Chicago for first time - looking for wonderful ethnic joints/experiences

Here are some selections from my ethnic hole in the wall list.  They are all pretty far North in Chicago.

Gin Go Gae on Lincoln a little north of Berwyn (5300).  Korean food. Quite good and pretty authentic.  Don't go if you don't like real Korean food.

Pueblito Viejo.  Very limited menu, and mostly good late nights on weekends.  Whacky latin disco late at night on Fridays and Saturdays. That is also the time when they serve the specials -- arroz con pollo, sobrebarriga (latin pot roast more or less).  They also have great tamales and make a fine (although admittedly cheesy/chemical) strawberry margarita.

I am quite partial to Nhu Hoa Cafe as well -- Vietnamese (1021 West Argyle.  Argyle is at like 5000 North).  Really good grilled beef.  Very good red curry.  Big seafood soups that are wonderful.

After any of those, go to A Taste of Heaven, a cafe on West Foster (which is 5200 North), a block or two West of Clark.  Wonderful home made cakes.

In article , "sheilaharrison"
Someone wrote:

> Please email with any recommendations - not looking for Zagat type - but
> wonderful hole in the walls.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Sheila
>
> We'll only be there the weekend of May 22, 1998.

Hi Sheila,

Your other responder, (Adam?), was right about Argyle Street, and I have tried the good soups at Nhu Hoa, but my favorite is the Sun Wah BBQ, for barbecue duck, pork, and chicken. (1134 W. Argyle.) Their other dishes, noodles, clams, mussels, soups, are also worth a try.

Thai food reigns supreme in Chicago, and my favorite dive is Thai Little Home Cafe, around 3950 N. Kedzie, just south of Lawrence.  The deep-fried red snapper in hot chile sauce may be the best fish I've ever eaten.  You could also make a meal of nothing but superb appetizers at this place (shrimp toast, satay, mussels in lemongrass, wonton, beef salad . . .)

The ultimate taco dive might be La Pasadita (1141 N. Ashland, the yellow shack on the east side of the street.)  No tables, just cash and carry.

I think somebody else on the NG mentioned a hole-in-the-wall Italian joint, called Bertucci's, located in of all places, the southern end of Chinatown, (300 W. 24th.)   I haven't been there in a couple of years but I remember it as being very traditional, with great family style cooking.

If you want Italian in slightly more comfortable surroundings, I like a new place (6 months) called Marco's, around 2380 N. Clybourn.  Great pastas and risottos.  No pizza.   Reasonably nice neighborhood, (unlike all my other recommendations!)

Japanese--   not a dive, but my favorite is Katsu, at 2649 W. Peterson.  Although the fish is of hightest quality, don't limit your ordering--  the appetizers will melt your tastebuds.

Chinese--  I'm still searching.  The few, good chefs move around so much, it's hard to know where to go anymore.  Would anyone like to suggest a place?

Ribs, steaks--  (this topic usually will start a war among people discussing food in Chicago, so I don't want to get any flames about my opinion on this.)  These two bars suit MY humble taste:  Biassetti's, 1625 W. Irving Park, and Twin Anchors, 1655 N. Sedgwick (Sinatra's favorite place.)

Sheila, I'm sorry to say that none of these places are downtown, or even conveniently located to much of anything.  They're all pretty far-flung, so you'd need a car and a good map.  If you'd like a few recommendations for dining in the Loop, I could try to oblige, but most of the good eating I've found is out in the neighborhoods.  Let me know.

I love just saying no to Zagat.

Joel
(for private reply, change "dot" to " . "  )

Sheilaharrison wrote:

>Please email with any recommendations - not looking for Zagat type - but
>wonderful hole in the walls.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Sheila
>
>We'll only be there the weekend of May 22, 1998.
>
>

One of my favorite's - a Morrocan restaurant on Sheridan (just south of Irving Park) called L'Olive...

Dan

Someone wrote:
>Please email with any recommendations - not looking for Zagat type - but
>wonderful hole in the walls.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Sheila
>
>We'll only be there the weekend of May 22, 1998.
>
>