Attempting to find something to eat in Portage Park

The Pie and I will be at Portage Park theatre this weekend for Terror in the Aisles. I'm the designated chooser for the night's meal, beginning at 9:30 or so. I'd like it to be within walking distance, fairly priced, and somewhat on the healthy side (at least with some healthier menu choices), but hoooo weee. There are not many choices there these days. I was thinking of Ay Ay Picante on Elston, or Pasta D'Arte on Milwaukee (within walking distance of home). I've eaten at La Peña many times so I wanted to try something different. Any ideas?

You could try Sabatino's, though I have no clue if there is anything remotely healthy on their extensive menu, other than a shrimp cocktail. Or, there's an Irish themed restaurant, McNamara's nearby. You won't be wowed by fabulous food, but it is usually decent, service fine and offers a good selection of beers. Both places are on Irving Park west of the expressway and east of Cicero. We walk to both of those places often, but some may feel it is too far to be considered walking distance (we live a block northwest of the Portage Theater).
Your best bet might be Meisa Cafe, which is a Bosnian place that has really good cevap, bread, and other fare, ranging from stuffed cabbage to a caprese sandwich. It's at 4908 W. Irving Park, which is quite close to the theater.
I was not impressed by Pasta D'Arte, though I haven't been there in a while. I recall that the food was just not that well-prepared and service was pretty amateur. We never felt like going back.
Good luck!

I haven't been there yet, but I've heard some good things about the Colombian steakhouse Las Tablas, which is on Irving a little bit west of Milwaukee. Although it was on Check Please this last season, so it may still be experiencing that patronage bump.

I have what I will confidently proclaim is THE answer to your query. Despite what it says here, the place is not closed and never has been. Shiraz has healthy, delicious middle eastern food in a beautiful setting decorated with gorgeous Persian rugs. I sure hope the misinformation didn't lose them any business, as I think this place is a gem.

SHIRAZ RESTAURANT
4425 W. MONTROSE AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60641
773-777-7275

Kennyz wrote:I have what I will confidently proclaim is THE answer to your query.

With a recommendation like that I can hardly pass it up. I'll try it out and let you know. Thanks Kennyz!

Just be aware that Shiraz is not within a reasonable walking distance of the Portage Park Theater. It's on Montrose, east of the Kennedy.

According to GoogleMaps (which now has walking times! neato!) it's exactly 1 mile, or 21 minutes. I think if we haul ass we can walk and eat and still get home near 11.

Good for you, if a two-mile round trip for dinner after a movie is doable. Just be aware that it's kind of desolate on the stretch of Montrose east of Cicero at night. You have an industrial area with two train underpasses and then you have to cross the Kennedy. Have fun!

PortPkPaul wrote: you have to cross the Kennedy. Have fun!

If you can possibly have fun lying mangled in the emergency room after having tried to cross the Kennedy at night on foot.

Perhaps they can take the easy way out and cross under the Kennedy instead.

scottsol wrote:

PortPkPaul wrote: you have to cross the Kennedy. Have fun!

If you can possibly have fun lying mangled in the emergency room after having tried to cross the Kennedy at night on foot.

Perhaps they can take the easy way out and cross under the Kennedy instead.

Actually, on Montrose you cross over the Kennedy Personally, I'd rather walk down Irving Park than Montrose.

Er, Montrose crosses the Kennedy by means of an overpass. Which still entails a long stretch and crossing the entrance and exit ramps.

Maybe I could walk down Irving to 4400 and then go north. Or maybe I could map this out before we start hoofin'! Thanks for the warnings!

I went past Shiraz at 10:10, and it was closed up tight with not a soul around. I called this morning to see what their hours are, and according to the message, they are supposed to be open til midnight, with bellydancing on Saturday. WTF? I can't believe business was so poor that they closed up two hours early, or more. I was so disappointed, but at least Pita Inn was still open.

Yeah, great way to alienate customers. I hope you didn't walk there and find out it was closed. If a restaurant doesn't do well on Saturday night, I don't think it will be around very long.

Pie Lady wrote:I went past Shiraz at 10:10, and it was closed up tight with not a soul around. I called this morning to see what their hours are, and according to the message, they are supposed to be open til midnight, with bellydancing on Saturday. WTF? I can't believe business was so poor that they closed up two hours early, or more. I was so disappointed, but at least Pita Inn was still open.

sorry to have sent you down this path. I've seen a lot of restaurants do this on slow nights, but it really is a terribly unfriendly tactic.

