#Criticisms by Dean W. Armstrong, #, original list by #Matthew Ryan #Last Modified 8/14/1996 ***Last Delivery times are in ()'s*** Weeknights (Su-Th) Fri. and Sat. Phone ------------------ ------------------ -------- On-Campus Food B-school 6pm M-Th (cl Sun) 6pm Catered food by 'B-school entrepeneurs'. In the basement. BSLC Coffee Shop (2nd floor) Limited deli, bottled drinks, muffins. Barnes and Noble Cafe (Starbuck's) 8pm Expensive pastries with expensive coffees. Expensive everything. $1.25 for snapple. I had a tiring all-too-commonplace turkey sandwich that was not worth $4.25. But, oh! The frappucino, a coffee/ice shake combo, is worth the 3.55 for the large. The occasional sweet here is a good indulgence. C-Shop 11pm M-Th, 8pm Sun 11pm Fri, 8pm Sat Corporate welfare has created a monster. Snapple is a dollar fifty here, with bagels, donuts, and other pastries expensive as well. Shake Day still exists, but they have a bizarre scheme of paying before ordering, so if they're out of everything, you won't know until ARA has sucked you dry. However it's decorated nicely. Classics (2nd floor) 5pm M-Th 4:30pm Fri (closed wknds) Expensive for a coffee shop, not enough tables in there. Good sunlight at noon. Cobb Coffee shop 4:30pm M-Th 4:30pm Fri (closed wknds) Cheap Snapple, coffee, tea, pop tarts, soups and Nile pita sandwiches. Medici pizza midday, the popular types sell out quickly. A cheap place for starving students. In the basement. Divinity 4pm M-Th 4pm Fri (closed wknds) Expensive but you can get vegetarian stuff here. They have an excellent Thai and vegetarian selection, along with unique bottled beverages. Very claustrophobic and in the basement. "Where God gets his coffee." Ex Libris In the A-level of the Reg. Nile sandwiches, Snail Thai food, donuts, coffee & vending machines. The atmosphere here needs some work. Harper(Weiss) 10:30pm Su-Th 5pm Fri (cl Sat) Managed by Cobb, they have Med pizza too. Not much of a selection here. Ida's Cafe 7:30pm M-Th 12mid Fri (closed wknds) Does anyone actually eat here? Morry's RC (closed) 9pm M-Th, 8pm Sun 8pm 493-2808 Grilled fare--Many like the chicken caesar salad. You will smell like Morry's the rest of the day after eating their grilled sandwiches. Sometimes I try the two pizza slice combo for a pizza fix. The Pub Popcorn for a dollar is a good make-up for the cover charge. Reynold's Club 2nd floor 'Webbers' Standard coffee shop food and drink, if a little short on variety during the evening. At lunch they have excellent Plum Cafe sandwiches if you're willing to pay dearly for them. I enjoy the expensive 'premium' sodas made with cane sugar. Loud especially with the TVs. Smart Cafe Haven't tried this new place. ____________________________________________________________________________ [The remaining lists are each in West to East order - wester is closer.] Weeknights (Su-Th) Fri. and Sat. Phone 57th St. Eats ------------------ ------------------ -------- Sammy's Never been here. Cheap from my copy of the menu. According to sources, the gyros are pretty good. Edwardo's 10pm (Del. 8:30) 11pm (Del. 9:30) 241-7960 I like their thin crust, although make sure you get them to slice it pie-cut. Two out of three times, I get it square-cut no matter how much I tell them. Service can be lacking here, although the unique garlic crispy thingies keep the time rolling by. Their BBQ chicken pizza special is a great tasting deal, second only to Pizza Capri's. Free refills on sodas. They're getting better with time. University Mkt. Deli 11am-6pm They use to have some really killer sandwiches here for a decent price. Get the honeycup mustard on it--it makes the sandwich. I recommend turkey on sourdough with the standard fixings. Was $3.55, now 4.30. Hans is getting greedy here too. Medici 12pm (Del. 11:45) 1am (Del. 12:45) 667-7394 If this weren't the Med, it would be a dump. Tradition keeps the Med perennially busy, and you can't make reservations. I recommend the smoked turkey sandwich on kaiser, or the cheese ravioli. The Eggs Espresso with parmesan cheese