significant presence in the 'hood, so I'd say a trip to La Brasa Roja for some rotisserie rabbit, char veal and fried starch is a must.

It's somewhat (ok, very) west but Sandy's Deli had camera-happy roast pigs' heads lined up right next to the register during my last visit, a Saturday perhaps 2 months ago. I can easily picture Andrew's head right between four grinning hogs.

Prior thread. It's mentioned elsewhere, too, esp referencing their Cevapcici/cevapi/Balkan caseless sausage.

Sandy's Bakery & Deli
5857 West Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 794-1129


PS: Love the show.

I really like the idea of the show focusing on a part of the city that exemplifies the "city of neighborhoods" description.

While we're ticking off cuisines, I'm not exactly sure what constitute the boundaries of Albany Park, but I see Marie's Pizza was listed, and just a few blocks from there, to add Irish to the list, is the Fifth Province Pub at the Irish-American Heritage Center. The food's just okay (well, that's Irish food in general, I suppose), but it's closer to a real Irish pub than a lot of the imitators in Chicago, especially since people just coming off their Irish language or Irish dance or Irish music lessons in one of the other rooms in the building drift in at any time for their Harp or Guiness or Jameson's, and a set of live Irish music on good nights. So if nothing else the production crew can get a good drink in a good pub and hear some good music if they'll be spending some time in the neighborhood.

The combination Sul Lung Tang at Han Bat. Milky white Korean ox bone soup with beef flank, brisket, tongue, tripe, spleen, and tendon.

Han Bat
2723 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-271-8640

We had an LTH event called the Kedzie Kaper which centered on the Lawrence/Kedzie neighborhood in Albany Park. Con Sabor Cubano is unfortunately closed
In particular, Pupuseria Cuscatleco features Salvadorean food (not bizarre, but interesting) and could be a cool addition to the show. I second Kang Nam, Nhu Lan and Great Seas as well.

I've got a feeling Andrew Zimmern would get a kick out of a Jibarito - a ham sandwich served without bread, instead with fried plantains as the "bread".

I've had them at Rapa Nui, which is a Chilean restaurant in Albany Park, although I understand that the jibarito is actually a Puerto Rican invention. This restaurant also has some great empanadas.

Rapa Nui
4009 N. Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-0175