Good spot to eat AND drink- Roger's Park

LTH, I need your help...
Firstly, I feel like a heel posting a new topic, especially a "I'm a student at Northwestern and just moved to town..."
In fact, I didn't just move to town- I'm a lifer actually. And yes, I've scoured the GNR list (got 60+ current under me belt) and know how to use the search function. Even after a year in school I just don't know the far north that well (never lived north of 2600).
Being a native and the food guy in the program, everyone turns to me when its time to make a plan, and I'm, well, stumped...
We're looking for a very specific kind of spot. It doesn't have to be entirely food focused- some of us will inevitably have tupperwares with cold leftovers to discretely munch on in the corner. But drinks are an absolutely necessary to wash all the theory and seminars out of our heads.
I'm in a program with nine other grads, three veggie, two lactose intolerant, one gluten intolerant. We like to have dinner and drinks after class one night a week. The other important spec is that most of my fellow grads do not drive and live off the red line, concentrated in RP. Oh yeah, and cheap is necessary.
So, nowhere in Evanston suits our fancy- the most decent bar food we've found, Celtic Knot has too much Irish folk music happening on weeknights. Nevin's, blah food, too many TV's.
We like Candlelight (especially since we typically go out on Tuesday) but that rules out the no dairy, gluten, and/or car majority of us.
We've discussed Moody's, which has ambience I like, but the food...
Haven't been to Heartland since my pony-tailed, digeridoo playing undergrad years- it seems like the easy one.
Mexican can be a good choice and it doesn't have to be the best-of-the best food. I've seen dozens of taquerias up and down Clark that have no reference point on LTH. Anyone?
We are willing to travel as far south as Andersonville, maybe all the way down to Belmont once in awhile.
We simply need somewhere we can drink that has a range of food options for particular diets, and most importantly won't offend my haughty sensibilities!
Thanks!

It ain't what it used to be, but Gulliver's at Howard and California fits the criteria perfectly. It is just across the street from Evanston on the city side of Howard, and the 93 bus which stops right there has its terminus at the Davis Purple line stop. The menu is so vast, even sensitive souls should be able to find accommodation. One of the smaller rooms is the bar/lounge and it is fairly old-school. The food used to be great enough that I'd order their pizza and burgers for delivery. And they used to have a way late open kitchen. Main attraction is the antique decor. I go now once in a while for the occasional omelette. It is the very opposite of trendy or challenging food--- perhaps just the right complement to trendy and challenging discourse.

Not recommended, but Hop Haus on Clark is within walking distance of the Howard St El stop. It seems to meet all your criteria except for quality food.

Hop Haus
7545 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60626
773-262-3

How about the Morseland? The menu changes frequently, so I'm not sure what specifically they have right now, but at least the last time I was there they had (very good) vegan burgers. Full bar, too, a pool table, and music some nights. Walking distance from the Morse Red Line stop.

Morseland
1218 W Morse Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 764-8900

More restaurant than bar, but how about Indie Cafe? They now serve beer, wine, and sake, and the Sushi-Thai menu should have enough vegetarian and gluten-free options. It's pretty inexpensive for what it is too, and the food is good (not outstanding).

Indie Cafe
5951 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660
773.561.5577
http://www.indiecafe.us/

You could do a lot worse than to take the old HoDaR (aka the Howard Dan Ryan, aka the Red Line) to Loyola, walk west up Devon, get a great, affordable dinner at La Unica (did I mention its unique-a?) and then a few shots and beers at Cuneen's, a classic Chicago semi-dive with a pool table and darts.

La Unica
1515 W Devon Ave
(between Bosworth Ave & Greenview Ave)
Chicago, IL 60660

Cuneen's
1424 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60626

Jefe-

There are threads out there about dining options in Rogers Park. There is also info from the two North Clark-a-thons about some of the taquerias and other places along Clark. Personally, I'm a fan of Morseland and Sahara Kabob. The latter is BYO. I also love Duke's as a bar, but you'd have to bring your own food.

I'll try to link to other threads later.

Cheers!

-Mary

Marco wrote:It ain't what it used to be, but Gulliver's at Howard and California fits the criteria perfectly... It is the very opposite of trendy or challenging food--- perhaps just the right complement to trendy and challenging discourse.

Off my radar, will give it a try. You nailed our demographic. Thanks!

nr706 wrote:Not recommended, but Hop Haus on Clark is within walking distance of the Howard St El stop. It seems to meet all your criteria except for quality food.

