eats by DuSable Museum

We are going to be volunteering at the DuSable Museum next weekend and will be famished at the end. What's good nearby?

teddybear wrote:We are going to be volunteering at the Dusable Museum next weekend and will be famished at the end. What's good nearby?

That might depend on what type of meal you're looking for and how far you're willing to go. If you're willing to leave the neighborhood for a short drive, the world is your oyster. I'm generally disappointed by the array of options in that area, but there's a decent thread on hyde park and eats in adjoining areas here that might give you some ideas.

Best,
Michael

Harold's Fried Chicken at 1208 E. 53rd St. They're deliciously greasy and cheap. Need I say mo'?

Again, it depends on what you're looking for, but Sammy's, on the corner of Cottage Grove and 57th St, has awesome greasy burgers, fries, gyros, etc. Further east on 57th, there is Medici (sandwiches and pizza), Noodles Etc (typical pan asian), and Salonica (breakfast served all day, and I recommend the chicken in a pita w/ grilled onions).

If you want something a bit more upscale, you might try Blu 47. Altho I have a tendency to agree with others that this place would have a hard time surviving at its price-points if there were significant competition in the neighborhood, it's a nice mellow place to wind down, particularly if you're there when there's live jazz (usually Thursdays). When my s.o. and I were there, we spent our $$ grazing on the appetizers and desserts which we found quite satisfying. There's a description on metromix.

Blu 47
4655 S. King Drive
Second Floor
773-536-6000

If you need a quick bite and aren’t afraid of grease, Sammy’s Touch (already mentioned; 5659 S Cottage Grove) is almost across the street from DuSable. A Greek fast food joint, not bad for the genre.

Also mentioned, Medici (1327 E 57th) has good burgers and pan pizza some people like a lot. Stop at Medici Bakery next door and get a loaf or two of excellent bread to take home. University Market (1333 E 57th), also part of the Medici mini-empire, makes very good sandwiches (on Medici bread), take away only.

For a nice, white-tablecloth meal, La Petite Folie (1504 E 55th) can be pretty good. They have a prix fixe early dinner that’s not a bad deal. Interesting, moderate, all-French wine list.

Valois (1518 E 53rd) is a Hyde Park classic, among Chicago’s oldest restaurants and one of the last steam table cafeterias around (“See Your Food”). Honest, stick-to-your-ribs cooking.

Just west of Washington Park is Ms Lee’s Good Food (203 E Garfield = 55th). Pretty good soul food (try the herbal chicken) and excellent desserts. Take out only.

A little south of the park is H&A Restaurant (432 E 63rd) for a full array of soul food classics, done well. Don’t miss the dinner rolls.

Almost at the corner of Cottage and 63rd is Daley’s (809 E 63rd), another of Chicago’s oldest restaurants, sort of a soul food luncheonette. The menu is a bit of a minefield but if you order well you can stuff yourself silly for under $10 (with a generous tip).

Farther south there are many choices: Barbara Ann’s for barbecue (7617 S Cottage; take out only), Tropic Island for Chicago’s best jerk chicken (1922 E 79th; mostly take out), Yassa for Senegalese (716 E 79th), Café Trindad for interesting Caribbean (557 E 75th) to name a few.

Maybe you’ll take a few minutes afterwards to let us know where you went and what you thought of it?

Rene G wrote:Almost at the corner of Cottage and 63rd is Daley’s (809 E 63rd), another of Chicago’s oldest restaurants, sort of a soul food luncheonette. The menu is a bit of a minefield but if you order well you can stuff yourself silly for under $10 (with a generous tip).

Rene,

Minefield pretty much sums it up, though Daley's biscuits, corn muffins and greens, with nice bits of smoked pork, are quite good. I like a sprinkle of hot pepper vinegar on my greens, really brings out the flavor.

Daley's Biscuit, Corn Muffin and Greens.


Daley's


Enjoy,
Gary

I have been told, though I can't verify it, that Valois (1518 E 53rd) was the first restaurant in Chicago to be racially integrated. The place is special to me for some personal reasons, but for what it is the food is good and certainly inexpensive. It's like a coffee shop in the sense that people will come in to get something to eat and then plant themselves there with a book or newspaper. People vary in how they pronounce the name but it's usually Anglicized.

As I'm sure many of you know, there is a famous book about the regulars at Valois: Slim's Table: Race, Respectability, and Masculinity (U of Chicago Press)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/022617 ... e&n=283155

I live in Hyde Park, and have to say that there are a lot of mediocre restaurants in the area. However, there are two which are pretty tasty and moderately priced - Dixie Kitchen and Calypso Cafe, both facing each other near 52nd and Harper.

At Dixie Kitchen, I've had their fried catfish. The fish is nicely cooked, the breading crunchy, and it's not greasy. Dixie Kitchen also has good corn cakes which they serve you instead of bread.

Calypso Cafe has good jerk chicken wings and a good mango daquiri. Just what you need after a long day of volunteer work.

I haven't tried Le Petit Folie yet, but I have to say that these are my two favorite restaurants in Hyde Park.

Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop Web Site
5225 S Harper Ave # A, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 363-4943

Calypso Cafe
5211 S Harper Ave # C, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 955-0229

I also live in Hyde Park, and the only place I would consider spending my hard-earned money on food and not end up angry would be at The Medici. The grilled tuna steak sandwich is decent.

One of my friends loves Calypso Cafe, so we go there every month or two. For my money, the best thing on their menu is their dessert called Island Hot and Cold: pieces of hot, fried plantain, cold vanilla ice cream, warm caramel sauce drizzled over it all. The fries can be anemic, so you need to ask for crispy fries. The jerk wings are meaty but the spicing is a little dull.

Has anyone been to the Rajun Cajun 1459 E. 53rd?
I went once a while ago and remember liking it - has good vegetarian options. It is a strange little space with fried chicken and Indian food in a cafeteria line and about 6 "booths". I remember liking the fruity drinks - mango and jackfruit etc (don't ask for Tamarind - I was told they don't use tamarind b/c it causes arthritis).

At any rate it might be another option in Hyde Park if you are at DuSable.