ANYTHING worth eating near Clybourn and Diversey?

This problem has plagued my household for some time now. Mr. Nanner-sammywiches and I do the bulk of our grocery shopping at the Dominick's on Clybourn, in between Fullerton and Diversey- the "Fresh Store". Oftentimes, I force him to accompany me on this journey, and oftentimes we are so woefully low on groceries that we need to eat dinner out somewhere before venturing into the flourescent glare of the Dom's. Never, ever go grocery shopping hungry, I have learned.

Is there anything fast, relatively healthy and relatively cheap hidden away somewhere within a few blocks of the Dominick's? I have vowed to never, ever eat Subway, ever again as everytime I do it feels vaguely unsatisfying and as if it's over too quickly which, as most women here will contend, is never a feeling a lady wants to have. I also try to avoid fast food at all costs.

I'm sure there's some sandwich shop or something I've missed in that general area: let's say between fullerton and diversey, with ashland being the easternmost boundary and damen being the western boundary.

Anyone have any ideas? Or am I doomed to a Subway turkey sandwich composed mainly of substandard lunchmeat, pink tomatoes and air?

You could easily upgrade to Potbelly's on Clyborne and Webster. There's also a Pequod's Pizza outpost right near the same intersection.

The Vienna Beef factory store is pretty close by, on Damen just north of Fullerton. I don't know about healthy, though. And the hours are pretty limited.

The north side Leon's is on Ashland just north of Fullerton, but I'm not even sure if it's still there, let alone if it's any good. Last I heard, it was still there and not very good. Not a winning combination.

Sadly, those are the only things I can come up with.

Oh, there is the Athenian Room, on Webster just west of Halsted. That's not incredibly close, but it's within a couple miles, and it might be your best bet.

stevez wrote:You could easily upgrade to Potbelly's on Clyborne and Webster. There's also a Pequod's Pizza outpost right near the same intersection.

Thanks Steve.

I had thought about Pequod's, but it takes so darned long to get in and out of there, even if I call ahead. I try to not have our shopping excursion totally monopolize our evening, but, I'd certainly rather eat Pequod's than Subway.

Try Luna Caprese on Clyborne just north of Webster. Great homemade Ravioli.

I'm sure there's some sandwich shop or something I've missed in that general area: let's say between fullerton and diversey, with ashland being the easternmost boundary and damen being the western boundary.

There's nothing.

And it's understandable why. Clybourn used to be an industrial corridor. So were parts of some of those other streets-- Diversey had the big Johnson Controls plant, for instance. Little to no retail zoning, a lot of factories and warehouses.

When that stuff got redeveloped into retail, it was into big parcels of land for malls, with room for things like McDonald's and Subway. But before that it didn't really have any little old places that would have been interesting-- maybe a couple of hot dog places which have since bitten the dust. And that kind of mall space is usually too expensive and not walkable enough for the little guy. He's much better off renting a storefront on a street where people walk.

The closest area with longstanding retail is the stretch of Lincoln that includes Muskie's, Calliope Cafe (which is probably the closest thing to the sandwich place you hope for), etc. Or Western-- you're not far from all kinds of things on Western from Diversey on south.

A bit further south, but just off the Kennedy at North is the Hollywood Grill. I've only been there for breakfast, but it's got a nice 50s ambience, is friendly and easily accessible from the highway, and it serves dependable (I would think) diner food (with a Mexican slant) around the clock.

Hollywood Grill and Breakfast Restaurant
1601 W. North Ave.
773-395-1818

I've been wondering the same thing! My husband and I will go to Nick's Gyros at Diversey/Elston/Western in a pinch.

Just to be complete, there is a Taco Bell on Wrightwood at Clybourn. I think the Costco served hot dogs. Further east on Wrightwood is Augie's bar (not sure of the quality of food there) and at Wrightwood and Ashland is El Presidente. Not the best mexican food, but open 24/7.

Leon's is still open on Ashland north of Fullerton, and the above opinion is about on target. Further north on Ashland is Lincoln Park Noodle House, where I once had the worst dinner I've ever eaten in Chicago. It was so bad that after paying, we went next door to Leon's, which was stellar in comparison.

There are lots more choices on Fullerton east of Clybourn (including Sweets and Savories) , or even just south of Fullerton on Clybourn.

El Presidente
2558 N Ashland Ave
(773) 525-7938

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (except for one day last year during the immigrant rally/march.)

s4shon wrote:I've been wondering the same thing! My husband and I will go to Nick's Gyros at Diversey/Elston/Western in a pinch.

At that intersection. Tore's is a better fast food choice.

