The Nation Eats Evanston.

Welcome back to the second installment of the “Nation Eats” a voyage of culinary discovery. Evanston is Chicago’s near northern neighbor and home of Northwestern. Evanston is a very interesting place with tons of food, shopping and some very nice parks and beaches. There’s a bevy of good restaurants to experience these are some of what I think are hidden gems. There are many areas we will hit, Noyes St., Main St., Central St. and downtown Evanston.

Best Sandwich

Al’s Deli. www.alsdeli.net 914 Noyes St Evanston, IL 60201. By far one of the best deli’s in the Chicagoland area. Al’s is a tiny storefront specializing in French Baguette sandwiches. Their baguettes which are baked specifically for Al’s are impeccable, wheat or white. You can pick your choice of ham, turkey, roast beef and a great variety of cheeses. There are also deli salads and other meats in a glass cooler. Topping the sandwiches is perfect homemade aioli and the best French grainy mustard. The soups are also homemade and compliment the baguettes well. You can also find cookies, candy and some French dry goods like fleur de sel and escargot (in a can). This quirky eatery is open 11-4 everyday but Wednesday. Sandwiches are $5-10 and expect a wait during lunch. Seating is limited but there’s a park across the street. Stop by Kim’s kitchen down the street for Chocolate cake or a brownie after. Great for: Mom and Dad, Fun Lunch date or Saturday/Sunday adventures

Best wings

Buffalo Joe’s. http://buffalojoesevanston.com/ . Buffalo Joe's is an Evanston mainstay specializing in wings and serving greasy food perfection. The prices are right and the fryer is always hot. Suicide wings will satisfy any cravings for heat. The burgers are cheap and not too shabby there are also baked potato’s that are gut busting. To top it off there’s beer and a TV in the back. The do party pans too! Cash only and call ahead to avoid a wait. Good for: Hangovers, dudes day out, game day and low budget food

Best Pita

Pita Pete’s www.pitapetes.com. This sounds like a superfluous category but I had to make a category for one of my favorite spots in E-town. Large pitas stuffed with falafel, turkey, chicken, tuna, ham or no meat at all. Add-ons are a multitude of veggies, olives peppers, beans, rice. Corn...you get the point. Pita Pete’s is a place for some good eats. Call ahead for big orders. Good for: Pre-move dates, quick lunch, first day of diet, vegetarian date.

Best coffee

There is a tie for the best coffee spots.

Peet’s Coffee and Tea 1620 Chicago Ave (between Church St & Davis St). Peet’s is a chain without feeling like a chain. The espresso is perfect and the baristas are well trained. The coffee can be a bit bitter but it packs a serious caffeine punch. Peet’s also has a good selection of teas iced or hot. There’s free wi-fi and plenty of space to settle in. Good for: coffee date, post movies, morning/anytime pick me up.

The Italian Coffee Bar. http://www.theitaliancoffeebar.com/ Two locations: 1549 Sherman, 940 Church St. The ICB’s are small coffee bars featuring Italian espresso, Panini and gelato. The house coffee is very good and there is always a speciality blend on hand too. The panini are $5-6 pretty good but the gelato is inexpensive and very good. The ICB also has some shipped in baked goods that are very nice when they are fresh and the “good morning” bar is a great healthy option for a quick breakfast.

Best Fine dining

Jacky’s Bistro 2545 Prarie (just off Central) http://www.jackysbistro.com/ Jacky’s is a French bistro specializing in classic and contemporary French fare. Sounds boring right… Not so! The food here is perfectly executed without being too arrogant. Decently priced wines and well trained staff add to the experience. The food is not cheap but the portions are adequate and the menu is huge. The Escargot melt in your mouth and so does the Steak frites. The bouillabaisse is hearty and some of the best I’ve ever had. Other perks include tableside martini service and outdoor seating. There’s also lunch service, a rarity in fine dining restaurants. Good for: Baller dates, Parents lunch, Third dates and escape the city adventure.

Best Beach

Lighthouse Beach. There are a bunch of beaches but I like this one is the best. Evanston’s beaches charge admission but are very clean and well life guarded. Lighthouse beach shares property with the historic Grosse Point Light house and the Grosse point park area. The beach is secluded and seldom crowded. There is a park, pavilion and BBQ right off the beach

As always these are suggestions and I encourage you to explore Evanston for yourself. There are tons of shops, restaurants, parks, trails and very fun things to do. Take some time out of the Rog. And explore our neighbor to the North. ENJOY!

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Big Buns and Pita. Once you stop laughing at the name you will find one of the best hidden secrets in Chicago, let alone the Rog. Eat-in or delivery, there is not one thing I have ordered that I didn’t like. The hummus is very well done (it’s hard to get really good hummus…theirs is). All of the meat dishes are perfectly cooked and there are many vegetarian options to make you forget meat. The portions are huge and the price is low. All the entrees come with soup, rice and great pickled veggies. Baklava is also good. Great for: Delivery, ‘Hood adventure and Sunday hangover food. Average tab for 2 $10-20.

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This is a pizza town and judging is dangerous. Each Pizzeria needs to be explored to form your own opinions BUT when I order, I order Pizza Aroma. Their order takers are friendly and the delivery is fast and hot. The crust is thinner than usual thin crust but I like it that way. (See: form your own opinions.) They have a great selection of toppings even basil, goat cheese and salami. Large pizzas at Pizza Aroma are $12-18.

Runner up: Vince's 2 for 1 on all thin crust pizzas. Done.

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Best Thai/pan-Asian: Indie Cafe

This little sushi/pan-Asian spot is chic but not at all intimidating. Their sushi is very solid. They also offer Japanese and Thai specialties like tom yum, edamame, shumai and tempura. Their delivery is fast and the food always comes hot. Great for: dates, people watching and small groups. Tab for 2: $15-35.

Runner up: Thai Grill. Located in the Sovereign on Granville, Thai Grill is the consistent and great tasting Thai food delivery in the Rog. They are quick, cheap, have a good bubble bar and the dining room is close to campus. Good for: dates, Mom and Dad and groups.

Tab for 2: $15-25

Review coming : Summer Noodles

Indie Cafe

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Uncommon Ground place has it all. There is great local and organic food, wine, music and it’s eco- friendly. You will spend a little extra dining at this neat concept. UG stacks up to any place in the neighborhoods to the south. The Brunch is also super good. There are all sorts of fun ingredients to eat, Duck, Buffalo, free range chicken and even yirgacheffe. There are great specialty drinks like the Tree-tini- every time you order one they plant a tree. Some of the hot water is heated by solar power and a lot of the herbs are grown on the roof. If you want to impress the opposite sex and have a few good beers and some worldly music this is your place. Get reservations— it is busy on the weekends and for brunch. Great for: Mom and Dad, Baller dates, Brunch and eclectic music. Tab for 2 (no booze): $30-55.

Runner up: Viet Bistro www.vietbistro.com

Please go see the city for yourselves. You will find that the more adventures you go on the better you experiences will be. EAT.

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