make a light lunch meal. On occasion the specials are fabulous, if expensive. A recent change in management has changed the menu & solicited input from the customers--will this change be good? (7/24/96--Answer: No.) Avoid the grilled tuna sandwich--really. Very smooth milkshakes and desserts. Smoky. Lulu's (was Ann Sather's/Eddie's Collage) A noodle and soup joint. While their menu is limited, the selections are pretty good and very unique. Portions are large, and the prices are only reasonable considering that. The chicken salad is too large, straight out; I don't think anyone could eat it all. Secretly, not on the menu, you can order half-portions for half-price plus a dollar. This makes the huge portions bearable. The Duck salad is wonderful, along with the shrimp wontons and the steamed mussel soup. Have I dulled my taste buds on the Chicago Trinity: salt, MSG, and fat? After some followup visits, I must conclude the main menu is a little too bland for my tastes, with the exception of their appetizers and specials. Refills on sodas, including that rarity Green River. While the green tea ice cream was cheap it was only a tiny scoop. Salonika "Where Greece meets Hyde Park" should be redone as "Where grease meets Hyde Park". Named after the Greek port, this restaurant offers a diner-style experience. Breakfast specials are a good deal here with $4.50 getting you two eggs, french toast or pancakes or (in the morning) a waffle and coffee. The cheese omelet at $2.95 is a steal, as it includes hash browns and toast. The items are a little greasy though, and tons of butter are provided. For non-breakfast items their specials are pretty good and the egg lemon soup (weekends only) is the best! My acquaintances like Tuesday and Thursday for the specials, like the roast turkey and the chicken kabob. The regular sandwiches are just OK (but cheap). This is a place with regulars. If it's busy and smoky, try the non-smoking room in the back. Expect slow service in there. Smoky. Cafe Florian 12pm (Del. 11:30) 1am (Del. 12:30) 752-4100 This restaurant smells funny accordingly to my acquaintances. I've never noticed. A bit expensive, I like their pasta selections and desserts. The coffee selection is quite extensive. After a recent visit, I was very unimpressed with the turkey burger, a bland lipton-soup mixed forgettable ~5 dollar sandwich. Our waitress was unresponsive. One good note: Fransisco the busboy is as fabulous as ever, filling your water as quick as you can drink it down. Smoky. 56th St. Piccolo Mondo A very fine Italian restaurant. I enjoyed the atmosphere; however if you're avoiding a professor or the Hyde Park elite don't dine here. Spaghetti with Calamari was excellent; as well as the bread. This is an excellent place for a nice meal. Wine. 55th St. Eats Jimmy's/Woodlawn Tap 2am 2am Fri, 3am Sat 643-5516 They offer simple sandwiches like burgers, grilled cheese, turkey. Small-cut fries (a negative in my book). But the grease helps soak up the alcohol. Caffe Tutti (CLOSED) Limited fare, small expensive portions, and they close _way_ too early. A cheese pizza I had was only OK. Kikuya Great Japanese food at expensive prices. Try the lunch menu rather than dinner. It should be noted I love Japanese food. The tempura was too greasy, even for a fried food. The teriyaki salmon was excellent, and the sashimi was good as well. El Lugar 10pm 10pm 684-6514 Don't get the brown sauce, as I've seen students writhe in agony after ingesting it. Never been here because of that. Thai 55 10pm (Del. 9:30) 7days/wk 363-7119 This is the least enjoyable of the Thai places. (11/11/96: They've improved). They have some very spicy dishes here. One Thai I know won't eat there after seeing the kitchen. But still, I've received notes from disgruntled former Hyde Parkers that the hot #2 dish is the best dish to consume if your classes haven't give you ulcers yet. I haven't verified that bit. Mojava Coffeebar A new coffee shop on 55th, it serves coffee & associated drinks, with small pastries and muffins. The cherry Italian