That's alright. Maybe we can try again a little earlier. But no, I didn't walk, thank goodness!

I wrote them through their website, and received this automated reply:

Thank you to Write us to SHIRAZ RESTAURANTE

Their information has been satisfactorily a correspondent
We will contact to you as soo as possible.

Information that you give us:.

Names............: Kenny
Email............: [removed by Kennyz]
----------------------------------
Menssage : I love your restaurant, and I recommended it highly to a group of people that went on Saturday night. Your phone message says that you are open until midnight on Saturday. They arrived at 10PM, and you were already closed. I am very disappointed, and feel terrible for having recommended your restaurant to my friends. I hope you do well, but this is really not a good way to treat potential customers.


Cordially

I'll let you know if I hear anything further.

How sweet!

Many things have changed since 2008 so I'm reviving this thread. We were talking about meeting another couple in Portage Park this weekend in Portage Park, so we could use a reasonably priced option, preferably within walking distance of the theater.

I have Ruk and La Peña on the list. Sabatino's and The Portage are a little higher than what we'd like to spend. Any good all-purpose joints around there?

Has anyone tried the Hops and Barley restaurant up Milwaukee? Alas, the theater is likely a bit too far to comfortably hoof it to my favorite local (and GNR), Sol de Mexico, which is 1.3 miles straight down Cicero.

Please report back!

Cheers, Jen

If pub grub works, Sutherland's is near Irving and Central, and McNamara's is near Irving and the Kennedy. I like Ruk, but it is small so may be difficult being seated on a Saturday. Would not recommend La Pena or Hops & Barley (for food).

PortPkPaul wrote:If pub grub works, Sutherland's is near Irving and Central, and McNamara's is near Irving and the Kennedy. I like Ruk, but it is small so may be difficult being seated on a Saturday. Would not recommend La Pena or Hops & Barley (for food).

It's been a long time since I was at La Peña. Has the quality gone down? Last time was delicious.

Yes, I used to like it, but it is now over-priced, bland food, and poor service. Check out some of the Yelp reviews over the last year or so.

I have been directed by my dad to sporadically go out to Roma's italian beef stand on N. Cicero Ave.
I think it's an OK italian beef sandwich. What probably earns it an extra ½-star is Green River available as a soft drink.

pudgym29 wrote: I have been directed by my dad to sporadically go out to Roma's italian beef stand on N. Cicero Ave.
I think it's an OK italian beef sandwich. What probably earns it an extra ½-star is Green River available as a soft drink.

I agree Roma's makes a decent beef, but where I think they really excel is their Italian sausage. Try that alone or in a beef combo, and report back!

We always end up at Mr. Sub. It's a dive, but we really love the Mr. Sub sub. And that bread is the best.

Hi all!

Our little family will be moving to Portage Park in June, right around Montrose and Central Ave. We're moving from Logan Square, where we have our pick of awesome restaurants and we know we're in for quite the change in our new 'hood. Obviously we'll be out exploring once we get there, but I wanted to check with you awesome LTH-ers for your recommendations before we start wandering aimlessly.

Some of our general likes:
- we eat mostly vegetarian
- when we do eat meat, we only eat locally sourced, sustainably raised products
- we eat out a lot -- about 3-4 times a week
- even though we have a 2 year old, we frequent places like Longman & Eagle, Lula, Revolution, etc. Pretty much anyplace that has a highchair we'll go to, even if it's more "high-end"

Thanks for your suggestions!

HA! Good luck!

Well.. You've got the Portage, Smoque, Last Tablas, Leadbelly, las Parillas. Going North past Ruk Thai you hit Jefferson Park and that has Smak Tak, Saigon Grill, Pasta D'Arte and Fischmans Liquor, which will have a kitchen soon. But more importantly, every other Thursday is a food truck night outside the establishment. Oh, and if you were curious, there is Amitabul a Korean vegan place. And then you are near Superdawg...

You are a short distance from Yusho as well. I can't say much for fine dining establishments... Although I did hear plans to change the theater into a nice new venue.

But like it was said.. It's tough finding locally sourced places where I mentioned.

Thanks!

What about Hagen's Fish Market? We drove by it the other day and it looks kind of cute and kitchsy, but you never know with places like that...