Northbrook cheap and good lunch options
Northbrook cheap and good lunch options
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Northbrook cheap and good lunch options
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Post #1 - May 26th, 2006, 10:54 amEvery time it is lunch time I am puzzled on what and where to eat. I haven't found anything good around Northbrook area for cheap and good lunch options. What are some suggestions for tacquerias, Italian beefs, etc... I work around Dundee and Saunders and a little drive is fine with me.
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Post #2 - May 26th, 2006, 10:59 amI feel your pain! I work up by Lake Cook & 294. Today, we are going to Pita Inn on Elmhurst just south of Dundee for lunch. Can't beat the business lunch special for $3.95!
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Post #3 - May 26th, 2006, 11:11 amYeah, I know of that place. Been there too much!!! I have seen a couple of tacquerias on the way over there. But, not too sure if they are any good.
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Post #4 - May 26th, 2006, 11:17 amMario wrote:What are some suggestions for tacquerias, Italian beefs, etc...
I don't know if "etc." includes sandwiches and very fine chicken soup, but if so, you should try Once Upon a Grill at the northeast corner of Dundee and Pfingsten.JiLS
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Post #5 - May 26th, 2006, 11:27 amSzechuan North is a pretty tasty, American-style Chinese Buffet. It's located at the corner of Willow and Pfingsten.
2857 Pfingsten Rd
Glenview, 60026
(847) 272-0007
I'm not a huge fan but Charlie Beinlich turns out a very popular burger. They're located on Skokie Blvd, just north of Dundee.
290 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, 60062
(847) 714-9375
Barnaby's Family Inn turns out excellent, ultra-thin-crust pizzas and other decent pub grub. They're at the corner of Dundee and Skokie Blvd.
960 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, 60062
(847) 498-3900
Kuhn's International Deli has a great cafe and their German/Euro specialties are excellent and reasonably priced. They're in Deerbrook Mall, on Waukegan Rd, just north of Dundee Road.
160B Waukegan Road
Deerfield, 60015
847-272-4197
Little Louie's in Northbrook is a decent Vienna Beef joint. Good stuff, some of it better than average. Last time I was there for a combo, the sausage was great but the beef was a little bit dry.
1342 Shermer Rd
Northbrook, 60062
(847) 498-1033
=R=Last edited by ronnie_suburban on May 26th, 2006, 1:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #6 - May 26th, 2006, 11:29 amI'll have to try that place out. I see it when I go to Jake's Pizza in the same strip plaza.
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Post #7 - May 26th, 2006, 12:39 pmIra's is on Sanders across the street from Dominick's. One of the better Chicago dog spots in the northern burbs, imo.
There's a serviceable Korean restaurant, Seoul Garden, where Sanders meets Milwaukee.
And the pizza at Go Roma, on Dundee where Fluky's used to be, isn't too bad.
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Post #8 - May 26th, 2006, 1:05 pmDY wrote:Ira's is on Sanders across the street from Dominick's. One of the better Chicago dog spots in the northern burbs, imo.
There's a serviceable Korean restaurant, Seoul Garden, where Sanders meets Milwaukee.
And the pizza at Go Roma, on Dundee where Fluky's used to be, isn't too bad.
Whoops! Forgot about Ira's. Definitely some good stuff there. They turn out a variety of different grilled chicken sandwiches and some of them are very tasty. I also remember liking their fries; not hand-cut but well-prepared and very tasty for foodservice-type.
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #9 - May 26th, 2006, 1:14 pmHmm... Depending on where in Northbrook, the Pita Inn in Niles (on Milwaukee between Greenwood and Central) might be closer than the one in Wheeling.
Little Louie's is a pale shade of its original incarnation a few doors down: when they moved, I think they had to change the fryer oil and it's just not the same. They're overpriced and just not worth it. I'd rather go to Ira's or Gold Coast Dogs in The Glen.
I've written a couple of times about Monica's (tacqueria -- very good and cheap) and The Dog Walk (obvious) at Palatine and Milwaukee (in the same building as Irv's Men's Store, on opposite sides). Depending on where in Northbrook, it's a quick drive.
As a high school student at Glenbrook North many years ago, lack of decent quick or fast food in the center of town was always a major annoyance. It really hasn't changed much.What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang
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Post #10 - May 26th, 2006, 5:40 pmJoelF wrote:Hmm... Depending on where in Northbrook, the Pita Inn in Niles (on Milwaukee between Greenwood and Central) might be closer than the one in Wheeling.