soda I had was good, but not worth the $2.25 listed price (the owner gave me a coupon for 50% off). The limonettes were very good. They expect to add a lot of space in the near future, which is good. The split level seating is a nice thought. Friendly service. Open late, especially weekends (to 1 AM). Nile OK middle eastern food. Purveyor of those half-pita sandwiches in all the coffee shops. Morry's Deli 8pm M-Th, 6pm Sun 8pm 363-3800 Similar fare to the old Morry's Bookstore, it has sandwiches and chips and Snapple drinks. Siam 10pm (Del. 9:45) 7days/wk 324-9296 Good Thai food here. Siam was once part of Snail(Tipsuda), but was spun off some time ago. A large selection of entrees. I recommend the Lad na. Beer/Wine, and that makes it very popular. Snail Very decent selection, ok portions. The original Hyde Park Thai. The Snail delight is a refreshingly spicy noodle dish without the heavy overhead of other spicy dishes (which use sauces). Wok and Grill (was Bangkok Kitchen) (Blegh! 2/14/97) After remodeling for the nth time, they've gone back to a bad idea. The atmosphere is gone, replaced with a unfriendly architecture and paper plates. It's like a bad cafeteria, and you can watch people enjoying themselves across the street. I think they're trying to concentrate on the take-out business. Thanks, but we've got Nicky's and Lung Wah for that. Welcome back, Chick -n- noodle They offer the standard Thai fare plus the generic fried Asian dishes, like sweet and sour, etc. The Bangkok chicken is classic fried fare. I thought the Catfish Basil (Mild) was a light refreshment to the menu. Orly's Never been here. A bit expensive from their menu. Try and get coupons from the Hyde Park Herald ads dumped at your apartment building. They're trying a new southwestern theme now. TJ's A very expensive steakhouse. Reservations & formal attire recommended. 53rd St. Eats Nicki's Chinese food Take-out or delivery only, this hole-in-the wall offers moderately priced food for late in the evening. They make good egg drop soup. Harold's/Pizza Connection Pepto heaven. Greasy fried chicken with tangy BBQ sauce and wonder bread. Not recommended for those with weak stomachs. Emma G's Serve until 9pm, open until 11pm, 7days/wk 684-2900 One dinner selection, expensive. Go for the atmosphere and desserts. Good reading material available. Where have you gone Mrs. Cardinale? Pepe's Bad mexican food. Was Jesselson's. Jacob Bros Bagels 10pm M-Th, 8pm Sun 10pm Fri, 9pm Sat 493-2245 Good bagels but you get creamed if you add cream cheese to your bagel: $1.31 for bagel and cream cheese! Yah, right! McD's 11pm 12am 493-1622 Staff here makes it all worthwhile to skip it. Good cokes though. Dock's (closed) Fast food fish. The 'Famous Fishwich' is a somewhat oily fried filet sandwich. If you're willing to eat this, go all the way and add some more fat with the tatar sauce. I like their seasoned fries, if a bit oily. Nathan's Jamaican food. You can get Ting, a Squirt-esque Caribbean soda here! (I lived on Ting while in St. Lucia). Subway 12am 1am 288-8400 Sandwiches, OK but get a coupon from Co-op receipt. The cheap sandwiches (cold cut, veggies & cheese) are good for starving students. "That mid-east place" 10pm (Del. same) 7days/wk 684-6660 (was U. Gardens) (was Steve's shish-kebab) Good mideast food. A source enjoyed the stuffed chicken breast. Try the Turkish coffee and the baklava for dessert. Ribs and Bibs The two breast chicken dinner (was that the 'country cowboy'? I forget) was the best thing I've ever had. The sauce and fries are superb. Very inexpensive. A necessary experience, a good cousin to Harold's. Get a menu and call ahead. Take-out only. Baskin Robbins 10pm 11pm 288-4434 Ice Cream. Pizza Hut 11pm (Del. 10:30) 12mid (Del. 11:30) 288-5899 I've never tried the local one, but nationally the pizza is a little greasy. The cheese stuffed-crust pizza is a unique treat when eaten in moderation. Dunkin Donuts 24hrs 7days/wk 288-5719 Open 24 hours. Boston Market They make a good sandwich: the chicken carver. It's cousins aren't