dinner near Fitzgerald's in Berwyn (or Oak Park)?

We are seeing Sonny Landreth at Fitzgerald's tonight (9:30 show) and thought it might work to get there early (6pm) and get some dinner at Wishbone beforehand.

I've searched to board and haven't found any reviews on this particular location. We like spicy!

Also, we haven't been to Fitzgerald's for awhile. Anyone know if their free parking lot listed on Metromix is just that on Friday nights? And that there would possibly be space there if we were that early?

Thanks for any input.

The lot is relatively small, but it is free and there should be spaces if you get there early. Parking along Roosevelt is also fine and there are many spaces up and down the block on both sides of the street.

This location is fine, very consistent with my experiences at the West Loop original. Large portions, solid food. They'll do spicy if you like. I find the cuisine pretty monolithic, and prefer the lower prices and less fussy plating at the Dixie Kitchens, if I'm dining in this genre. For the Oak Park area, it's a good choice, though I personally go to Nola's more:

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants ... 75/content

Better jambalaya and beignets. But Wishbone has lovely pulled pork on weekends and really good quickbreads.

The tables are quite sturdy but the lemonade was sub-par.

[pokes mhill in the eyes Three Stoges style]

mhill95149 wrote:The tables are quite sturdy but the lemonade was sub-par.

Hah! I was enjoying that thread. Think we will be more into their beer selection. My husband likes bottled beer poured into a glass. He prefers to do this on his own. Think we may have a problem?

Thanks for the info.

Beverator wrote:

mhill95149 wrote:The tables are quite sturdy but the lemonade was sub-par.

Hah! I was enjoying that thread. Think we will be more into their beer selection. My husband likes bottled beer poured into a glass. He prefers to do this on his own. Think we may have a problem?

Thanks for the info.

Please. Do not start this again. Thanks.

What Santander said.

ps - you also have The Depot, and La Quebrada in pretty close vicinity. And some decent Gelato in the strip mall next door to Fitz's @ Gelato Uno. I wouldn't worry TOO much about parking.
If someone said they liked "spicy" and were going to Fitz's and looking for dinner, I might ask how they feel about going to a dive mexican place, and recommend La Quebrada. It's full service, but nothing fancy, BUT they have homemade tortillas, and good food. LOL - I may have just talked myself into getting dinner there tonight! Nothing wrong with Wishbone though.

I am a northsider and don't make my way over to the west side very often. I know Fitzgerald's is right next to Wishbone, but I happen to live a couple blocks from the Lincoln Av Wishbone location. Are there any other good LTH spots in that area that would be good for a pre-show dinner Saturday night? We're up for basically anything food-wise, probably looking for a more casual/mom-and-pop/BYOB type of place as opposed to a nice restaurant though.

We will be driving there so it doesn't need to be real close by. In fact anything reasonably close to 290 on the way out there would probably be fine as well.

Depot Diner on Roosevelt, a few blocks east of the venue.

Bohdi Thai is the obvious choice -- BYOB I'm pretty sure.

The Depot Diner
5840 W Roosevelt Rd
(between 58th Ct & 59th Ave)
Chicago, IL 60644

(773) 261-8422
www.depotamericandiner.com

Service Hours:
Monday thru Saturday: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

=================

also ...
Salerno's Pizza of Oak Park
7128 Roosevelt Road
Oak Park, IL 60304
Ph (708) 383-1500
http://www.salernospizza.com/index-OakPark.html

==================

a little fancier.... although I haven't been here in 20 years,,,

Golden Steer Steak House
7635 W. ROOSEVELT RD. FOREST PARK, IL. 60130 PHONE: 708-771-7798
http://www.goldensteersteakhouse.com/

The Depot American Diner would be my top choice in the area. Bodhi Thai is a decent option as well. Pass on Salerno's on Roosevelt - there is nothing special, or even good, about their pizza.

We did an Oak Park guy's night out to Golden Steer recently. It isn't really in line with what you're looking for, but if you do go apparently the liver is the way to go. Steaks were all overcooked.

Also consider GNR Freddy's in Cicero, nearby. Great food, but I'm not sure if the limited seating area they have is sufficiently heated for weather like this, as I always buy to take home. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that.

Freddy's Pizza
1600 South 61st Avenue
Cicero, IL 60804-1641
(708) 863-9289

Call Bodhi about BYO policy. For some reason, I think BYO is not allowed in Houbytown (Berwyn.) I might be totally wrong, but for some reason, I think it's against the ol law.

I'd do Bodhi
Some other joints worth a look
Klas - do a search
Al's for red sauce (Get the eggplant parm)
Depot Diner
Czech Plaza on Cermak
Cheap Mexican at Zacatacos on Cermak. They have a limited beer selection, and char grilled steak tacos. Many of the menu items are pretty decent for the price. Enchiladas in salsa roja can be a great delicious value when they are on their game. Char grilled steak tacos, nicely earthy salsa de chile arbol, and usually sizzlin hot salsa verde. I like this place a lot.

