Franklin Park recommendations

Some friends will be in Franklin Park this weekend and have requested my assistance in coordinating a dinner in the immediate vicinity. Not sure where they're staying yet, but there will be a couple cars in the group so I'm not worried about it.

Problem: I'm not at all familiar with the area and need recommendations. It'll be a group of 4-6 and we're all fairly adventurous eaters that will try anything once. I just have no idea what that thing should be. We'd like to keep it to $25-30pp if possible, but if it's a must-try spot I'm sure I could convince everyone.

Thanks, all.

Scoot a bit east to http://dannysdeliandcatering.com/
Lots of LTH Love here - http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f= ... &sk=t&sd=a

Are you looking for a "nicer" place or would "ethnic" do?

If you can settle for "ethnic", I just love Pollo Vagabondo. It's not like I've ever done a survey of Franklin Park restaurants, but I cannot imagine a better place around there than Pollo Vagabondo. I really love the place. I would caution you that they can often be out of chickens, and the best policy is to call ahead--unless you and your friends want the time to catch-up.

About a week ago, my wife and I had the urge for lunch at Paradise Pup (which we like but not GNR love). On the way home, we decided to go check out the new casino. We did not specifically eat at any of the restaurants, but, but strictly from observation and chow-dar readings, the places all looked especially good. The small Asian place, I would say seemed authentic but slightly expensive; the burger place and Hugo's did not seem overly pricey. The buffet looked good if that's your kinda thing. There is no need to gamble to eat like a high roller. The Rivers Casino is not very far from Franklin Park even thought its in Des Plaines.

That's kind of a wasteland for interesting eats. For a low-stress red sauce Italian place, consider Da Luciano's on Grand. You would need a reservation.

teatpuller wrote:That's kind of a wasteland for interesting eats.

Agreed. Im not a fan, but I know Gene and Judes is not far.....it is a "chicago experience" if your guests are not from here. I also think Grandstand pizza is a solid option for thin crust..

Gene & Jude's isn't too far from there. Hey, gocubs88 beat me to it.

I grew up in Franklin Park and I can tell you first hand there is a real lack of interesting food there though there are some solid Chicago must haves. Of course Gene and Jude's is just east of Franklin Park on Grand but that is certainly no place for a sit down dinner. I have to agree with Grand Stand pizza if you're guests are not from here. It is a no frills dining room and very casual but they have amazing Chicago style thin crust sausage pizza and homemade italian ice. I doubt they are byob but you could always ask. If you want a truly unique experience try Russel's bbq in Elmwood park less than 10 minutes from Franklin Park. I know most will say it's not real bbq and it is not (no wood or smoke used), but the roast pork and beef sandwiches are always tasty. They also have ribs, chicken, etc. It's counter service but plenty of cozy booths in an old school atmosphere and beer and wine is available.

Russel's
1621 N. Thatcher Ave.
(1/4 block north of North Avenue)
Elmwood Park, Illinois 60707
708-453-7065

Grand Stand Pizza
(847) 451-1155
9718 Grand Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131

Try the Great Escape in Schiller Park, a stones throw away from Franklin Park. Its a nice little place with an interesting history and has been a roadhouse, bar or restaurant for many many years. Was a haunt of Al Capone whose picture graces the original carved bar. Some say its haunted by pre prohibition spirits. Its a white table cloth restaurant but still modest and casual in nature. I like their broasted chicken.

http://www.greatescaperestaurant.com/

I would rather not eat than eat at Russels

gocubs88 wrote:

teatpuller wrote:That's kind of a wasteland for interesting eats.

Agreed. Im not a fan, but I know Gene and Judes is not far.....it is a "chicago experience" if your guests are not from here. I also think Grandstand pizza is a solid option for thin crust..

I often *try* to be in this area - because if youre in this area (Franklin Park - not far from Elmwood Park), you have a chance to stop in at Johnnies!