I have not been here, but you might want to try the Nada Tea & Coffee House. It is at Fullerton and Ashland. Their food menu was a collaboration with Sweet & Savories. Here's their website:
nada tea house


Nada Tea & Coffee House
1552 W. Fullerton Avenue (at Ashland)
Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: (773) 529-2239

You could grab a Polish or Pork Chop Sandwich at the Maxweel Street Polish stand at the intersection of Diversey/Clybourn/Damen.

And there's always Chuck E. Cheese!

Emperor Wok in that same shopping center (across from the Marshalls just south of the Dominicks) is somewhat erratic but can be o.k. for a quick bite. Buffet Palace, discussed elsewhere, isn't too far and, of course Popeyes is just a few blocks west... they do have the best red beans and rice on the north side. With a biscuit, this might be a good option (don't know about the healthy part tho). I also like the crayfish special they have fro time to time.

As for the Leons...it'still there . Turkey legs and hot links are actually quite good. And the link/tipcombo isn't bad either (some in my family prefer Leons tips to Honey !). The best thing they have though, is fried chicken. You need to be careful about this... if it's been sitting out under the lamps, take a pass. But...if you can get a fresh batch it can be really outstanding.

I love the croissants from Vanille. They do often run out, but the other little tartlets should tide you over for shopping, and it's just a cute place.

Vanille Patisserie
www.vanillepatisserie.com
2229 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 868-4574

I loudly second the rec. for Vanille patisserie. This is a really excellent shop and has my favorite croissants as well. They also make outstanding salt caramels and chocolates. Pricey tho.

There's plenty of satisfying options in Roscoe Village - just north of where you are. Frasca for some pizza, El Tapatio for some strong margaritas and decent Mexican, Robey's for sandwiches (I wouldn't recommend the pizza), and decent bar food options such as Four Moon Tavern, Riverview, and the Village Tap. You also have Kitsh'n on Roscoe for breakfast and home cooking, Volo (small plates), Kaze for sushi, Piazza Bella and Terragusto for Italian, the Guatemalan restaurant, Tinajon, and the Turkish Turquoise Cafe which has a great brunch. Oh, and Honey 1 is on Western.

On Ashland just north of Fullerton is Lincoln Park Noodle House which
serves lots of Thai standard dishes as well as sushi. I've never tried
the sushi, but everything I've ordered from there has been well above
average - my favorite being the Tom Yum soup. Its also a very nice
dining room and friendly staff.

bananasandwiches wrote:This problem has plagued my household for some time now. Mr. Nanner-sammywiches and I do the bulk of our grocery shopping at the Dominick's on Clybourn, in between Fullerton and Diversey- the "Fresh Store". Oftentimes, I force him to accompany me on this journey, and oftentimes we are so woefully low on groceries that we need to eat dinner out somewhere before venturing into the flourescent glare of the Dom's. Never, ever go grocery shopping hungry, I have learned.

Respectfully, why don't you just shop someplace else?

-ramon

jglynn wrote:You could grab a Polish or Pork Chop Sandwich at the Maxweel Street Polish stand at the intersection of Diversey/Clybourn/Damen.

BINGO, BINGO, BINGO. This is your best bet by far.

Ramon wrote:Respectfully, why don't you just shop someplace else?

Hooray for lateral thinking!

You could grab a Polish or Pork Chop Sandwich at the Maxweel Street Polish stand at the intersection of Diversey/Clybourn/Damen.

I dont mean to be mean (as usuall) - but really??? Iv'e driven past but it looks so, well, bad. And dangerous. And dirty. Why would this even be an option?

Snark wrote:
I dont mean to be mean (as usuall) - but really??? Iv'e driven past but it looks so, well, bad. And dangerous. And dirty. Why would this even be an option?

Because the food at those stands is generally very good. Give it a shot, or head down to Roosevelt and Halsted and go to Jim's and Maxwell Street down there.

If we only went to places that didn't look "bad, and dangerous, and dirty" we'd be missing out on a whole mess of wonderful restaurants.

I had an office 1/2 mile from here (the Maxwell Polish stand at Diversey/Clybourn/Damen) for years. Not once had I ever even considered picking up lunch there, and I've been eating everywhere in this city, often alone. It's right across the street from public housing and (IIRC) shares a lot with a stop-and-rob packaged good store.

I know the area has changed much in the last couple years. Where my office once was, expensive riverside condos now reside. Yet, Chicago is still a city of neighborhoods -- even two blocks can make a big difference in terms of safety. I love nothing better than a great pork chop sandwich, but I'm not squealing like a pig for one.

Then again, post poetic on the place and ... what time do they open?

-ramon

Well, I believe the awning states that they are "Open __ Hours". Whatever that means. They do an authentic Polish and not so great fries but as far as something to grab and eat in the parking lot before heading into Costco I'll take it, it beats the Costco food stand hot dog.