Illinois

DePaul University, University of Chicago, Loyola University, The School of the Art Institute

 

From the Admissions Staff of DePaul:

America's Dog
21 East Adams
Chicago, IL

SO many different types of "hot dogs" from all over the United States! (There are non-hot dog options, too.) But everyone needs to try the "Chicago Dog".


Athenian Room
807 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL

Tina Fey recommended the Athenian Room with a rave as one of her favorite cheap eats in the city. Located in Lincoln Park for ages, it consistently serves up great Greek food like the Kalamata chicken dinner and Gyros platter, which is enormous. It doesn't have quite the range of options that the restaurants in Greek Town have, but also try the Greek burger -- it comes in a pita and is topped with feta and tzatziki sauce. Finish with a piece of baklava. The patio is open in the summer and it's a great place for group.


Big Stuff
2312 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL

Something for everyone -- jumbo slices of pizza, homemade soups, enormous salads and creative sandwich options. They offer lunch combination specials and have plenty of indoor seating. A must try: the TK Turkey Sandwich and a jumbo slice of pizza!


Bourgeois Pig Café
738 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL

Nice light meals in a great location with fast and friendly service. An old townhouse that has been converted into a restaurant, the Pig has great sandwiches and coffee. All the sandwiches are named after classic novels - "The Great Gatsby," "The Hobbit," and "The Sun Also Rises" are favorites. There's also a vast array of coffee drinks and teas, as well as delicious pastries. It's a little pricey, but the sandwiches are big so come with an appetite!


Cafecito
737 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL

Great Cuban sandwiches! Go for the ropa vieja sandwich and the café con leche!


Chilam Balam
3023 North Broadway Street
Chicago, IL

A fantastic BYOB Mexican tapas restaurant (different from Spanish tapas). The chef was featured on Top Chef and the menu is always changing. "Must try" items include the ribs, flank steak and peanut butter empanadas. FYI, it's cash only.


Del Seoul
2568 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL

A small cozy place with great Korean food. Must try? The hot stone Bibimbop.


Glenn's Diner
1820 West Montrose
Chicago, IL

A great seafood place, this diner is a little far from campus. But a short Brown Line ride north to Montrose and you can't miss it.


Gulliver's Pizza
2727 West Howard Street
Chicago, IL

Best Pan Pizza in town! Really. None of that stuffed, choke-on-the-cheese type. It's real deep dish Chicago pizza -- and it's been around a long, long time.


John's Place
1200 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL

Love the wine and the atmosphere. In the spring and summer, there is outdoor seating. A very relaxing restaurant with great customer service. And the sweet potato fries are amazing.


La Madia
59 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL

The frisee salad is a meal in itself. There's a good wine list and great appetizers. Moderately priced.


Leona's Hyde Park
1236 East 53rd Street
Chicago, IL

Mozzarella "thicks" may be a heart attack waiting to happen, but they're oh, so good. And the thin crust pizza -- it's T-H-I-N, like crackers! A great family-friendly atmosphere here. No one rushes you out the door so lots of time for good conversation.


Maza
2415 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL

A family-owned restaurant with great authentic Lebanese food. Definitely try the Lebanese wine! The lentil soup is fantastic and their prices are reasonable. The kefta kaboband the falafel are delicious. But it's a tiny restaurant, so make reservations.


Nesh Mediterranean Grill
734 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL

If you're in the mood for falafel, this is the place to go! Lunch specials include falafel shrocks (wrapped flatbread), shwarma (mixed lamb, turkey, chicken, or beef) plates, and salads. Don't leave without trying the mint lemonade.


White Palace Grill
NE corner of Canal and Roosevelt
Chicago, IL

It's a dive! No, really, it was named as one of the best Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives by Guy Fieri on the Food Network. Anything you can think of, they make it along. Love this spot… You can have breakfast all day and all night long.


Paris Club
59 West Hubbard
Chicago, IL

A Lettuce Entertain You restaurant with pretty darn good French food -- escargot in puff pastry, great salads, soups, and bread. The upstairs club provides occasional celebrity sightings.


Pequod's Piza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL

Some of the best pizza in Chicago, which is a bold claim. The deep-dish style is fantastic with a caramelized cheese crust. The weekday lunch special can't be beat -- $4.95 for a one-topping personal pan pizza plus a choice of either a fountain soda or a Bud Light draft.


Rose Angelis
1314 West Wrightwood Avenue
Chicago, IL

A small Italian restaurant that has been in the Lincoln Park neighborhood for a long, long time. Classic Italian food at good prices - handmade pastas and homemade desserts. There also have a solid, reasonably-priced wine list heavy on Italian and California wines.


Sal's Deli
1013 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL

One of the best places to grab a sandwich for lunch, but make sure you bring an appetite! Everything is made to order and comes in generous portions. It's the kind of local place where Sal greets regulars by name and the customers are loyal. Highly recommended: the Caprese sandwich (when in season) and the Lil' Geno. You can also purchase all your deli meats and cheese for the week, but you'll never regret grabbing a sandwich with your groceries.


Simply It
2269 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL

A Vietnamese restaurant with great lunch specials that include an egg roll, salad, soup, an entrée and dessert, which is usually fresh fruit. The food is fresh and light -- especially love the Tilapia Fish Filet lunch special served with a tomato-pineapple sauce which is really tasty. Vietnamese cuisine is not as easy to find as Thai or Japanese food in Chicago.


Sweet Mandy B's
1208 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL

Fabulous desserts! The butter cream sugar cookies are outstanding, as is the chocolate covered peanut butter Rice Krispie treat.


Tokyo Lunchbox
60 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL

Check out the free samples of their sushi of the day, which is always delicious. And after 3 p.m., it's buy one roll, get one free!


Twin Anchors
1655 North Sedgwick Street
Chicago, IL

A Chicago institution, named as one of three iconic spots by Emeril Lagasse. It's claim to fame? The ribs.