Budget eats anywhere near Fitzgeralds?

This is sort of a semi-related question to the Q's thing. We are looking for good eats, semi-budget (less than $15 per person) and anywhere between Villa Park and Berwyn....any other suggestions?

How's about Salerno's, on Roosevelt just east of Harlem in Berwyn (or has it moved now?). Good, classic chicago italian. VI has posted nice things about it recently.

Depending on what time+day you'll be there, you can also jaunt over to Freddy's, just west of Austin on 16th st in Cicero. Excellent pizzas, gelati, italian antipasti, breads, italian ice, etc. More of a deli than anything else, but it has climate controlled seating and it's an all around great place.

Salerno's is still on the south side of Roosevelt. Freddy's is only open till 7, and never on Sunday, but frankly is good enough that if you don't get out this way often it would be worth coming a little early to get there. It always helps to show up early at Fitzgerald's anyway.

There's also, of course, a ton of Mexican on Cermak just south of Fitzgeralds. Lately we've been partial to La Quinta but there are lots of other choices. This post lists some more possibilities.

And don't forget to check out EatChicago's great GNR map!

Don't forget Priscilla's Ultimate Soul Food at 4330 W. Roosevelt Rd., Hillside.

It's in one of the linked posts, but really, La Quebrada seems like an obvious, and close, choice.

There is a nice little Italian place in the Berwyn Depot District called La Notte. It's right along the Burlington tracks, just West of Oak Park Avenue. Almost right next door to La Notte is another Salerno's (a different brother). Either place is very good, I think either one would meet your $15 criteria.

This is probably useless for Friday, but does anyone know when the Wishbone at Fitzgerald's will finally open? I keep checking both places' websites, but no concrete news so far.

www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

www.wishbonechicago.com

Kristen

This was on a Berwyn chat room, supposedly off Fitzgerald's website:

We are very happy to report that we have leased the space next door (6611, formerly the Roosevelt Grill) to Chicago's famed Wishbone restaurant, which will take some time to spruce the place up and should be opening here in Berwyn some time in the early fall. Until that time we will not offer food on a daily basis, but Wishbone will continue our Sunday dinner service with a buffet from 5-8, available in the club and in the beer garden. (Call (708) 788-2118, x. 26 for details). We'll also be teaming up for some of the bigger shows, so keep an eye on the calendar!

They are actually working on the space, so it really is happening.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. Another member of the party has suggested Sandbar in Brookfield. Anyone been? Is it worth a visit? I'm laughing as I write this because this is just dinner...yet I do this every time I go out to eat!!

A couple of other places that I like that have not been mentioned:

El Chimbombo, a bricks and mortar place from one of the Maxwell Street eyeball taco guys. This place is actually about fresh masa and not tacos al vapor. It's on Cermak near Oak Park Ave.

Flamingo is near Chimbombo and sells 101 flavors of ice cream, sherberts and ices, most of them interesting and most of them good (a few, of course, interesting but not good and a few good but not interesting).

Zacatacos is on Cermak around Ridgeland and is my favorite for steak and pastor tacos.

Hard to get over $15 at any of these places.

JeffB wrote:It's in one of the linked posts, but really, La Quebrada seems like an obvious, and close, choice.

I'll second JeffB here. The LaQ in Cicero is close, and has become my standby dinner place when heading out to Fitzgerald's.

The Sandbar in Brookfield is a cool lil' spot. I've been there on Friday nights when they have live music. They have a nice selection of beer - not huge, but varied. As far as the food goes ... the menu has a good variety of items. I was very happy with the bbq pork sandwich as well as the crabcake appetizer. The pizza margherita is tasty too. Some of the sauces they use are on the strong side, but if you like garlic you'll be happy as a pig in mud.

I'm not crazy about their tiki drinks though ... a lil too sweet for me. (Then again if you're lookin for Mai-Tai's & Zombies you should hit Chef Shangrila at DesPlaines & 26th street).

For cheap Bohemian eats, don't forget the Riverside Restaurant located on the west side of Harlem Avenue about one block south of the Burlington tracks. Go for the goulash with spaetzle, or anything in the pork family (roast, breaded, etc.). Generally less than $10 per entree, including soup, kraut, rye bread to die for, and a minor dessert.

Want a pretty darn good Italian beef? Try Novi's at Oak Park and Ogden or Buona at Roosevelt and Oak Park Avenues.

I went to Chef Shangri-La at 26th and DesPlaines in North Riverside last week; they have revamped the menu so its less Polynesian, and more Cantonese/Thai influences. No more flaming pu-pu platters! And the exotic drink menu has been scaled back, too, although I still think you can order a Dr. Fong or a Blue Hawaiian. Same garish decor, though.

Sandbar seems more like a place for small plates than dinner, though full portions are available. It wasn't very crowded the evening we were there, but the . Just across the tracks is Irish Times at 8869 Burlington. Pretty decent pub fare and beer selection. It's cozy and comfortable, except on Friday nights when the popular fish fry packs 'em in.

Chew Chew Cafe in downtown Riverside is another option. You can order sandwiches and salads and keep it reasonably priced. In downtown LaGrange on Hillgrove just across from the Metra stop is Grapevine, which also fits the bill. The menu is fairly broad Mediterranean/Greek, and its casual and comfortable.

There's always Goldyburgers (7325 Circle or so) in Forest Park for a great burger before or after the show and you'll have a lot of change from you $15.00.

What is the name of the pizza place right across from Fitzgeralds? I went there for a rehearsal dinner and the pizza was pretty good. I think it is an old house converted to a restaurant.

Here's another possibility not yet mentioned. Yum Thai on Madison in Forest Park.

Lots more detail in this post.