Best neighborhood restaurant in chicago?

Question

In your own opinion, what is the best neighborhood RESTAURANT in Chicago? Looking for somewhere young and fun, but not too loud and boozy or overly expensive. Also somewhere close to Metra or El.

Any style is fine, but we really like Latin, Italian, and Asian foods the best. (and in that order) Also a place to find a great steak without the touristy steakhouse prices would be awesome. Thanks!!

Answer 1

Italian? Visit Little Italy on Taylor Street between Ashland Avenue and Halstead. Many restaurants.

2 miles from downtown, near El and bus stops.

Answer 2

RoseAngelis, at Wrightwood and Racine, is a terrific little neighborhood Italain restaurant not far from the L. Not expensive, and very cute.

Answer 3

Two of my favorite restaurants in the City are Tango Sur and Mambo Grill (both serving the latin/southam fusion flare).

Tango Sur is on Southport and can be accessed from the Brown Line Southport stop. It's also BYOB. I don't believe it has a website, but the word on this place travels fast. It's a small hole in the wall joint, but the menu is TO.DIE.FOR. You can read the metromix reviews here: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/...

This is the place to go for great Argentinian steak without the steakhouse price and feel. If you don't time it right, you may have to wait (but it's worth it, promise!).

Mambo Grill is downtown on Clark Street and can be accessed from the Grand stop on the Red Line (it's just a few blocks west). The mojitos are beyond amazing here (and they offer specials on Friday nights). I've yet to have a meal there that I haven't like. Lots of incredible flavors are in their food. It's definitely worth a shot. http://mambogrill.com/   ...they also take reservations, too!

Have you thought about any of the Brazilian steakhouses like Fogo de Chao or Brazzaz?

As far as Italian goes...you should check out Volare over on St. Clair and Illinois (at least I think it's Illionois, it may be Ontario). LaScarola on W. Grand is good and draws a loyal crowd consistently and Vivere is a creative italian joint down in the loop (has a very soft, romantic vibe).

The Asian fare in the city is good. I just discovered a very low-key pan-asian restaurant in the loop called Tamarind. It's good and have everything from sushi to thai to chinese on the menu. Not very pricey either...we're looking forward to going back there again. As far as other asian restaurants you may want to conside Ben Pao (Chinese), Japonaise, Kamehachi, or Tsunami. Mandarin Dragonfly is another excellent Chinese restaurant as well. Vong's Thai Kitchen is another favorite of mine, too. Very casual and reasonably priced.

Hopefully this gives you some good inspiration and direction. But seriously give Tango Sur a whirl if you've never been...you won't regret it!!

Answer 4

One of my favorite restaurants is Suparossa. There's one downtown and there are several other locations in Chicago. Their food is excellent and it's not that expensive.

http://www.suparossa.com/

Also very good is Sabatino's on the northwest side of Chicago.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sabatinos-restau...