Fast casual/takeout between Belmont Harbor & Evanston

I've been doing more and more work up in Evanston, near Ridge and Central. Making plans to meet friends for lunch or dinner is tough, because I never know when my meetings will wrap. So I regularly seem to find myself hungry and stuck trying to decide whether I grab something locally or race back home to prepare a meal.

I'd poured through the GNRs and recent LTH Evanston Lunch Group recommendations, but I'd love some more ideas of places:
* That are open past 7 pm
* Offer counter service, so I can order, eat and be out within ~15-20 minutes
* Are between Central Ave. on the north, Belmont on the south, Ridge on the west and the lake on the east

On my list when I'm seeking lunch:
* Edzo's
* Hewn
* Al's Deli

Lunch or dinner list:
* Ba Le
* Hoosier Mama
* BopNGrill
* Weiner & Still Champion

Other suggestions?

Fish Keg on Howard just off Ridge is great. It's pretty much just fish fried to order (scallops are awesome). No dining in, but you can eat in the parking lot.

I didn't love my most recent meal there but I've had a lot more good food than bad at SP Kebab. Also, just west of Ridge is La Unica. Their restaurant counter, located at the back of the shop, is also a worthy stop.

=R=

SP Kebab
6808 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60626-3812
(773) 856-3755

La Unica Food Mart
1515 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 274-7788

I highly recommend Real Kitchen, at Montrose and Clark, as a great place to pick up "real" food to take home:

http://www.realkitchenchicago.com

The corner of Belmont and Broadway has a great trio--Nhu Lan, Chicken Hut and Falfill. All fit the bill.

Cookies & Carnitas is worth checking out.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=39084

Not many places serve Taiwanese, but 527 Café seems to fit your criteria.
LTH info:
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30526
website
http://www.527cafedavis.com

527 Café
527 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
847-332-2233

Taste of Lebanon is a regular for us for quick, tasty, inexpensive meals. Open until 8 Mon-Sat. I also like the sandwiches at Piatto Pronto on Clark just north of Bryn Mawr. You can't go wrong with GNR Huaraches Dona Chio either.

Taste of Lebanon
1509 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-1600

Piatto Pronto
5624 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 334-5688

Huaraches Dona Chio
1547 W Elmdale Ave
Chicago IL 60660
(773) 993-1002

Isn't there a new Huaraches Dona Chio outpost on Clark right a bit north of Peterson?

boudreaulicious wrote:Isn't there a new Huaraches Dona Chio outpost on Clark right a bit north of Peterson?

That's the old one, and it's on Elmdale.

boudreaulicious wrote:The corner of Belmont and Halsted has a great trio--Nhu Lan, Chicken Hut and Falfill. All fit the bill.

Falafill and Nhu Lan are my local go-to places, and I love them. But please tell me about Chicken Hut! I have lived in this neighborhood for 20+ years and never eaten there because, well, I'm not really sure. Certainly looks and smells good every time I pass by. Is there any secret I need to know before I check it out?

(ETA: If I really think about it, I'm honestly looking for something Falafill-like in Evanston. By the time I've driven ~25-30 minutes back to Lakeview, I go straight home instead of to one of my neighborhood joints because it just seems easier.)

chgoeditor wrote:I'm honestly looking for something Falafill-like in Evanston.

Have you thought about Olive Mountain? Or, of course, there a Naf Naf Grill in Evanston ...

The Olive Mountain
610 Davis
Evanston, IL 60201
phone: 847 475-0380

NAF NAF GRILL EVANSTON
1629 Orrington Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone: 847-866-8470

Chicago Hokie wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:Isn't there a new Huaraches Dona Chio outpost on Clark right a bit north of Peterson?

That's the old one, and it's on Elmdale.

I've been there--just wasn't sure if the OP knew there was also one on Clark now, right on his/her path. I also am a little surprised they're keeping the old location since it's so tiny compared to the new one.

boudreaulicious wrote:The corner of Belmont and Halsted has a great trio--Nhu Lan, Chicken Hut and Falfill. All fit the bill.