From the Dundee/Sanders intersection, I think the Wheeling Pita Inn is closer.As a high school student at Glenbrook North many years ago, lack of decent quick or fast food in the center of town was always a major annoyance. It really hasn't changed much.
As a fellow GBN alum, I concur.
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Post #11 - May 26th, 2006, 7:10 pmThere is the Magic Pan in Northbrook Court. Not everyday fare, but nice for a change.
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Post #12 - May 28th, 2006, 8:20 pmWhile not the cheapest... my goto has become Anton's Fruit Market on Skokie Blvd, just South of Clavey. They have an excellent salad/fruit bar which is constantly stocked with fresh ingredients, 4-5 kinds of fresh soup, and a solid deli counter serving sandwiches or other prepared foods.
a bag of stacy's pita chips, and a pomegranate juice and i'm fortified for the rest of the day and the traffic back into the city.
otherwise, for sit down we like georgie v's in the sunset foods center in northbrook.
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Post #13 - May 29th, 2006, 9:57 amI will have to try out some of these suggestions. Had lunch on Friday at Pita Inn once again.
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Post #14 - May 29th, 2006, 10:21 amAlso in the strip mall w/DQ and Once Upon a Grill is Kaboff's Deli. For about $6-7 you can get a sandwich, potato salad/chips, and a drink.
Kaboff's
2774 Dundee Rd
Northbrook, 60062
(847) 272-3390
Is Piero's Pizza near Go Roma still open? I haven't been there in about 2 years, but they had a $5 lunch special - pizza, salad, and pop.
Piero's Pizza
3125 Dundee Rd
Northbrook, 60062
(847) 498-5700Last edited by Pucca on May 29th, 2006, 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post #15 - May 29th, 2006, 11:33 amA dude in my office really likes the lunch offerings at Elegance in Meats. They have a daily lunch cafeteria set-up where they offer several main dishes, hot and cold sides, a salad bar, sandwich bar, and several soups. It's strictly carry-out, though.
Elegance in Meats
3135 Dundee Rd
Northbrook, 60062
(847) 480-6328
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #16 - May 30th, 2006, 7:42 amThere's a small Italian joint on Skokie Blvd. between Lake Cook and Dundee Road.
Francesco's Hole in the Wall
(847) 272-0155
254 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
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Post #17 - May 30th, 2006, 8:54 amsinos wrote:There's a small Italian joint on Skokie Blvd. between Lake Cook and Dundee Road.
Francesco's Hole in the Wall
(847) 272-0155
254 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
Yes! Delicious, fantastic, terrific but not exactly cheap and cash only.
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #18 - May 30th, 2006, 8:58 amFor lunch its not bad. You can get out with just $15. Dinner's a different story.
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Post #19 - May 30th, 2006, 9:45 amIf you go to Deerfield there are a few places.
Cooker's
469 Lake Cook Road (it's in a mall just west of Deerbrook Mall)
847-272-7222
A decent hot dog, etc place. It's one of my son's favorites for hot dogs.
Woodfire
360 Lake Cook Road
847-940-9300
Semi-fast food. The ½ chicken meal is excellent (order it Athenian style). Also, the chicken sandwich. The chickens really are cooked over wood -- you can see them going in the back of the restaurant. Avoid the hot dogs.
George's Whats Cooking
350 S. Waukegan Rd
847-412-9360
A good Greek family diner place. Wide range of choices, reasonable prices, good service. They do fish well. Lots of Jewish-style dishes also.
In Brookside mall across the road is:
Max & Benny's, which Steve Z rates highly as a deli.
and
Szechuan Kingdom, which is Americanized, but better than most Chinese places in the area. At lunch time they have a buffet which is tolerable. They change dishes frequently so it doesn't suffer from steam-table-itis they way most Chinese buffets do. They also have a "secret menu" which Cathy2 and I have written about previously.
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=885&highlight=szechuan+kingdom
Finally, I second Ronnie Suburban's recommendation of Kuhn's in Deerbrook Mall. It's long been a place for us to get our German food fix.Last edited by George R on June 17th, 2006, 2:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.Where there’s smoke, there may be salmon.
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Post #20 - June 1st, 2006, 12:41 pmWell, once again taquerias in the burbs disappoint. I went to the one on Wolf and Dundee called Taqueria Al Pastor and I ordered 3 carne asada tacos and rice and beans. The tortillas were store bought...I saw him take them out of the package. The meat wasn’t even heated up properly. It was chewy and over cooked. Well, hopefully I will find a good one, otherwise Baja Fresh and Chipotle will have to do.
