Lakeview/Boystown

I'm looking for a casual dinner spot tonight easily walkable from the Belmont Red/Brown line stop, as I'm meeting friends visiting for the Gay Games and they're not too familiar with the city. I don't frequent this neighborhood often for dining. In fact, surprisingly, since I really like the neighborhood, I can't even name over 5 cafes or restaurants in Boystown I can recommend. At any rate, we're open to any type of cuisine.

I've been recommending Vien Dong for years. Quality, inexpensive Vietnamese cuisine in a low-key setting. It's BYOB.

Vien Dong
3227 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-6879

1. Socca
2. X/O
3. Hearty Boys (HB Cafe now, if you like heavier food)
4. Mia Fransesca
5. Firefly (Havent been in ages, but always seems popular)
6. Erwin (Maybe a litle far to walk)
7. Yoshi's ( Never been, but it is right there)

Ping Pong, for chinese, up a couple of blocks on B'way, from the Belmont intersection, a few stores up from Caribou Coffee. Outdoor cafe is nice, only a few tables inside. Pretty inexpensive, if I remember correctly.

I'm up near the Belmont El quite a bit -- and here are few I love to go to:

Mi Tierra (cheap decent mexican with a festive atmosphere and good drinks -- and some tasty salsa!)
Jack's on Halsted (at Halsted and Belmont) a little more upscale in price but not a bad dinner at all)

I also like Pizza Capri -- which is right at the corner of Sheffield and Belmont -- it's not going to win any awards but it's kind of cute and inexpensive and the food I've had there was surprisingly good. It's perfect for a casual get together.

There's also Clarke's -- which is primarily a breakfast joint but also serves liquor and has a decent sandwich/entree menu. It's definitely a diner but again, a great casual and inexpensive place to eat.


Clarke's
930 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago

Mi Tierra Mexican Restaurant
1039 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago

Jack's on Halsted (Jack's American Blend)
3201 N. Halsted St.
Chicago

Enjoy!

shannon

We used to like Cornelia's, at Cornelia just off Halsted, when we lived in the neighborhood. I think it's still there. Signature dish: The Pork Chops.

If you're looking for something very fun and festive (strong margaritas, pretty good basic Mexican food)..check out Cesar's...walk a few short blocks east on Belmont from the EL, turn right on Clark...just a few doors down...look for the big pink neon lettering....nice diverse crowd...gay, straight, yuppie, punks...young and old...all getting a little more bombed than they think they are (these sneak up on you)....bartenders constantly passing out free shot of Tequila...

Seconding Vien Dong. Best jackfruit shake I've had south of Argyle and north of Chinatown.

Vien Dong it was! Thanks so much for the recommendation. I live closer to Argyle and do take-out from Tank at least twice a month, but Vien Dong is just as good as any place along Argyle/Broadway. All of my guests really enjoyed their meals, and we had a little fun with our server who said he had the menu memorized (Letter&number with names). So, we quizzed him. He knew his stuff. "E9?!?" "Stir fried lemongrass beef!" he answered!

This is the only thread I can find the Belmont location of Mi Tierra mentioned- how is it? I'm going to a show at The Vic this weekend and a co-worker who lived in that area suggested it. Is it better than Cesar's? Only been there once and thought it was awful, like where people who define Taco Bell as good Mexican go when they want something fancy.

Said co-worker is also going to the concert, but may or may not be joining us for dinner. She's a really picky eater (with not especially high standards- just not adventurous), so if Mi Tierra is bad, I'm looking for other "safe" recommendations.

If you specifically want Mexican I think the best in the area is cafe el tapatio at ashland and roscoe. They don't take reservations so you will need to arrive by six or so on the weekend.

If it doesn't have to be Mexican (I've never had good Mexican food in the neighborhood), I'd recommend Sapori. Solid but not mind-blowing neighborhood Italian a few blocks south, and always a good bet for picky eaters.

Sapori Trattoria
2701 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

I used to live down the street from the Vic -- would definitely say avoid Mi Tierra if possible (and Cesar's) if you can. Dreadful food from what I recall from my one visit 5 years ago.

A block or so south on Sheffield is DMK burger bar and Fish bar which I like a lot. Socca or Mia Francesca on Clark are not too far away if you want something slightly nicer and broad appeal.

Agree on the El Tapatio recommendation as well (slightly further away) as the best casual Mexican food in the general area. I also think Northdown Cafe or New England Seafood on Lincoln north of Belmont are good, and in similar area.

The best Mexican food I have had in the area is at El Nuevo Mexicano Restaurant on 2914 N. Clark. Another poster mentioned Socca and if you do not require Mexican cuisine, Socca is by far my favorite venue in the area (I love Socca so much I have been over 50 times)! Socca is Italian with some French influence and is on 3301 N. Clark. Both of these venues accept reservations via Open Table.

La Gondola on Belmont is walking distance (1258 W. Belmont, less than a 1/2 mile west)--it won't win awards but is a completely respectable option for Italian in that hood. Also, the BBQ at Sheffield's (just up the block on Sheffield and School) has always been pretty decent if that appeals.

Thanks for the warning on Mi Tierra, and for the additional suggestions. I've been to El Tapatio and it is really good!

I'd like to second Fish Bar, and add that Andy's Thai Kitchen is also nearby.

Down the block from Fish Bar is an Italian place called Soprano's that's been around for 15 years or so. We like the food. Experts on Italian cuisine might say the food is not truly Italian--I wouldn't know--but it's what most Americans would recognize as Italian, and we're well-pleased just about every time we go there. The place--formerly Carlucci's Cafe--changed it's name when The Sopranos was all the rage, which was a point against it. (It seemed an inauthentic and slightly desperate move.) But like I say, almost to our continual surprise, we enjoy what we eat there.

I'll add a thumbs up to Andy's Thai Kitchen.