Loyola Area Recommendations?

For an upcoming conference, I am charged with developing a list of bars and restaurants within walking distance of the Loyola Lakeshore Campus.
I have a few ideas, but I would be interested to hear from anyone who has eaten or imbibed in that area of Rogers Park recently.

Our second focus will be areas that are readily accessible within a short cab or El ride. Devon, Argyle, Andersonville, and Clark Street in Rogers Park come to mind. I am also wondering if any decent beef or deep-dish places would be within striking distance. We will need a few 24-hour options for those who can't tear themselves away from the fun.

Thanks in advance.

Here are two of my favorites. I will add more to this post when I get a chance to look up addresses later today.

Persian:
Cafe Suron (BYOB)
1146 W Pratt
Chicago, IL 60626
773 465 6500

Peruvian:
Taste of Peru (BYOB)
6545 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 381-4540

Josephine,

Are you trying to compile a comprehensive list of everything within walking distance or just "recommended" places?

d4v3 wrote:Cafe Suron (BYOB)

Definitely one of the best in the area. Here's more Cafe Suron info.

Best,
Michael

I'll add another that I particularly like ... I'm told it's the finest Venezuelan resstaurant in the city (also BYOB):

Caracas Grill
6340 N. Clark St.

Ethiopian Diamond is a place that I go to about once a month and I never have a bad meal there. Their food is full of flavor and the service is very friendly. You must go here.

Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant and Lounge
6120 N. Broadway
Chicago

Here are a few more suggestions

Coffee, Scones and such :
Ennui Cafe
6981 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 973-2233

Cafe du Monde
1147 W. Granville Ave.
Chicago
(773) 995-2490

Vegetarian, Natural, Crunchy, Authentic Retro with a side of Social Conscience:
Heartland Cafe
7000 N Glenwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 465-8005
Heartland also has a stand on Loyola Beach(look for the UN flag).

There is a new wood-fired pizza place opening 6-1 on Jarvis:
Gruppo di Amici
1508 W. Jarvis Ave.
Chicago

Late night:
The Fireside Restaurant & Lounge
5739 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 878-5942
great selection of beer and OK food until 4am. Sunday brunch with build your own bloody mary bar.

Deluxe Diner (24 hours, will do in a pinch)
(773) 743-8244
6349 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60660

Greek Coffee Shop:
A & T Grill
7036 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 274-0036


Burgers and Beers:
Moody's Pub
5910 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 275-2696

Ethnic Groceries and Produce Markets:
(for that picnic on the beach)

Devon Market
1440 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 338-2572

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

Morse Fruit & Meat Market
1430 W Morse Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 973-3765

If all else fails, there's a Leona's and a Giordanos if you walk north on Sheridan from the campus.


Leona's
6935 N. Sheridan
Chicago , IL 60626
773-764-5757

Giordano's
(773)262-1313
6836 N. SHERIDAN RD.

As far as bars are concerned, there's Hamilton's (which is where I was told Julia Roberts spent her 21st b-day while filming Flatliners on Loyola's campus), which is your basic college bar, Bruno's Lounge--local dive, and the Red Line Tap, which is connected to the Heartland Cafe.

Hamilton's Lounge
6431 N. Broadway, Chicago
Tel: (773) 764-8133

Bruno's Lounge
6562 N. Sheridan
Chicago, iL
773.764.7900

Red Line Tap
Bar/Tavern
7006 N. Glenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
773.274.3239

Also, try this link: Rogers Park.com

eatchicago wrote:Josephine, Are you trying to compile a comprehensive list of everything within walking distance or just "recommended" places?

I think everything good within walking distance is the way to go for the dinner list. I say this because there are a couple of places I'd like to steer people away from, but I don't think it's proper in this context to list places to avoid. Omitting them from the list seems OK, though. That said, particularly at breakfast and lunch, eating well may be the last thing on the minds of some participants, and so I will include a few places (Starbuck's, Chipotle) in a separate category based on proximity alone.

I think this group, (highly creative people from a wide range of disciplines with a significant international contingent), may be looking for new experiences in dining. So I am particularly glad that all of you who have responded to this post are figuring in some less well-known cuisines. Has anyone tried the African restaurant on the North side of Devon at Glenwood? I'm sorry that B&M Bakery closed down, since their cevapcici were quite good, and Bosnian cooking doesn't hit the radar of most American diners too often.