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Post #21 - June 1st, 2006, 12:48 pmMario,
I've been in the same boat as you. I'm working up the road in Bannockburn. I've tried a couple of the taquerias in Highland Park and Highwood and I too prefer Chipotle. Which isn't all that bad, IMO. I also agree on the thead about Little Louie's. I reckon going to LL's at lunch when they were in the old shack of a building, also going to GBN in the 80's. Haven't been to the new location many times, maybe twice since I've been back in the area. But if you want fries that (again, IMO) resemble the old LL's, try Dear Franks in Deerfield, on Waukeegan Rd just north of Deerfield Rd. They give ample fries with their combos. Also, their hot dogs and burgers are great, and the staff is very fun and friendly.
Other lunch options to consider is the Whole Foods salad bar/deli counter in Deerfield, also at Waukeegan and Deerfield Rd. Not sure if that's too far of a drive for you.
Cheers,
Joel
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Post #22 - June 1st, 2006, 6:42 pmLong-time lurker, first-time poster.
I work on Lake Cook, near Sanders/Saunders, and can definitely second the recommendation for Kaboff's Deli. It's a great Jewish deli, with the best extra-lean corned beef I've ever had!
Thanks for all the reccomendations. Even though I've been working here since 1992, I don't go out to eat lunch nearly enough. Now that I've just moved up here (from Oak Park), I'm going to check some of these places out.
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Post #23 - June 9th, 2006, 9:23 amThere is this place call Sky Harbor. It use to be on a airport from what a co-worker said. I ate there yesterday and was quite pleased with it. It is a nice restaurant with table cloth service. But, the price was a great deal. They have an express lunch menu for items on their menu for ½ price. They are the same portion from what I see. But, most of it is salads, sandwiches and burgers.
Sky Habor Club
500 Anthony Trail
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-8111
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Post #24 - June 17th, 2006, 2:46 pmAnother option:
Shtram's Deli
341 E Dundee Rd (a few doors down from Eduardo's just east of Milwaukee)
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 520-5272
I stopped there today while biking along the Des Plaines River. They have a few tables where you can eat, they'll make sandwiches out of some interesting looking sausages, and they have some hot deli items, including kabobs, piroshiki, etc.
I had two meat filled items that fall under the general category of "Meat Pie": One was a piroshki $0.99, sort of an eggwashed bun filled with minced meat. It wasn't the most appetizing looking inside, sort of gray pasty shredded mass that could be anything from tuna to pork in appearance (I suspect something dairy to give it that grayish color), but had a sweet, lightly seasoned flavor that was great for an impromptu picnic. The other I didn't catch the name of but for $1.19 it was a large triangle of puff pastry filled with even more of the same meat. With a can of "The Pause that Refreshes", came to $2.95 -- a hearty and satisfying lunch.
n.b. Don't put a can of your "Pause" or other soft drinks in a bike water bottle holder, then pedal down dusty trails. The top of the can was covered with dirt and plant bits, clinging to the condensation.What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang
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Post #25 - June 17th, 2006, 5:20 pmCarniceria Jimenez, which is a Hispanic grocery store on the corner of Dundee and McHenry roads, has a great little cafe that offers a wide range of authentic selections. The store itself is a treat, as it has such a huge selection of Hispanic foods. If you want to go the picnic route, they have a great bakery and a nice prepared food section. But for indoor eating, the cafe, while very basic (lots of formica) is great, with everything from the familiar (tacos and chile relleno) to the slightly challenging (brain soup).
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Post #26 - June 17th, 2006, 8:58 pmI'll second Carniceria Jimenez. I was just there today doing my fathers day bbq shopping. A great variety of produce, fantastic meat counter( long wait on weekends) and the aforementioned bakery/dine in section. I like it so much, my kids gave me gift certificates from there for Christmas.
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Post #27 - June 17th, 2006, 11:44 pmFor the sake of completeness I will add that the Jimenez Carniceria that DBigg and Cynthia mentinoned must be here:
Carnicerias Jimenez Wheeling
550 W Dundee Rd
Wheeling, IL
847-229-9295
(please correct me if I'm wrong)
-ramon
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Post #28 - June 18th, 2006, 12:16 amI have been in that grocery store several times during lunch to get some groceries, but never gave that place a try...dunno why. But, I see a lot of people eating. I will give that place a try when I get a carne asada taco craving.
This past week I went to Elegance in Meats and I was surprised...it was really good. They only deal with take out and they are also a butcher shop. You get a lot of good food for around $5. They have different specials every day. So, there is variety to be had.
