Chicago??

Going to be in Chicago Dec 4th -6th for sons graduation from navy basic training. He has already said there is a place right around the corner from the base that supposedly serves some of the best pizza aroud so that is one place we will be eating. Are there any other recommendations for the windy city other than dressing warm????
 
Thanks
Steve
K's Koncessions

Chicago has alot to offer. Where will you be staying? How will you be getting around? Is there a certain type of food you like or more importantly will not eat?
 
I can make some great recommendations, but alittle more info from you will make for better recommendations.
 
I think the naval training is done at Great Lakes, that is 45 minutes from the city.....

Hello,
We are staying in Waukegen (sp?)and am not sure about transportation yet but lets just assume we will be using public transportation. About the only thing we wont eat is indian, tiwanese (sp) and sushi. Nothing real expensive. Yea I know this is Chicago and I am saying not real expensive. But we will be feeding 5 people for 4 days.
 
Thanks
Steve

I would suggest going north to Kenosha Wisconsin.  Much cheaper and better food.  There are some great italian places in that area that serve great food at a reasonable price. Kenosha is known for their Italian influence.

Here is one that is a well known restaurant that is reasonable and has excellent pizza along with Italian food in a fun family atmosphere.  This one shouldn't break the bank.  The closer you head to Chicago, the more you are going to pay.  Please keep that in mind.  Of course there are cheap eats to be found such at hot dogs and Italian Beef in Chicago but you said you are feeding a larger group.  This one has awesome pizza that is reasonable.  Plus some great dishes as well and it run by a true Italian family.

http://infusinoskenosha.com/?page_id=11

I just saw you want to use public transportation.  I am not sure about this but I don't believe you will find any sort that will be going north so your options are limited.  As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure the trains run from Waukegan down into Chi-town.  Maybe the locals on this board can help you more.



 

Good BBQ is at Hillery's on 14th Street east of Lewis Avenue in North Chicago.  I do not know if public transportation is available and it is carry out only.  The rib tips are excellent.  

Highland Park is a town about a half hour south of Waukegan.  It is an affluent suburb but there is a place with very good Mexican food that is quite reasonably priced.  Los Mogotes is at 2069 Green Bay Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035  847-432-5667.  It is walking distance from the Metra train station that has stations at Great Lakes base and downtown Waukegan.     

NC Cheesehead


I would suggest going north to Kenosha Wisconsin.  Much cheaper and better food.  There are some great italian places in that area that serve great food at a reasonable price. Kenosha is known for their Italian influence.

Here is one that is a well known restaurant that is reasonable and has excellent pizza along with Italian food in a fun family atmosphere.  This one shouldn't break the bank.  The closer you head to Chicago, the more you are going to pay.  Please keep that in mind.  Of course there are cheap eats to be found such at hot dogs and Italian Beef in Chicago but you said you are feeding a larger group.  This one has awesome pizza that is reasonable.  Plus some great dishes as well and it run by a true Italian family.

http://infusinoskenosha.com/?page_id=11

I just saw you want to use public transportation.  I am not sure about this but I don't believe you will find any sort that will be going north so your options are limited.  As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure the trains run from Waukegan down into Chi-town.  Maybe the locals on this board can help you more.

 
I grew up in Kenosha. Go to Villa d'Carlo, Ruffalo's or Luigi's. This is where my family eats & we are "true Italians", whatever that means.

Waukegan is a long haul to Chicago, I think there might be a train and it will let you off downtown. Greektown is near by as is Taylor St. ( Italian food). Going to Kenosha is an option, but you really want to come to Chicago. It is a beautiful city, with alot to offer, other than food (if you want).

Taylor St. has great hot dogs (The Patio) and Pompeii Pizza, which serves lots if not hundreds of Italian dishes, pretty cheap.

Greektown has Roditis and Santorini plus more. You can also get some great Mexican at Nuevo Leon on 18th st, but only go during the day time, it is dicey at night.

Do alittle internet research and you will see Chicago is the place to go, even if it is alittle further.

Seems like there were dozens (literally) of mexican eateries in the Waukegen area so there must be a large Mex. population . They weren't chains.Also take the train from Kenosha into chicago for good stuff. Check this site out for cheap eats in town - http://www.greasefreak.com/. enjoy.

stricken_detective

NC Cheesehead


I would suggest going north to Kenosha Wisconsin.  Much cheaper and better food.  There are some great italian places in that area that serve great food at a reasonable price. Kenosha is known for their Italian influence.

Here is one that is a well known restaurant that is reasonable and has excellent pizza along with Italian food in a fun family atmosphere.  This one shouldn't break the bank.  The closer you head to Chicago, the more you are going to pay.  Please keep that in mind.  Of course there are cheap eats to be found such at hot dogs and Italian Beef in Chicago but you said you are feeding a larger group.  This one has awesome pizza that is reasonable.  Plus some great dishes as well and it run by a true Italian family.

http://infusinoskenosha.com/?page_id=11

I just saw you want to use public transportation.  I am not sure about this but I don't believe you will find any sort that will be going north so your options are limited.  As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure the trains run from Waukegan down into Chi-town.  Maybe the locals on this board can help you more.

 
I grew up in Kenosha. Go to Villa d'Carlo, Ruffalo's or Luigi's. This is where my family eats & we are "true Italians", whatever that means.

Stricken Detective,

I know those places well but forgot because it's been 20 years since going to them.  The only reason Infusinos was remembered was because some current friends in the area still talk about them.  Kenosha has a great Italian community.  I have many Italian friends from the area.  Those places you mentioned are the kinds of places that serve good "Old World" food at a price that is affordable. Any chance you are a Migliano or a Springhetti?