I am also planning a few organized dining events during the conference. I'm thinking that Hae Woon Dae might be a good idea, but am wondering how large a crowd they might be able to manage. (These folks would so be into the tatami thing). I would be open to suggestions for other Korean spots, as I am not familliar with many. I'm not remembering if the kitchen at Chicago Food Corp is open at dinner time, but that could be a perfect fit for this group, combined with an amble around the store.

d4v3-- Thanks for the picnic ideas. Good call.

Josephine wrote:I'm sorry that B&M Bakery closed down, since their cevapcici were quite good, and Bosnian cooking doesn't hit the radar of most American diners too often.

Josephine,

In that instance La Unica, which was mentioned, would be a good call. Cuban food is off most peoples radar, the physical space, in the back of a grocery, is interesting and, most importantly, the food is very good.

I have a few La Unica pics up from a recent lunch with the Mike G family here

Hae Woon Dae has a larger tatami room, which I'd guess fits at least 20. (call to check)

Enjoy,
Gary

La Unica
1515 W Devon
Chicago, IL 60660
773-274-7788

whiskeybent wrote: As far as bars are concerned, there's Hamilton's (which is where I was told Julia Roberts spent her 21st b-day while filming Flatliners on Loyola's campus), which is your basic college bar, Bruno's Lounge--local dive, and the Red Line Tap, which is connected to the Heartland Cafe.

Hamilton's Lounge
6431 N. Broadway, Chicago
Tel: (773) 764-8133

Bruno's Lounge
6562 N. Sheridan
Chicago, iL
773.764.7900

Thanks, whiskeybent. While I am familiar with the Red Line Tap, I have never been to the other two.( My favorite place in the area is Cuneen's on Devon). It's been awhile since college for me, so when you say "basic college bar" do you mean lots of TV's blaring sports? This is a deal-breaker for the talkative crowd I am working with.

Also, re: Bruno's, what's the vibe? Friendly or "club-members only"?

By the way, I have only ever been outside at Moody's. If the weather is bad, how noisy is the inside?

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Re: Hamiltons, from Centerstage:

Do you miss the old frat house? If you do, check out Hamilton's on any night of the week. Hamilton's is a another one of Loyola's college bars, though it is often frequented by Northwestern students as well. The atmosphere is loud and friendly. There are a lot of students dancing and flirting. The beer selection is not plentiful, but the prices sure are cheap.The music is pop/rock/dancey, though there are occasional bands in back (for which a small cover is usually charged).

It's been quite a while since I was in Hamilton's but as I recall it's dark, has fairly cheap beers, a few TVs, and your standard Dave Matthews/Jimmy Eat World/AOR Rock on the jukebox. Nothing spectacular but it's a short walk. However, if your conference takes place while school is out I'd imagine it's a completely different beast.

Bruno's I threw in moreso for humor value, which you'll understand when you see the place. It's attached to a liquor store, the bar is very short with a handful of old men usually attached to the barstools. But usually free of undergrads, so if you're looking to avoid the 18-25 year old set, maybe it'd be fun to slum it there for a drink or two, on the way to the Red Line Tap.

Josephine,

You don't say whether the people attending are local or not or the age group. That's a consideration for a walking guide, especially in what can be a rough neighborhood. If they are local, then they'll know the area and you can go farther afield, trusting them to have city instincts. If they are clueless tourists, you probably want to keep walking within a few blocks of your conference site. Ditto if they are older and/or nonvigorous types.

For example, it's a mile walk from the northwest edge of the campus to the Heartland, which is farther than I'd care to send people on foot.

Map

I have not been there, but I've heard positive things about

Speakeasy Supper Club
773/338-0600
1401 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago

Josephine wrote:It's been awhile since college for me, so when you say "basic college bar" do you mean lots of TV's blaring sports? This is a deal-breaker for the talkative crowd I am working with.

Hamilton's is somewhat of a Loyola institution, owned by a local Irish family. It can be loud and rowdy, and I don't think your crew would feel at home there (unless they are under 25). Unfortunately, most of the bars within walking distance of Loyola probably wouldn't fit your needs.