as good. Get a side of mashed potatos or pasta with cheese to add a different taste to your meal. A good value. Giordano's 11:30pm (Del. 11) 12:30am (Del. 12) 947-0200 This restaurant offers great thin crust pizza, reasonably priced. Stuffed crust is also pretty good. Friendly waitresses. Get a $2 off coupon from Hyde Park Co-op receipt. Beer/wine. Noodles, Etc. Used to be Spoonful. Serves Noodles and more noodles. I had the Japanese Udon, very good. Well priced for the amount served, $4.25 for a large bowl. The Vietnamese vermicelli was okay, a little too much toasted garlic for my taste. They also serve a few solid dishes which are pretty good. Noodles, etc. is what Lulu's should be. Starbuck's Coffee and expensive pastries and other bread items. Rajun Cajun Indian fast food with a fast food atmosphere. A bit greasy. The Tandoori chicken is pretty decent, based on a sample I had. Pizza Capri Excellent pizza. Their cheese pizza has lots of garlic in it. Almost too cheesy. The gouda turkey sandwich is wonderful for lunch; the BBQ Chicken pizza is heaven. I thought the Chicken Pompeii pizza was almost too light in flavor. Good atmosphere, especially at lunch. Moderate in pricing. I like this place a lot. If you like gorgonzola cheese, get the pear pinoli pizza. Maravillas' Mexican food, specializing in BURRITOS! While their burittos cost around three dollars, these huge stuffed ones are worth it. Students often drive late at night to the original on the SW side. Dixie Kitchen Good atmosphere, but the food can be expensive. Your source for real Southern food. Court Grill (closed) Good Californian fare, a little expensive. Grilled Chicken plain, without flair. Blue lighting. Full bar. I think they're trying to make the place a huge bar after 9 PM. A daily theme has arrived, making Fridays 'English night' (That's the only one I can remember) and adding theme foods and specials to the menu. Mellow Yellow 10:30pm 11:30pm 667-2000 Average food despite the large menu selection. Try the chili. Decent breakfast specials. Beer/wine. Far East Kitchen Chinese food of average quality. They water down their hot mustard/sweet and sour sauce way too much. Don't get the duck. Wendy's 10pm 11pm 567-7659 Typical fast food. Sometimes a long wait, with just one counter person often working. Valois's Cafeteria "See your food". Steam tables, intellectuals. Never been there, might try it after reading the book. A friend describes it as really great food. Jake's Pizza Average pizza. Attached to the Falcon Inn, it's take out/delivery only. Popular with locals. Ciral's House of Tiki 21 & over. ID'ing is standard. Bad food, lots of Polynesian drinks, open until 4/5 AM. Cedars of Lebanon 10pm (Del. 8) 10pm (Del. 9 F-Su) 324-6227 Really good middle eastern food. moderately expensive. I recommend the turkey kabob. Thai Twee Very tiny, almost initimate (except for the homeless people walking outside). They make decent food at good prices. I fear that their location is their downfall; I never make it up there. I had a unique creamy soup there -- incredibly rich, way too much for any one person to stomach. It would be good as a shared dish. I can't remember it's name though. 51st Street (All of these are located at 51st & Lake Park Ave.) Baldino's Italian sandwiches. I haven't been here yet, but I understand there's a significant student discount. Domino's 1am (Del. same) 2am (Del. same) 324-3800 Standard fare, don't buy unless you have a coupon or special. Original Pancake 3pm M-Th, 5pm Sun 3pm Fri, 5pm Sat 288-2322 Very loud building, great pancakes (of course). I like the fresh squeezed and pulpy grapefruit juice. Try a specialty pancake, but don't think you can eat all of a dutchboy. They serve real silverware in the suburban store I've been to. A bit smoky, and on weekend mornings, a long wait. Burger King Nationally, I used to like their BK Broiler Chicken Sandwich, but it's gone downhill lately. Kentucky Fried Chicken Very very greasy chicken. ____________________________________________________________________________