Yeah, we've tried this. Pretty good beer list. Saccharine corporate-feeling atmosphere with a panopticon of flatscreens is cringe inducing. On a positive note, said screens were playing 80's music videos rather than college football last visit. Have only ever ordered the fresh-out-of-the-frozen-food-service-packaging medley of waffle fries (seasoned and not), but the range of "wild game" burgers makes me nervous.
Thanks for the tip though!

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:How about the Morseland? The menu changes frequently, so I'm not sure what specifically they have right now, but at least the last time I was there they had (very good) vegan burgers. Full bar, too, a pool table, and music some nights. Walking distance from the Morse Red Line stop.

Noted! Seems like a classic student watering hole. Thanks!

EvA wrote:More restaurant than bar, but how about Indie Cafe? They now serve beer, wine, and sake, and the Sushi-Thai menu should have enough vegetarian and gluten-free options. It's pretty inexpensive for what it is too, and the food is good (not outstanding).

Noted, thanks!

Habibi wrote:You could do a lot worse than to take the old HoDaR (aka the Howard Dan Ryan, aka the Red Line) to Loyola, walk west up Devon, get a great, affordable dinner at La Unica (did I mention its unique-a?) and then a few shots and beers at Cuneen's, a classic Chicago semi-dive with a pool table and darts.

A one- two that sounds right up my alley. Been meaning to check La Unica on the list for some time. Thanks!

I didn't notice the dietary requirements you listed. La Unica might be difficult for gluten-free and veggie people (rice and beans are fantastic though, but prolly contain puerco). You should still give it a shot.

Totally forgot about Uncommon Ground on Devon. Sounds about right for your group - cafe, bar, decent restaurant with veggie options and occasionally music.

Uncommon Ground
1401 W Devon
Chicago, IL 60660

A couple quick thoughts:

Your friends with the lactose and gluten intolerances may never be happy in a restaurant. No disrespect but my top recommendation is that you all should chip in on a 12 pac or couple bottles of wine and everyone brings their own tupperware to one of your apartments. That would certainly save you grad students some money!

Also, you say you cant find anyplace good to eat and drink in Evanston? Im not sure you have looked hard enough. There are so many good places to eat and drink in town. But I suppose there isnt a dive bar that you can bring your own food into. In fact there are NO bars in E-Town and maybe that is part of your quandry.

Having said all that, I imagine that you and your friends might be comfortable hanging out at a big table at Prairie Moon or the Firehouse Grill. Perhaps Union Pizzeria? Lulu's? Blind Faith for those finicky eaters? Those may be a little too upscale for your requirements.

I'd also recommend you re-do your search on LTH for many posts about those taquerias on Clark in Rogers Park. Some of them are great and BYOB too. Still, lactose and gluten are dished out heavily at those places, no?

Good luck kid!

I occasionally have to organize dinners within the same parameters. How about Ethiopian? I prefer Ethiopian Diamond (I started going when I was an NU undergrad), and they're used to working with large groups. As their website says: "All Vegetarian dishes are cooked in vegetable oil and contain no eggs, butter, milk or honey!" The wine and beer lists are decent. Sometimes there's music. Prices are reasonable. I've had many fun, relaxing evenings there.

Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant
6120 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
773-338-6100
http://www.ethiopiandiamondcuisine.com/

Hey good suggestion...and in Evanston there is Addis Abeba Ethopian on Chicago just north of Dempster.

champs2005 wrote:Hey good suggestion...and in Evanston there is Addis Abeba Ethopian on Chicago just north of Dempster.

Sorry, I object. The food at Addis Abeba is flavorless, and the restaurant is often empty, which doesn't make for a very convivial atmosphere. Also, I work with NU grad students full-time. I have a hunch they might be happier if they left Evanston for drinks and dinner.

The GP wrote:Jefe-

There are threads out there about dining options in Rogers Park. There is also info from the two North Clark-a-thons about some of the taquerias and other places along Clark. Personally, I'm a fan of Morseland and Sahara Kabob. The latter is BYO. I also love Duke's as a bar, but you'd have to bring your own food.

I'll try to link to other threads later.

Cheers!

-Mary

Ya, I've searched through this thread: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9832
I've checked out and quite enjoyed Tamales los mejores de Guerrero and Dona Lolis Quesadillas, but we're looking for a more full service kind of place.
Sahara is on the list, thanks for the reminder. Also, will be sure to check out Duke's! Thanks!

Habibi wrote:Totally forgot about Uncommon Ground on Devon. Sounds about right for your group - cafe, bar, decent restaurant with veggie options and occasionally music.

Noted!

happy_stomach wrote:I occasionally have to organize dinners within the same parameters. How about Ethiopian? I prefer Ethiopian Diamond (I started going when I was an NU undergrad), and they're used to working with large groups. As their website says: "All Vegetarian dishes are cooked in vegetable oil and contain no eggs, butter, milk or honey!" The wine and beer lists are decent. Sometimes there's music. Prices are reasonable. I've had many fun, relaxing evenings there.