The Poitin Stil (pronounced poochin stil) on Jarvis is a pleasant neighborhood place with a very diverse and extremely friendly crowd, which closely reflects the neighborhood. It is very conducive to conversation, except when they have music on Fridays and Saturdays (even then it is not too loud). It has big floor to ceiling windows looking out on the neighborhood and the el tracks. However, it is a little ways north of Loyola(about 7400 N). They don't serve food, but the bar doesn't object to outside food and there is a decent fast food grill across the street with hot dogs, burgers and beefs (and surprisingly good BulGoKi). There is also a fancy schmantzy new wood-oven pizza place opening next door. However, I would not recommend the Indian/Pakistani place across the street (see my post in the "worst thing you have eaten lately" thread).

For a club with jazz, folk and world music that is closer to Loyola, there is the Morseland (on Morse of course). They also serve decent food and have a sidewalk patio for lunch. Of course, the best place to take out of towners for great jazz and an authentic time-warp experience (complete with lots of second-hand smoke) is the Green Mill.

A ways south of Loyola, you have Simon's and of course the Hopleaf. West of there you have The Edgewater Lounge on Ashland which has an outdoor patio, great beer and good food. They also have music on weekends. For a quieter atmosphere in that area, I would recommend the Fireside lounge mentioned above. Great beer selection, decent food, huge covered deck and open until 4 am.

Morseland
1218 W. Morse Ave
Chicago, IL 60626
773.764.8900

Edgewater Lounge
5600 N. Ashland, Chicago
Tel: (773) 878-3343

Poitin Stil
1502 W. Jarvis Ave.
Chicago
773-338-3285

Simon's Tavern
5210 N. Clark St.
773-878-0894

Hopleaf
5148 N. Clark
Chicago
Tel: (773) 334-9851

Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway
Chicago
Tel: (773) 878-5552

Most of these places, with the exception of Morseland would not really be considered within walking distance.

LAZ wrote:That's a consideration for a walking guide, especially in what can be a rough neighborhood. If they are local, then they'll know the area and you can go farther afield, trusting them to have city instincts. If they are clueless tourists, you probably want to keep walking within a few blocks of your conference site.

In defense of my hood, it is not nearly as sinister as it was a few years ago. However, the area around Heartland can still be dangerous at night. During the day, I would not worry very much at all. If people stick to the Lakefront and Sheridan Road, they should be fine.

Nobody has mentioned Carmen's, which I think is a better Pizza choice than Giordano's and certainly better than Leona's

I have to reiterate Cafe Suron as an excellent choice within easy walking distance. The kebabs there are great (I think they have some of the best lamb in the city). The appetizers are all wonderful, and there are lots of veggie friendly options. The only thing I don't like much is the fish (it is OK but boring). Just down the street from there is a pier that you can walk out on for a breathtaking view of downtown to the south and Northwestern U to the north. On a clear day, you can see the smokestacks in Gary Indiana.

d4v3 wrote:In defense of my hood, it is not nearly as sinister as it was a few years ago. However, the area around Heartland can still be dangerous at night. During the day, I would not worry very much at all. If people stick to the Lakefront and Sheridan Road, they should be fine.

I am a regular at Lifeline Theatre, and a reasonably frequent visitor to the Heartland and the Morseland Supper Club (both of which I do recommend, even if I wouldn't want to walk there from Loyola) and I know the neighborhood well, which is why I said city people would be fine. But there is a police camera set up there for a reason, and it's not to spy on illicit foie gras dealing.

LAZ wrote:But there is a police camera set up there for a reason, and it's not to spy on illicit foie gras dealing.

Now remember, it is Joe Moore's ward. So they may very well be looking for Foie Gras dealers, especially near the Heartland.

In defense of my hood, it is not nearly as sinister as it was a few years ago. However, the area around Heartland can still be dangerous at night. During the day, I would not worry very much at all. If people stick to the Lakefront and Sheridan Road, they should be fine.

