Best ethnic food restaurants in Chicago?

[glenn1]

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]

What country do Ethnics come from?

 

[tennisflip]

Check out the Windy City Urban Inn, its a great little B&B in Lincoln Park on the north side. For good ethnic food just browse around yelp for reviews.

 

[IronWing]

http://www.indiangardenchicago.com
is good.

 

[SirStev0]

cheeseburg cheeseburg no coke pepsi

 

[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?

 

[IronWing]

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]

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]

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]

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?

 

[chuckywang]

Not technically Chicago, but Siam's House in Niles, IL is probably the best Thai food I've had in Chicagoland.

Check out http://www.lthforum.com for Chicago foodie talk.

 

[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...

 

[Colt45]

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]

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]

Head to Devon and Western/Damen. Plenty of Indian/Asian stuff there as well.

 

[BuMMiE]

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

 

[Joony]

http://www.pita-inn.com/

So delicious...

 

[torpid]

Topolobampo if you want upscale Mexican food by a relatively well-known chef. Best meal I had this year was there. Last week's menu