Especially on a Friday - stop in, get a Pepper-and-Egg-with-Sausage sandwich, with giardenara, plus hot fresh fries, and a lemon-ice. One of the truly iconic Chicago things to do, IMHO - and one of the best sandwiches in Chicago.

c8w

dradeli wrote:I would rather not eat than eat at Russels

Amen to that.

My father in law is a long-time fan, so sometimes when he comes to stay in Chicago, I get dragged there for a gathering meal. I can't believe that something so completely mediocre has survived as long as that place has.

As for Franklin Park, can't honestly identify a single place there that I would recommend to go...truly a dining desert.

fishfryguy wrote: I can't believe that something so completely mediocre has survived as long as that place has.

Wow, can't believe you'd call Russell's mediocre. It must have gotten better since the last time I tried it.

fishfryguy wrote:As for Franklin Park, can't honestly identify a single place there that I would recommend to go...truly a dining desert.

I hate to repeat myself, but any area that has Pollo Vagabondo is hardly without worthwhile dining.

midas wrote:

fishfryguy wrote: I can't believe that something so completely mediocre has survived as long as that place has.

Wow, can't believe you'd call Russell's mediocre. It must have gotten better since the last time I tried it.

lol...the thought of that coleslaw makes me cringe! BBQ sauce is pretty good though....

Just a little south....

GREAT Lunch Buffet and dinner specials....

http://www.sorrentovillage.com/
Sorrentos Italian Pizza and Restaurant
2318 N. Mannheim Rd.
Melrose Park, IL.

Telephone: (847) 455-9440


Mon-Thurs 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sat. 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 10:00

Frankin Park itself may be a bit of a wasteland. But, there is plenty of good eating to be had in that part of the world.

Beginning with Melrose Park, someone has already mentioned Danny's. For a nicer sit down red sauce experience across the street, Abruzzo's directly across Division from Danny's offers good red sauce type food featuring homemade pastas at reasonable prices.

I really enjoy the grilled Yucatan style chicken and handmade tortillas at El Asadero on Lake street just east of 25th. It is one of my regular lunch favorites (thanks LTH!)

If it's lunch time, and you don't mind a bit of a wait, a casual carnitas lunch with handmade tortillas at Don Alfredo at Lake and 25th is a great option and just dirt cheap.

LTH favorite Yum Thai is nearby in River Forest on Madison.

Tom's Steakhouse on North Avenue between 19th and 25th is a decent enough throwback kind of place with a reasonably priced menu.

For Cuban, I don't care much for El Prado on lake. But, I really like Cafe Cubano on North near Johnnie's Beef.

In Rosemont, if you have the budget, you have high end chain feeders McCormick and Schmick, Capital Grill, Gibsons, Morton's and Carlucci.

Finally, on River Road, i have always found Pescatore Palace to serve up a nice Italian style seafood dinner. The kitchen there is so accomodating

toria wrote:Try the Great Escape in Schiller Park, a stones throw away from Franklin Park. Its a nice little place with an interesting history and has been a roadhouse, bar or restaurant for many many years. Was a haunt of Al Capone whose picture graces the original carved bar. Some say its haunted by pre prohibition spirits. Its a white table cloth restaurant but still modest and casual in nature. I like their broasted chicken.

http://www.greatescaperestaurant.com/

The few times I ate here, the food underwhelmed a bit. Maybe its time to try it again.

I've had some good meals at Stacy's Cafe on Mannheim in Bellwood.

They will be just southeast of the Rosemont/O'Hare vicinity - probably less than 10 minutes from Franklin Park. Harry Caray's, McCormack & Schmick's, Nick's Fishmarket, Morton's, Gibson's, etc. Use Google Maps and search "Rosemont IL Restaurants". This is not a personal recommendation for any of the above places, and might not be considered "adventuresome" to your group - just giving you some other ideas. Also, you are not far from the new Rivers casino.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Looks like the group wants to head to the Greek Islands in Lombard, so we'll be doing that. I do want to try Pollo Vagabondo at some point, though, as well as a few others.