Category Archives: Illinois

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub

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**** (4 stars)

Sometimes you just want a grilled cheese sandwich. And when you do, you’re not looking for health food. That’s a good thing, because mine was perfect–which is to say redolent with the butter the bread was grilled in. Yum.

And since we’re binging, I have to say that the fires are the best in Evanston–and I’m including Five Guys (yuck) and Edzo’s (meh) in that assessment. They’re my favorite kind, battered and fried to a crispy outside crunch, yes fluffy in the middle, and perfectly seasoned.

Sandwich, fries and a drink for $8. What’s not to like? My waistline is just glad the place isn’t any closer to home.

Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
622 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 868-8686
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cheesies-pub-and-grub-evanston

Addis Abeba Ethiopian Cuisine

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***** (5 stars)

I really like Ethiopian food. It’s healthful and tasty. Of the various places I’ve tried, this is my favorite. I mostly go for lunch, which is never busy, but always good. For $9 you can get four of their best vegetarian items, or you can trade out some for meat items.

Ethiopian food is traditionally served without utensils, but with a stack of crepe-like bread that you tear off and use to pick up the food. I find the bread a bit filling, so it’s nice that you can ask for a fork.

Service is very friendly, and the Ethiopian tea and coffee are both delicious.

The place is easy to find, because of the bright yellow awning out front, and the sunny, happy motif continues inside, with colorful window hangings and bright walls. If you haven’t tried Ethiopian food, you should check it out.

Addis Abeba Ethiopian Cuisine
1322 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-5411
http://www.yelp.com/biz/addis-abeba-ethiopian-cuisine-evanston

The Spice House

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***** (5 stars)

Even if I don’t need spices, I just visit The Spice House to inhale the wonderful aromas. I’m sure there is some spice in the world that they don’t have, but it would be an amazing challenge to find it.

Try working your way through the row of cinnamon, tasting each one from the sample shakers (provided for nearly every spice in the place). Who knew there could be so many different types?

There are dozens of pre-mixed seasoning combinations, including some that don’t contain salt that are my favorites. And speaking of salt, there are probably close to 100 types and blends including smoked, and sometimes even salt blocks for cooking.

All spices are offered in a variety of sizes and packages that can be measured out for you. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

The Spice House
1941 Central St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-3711
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-spice-house-evanston-2

Prairie Joes

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*** (3 stars)

Prairie Joe’s is all about ambiance. It’s got the stools at the bar, the tubular metal and vinyl booths, the formica tables. Basically, if you always wanted to eat in that diner from Back to the Future, this is it. Sadly, the food is also pretty authentic, which means no better than Denny’s but twice the price. But it’s definitely worth it for the experience.

Interestingly, while most people associate this kind of diner with breakfast, Prairie Joe’s is probably best for other meals, as their dinner items are much more creative, and during the hot months they always have homemade gazpacho. The place is also filled with original art, which is in a variety of eclectic styles. And the staff are genuinely glad to welcome you. A good place to check out before a shopping trip on the surrounding blocks of Central.

Prairie Joes
1921 Central St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 491-0391
http://www.yelp.com/biz/prairie-joes-evanston

The Alcove

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**** (4 stars)

With 12 seats inside, and about as many on the sidewalk, the Alcove may not be the smallest bar/restaurant in America, but it’s certainly a contender. The food menu is limited to basically several paninis or a cheese plate, but the smoked turkey panini I had was delicious, and the salad that accompanied it was almost European in character, in keeping with a number of European wines and spirits on offer. Service is friendly, and the atmosphere is definitely cozy and unique.

The Alcove
512 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-alcove-evanston

Ravinia Park Restaurants

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**** (4 stars)

Ravinia is a great outdoor environment for seeing a concert, whether on the lawn with your own picnic or under the pavilion. We enjoy both.

When we eat on the lawn we bring a picnic and rent chairs and tables to avoid the hassle of carrying them on the Metra. It costs less than $20 for the whole deal. If we run low on food or wine we pick some up at RAVINIA MARKET, which has a nice selection of prepared foods and some pretty darn good wines–although nothing cheap.

Last summer we ate many times in MIRABELLE, the downstairs buffet. There are quite a few good items–and a few misses–but it’s fairly expensive for what it is. Sometimes there is a bundled deal that includes pavilion concert seats and dinner. That’s a good deal.

The nicest restaurant is PARK VIEW, which is upstairs. It’s certainly a stunning setting, with a glass wall that overlooks the dazzling green of Ravinia Park. Best of all is being high above the sea of colorful people blanketing the lawn. Some of the food is rather pedestrian (guacamole with a lump of crab meat on top was a recent featured appetizer), but a few items are quite good.

All the restaurants are run by Levy Restaurants, which is not my favorite chain. To staff Ravinia, they borrow chefs from Spiaggia and other places within their organization. It must be weird to run a restaurant that is only open a few months a year, and the slightly amateurish service is a telling detail. But for the most part things run efficiently, and the food is good if not great.

Three stars for food, 5 stars for location.

Ravinia Park Restaurants
201 St Johns Ave
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 432-3060
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ravinia-park-restaurants-highland-park-2

Ocho Rios

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**** (4 stars)

This is a cheerful little place that offers a few Caribbean selections and also American food such as burgers. I think they’re still staffing, so I’m pretty sure the sweet child who waited on me is the owner’s daughter. She was charming and efficient. They do need to get the kitchen cranking a bit faster if the want to be able to handle a crowd.

The chicken roti I had was delicious–nice yellow curry (yes, it was a bit too salty), and no bones. I’ll definitely return to try the jerk seasoning.

Ocho Rios
1936 Maple Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-5202
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ocho-rios-evanston

Hecky’s Barbecue

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** (2 stars)

Adequate barbecue, but nothing special. The rib tips are meaty, and the snack size is a generous serving for two. A BBQ place is all about the sauce, and Hecky’s seems a bit too acidic for my taste. I like a richer, more full bodied sauce. There was certainly a lot of it, though.

The pulled pork sandwich had a nice serving of pork, but the bun was soft and flavorless, not really any point to eating it except to hold onto the pork.

Sweet potato pie is pretty good.

No place to eat, so take out only.

Hecky’s Barbecue
1902 Green Bay Rd
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 492-1182
http://www.yelp.com/biz/heckys-barbecue-evanston

Dos Ricco’s

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***** (5 stars)

I love Korean barbecue tacos. The mixture of cuisines is perfect. Dos Ricco’s makes a great one. The Regular taco comes on a corn tortilla, while the Korean version comes on a flour tortilla. However I would ask for the corn tortilla with their Korean selection.

The service is super helpful, which really makes it a joy to visit the place. Be aware that it’s not really a sit down restaurant, as there are only stools for about 10 people in the small ordering and eating space.

Dos Ricco’s
6445 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 284-9088
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dos-riccos-chicago