Riverside Family Restaurant - 34th and Harlem. Diner with a Bohemian / Eastern Euro tinge to it. I'd definitely get a fish dish. Oddly enough, I think they are really serious about fresh fish specials. Others rave about the place too. The menu has landmines, but if you know what to order, you will eat like a king for the price.

Further out, but lth love has been given to:
BYO Yum Thai on Madison in Forest Park
Jimmy's place on Madison in Forest Park as well

PLenty of love has been given to Villa Nova's pizza too. You won't be far at all. They might allow outside beverages.

You should also throw La Quebrada, at Roosevelt and Cicero, to your mix.

I would say that Bodhi for Thai and La Quebrada if your tastes want mexican. Both are outstanding and close by.

You could also consider Duckfat in Forest Park if you are coming off 290.

I have eaten at duckfat twice and found it to be very average bar food. I prefer Ave Ale house in Oak Park for bar food.

Duckfat has a lot of televisions. Other than that, I can't come up with too many other nice things to say about it.

dradeli wrote:I have eaten at duckfat twice and found it to be very average bar food. I prefer Ave Ale house in Oak Park for bar food.

A year or two ago I would have agreed with you in regards to Ave Ale House, but recently it has just not been good. The food has been inconsistent at best. I find that the burgers and typical "bar food" at Duck fat to be a little better that what they have been pumping out of the Ale House lately. Service at both places can also be inconsistent.

We've had nothing but totally solid, great food at Duckfat. Admittedly, we tend to order their burgers, particularly the Kobe and the bison burger, so I can't speak to many other menu items -- but their burgers and duckfat fries are darn good, and I think someone in the kitchen clearly knows what he's doing. Turkey chili is also excellent there. To me, Avenue Ale House is not even in the same league. Also, I should add that we've also had top-notch service.

Blows my mind that anyone would consider Duckfat just average bar food and then suggest the Ale House, of all places. We live a block and a half from the Ale House, and it's so mediocre we literally never go there. In fact, I've been to Duckfat more in the past six months than I have been to the Ale House in the past six years. Mileage may vary, of course, but I'd much rather have "average" mussels and broth or "average" kobe beef burgers than "average" mozzarella sticks and whatnot.

The short rib stroganoff at Duckfat is probably the single worst dish I had in a restaurant last year. I've been there twice with my wife and other family members, and nobody has ever really liked any of the main courses. Fries are indeed good, but fries aren't enough to put up with the quality of the entrees for the prices they charge for them.

Which is not to say that Avenue Ale House is a good option either - I live about 4 blocks from there, and haven't eaten there in close to 2 years. Every once in a while I'll order something for delivery, and every time I remember why I don't go there any more...

Still, I can't think of anything to really compliment at Duckfat aside from the fries. Maybe that the service issues I experienced the first time were much improved the second time? Yeah, that's about it. Duckfat wants to be above average bar food, and their menu options and prices reflect that, but the actual food does not.

ucjames wrote:Still, I can't think of anything to really compliment at Duckfat aside from the fries.

Don't forget all the TVs!

teatpuller wrote:

ucjames wrote:Still, I can't think of anything to really compliment at Duckfat aside from the fries.

Don't forget all the TVs!

Pah. The bar I do trivia at on Tuesday nights has something like 110 TVs. Duckfat can't even dream of comparing

Bohdi is BYOB. Done it twice in the last six months.

I'd have dinner at Marion Street Cheese Market if I was the OP.

I'd have dinner at Marion Street Cheese Market if I was the OP.

Quoth the OP: "...probably looking for a more casual/mom-and-pop/BYOB type of place as opposed to a nice restaurant though."

We are also thinking of heading to Fitzgerald's tonight.... saw CJ Chenier a couple of years ago - great show & venue!!

If you're set on BYO, the only restaurants listed so far that are BYO are Yum Thai, Bodhi Thai and La Quebrada. We have frequented Yum Thai for at least 20 years.. it's always our first choice for Thai. We were at Bodhi Thai about a month ago and it's definitely BYO. Ironically, while at Bodhi Thai, we found out that the family that owns it were one of the first owners of Yum Thai! Have been to La Quebrada twice and wasn't impressed... maybe we just hit a bad night there. Czech Plaza is an excellent suggestion, however it's not BYO. The prices are very reasonable (both food & drinks) though & the food is IMO the best bohemian food around (and I'm 100% bohemian).

I'd say Bodhi over Yum because Bodhi is literally right down the street five or so blocks. And they have great specials.