Best ethnic food restaurants in Chicago?

glenn1

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
25,383
1,013
126
My wife and I are heading to Chicago for a few days and are looking to get some good food while we're there. We both love any kind of ethnic food, and quite frankly, most of the options here in St. Louis suck. Since we've noticed that most of the items in the Asian supermarket here are made in Chicago, we hope we can get some authentic and tasty stuff. She in particular would love to find some good Korean food, as that's her background and the last good meal she had was the going away meal her Mom made before we moved here. We're up for anything at all, and the more unusual the better - last thing I want to do is have some watered-down vanilla menu I could get at any smalltown USA. Price is not an object (within reason) and we don't mind dropping a decent amount to get very unique and tasty meals, but don't want to pay premium prices for so-so food simply because a place is trendy.

Also, would like to solicit any input on 3 and 4 star hotels to *avoid* in Chicago - we're on the travel websites looking for a place to stay now, and I know the reviews on TripAdvisor and such aren't always the best source of info.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
You might give this place a try. I liked it when I was there.
Sayat Nova East Armenian
157 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-9159?
 

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
70,800
30,004
136
Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
You might give this place a try. I liked it when I was there.
Sayat Nova East Armenian
157 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-9159?

That looks good!
 

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,906
13
81
for good korean food, my bro took me to this one place out of downtown which was rather close to koreatown LA food. Arg, I'll get back to you on the details on where it is. yelp has been pretty bad in my experience in finding authentic ethnic foods.
 

arrfep

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2006
2,314
16
81
Not a restaurant per se, but you can stop by the Super H Mart in Niles. Not too far from the city proper and your lady can get tons of authentic Korean food. AFAIK they do serve food there as well.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,329
30,357
146
Taste of Peru in Roger's Park.

There's several great Mediterranean places near where I used to live in Lakeview. Broadway and Briar = Casablanca Cafe, and across the street a block or 2 south = Zad's.

Also, what the hell is ethnic? Would a Samoan consider you ethnic?
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,329
30,357
146
Oh, and fantastic, fantastic! steaks and meats (sweet breads, blood sausage, pork, etc) = Tango Sur at Southport and Grace in Lakeview. They can be assholes though, but sometimes they're great. BYOB and no corking fee = win.

Don't let the fools tell you different: Tango Sur >>> Fogo De Cao for meat.

I also like Rick's Casablanca Cafe under the Sheridan stop on the Red Line (on Sheridan street), about 3 blocks north of Wrigley. Also BYO, fantastic menu (French mostly), great staff. Very small, romantic, kick-ass dining. Not extremely pricey, either. I believe they have brought back their popular lamb dish on Mondays...
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
There should be some good Serbian/Yugo/Balkan restaurants in Chicago. Never been there myself though... but if i were in chicago, that's what i'd look for. lol :)
 

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,906
13
81
Originally posted by: zinfamous
Oh, and fantastic, fantastic! steaks and meats (sweet breads, blood sausage, pork, etc) = Tango Sur at Southport and Grace in Lakeview. They can be assholes though, but sometimes they're great. BYOB and no corking fee = win.

Don't let the fools tell you different: Tango Sur >>> Fogo De Cao for meat.

I also like Rick's Casablanca Cafe under the Sheridan stop on the Red Line (on Sheridan street), about 3 blocks north of Wrigley. Also BYO, fantastic menu (French mostly), great staff. Very small, romantic, kick-ass dining. Not extremely pricey, either. I believe they have brought back their popular lamb dish on Mondays...

ooo, i must check those places out the next time i go to chicago.
 

arrfep

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2006
2,314
16
81
Head to Devon and Western/Damen. Plenty of Indian/Asian stuff there as well.
 

BuMMiE

Senior member
Aug 21, 2002
290
0
0
I'm Korean and I've lived here all my life and I would say that Hae Woon Dae is one of the better Korean restaurants. 6240 N. California Ave., Chicago
Tel: (773) 764-8018