So here's something cool

[PantherU.com]

So my sister just got hired by UIC! She'll be working on the medical campus and I was hoping to give her a bit of a tour when she gets to Milwaukee (she lives in Boston right now and will be living with my parents for a bit until she can find a place in the Chicago area).

She knows the standard "Chicago" restaurants, etc. but I want to show her UIC, and not just to be like "Hey here's Granderson Stadium I know you don't give a s@#! about sports but this is cool hey?"

What would be some good places to go that aren't franchises like Bar Louie?

Thanks in advance!

[UICJohn]

First off, congratulations.

Secondly, I will preface my response by saying I haven't been to many of the restaurants around there and most memories were from places like Little Joe's and Hawkeyes from when I was a student son not sure that helps too much. But I'll try my best!

Moxee Restaurant - my buddy has his rehearsal dinner here. New place off of Halsted near the baseball stadium. Good beer list and good bar food.

Joy Yee Noodles - really enjoyed this place when I was at UIC but had to go to China Town for it. They opened up an outpost right on Halsted a few years back.

Tuscany and Pompeii - both Italian restaurants on Taylor Street (Tuscany is Taylor and Morgan and Pompeii is Taylor and Ashland). I'd say both are solid but Tuscany a little nicer and a little more expensive

County BBQ - a newer place on Taylor Street; tiny place bitbgreat BBQ

Al's Beef - the original; used to go once a week

Also of note in Taylor Street is the Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame

Greek town has The Greek Island which I like.

Also has the Natioanl Hellenic Museum.

And not too far a walk up north to Randolph is home to Chicago's hottest restaurants. Now I haven't been to many because they're quite expensive but a few places of note:

Haymarket Brewery - on the corner of Randolph and Halsted

Au Cheval - hands down best burger in Chicago

Little Goat Cafe - can't make 3 month reservations to Giel and the Goat so rather go here

Cruz Blanca - a new brewery by Rick Bayless that also serves chips and guacamole, tacos

[uicc79]

I'll throw in my two cents worth.
The Rosebud, across from Hawkeye's, on the corner of Taylor and Laflin, and just a block east of Ashland. It's the original location of the Rosebud restaurants you see around Chicago, which includes Carmine's on Rush.

If I'm going to a game at the Pavilion, there are a couple within easy walking distance.

The Wise Owl Drinkery and Cookhouse, at the northwest corner of Racine and Van Buren, just a short 1 block walk over the interstate from the Pavilion. I guessing this is a newer place; only noticed it last season. Before the Northern Arizona game, I saw our favorite AD in there with a group of people (hope that doesn't disqualify it for some).

Another in easy walking distance, in Greektown, is 9 Muses Bar and Grill, on Halsted, 1/2 block north of Van Buren. Great gyros.

[Big D]

Hey Panther,

Congrats to your sister. Now you just need to attend grad school at UIC and become a Flame fan

I only get their once a year, so I may not be totally up to data, but...

I have to second Al's Beef on Taylor...the original. It's tiny but a must for anybody in the area. I stop there every year for a dipped beef with sweets and hots...and the cheese fries.

Little Joe's is my favorite "dive" bar. Joe doesn't work much anymore, and he was the main reason I'd frequent the place, but for me, if you want to sit and drink s@#! beer in relative peace, you go there. It's empty often. It's been in Joe's Italian family for years. They no longer do food, and they've upgraded the jukebox from mostly old Italian music, which had character, but I still enjoy the place.

Don't forget Curtis Granderson's favorite restaurant - Mr. Greek's, if only because it's open til like 4 am or something...so when you need that late night gyro, they'll be there.

Sweet Maple Cafe (on Taylor) and Hashbrowns (on Maxwell) are great little breakfast places. I think Jim's Original is right around the corner from Hashbrowns if you need a polish sausage.

Cetta's on Taylor is a nice low-lit wine bar.

Vintage Lounge on Taylor is also decent...big selection of martinis if that's her thing...they do a very good dirty martini.

Francesca's on Taylor....I haven't been there in years, but I also seem to recall them having decent Italian food.

[UICJohn]

Oh man, Little Joe's and Mr. Greek's. That's sounds like an awesome Saturday during undergrad! But I've been to Little Joe's a few time since graduating and it's pretty much the same. Nice and quiet and cheap but Saturday night karaoke is a different story. And make no mistake - Mr. Greek's is just as good (IMO) on a Wednesday afternoon as it is late night on Saturday.

Side note - this was actually published in the Tribune today. It's all about the best value places to eat around Chicago campuses and this is what they said about UIC:

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO

Chilango Mexican Street Food
1437 W. Taylor St. 312-846-6216
Empanadas (many $2.99) abound at this speedy Mexican restaurant, from typical chicken and beef to more unusual takes like Hawaiian and dulce de leche. Be sure to also grab a small side of guacamole and chips ($2.95).

Conte Di Savoia
1438 W. Taylor St. 312-666-3471
Come for the abundance of deli sandwich choices. Specialty subs include The Rosie ($4.50 for a 6-inch), which comes layered with Italian meats and provolone, and a prosciutto-and-eggplant combo called The Contessa ($6 for a 6-inch).

Jade Court
626 S. Racine Ave. 312-929-4828
The sheer size of the menu can get a little overwhelming at this Cantonese spot, but check out highlights like the fiery kung pao tofu ($9.95 for a small order) and the chicken egg foo yung ($7.95). Bonus: For an extra buck, you can add tapioca to their smoothies ($3.95), which come in fun flavors like avocado and honeydew.

Sweet Maple Cafe
1339 W. Taylor St. 312-243-8908
This homey cafe features sweet specialties like the holiday French toast ($8.25), which is made from challah bread, nutmeg and vanilla custard. If you’re feeling savory, try the 18th Street scrambler ($10.60), which is loaded with chorizo, queso fresco and peppers.

Dosirak
1514 W. Taylor St. 312-243-9559
Choose between old Korean standards like bibim bap ($6.95) garnished with a fried egg, or try out a fusion option like the bulgogi hot dog ($3.95), which comes with fries.

[Chuck A]

Congrats Jimmy on your sister's hire. You see how we Flames are?! Eventhough you rip our Pavilion among other things, we still help a fellow Horizon Leaguer out! Hope your tour with her is quite fruitful and enjoyable!

[PantherU.com]

Guys, I really appreciate all this. It's so cool to know that we've got friends among rivals!