Restaurants in Lincoln Park/ Wrigleyville Chicago?

Question

I'm taking a two day trip in April with my boyfriend to Chicago. We're staying in Lincoln Park, going to a Cubs game, a Say Anything concert and generally galavanting around the city. We've been several times, but never stayed in that area. Any recommendations on restaurants where entrees are less than $20? We already know that one night we're going to The Cheesecake Factory, and have a general rule that when we're in Chicago, we can't eat anywhere that we could have here in Kalamazoo MI.

Answer 1

Hi -
Since I have never been to Kalamazoo, I don't know what you can't normally get. My first suggestion to check out www.metromix.com. This website tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about places to go and eat in and around Chicago area neighborhoods. Here are a few suggestions that I think are worth trying out during your stay based on my experiences in that part of town if you aren't looking for typical all-american fare:

Heaven on Seven (cajun). Two locations, one is on Clark Street near Wrigleyville area. Surprisingly good cajan food for mid-western town.

Pars Cove (peruvian). Located on W. Diversey in Lincoln Park. Might be a bit pricier but quality of food is good.

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company - Probably not THE place to go for Chicago style deep dish pizza. It's pretty unique, and pretty popular local hangout spot for those living in Lincoln Park. Always packed on weekends.

Personally I don't think any of the sushi places around that area are any better then anywhere else, and I wouldn't recommend the mexican food either (I am a bit baised and tend to have high expectations on quality and freshness of food in general). :)

Have fun!

Answer 2

Metromix is a great source. The Heaven on Seven on Clark is now closed. It's a Hoffbrau Haus now.

I would recommend Twist. They serve tapas and have great sangria. Look them up on Metromix. They are very close to Wrigley, but are not part of the tourist scene.

A couple of other nearby places that are probably at the high end of your price range are:
Mia Francesca - best Italian in Chicago
Platiyo - nice Mexican.

These are really great neighborhood places that are very close to Wrigley Field, but will make you feel like a native instead of a tourist.

Answer 3

If you like sushi, go to Coast in Bucktown. It's the best sushi in Chicago, affordable and the place is BYOB! It gets very crowded, so you'll need a reservation.

In Lincoln Park, Tilli's on Halsted&Armitage is good. So is Rise right around the corner on Armitage.

Cubah on Southport in Wriggleyville is good. There are a lot of bars/restuarants in that area too.

If you like tapas, Cafe Iberico on LaSalle is great and pretty cheap. Del Toro in Bucktown is good too - it's right at North&Damen, another cool area with lots of bars restaurants.

Answer 4

Johnny Barleycorns and Slugger's are two good places to eat at and there's a 50s style diner across the street from Johnny Barleycorn's you can check out as well. If you want to also travel through the city for cheap purchase a fun pass which allows you to ride the train and the bus 24 hours a day for the duration of your stay so it's cheaper than to pay 2 bucks for the train and bus separately. Go to www.TransitChicago.com and look at what suits your needs.

Answer 5

Well if you're looking for a fun breakfast check out Salt and Pepper about a block south of Wrigley Field on Clark. Have a shake with your breakfast.

Answer 6

army Pier The Museum complicated is composed of Soldier container, container Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium procuring on the Magnificient Mile Lincoln Park & Zoo furnish Park & Buckingham Fountain & the Bean