I live in RP, too, and I think it's actually worse than it was, say, four years ago. I've had three fatal gang shootings within half a mile of my place in the past year, the most recent being half a block away - at 7:30 PM on a Friday evening. The gang conflicts are increasing, as is the open drug-dealing, and also becoming increasingly violent.

As the saying goes, I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. I would never, EVER walk around in my neighborhood after dark.

Josephine wrote:Has anyone tried the African restaurant on the North side of Devon at Glenwood?

The name of the restaurant next to Cuneen's is Toham African Restaurant, and it is Nigerian. I decided to stop by there and check it out tonight. What I found out, is that it is closed on Tuesdays. Looking through the windows, it seemed very pleasant, and the pictures of the food looked good (for what that is worth). They seem to also sell baked goods. The menu looked more interesting than Vee-Vee's. I will go back soon when it is open, and post here. Oh yeah, there are also a couple of Thai restaurants on that stretch of Devon, I think one nearest Loyola is called Thai Spice. I don't know much about it. Next door to La Unica is another, never been there either.

Having found Toham closed, I went up the street to LaUnica. I don't know why I don't go there more often. Eventhough it is sort of a cafeteria, the ambience is wonderful. The food is great. It is very rudimentary, but tasty and cheap. We had ox tails and smoked pork chops. It should definitely go at the top of your list (although it is a fairly long hike up Devon from the campus). One thing I don't get about La Unica is all the photos of the Pacific Northwest. What's that about? I thought I was at my Uncle's place on Vancouver Island.

Toham African Restaurant
1422 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60660-1312
(773) 973-4602

Vee-Vee's African Restaurant
6232 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 465-2424

Thai Spice Restaurant
1320 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 973-0504

sundevilpeg wrote:I live in RP, too, and I think it's actually worse than it was, say, four years ago ... As the saying goes, I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. I would never, EVER walk around in my neighborhood after dark.

I guess security is subjective. Compared to when I moved to RP 15 years ago, it has improved greatly. However, I know that as cops chased the drug trade from Howard St (as part of Joe Moore's renovation project), it moved down the red-line first to Jarvis then to Morse. Where I live(just north of Touhy), it got bad a few years ago, but has become much safer since then(at least it feels that way). Anyhow, http://www.forum49.org/ is probably a better forum for this discussion.

G Wiv wrote:I have a few La Unica pics up from a recent lunch with the Mike G family here

Hae Woon Dae has a larger tatami room, which I'd guess fits at least 20. (call to check)

Gary, thanks for this suggestion. I'm ashamed to say that I have never been in La Unica. (You'll keep that under your hat, won't you?) I will indeed call Hae Woon Dae to check on tatami room availability.

d4v3 wrote:The name of the restaurant next to Cuneen's is Toham African Restaurant, and it is Nigerian. I decided to stop by there and check it out tonight. What I found out, is that it is closed on Tuesdays. Looking through the windows, it seemed very pleasant, and the pictures of the food looked good (for what that is worth). They seem to also sell baked goods. The menu looked more interesting than Vee-Vee's. I will go back soon when it is open, and post here

d4v3, you are too kind. Sorry you got shut out on your visit to Toham, but if you do get there, I would appreciate it very much if you post.

LAZ, sundevilpeg, and d4v3,

Thank you for your candid comments on safety in the area. I am aware that there have been some very disturbing events in the area around the Jarvis stop, but I have never been in an uncomfortable situation there during the day. In terms of the conference participants, I'd guess that a wide range of urban awareness will be represented, and many participants are from Europe and South Africa. It seems likely that most would prefer the simplicity of taking a cab to hunting around the nearby unfamiliar streets for a place to eat. One thing I do know is that no one will dine alone. This is a group of people with deep ties, (kind of like a group of summer campers that returns year after year) and nary an introvert in sight. A bit over the top for me, and that's saying something.

I have lived in the neighborhood for 13 years (all in a three block radius with Loyola being my closest L stop) and feel it is definitely safer than it was several years ago. But if you go to Morse, I agree that it has gone downhill even further. We were just looking at some old pictures tonight and I was freaked out at how clean Morse looked.

I really appreciate the efforts of all who took the time to respond. I know that the spirit of the conference will be enhanced by the good food and drink Chicago has to offer. Thanks, everyone!