Those are all actually Belmont and Broadway.

Good catch Midas--I corrected it--thanks!

Some excellent choices here already (Taste of Lebanon, SP Kebab, Nhu Lan are particular favorites of mine). Here are a few more:

Jerky Jerk serves really tasty jerk chicken and a few other Caribbean specialties. Service can be a little slow if they're slammed.
Jerky Jerk
1217 W Devon
312-600-5375
http://www.jerkyjerkcaribbeangrille.com


Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero for fresh, delicious tamales. Super fast.
Tamales Lo Mejor De Guerrero
7024 N Clark
773-338-6450


Grab a quick slice of pizza at Pie Hole.
Pie Hole
5001 N Clark
773-754-7214
http://www.pieholepizzajoint.com

Stop on Argyle for a savory bao at La Patisserie P
La Patisserie P
1052 W Argyle
773-878-3226

Yanni's for a decent burger/hot dog
Yanni's Dogs
5318 N Broadway
773-654-1232

Dak has good Korean wings and rice bowls, though I prefer Crisp which is a little south of your target area
Dak
1104 W Granville
773-754-0255
http://www.dakwings.com

I often grab BBQ at Sun Wah (and it started as a BBQ joint, didn't it?), and I'm usually in and out in 5 min (altho I'm usually there after the dinner rush).

5039 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-1254

& of course Ba Le Bakery is just across the street.

5016 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640

Mei Shung at Broadway and Bryn Mawr has a very good Taiwanese menu (I really like the lamb with leeks and the basil chicken) and great potstickers.

5511 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-5778

chgoeditor wrote:But please tell me about Chicken Hut! I have lived in this neighborhood for 20+ years and never eaten there because, well, I'm not really sure. Certainly looks and smells good every time I pass by. Is there any secret I need to know before I check it out?

It's funny thinking about Chicken Hut. It's now been at least 19 years since I've eaten there. But I still remember it fondly. I'm just never in that area anymore. But you have to give them some credit that they've survived that long in that area. That long in any area is an accomplishment, but around that, that's phenomenal.

Obviously, since it's been so long since I've been there I can't personally say I'd recommend it anymore. A lot could have changed. But 19 years ago I would have given it my highest recommendation. Either way, you're in the area. It's cheap enough. Give it a shot.

midas wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:But please tell me about Chicken Hut! I have lived in this neighborhood for 20+ years and never eaten there because, well, I'm not really sure. Certainly looks and smells good every time I pass by. Is there any secret I need to know before I check it out?

It's funny thinking about Chicken Hut. It's now been at least 19 years since I've eaten there. But I still remember it fondly. I'm just never in that area anymore. But you have to give them some credit that they've survived that long in that area. That long in any area is an accomplishment, but around that, that's phenomenal.

Obviously, since it's been so long since I've been there I can't personally say I'd recommend it anymore. A lot could have changed. But 19 years ago I would have given it my highest recommendation. Either way, you're in the area. It's cheap enough. Give it a shot.

Absolutely agree that if you've been in business that long, you deserve props. One of these days I'll give it a try. (Hmm...maybe I'll walk over tonight.)

chgoeditor wrote:

midas wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:But please tell me about Chicken Hut! I have lived in this neighborhood for 20+ years and never eaten there because, well, I'm not really sure. Certainly looks and smells good every time I pass by. Is there any secret I need to know before I check it out?

It's funny thinking about Chicken Hut. It's now been at least 19 years since I've eaten there. But I still remember it fondly. I'm just never in that area anymore. But you have to give them some credit that they've survived that long in that area. That long in any area is an accomplishment, but around that, that's phenomenal.

Obviously, since it's been so long since I've been there I can't personally say I'd recommend it anymore. A lot could have changed. But 19 years ago I would have given it my highest recommendation. Either way, you're in the area. It's cheap enough. Give it a shot.

Absolutely agree that if you've been in business that long, you deserve props. One of these days I'll give it a try. (Hmm...maybe I'll walk over tonight.)

If it's the same ownership as the one on Van Buren then it's a solid spot. They do one thing and they do it well.