Answer 7

Restaurants : Lake View & Wrigleyville
American
Deleece
4004 N Southport Avenue, at W Irving Park Road (773-325-1710/www.deleece.com). CTA Sheridan (Purple, Red). Open 5:30-10pm Mon, Tue; 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm Wed, Thur; 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm Fri; 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm Sat; 10:30am-2:30pm, 5-9pm Sun. Main courses $12-$25. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
The meals here might be classy and contemporary but the atmosphere is never uptight, and while it's no budget café, the prices are certainly right. Coming in at $20 or less: New York strip steak, barbecued pork tenderloin and honey-glazed duck breast with baby bok choy.
Erwin
2925 N Halsted Street, at W Oakdale Avenue (773-528-7200/www.erwincafe.com). CTA Wellington (Brown, Purple). Open 5:30-9:30pm Tue-Thur; 5:30-10:30pm Fri, Sat; 10:30am-2pm, 5-9pm Sun. Main courses $12-$21. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
The decor and food at this unpretentious contemporary American bistro have much in common: both are smart, simple and appealing. Chef Erwin Drechsler serves hearty American fare for a crowd that's largely local. Try onion tart, pan-roasted Alaskan halibut or hamburgers, and save room for the fine desserts.
Asian & Pan-Asian
Penny's Noodle Shop
3400 N Sheffield Avenue, at W Roscoe Street (773-281-8222). CTA Addison (Red). Open 11am-10pm Tue-Thur; 11am-10:30pm Fri, Sat; 11am-10pm Sun. Main courses $5-$7. No credit cards.
As its name suggests, this is a straight-ahead noodle shop, albeit one of the best in an area not short on similar options. Locals crowd its clean, spare dining rooms, but the food is worth the wait. Thai spring rolls and barbecued beef and pork help round out the menu.
Other locations: 950 W Diversey Parkway, Lake View (773-281-8448); 1542 N Damen Avenue, Bucktown (773-394-0100).
Yoshi's Café
3257 N Halsted Street, at W Melrose Street (773-248-6160). CTA Belmont (Red). Open 5-10:30pm Tue-Thur; 5-11pm Fri, Sat; 11am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm Sun. Main courses $15-$27. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Yoshi is Yoshi Katsumura, long-time owner and chef of this Boystown bistro. And the food? A pleasing blend of Japanese and French cuisines. Try vegetable or shrimp tempura or cassoulet, splurge on Kobe beef (burger $20, eight-ounce steak $48.95) or settle in with seafood such as Dover sole meuni�re.
Eclectic
The Outpost
3438 N Clark Street, at W Newport Avenue (773-244-1166). CTA Addison (Red). Open 5:30-11pm Mon-Sat; 10:30am-2pm, 5-10:30pm Sun. Main courses $14-$20. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
In Wrigleyville, where restaurants are better known for beer taps than culinary arts, this eatery offers a bold menu and noted wine list. Main courses include wild boar and air-light parmesan gnocchi served with morels. The decor showcases a handsome tin ceiling, exposed brick walls and a family collection of vintage aviation posters and maps.
Italian
Anna Maria's Pasteria
3953 N Broadway, at Irving Park Road (773-929-6363). CTA Sheridan (Red). Open 5-10pm Mon-Thur, Sun; 5-11pm Fri, Sat. Main courses $8-$15. Credit AmEx, Disc, DC. MC, V.
Two sisters, both experienced chefs, arrive from Italy to start a restaurant on Lake View's northern border—already you know you're in for something good. The rigatoni al pomodoro secco, with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a luscious gorgonzola sauce, will make the most jaded diner wilt in ecstasy. The restaurant was considering relocating just up the street at press time, so call first for the correct address.
Jewish & Kosher
Bagel Restaurant & Deli
3107 N Broadway, at W Barry Avenue (773-477-0300/www.bagelrestaurant.com). CTA Belmont (Red). Open 8am-10pm Mon-Thur, Sun; 8am-11pm Fri, Sat. Main courses $4-$16. Credit AmEx, MC, V.
OK, Katz's Lower East Side it ain't. But it has been around for 50-plus years and uses recipes that arrived with the owners' grandparents. Salamis hang in the entrance, pickles are delivered to tables. You can order egg creams, boiled beef tongue, hefty pastrami sandwiches and potato knishes. And you won't kvetch about the great soup, either.
Latin, Mexican & Spanish
Café 28
1800 W Irving Park Road, at N Ravenswood Avenue (773-528-2883/www.cafe28.org). CTA Irving Park (Brown). Open 5:30-9pm Mon; 11am-3pm, 5:30-10pm Tue-Thur; 11am-3pm, 5:30-10:30pm Fri; 9am-2pm, 5:30-10:30pm Sat; 9am-2pm, 5:30-9pm Sun. Main courses $9-$23. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
With thick black bean soup and Cuban-style sandwiches featuring shredded beef with onions and roasted pork in garlic, this is a good lunch spot. For dinner, it is cozy and romantic, serving Cuban-style rib eye, chipotle grilled chicken, and honey and jalapeño pork chops. It's also popular (and busy) for Sunday brunch and for live Latin music.
Lunch stops, diners & delis
Bar Louie
3545 N Clark Street, at W Addison Street (773-296-2500). CTA Addison (Red). Open 11am-2am Mon-Fri, Sun; 11am-3am Sat. Main courses $7-$14. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
These neighborhood eating and drinking spots are catching on faster than you can say 'Martini'. Though the formula is similar, each bar is a little different: some have outdoor seating, while some serve breakfast or brunch. The Italian-American assortment of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and pasta is ideal for late-night dining.
Other locations: throughout the city.
Platiyo
3313 N Clark Street, at W School Street (773-477-6700). CTA Belmont (Brown, Purple, Red). Open 5-10pm Mon-Thur; 5-11pm Fri, Sat; 11am-9pm Sun. Main courses $9-$25. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
This colorful, sunny spot incorporates regional Mexican cooking and offers 100 different tequilas. Brick walls are decorated with bold, vibrant artwork, ceilings are strung with festive papier-m�ché folk art and a buzz is due in part to killer Margaritas made with fresh-squeezed lime juice. Braised lamb shank is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Tango Sur
3763 N Southport Avenue (773-477-5466). CTA Southport (Brown). Open 5-10:30pm daily. Main courses $10-$20. Credit AmEx, MC, V.
In this little corner of the market, Rodolfo Di Sapio carves beef that comes from cows that roamed the pampas of Argentina. Next door, son Sergio manages this parilla, with its grilled steaks and short ribs, homemade sausages and shrine to tango artists.
Swedish
A La Turka
3134 N Lincoln Avenue, at N Ashland Avenue (773-935-6101). CTA Southport (Brown). Open noon-11pm Mon-Thur, Sun; noon-1am Fri, Sat. Main courses $11-$20. Credit AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
Purportedly the first Turkish restaurant in Chicago and thus, by definition, its best. Aficionados judge the quality of a Turkish restaurant by its meze, and on that count, A La Turka delivers. The mains are just as good: try succulent lamb or the popular mixed grill platter. Weekends are more boisterous, with performances by a belly dancer.