Great idea. What about ED 2 next to the aforementioned Hop Haus? Do you rank ED over Demera?
Thanks!

champs2005 wrote:A couple quick thoughts:

Your friends with the lactose and gluten intolerances may never be happy in a restaurant. No disrespect but my top recommendation is that you all should chip in on a 12 pac or couple bottles of wine and everyone brings their own tupperware to one of your apartments. That would certainly save you grad students some money!

Um, it doesn't take a grad degree to figure out where the liquor store is and take a 30 rack of PBR back to one of our cramped studio apartments.

champs2005 wrote:Also, you say you cant find anyplace good to eat and drink in Evanston? Im not sure you have looked hard enough. There are so many good places to eat and drink in town. But I suppose there isnt a dive bar that you can bring your own food into. In fact there are NO bars in E-Town and maybe that is part of your quandry.

So, have we not looked hard enough to find NO bars in E-Town?

champs2005 wrote:Having said all that, I imagine that you and your friends might be comfortable hanging out at a big table at Prairie Moon or the Firehouse Grill. Perhaps Union Pizzeria? Lulu's? Blind Faith for those finicky eaters? Those may be a little too upscale for your requirements.

Have tried and don't like PM and FG. Haven't tried UP, will check it out. Lulu's is meh. BF is a good lunch option for those finicky eaters.
Thanks adult!

Nice retorts...enjoy the food and drink!

Another Ethiopian option is Ras Dashen in the same general area as Ethiopian Diamond (nothing against ED, but I prefer Ras Dashen). They can do gluten-free teff injera with 24 hours notice, and can also make a chickpea-flour bread upon request. If you go this route, make sure it's understood that you need the food served on the gluten-free bread as well as being served on the side. They also have a full bar and delicious Ethiopian-style coffee.

Ras Dashen
5846 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 506-9601

I actually prefer 2 over the original Ethiopian Diamond. I think the kitchen is a little bit heavier handed on the spices.

Chuckie's just opened on Morse (steps from the red line) and I think is more drink than food but might be an option. There is also Act One but I think the food is more expensive and not as good as the Morseland.

If you want Indian, I am huge fan of Luzzat which is just steps away from the Jarvis stop and BYOB.

Finally, on Clark - just south of Pratt- there is middle eastern (Sahara Kabob) and Persian (Masouleh) but of which are BYOB.

After living in Evanston for many years, I found a place I'd overlooked for years: the Korean spot on Noyes St. With the Bavarian-half-timbered exterior. I'm guessing it's BYO and the bibimbop could be an option for your GF or veggie friends, prepared the right way sans meat, of course.
I really don't know what their remodel did to the place, but they used to have booths. You can pick up wine at the grocery across the alley now, rather than just beer. It's an idea with a low swank factor, to be sure.

Jefe wrote:What about ED 2 next to the aforementioned Hop Haus? Do you rank ED over Demera?

I've only been to ED2 once, for an LTH event a few years ago. I think I liked it fine. ED2's space is a little colder, but I think it'd work for your purposes. Demera, I think I've visited twice, maybe three times, and also enjoyed. It has the advantage of being directly across the street from the Green Mill, though it's farther from Rogers Park than ED2 or ED1.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:Another Ethiopian option is Ras Dashen in the same general area as Ethiopian Diamond (nothing against ED, but I prefer Ras Dashen). They can do gluten-free teff injera with 24 hours notice...

ED will do this, too. The advantage with Ras Dashen is that, at least on my one and only visit a few years ago, they had Unibroue's Fin du Monde, a beer I quite like.

Josephine wrote:After living in Evanston for many years, I found a place I'd overlooked for years: the Korean spot on Noyes St. With the Bavarian-half-timbered exterior. I'm guessing it's BYO and the bibimbop could be an option for your GF or veggie friends, prepared the right way sans meat, of course.
I really don't know what their remodel did to the place, but they used to have booths. You can pick up wine at the grocery across the alley now, rather than just beer. It's an idea with a low swank factor, to be sure.

That would be:

Mandarin House
819 Noyes Street
Evanston, IL 60201-2824
847-869-4344

They still have booths. Avoid their version of sundubu jjigae. Worst ever. Bibimbap is OK.

It's perhaps a little bit south but consider Toons Bar & Grill. It's an easy couple of blocks from the Sheridan stop.
Frankly, I wish I was at Toons right now!
Prior thread

Toons Bar & Grill
3857 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 935-1919
http://chicagotoons.com/