CLVdog


Seems like there were dozens (literally) of mexican eateries in the Waukegen area so there must be a large Mex. population . They weren't chains.Also take the train from Kenosha into chicago for good stuff. Check this site out for cheap eats in town - http://www.greasefreak.com/. enjoy.

I have now found Mexican eateries are in large abundance now no matter where you live.  I thought there were way many in that area until I moved to the Monroe NC area.  There are at least 10 of them (all family operated) within a 10 mile run on Hwy 74.  Like any good cuisine though including sushi or Chinese, the market will saturate to the point where many go under. Only outstanding ones prevail but it makes it tough if you are not from the area where you are looking.

I promise you Neuvo Leon on 18th St. is not just any Mexican Restaurant. It is worth the trip.

The Metra has a Union Pacific North line that runs between Chicago and Kenosha with stops at Great Lakes and Waukegan. The Waukegan to the downtown station takes about an hour and 20 minutes one way.

http://metrarail.com/cont...nload/file.res/upn.pdf

firecommander3565


I promise you Neuvo Leon on 18th St. is not just any Mexican Restaurant. It is worth the trip.

Fire Commander,

I would be curious to know what makes it so special.  Not trying to be a smart *ss, I have never been there.  Is it TRULY Mexican or is like most of the other tex mex crap places that serve cheese whiz in a Queso dip.  Do they serve Tripe soup or true Ceviche made with fresh seafood?  Do they overload their stuff with Cilantro like so many of these places that caved into the American demand?  Do they reheat store bought chips or do they actually make them themselves from scratch with true masa flour?  Truly made corn tortillas or the crap wheat flour ones that Americans seem to love?

People have different opinions on what "true mexican" is.  I was watching Andrew Zimmerns bizarre foods yesterday where they serve "TRUE" Mexican food but I am not sure if the US is ready to eat bugs or corn mold just to name a few TRUE mexican foods.  Or how about fresh caught Octopus in an Oaxaca chile paste?  Or how about fresh caught shell fish raw on the beach with a local hot sauce at next to nothing price?  (These plates go for $100 in New York but about $8.00 in Mexico) I was there on a trip once so I have seen it.  Street carts in Mexico serve "true" Mexican food.  What makes Neuvo Leon special or worth the trip?  Just asking.

I love Mexican food and have made it a mission to try every single one I can find in every different area I have been to whether it is in the US or in Mexico.  Believe me, people's view of what is true "Mexican" is so far from the real deal, it's not even funny.  This is probably because of my quest for hot spicy foods and unique oddities.  But so many things I have tried are not spicy at all and have just an incredible aroma and taste which is a nice contrast.  So my question to you is Neuvo Leon worth the trip when I am in the area?

Nuevo Leon serves Mexican food that is as authentic as you could possibly hope to find. It's a lovely, family-owned and operated restaurant that delivers homestyle Mexican dishes. Their food—including the house-made chorizo—is absolutely delicious and satisfying, at a price any family can afford. Some aspects of the restaurant may seem a little cliched (such as the "traditional" dress worn by the waitresses), but most locals have come to see that as part of Nuevo Leon's simple charm. Beyond the food, the restaurant itself is beautiful - its murals are works of art not to be missed. A must for anyone visiting Chicago!
 
You should be aware, however, that Nuevo Leon does not accept credit cards, so make sure you bring enough cash to cover your meal. Otherwise, a perfect, casual, authentic Mexican restaurant!
 
 
 

Italian
Beef
Sandwich
 
(it was my personal choice to add the non-traditional raw onion to this beauty served at Mr Beef on Orleans)
 

 

Close to Waukegan is Wadsworth, IL.  One of my favorites is a restaurant on Rte 41 and Wadsworth Rd called The Shanty.  It has great food at reasonable prices and was featured on triple D.  Hope you get a chance to go there.  They also have a website with a menu.

flyergirl12


Nuevo Leon serves Mexican food that is as authentic as you could possibly hope to find. It's a lovely, family-owned and operated restaurant that delivers homestyle Mexican dishes. Their food—including the house-made chorizo—is absolutely delicious and satisfying, at a price any family can afford. Some aspects of the restaurant may seem a little cliched (such as the "traditional" dress worn by the waitresses), but most locals have come to see that as part of Nuevo Leon's simple charm. Beyond the food, the restaurant itself is beautiful - its murals are works of art not to be missed. A must for anyone visiting Chicago!

You should be aware, however, that Nuevo Leon does not accept credit cards, so make sure you bring enough cash to cover your meal. Otherwise, a perfect, casual, authentic Mexican restaurant!

 
Great recommendation. Well said.

I am sorry your staying in waukegan, not the most glamourous section of illinois. but I highly recommended going downtown on the train, you can spend all day! Try restaurants on broadway and clark, that whole area has a ton of great shopping and fun restaurants, plus you could take a side trip to wrigley.

Before anyone else feels sorry for these folks being stuck way up north, check out the date of the original post; the visit took place more than a year ago.
 
Buddy

Its all good, BRH -- people who do searches related to their own upcoming Chicago visits will find this thread and it's recommendations

My recommendation would be to not put onions on your Italian beef!

:-)
 
as a compromise, I promise to not put any ketchup (including 50/50 ketchup blends) on my hot dogs

NC Cheesehead

Stricken Detective,

I know those places well but forgot because it's been 20 years since going to them.  The only reason Infusinos was remembered was because some current friends in the area still talk about them.  Kenosha has a great Italian community.  I have many Italian friends from the area.  Those places you mentioned are the kinds of places that serve good "Old World" food at a price that is affordable. Any chance you are a Migliano or a Springhetti?

I am not. No ketchup on a hotdog, no onions on an Italian Beef, and try some Green River!!!  

stricken_detective
 

........... try some Green River!!!

One of my all time favorite Andy Williams songs.