A Place for Eats & Booze near Purple & Blue

My friend and I are planning a boozy evening with good food. She lives near the Purple line and I live near Blue.
Are there any recommendations for a place with good eats (not greasy bar food) that's not pricey and within stumbling distance of both lines?

We're open to all types of food, although I'd rather skip Ethiopian and save Asian as a last resort.

Purple and blue lines intersect downtown at Clark/Lake. Are you both willing to travel that far?

Otherwise, unless you're willing to "stumble" for a couple of miles, your plan doesn't work...

Sure, we can travel that far.

The "not pricey part" will be your hurdle down there...Pizano's?

Pie Lady? What's your price range? Does the food have to be good?

It's always hard to get good and cheap + booze in the Loop.

The food does have to be good. I'm not good at price ranges. $12-20 per entree, preferably the lower end of that.

pairs4life wrote:It's always hard to get good and cheap + booze in the Loop.

Wow, you're not kidding. I'm looking around the area of Clark & Lake on GoogleMaps...Stefano's is the least pricey, I guess.

I don't mind walking if it's a mile or so.

Pie Lady wrote:

pairs4life wrote:It's always hard to get good and cheap + booze in the Loop.

Wow, you're not kidding. I'm looking around the area of Clark & Lake on GoogleMaps...Stefano's is the least pricey, I guess.

I don't mind walking if it's a mile or so.

I work near Clark & Lake ... what is Stefano's?

aschie30 wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

pairs4life wrote:It's always hard to get good and cheap + booze in the Loop.

Wow, you're not kidding. I'm looking around the area of Clark & Lake on GoogleMaps...Stefano's is the least pricey, I guess.

I don't mind walking if it's a mile or so.

I work near Clark & Lake ... what is Stefano's?

Maybe she meant Stefani? Tuscany Cafe is right there, just north of Lake on Clark. And it is pretty tasty.

The Gage on Michigan, get off on the Monroe stop and walk two or three blocks. Sweetwater is up by Clark/ Lake.

Millers pub?

Kid Charlemagne wrote:

aschie30 wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Wow, you're not kidding. I'm looking around the area of Clark & Lake on GoogleMaps...Stefano's is the least pricey, I guess.

I don't mind walking if it's a mile or so.

I work near Clark & Lake ... what is Stefano's?

Maybe she meant Stefani? Tuscany Cafe is right there, just north of Lake on Clark. And it is pretty tasty.

If she meant Tuscany Cafe, I work in that building, it's above average for Loop lunch, probably not-so-great for dinner. But it closes at 8 pm on weekdays and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Kid Charlemagne wrote:I work near Clark & Lake ... what is Stefano's?

Maybe she meant Stefani? Tuscany Cafe is right there, just north of Lake on Clark. And it is pretty tasty.[/quote]

Yes, that's what I meant.

One thought. ..

You can take the Blue Line to Logan Square, and your friend can take the Purple to Diversey and then take the 76 west. It makes your friend's trip a bit more of a headache but it will open up some more options for you (Longman & Eagle is right there at the Logan Square stop).

According to GoogleMaps, that's over an hour trip. I don't think she'd be up for that, but I'll look into it.

Are you limited to trains? If you can make it to Lincoln Square then I'd recommend Fork (Lincoln and Wilson). I've been there several times in recent months and it's a great value with great food (and drink). Foster bus to Lincoln bus for you, Western bus for your friend. 40-45 minutes each way (for each of you).

spinynorman99 wrote:Are you limited to trains? If you can make it to Lincoln Square then I'd recommend Fork (Lincoln and Wilson). I've been there several times in recent months and it's a great value with great food (and drink). Foster bus to Lincoln bus for you, Western bus for your friend. 40-45 minutes each way (for each of you).

Nope. I just assumed they would be faster, but that's not necessarily the case.

What time are you meeting her?

I'd suggest good food on the 7th floor of Macy's, I think they are open to 7 pm on weekdays, but do check, and then go grab drinks elsewhere, perhaps the sports bar in the basement of Macy's and then you are 2 blocks from train.

Otherwise Petterino's or Sidebar right around the corner for food or Sidebar for food & drink.

I would guess we'd meet about 7, so Macy's is out.

Emerald loop has good food but the mixed drinks can get pricey. Although its a bar i had a really nice salmon dish there and sat in the dining area which is away from the bar and has a nice restaurant feel about it. I had a lamb stew there once, it was on special and was one of the best ive ever had.

I'd say Paramount Room. Really close to Blue Line- Grand and walkable or really cheap cab from Red Line - Grand.

Pie Lady wrote:I would guess we'd meet about 7, so Macy's is out.

If it is a weekday and you intend to be out for more than 2 hours with your friend, she will NOT be getting home via the Evanston Express, but the Red to Howard, ALL STOPS, and then the Purple to Evanston. Unfortunately, there is no Evanston Express that runs at night or on weekends http://www.transitchicago.com/purpleline/

Anyone else remember Super Sunday Passes ?

Monk's (Clark and Lake stop) has a decent beer list but just so-so food (helped by free peanuts at happy hour). Maybe get your drinks there and your food elsewhere?

You could also consider meeting at Clark and Lake and then taking the Red Line down to Chinatown or the Green Line/Pink Line to the West Loop area. That's a lot of travel, but perhaps worth the effort. River North is pretty accessible from Clark and Lake as well, but not so accessible on price. But I do think Xoco and Purple Pig are walkable from Clark and Lake.

I would suggest taking train to Clark/Lake and then walking across the river to Hubbard Inn, between Clark and LaSalle on Hubbard. Food is pretty good, mid to upper range you suggested for entrees. I have enjoyed the cocktails there as well.

pairs4life wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:I would guess we'd meet about 7, so Macy's is out.

If it is a weekday and you intend to be out for more than 2 hours with your friend, she will NOT be getting home via the Evanston Express, but the Red to Howard, ALL STOPS, and then the Purple to Evanston. Unfortunately, there is no Evanston Express that runs at night or on weekends http://www.transitchicago.com/purpleline/

Anyone else remember Super Sunday Passes ?

I remember Evanston Express. I still refer to the yellow line as the Skokie Swift.