Astro's Guide to Cafes and Counter-Service Restaurants
On this page I list coffee shops, counter-service restaurants, and breakfast places, as well as joints that do not fit into any of the standard categories.
Cafes and Counter-Service Restaurants |
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Gigio's
Type: Carry-out pizzeria
Location: 1001 Davis St.
This place is on Davis Street, two blocks west of Sherman Avenue. People come here for thin crust pizza by the slice and for grill items. Most of it is carry out, but they have several tables for those wishing to eat there. Ask for the "super sausage" sandwich, which is made out of a large flat slab of the same sausage they use for pizzas and covered with melted cheese, or the "super combo" sandwich which is similar but also has Italian beef. They also have tacos that simply drip with grease (quite wonderful actually) and flame-broiled burgers. By the way, if you order the small fries, you will usually get enough fries to feed a small family.
Buffalo Joe's
Type: Buffalo wings, burgers, and dogs
Location: 812 Clark St.
Joe’s is on Clark Street, just west of Sherman Avenue. This place is one of the favorite haunts of many Northwestern students. Their specialty is buffalo wings, which you can order with three different sauces: mild, spicy, and suicide. They also have a grill that can cook up a surprisingly diverse array of burgers, dogs, and sandwiches, as well as chili, baked potatoes (of many kinds), fries (they call them buffalo chips), and even corn on the cob. It is all counter service, where you place your order and pick it up when ready. What I like about this place is that they offer beer, which is rare for a restaurant without a wait staff. The beer selection is small, but you can get Rolling Rock or Berghoff for under $3.00, which is very reasonable by Evanston standards. This is probably the best place in Evanston for wings and beer. They have a second location on Green Bay road, just north of Emerson, but that location does not serve beer.
Hecky's BBQ
Type: Carry-out barbecue
Location: 1902 Green Bay Road
Hecky’s is on the corner of Emerson and Green Bay Road. Everyone around here knows their motto: It's the sauce. They specialize in carry-out ribs, chicken and other BBQ items, plus some of the best cornbread around. Many local patrons rave about the Hecky’s sauce.
Mustard's Last Stand
Type: Hot dog and burger joint
Location: 1613 Central St.
Mustard’s is on Central, just west of the stadium. This hot dog/burger joint is a legend in Wildcat athletics. Over the years, virtually every NU player has eaten here. In the old days, when you were allowed to exit the stadium and get back in by showing your ticket, people would come here at halftime. Even today, you can usually find a crowd of people here before and during the game. While I like Mustard's Last Stand, I have to admit that they just can't handle a large number of people. If the line is long, the wait can seem like forever.
Al's Italian Beef
Type: Italian beef and burger joint
Location: 622 Davis Street
Not to be confused with Al's Deli on Noyes Street, this establishment is part of a Chicago-area chain, but they serve a nice product. They have some other things on the menu, including some excellent salads and wraps, but the real reason to go to Al's is Italian beef sandwiches, which come in three sizes (the standard is the six-inch size). I also like their fries.
Walker Brothers Pancake House
Type: Breakfast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Location: 153 Green Bay Road in Wilmette
Okay, they are not in Evanston, but Walkers Brothers’ Tiffany-style stained glass windows and amazing breakfast fare are a legend on the North Shore. The restaurant is on Green Bay road about a mile north of Central Street. Although Walker Brothers is now a chain, the original restaurant maintains its unique atmosphere. The real specialties here are the huge baked apple pancakes and the Belgian waffles a la mode. On many mornings, there is a long line of people waiting for tables. When I was student, a long night of partying usually ended with breakfast at Walker Brothers.
Symphony's Cafe
Type: Breakfast menu applies only for the morning
Location: 1945 Central St.
Symphony's is full service restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a separate menu for breakfast (unlike Walker Brothers, where breakfast food is served from morning till night). Because of its location just a few blocks west of the stadium, breakfast at Symphony's is a convenient morning dining option.
Old Neighborhood Grill
Type: Burger joint with Greek specialties
Location: 2902 Central St.
Every now and then, a restaurant opens up in a place that was seemingly just waiting for it. The Old Neighborhood Grill is such a restaurant. Located on west Central Street, the Grill is a counter-service restaurant offering quick, friendly service and a wide range of grilled specialties, including shish-ka-bob and ribeye steak sandwiches. It's a great place for a quick meal in a congenial setting, with both indoor and outdoor seating. After dinner, wander across the street and have an ice cream cone at Hartigan's (see below).
Hartigan's
Type: Ice cream parlor
Location: 2909 Central St.
Homemade ice cream, served up by teenagers in an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Located on west Central Street, Hartigan's is a great place to stop after a hot September afternoon game. Try their Mackinac Island Fudge, which offers the perfect ratio of vanilla ice cream to chunks of real fudge and fudge ribbon.
Great Harvest Bread Company
Type: Bakery and deli
Location: 2126 Central St.
Everything in this bakery is super-sized. Try the monster scones (one scone will serve three people). Or buy a bag of cookies to share at the game. This bakery is one block west of the intersection of Central and Green Bay, within walking distance of the stadium. If you want to pick up some sandwiches before an 11am game, Great Harvest now offers sandwiches on your choice of several homemade breads. Also try their amazing (and huge) pumpkin spice bars.
Le Peep
Type: Breakfast and lunch restaurant
Location: 827 Church St.
This restaurant is on the corner of Church Street and Benson Avenue. It is one of the most popular brunch places in downtown Evanston, although the food they serve is only average. The menu consists of the usual breakfast fare, but for lunch they also have burgers and sandwiches. If you are in need of a hearty breakfast, order the 18-wheeler. This restaurant is not open for dinner. It closes up for the day at 2:30 PM.
Bennison's Bakery
Type: Bakery
Location: 1000 Davis Street
If you are walking around in downtown Evanston after the game, stop in at Bennison's for a fresh baked donut, brownie, chocolate chip cookie, cinnamon roll, or whatever. If it is late in the afternoon, buy some treats and walk over to Bill's Blues Bar to eat it there with some cold beer. Bennison's Bakery employs two Master Bakers, one of whom was on the American team that won the World's Cup in Baking in 2005. The winners of this French competition can rightfully call themselves the best bakers in the world.
Kafein
Type: Coffee shop
Location: 1621 Chicago Ave.
A place to hang out and drink coffee, but their "world's greatest sandwich" is not be taken lightly. It is a turkey and hummus on toasted Pita bread. The place is frequented by students, aging hipsters, and anyone who enjoys checking out the Reader while sipping on a hot beverage.
Mozart Café
Type: Coffee shop
Location: 600 Davis Street
A small coffee shop on the corner of Chicago and Davis that also serves sandwiches and desserts. They are open until at least 10:00 PM most evenings. I particularly like the brownie bites. They also serve ice cream that is much less expensive than that typically found at ice cream parlors.
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