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Post #29 - June 18th, 2006, 1:07 amWell, if Wheeling isn't too far to go, besides the aforementioned branches of Pita Inn and Edwardo's, there's Chicago Bagel, which has good sandwiches and great bagels; a branch of Hackney's, known for its burgers and onion loaf; and Skipper's, a decent gyros stand with a lot of options.
I also used to like Golden Chef, a Cantonese place, and I Am Siam, but I haven't been to either in so long I won't vouch for them.
Wheeling has one of the better branches of El Famous Burrito, as well as Taqueria el Pastor, which I haven't tried.
Pita Inn
847/808-7733 www.pitainn.com
122 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling
Edwardo's Natural Pizza
847/520-0666 www.edwardos.com
401 E. Dundee Road, Wheeling
Chicago Bagel & Bialy Deli
847/459-9009 www.chicagobagel.com
260 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
Hackney's
847/537-2100 www.hackneys.net
241 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
Skipper's
847/541-0200
120 S. Elmhurst Road, Wheeling
Golden Chef
847/537-7100
600 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
I Am Siam
847/419-0698
Arlington Club Commons
1 Huntington Lane (at Dundee), Wheeling
El Famous Burrito
847/808-8014 www.elfamousburrito.net
236 McHenry Road, Wheeling
Taqueria el Pastor
847/808-8992
46 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling
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Post #30 - June 18th, 2006, 4:11 amHi,
The following place remains at this location. While I went there for lunch 3 years ago, I think it would be worthwhile to visit again at least to update the information. They may have improved their service or you may find the food meets your approval. I do recall the prices were reasonable.
Since I will on occasion eat at the lunch counter at Chicago Food Corp, I think I may even manage this situation better today than I did 3 years ago. You have my old post as an orientation. If you do go, I hope you will update us on the experience.
Cathy2, April 12, 2003 wrote:Hi!
Last weekend while navigating to a housesale, we passed an L-shaped strip mall at the intersection [northeast corner] of Willow and Pfingsten Roads. My friend mentioned there was a Korean market in there. A surprise to me as I pass this area often. So after spending a few bucks purchasing someone elses memories, we headed back to check it out.
This is principally a Korean market with other asian ingrediants included, such as Philippino pastries, ect. This place was definitely a find for us. Instead of making bulgogi myself from scratch or picking up some in the city, I can now buy ready-to-cook bulgogi relatively close to me.
My friend bought thinly sliced meats to make Mongolian Hot Pot promised to her family. We both bought Ready to cook Bulgogi, which both our families enjoyed. She bought what seemed to be a gallon container of kimchi for roughly $5.99. I took the quart container which sold for $3.99. In her case, it is a 2-3 month supply, for me perhaps a year or more. Later in the day, when we were on Argyle the same gallon container was 1-2 dollars more.
They also have a small lunch counter with a menu consisting of maybe 11 items written in Korean with an english transliteration.
Later in the week to fulfill our families desire for bulgogi, we returned for lunch. The only item I recognized was bibim bop, everything else was Korean to me. We asked a patron in the store to explain the various items before we approached the counter.
Initially at the counter, nobody was there either cook or patron. We were even wondering if any food was being served, though we were somewhat encouraged by steam coming off a pot. The shop manager approached inquiring about our intentions. She seemed pleased and surprised at our desire to eat there. Then she advised only two menu items are prepared per day. Today it was Bibim bop for $5.99 and a soup with rice for $4.99. We took one of each.
My first knowledge of bibim bop came from a library book. IN fact, most of my knowledge for korean food - beyond bulgogi - has come from this same book. In the illustration, it is a bowl of rice with neatly arranged vegetables, fried egg and bulgogi, which I have had since in various Korean restaurants.
The Hyundai Super variant had a separate rice bowl, then a large soup bowl with bland vegetables, ground beef and a fried egg. Not real super tasting. My friend's rice soup was bland to be pointless why it was offered. There seemed nothing flavorful to it, so she doctored it up with condiments to make it passable.
We did have an entertaining conversation with a caucasian customer who was simply shocked we were eating at the counter. He was picking ready-to-heat soup for his lunch, a regular option for him, but it had never occured to him to eat there. Too bad he didn't linger, I could have told him to maintain his current modis operandi.
Eating at the lunch counter is not something we plan to repeat. However, we were definitely satisfied with the selection in meat, fish, panchan and other asian exotica.
Regards,
Cathy2
Hyundai Supermarket
2837 Pfingsten Road
Glenview, IL 60025
847-480-8977Cathy2
"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
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