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Your Top 3 Ethnic Dives/Markets (2021)

Your Top 3 Ethnic Dives/Markets (2021)
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  • Your Top 3 Ethnic Dives/Markets (2021)

    Post #1 - September 10th, 2021, 12:58 pm
    Post #1 - September 10th, 2021, 12:58 pm Post #1 - September 10th, 2021, 12:58 pm
    I just moved back to Chicago after years in DC (an ABOMINABLE cheap ethnic eats city).

    Ease my move back by posting your favorite ethnic dives/markets in Chicago and surrounding area. "Ethnic" meaning authentic/probably spicy and "Dives" meaning casual/cheap --- kitchen, counter, chairs, grub or a particularly inspired hot bar in a grocery?

    For complete transparency, I posted similar request in 2016 when I returned the first time and got some great advice! viewtopic.php?p=514680 -- but 5 years is a while!

    Still mourning A Bite of Szechuan on Clark, by the way!
    Last edited by HPglutster on September 10th, 2021, 2:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
  • Post #2 - September 10th, 2021, 1:35 pm
    Post #2 - September 10th, 2021, 1:35 pm Post #2 - September 10th, 2021, 1:35 pm
    HPglutster wrote:I just moved back to Chicago after years in DC (an ABOMINABLE cheap ethnic eats city).

    Help my move back to me out by posting your favorite ethnic dives/markets in Chicago and surrounding area. "Ethnic" meaning authentic/probably spicy and "Dives" meaning casual/cheap --- kitchen, counter, chairs, grub or a particularly inspired hot bar in a grocery?

    For complete transparency, I posted similar request in 2016 when I returned the first time and got some great advice! viewtopic.php?p=514680 -- but 5 years is a while!

    Still mourning A Bite of Szechuan on Clark, by the way!


    Any specific types of cuisines or just anything? I think Chicago is a good cheap or relatively cheap ethnic eats city. I mean I could drop you off in Little Village, Brighton Park, Gage Park, etc and just say "have at it with the Mexican food here" for example.
    2019 Chicago Food Business License Issuances Map: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AGfUU ... sp=sharing
  • Post #3 - September 10th, 2021, 2:03 pm
    Post #3 - September 10th, 2021, 2:03 pm Post #3 - September 10th, 2021, 2:03 pm
    Indian/Pakistani/Vietnamese/Thai/Mexican/Korean/Arab/Chinese/Malaysian -- basically Asia south of Russia plus Mexico!
  • Post #4 - September 10th, 2021, 3:07 pm
    Post #4 - September 10th, 2021, 3:07 pm Post #4 - September 10th, 2021, 3:07 pm
    I'll post them as I think of them but top of rotation Carniceria Guanajuato #3 on California. Their taqueria is excellent. I especially love tacos with carne asada, al pastor and chile rellenos. And their burritos are lovely, too.

    I'll also like Jason BBQ which operates a small kiosk inside the small but mighty Richwell Market on Dempster in Morton Grove. Nicely-lacquered, usually-moist pork, ribs, chicken, duck, etc.

    =R=

    Carniceria Guanajuato #3
    3140 N California Ave
    Chicago, IL 60618
    (773) 267-7739

    Jason BBQ / Richwell Market
    6120 Dempster St
    Morton Grove, IL 60053
    (847) 663-5000
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #5 - September 10th, 2021, 3:32 pm
    Post #5 - September 10th, 2021, 3:32 pm Post #5 - September 10th, 2021, 3:32 pm
    I'm not 100% sure if this counts but there's a massive new-ish Chinese grocery store in town with a food court. Different vendors

    88 Marketplace
    2105 S Jefferson St

    Can't ever mention this without mentioning the Korean market Joong Boo with their little food place at 3333 N Kimball



    I've never had it but there's a Bodega in Wicker Park that serves up mostly pho but some other Vietnamese food.

    Phodega
    1547 N Ashland Ave


    Also there is a newer Thai market in Edgewater with a hot food bar

    Talard Thai Asian Market
    5353 N Broadway

    Also there is an H Mart downtown now at 711 W Jacksom Blvd with various vendors.


    If you go to the SW side especially (and other areas like Logan Square) there's a bunch of Mexican markets with food. It's not technically in the market but I also like La Casa del Pubelo Taqueria at 1834 S Blue Island in Pilsen.



    This calls for me making a map...
    2019 Chicago Food Business License Issuances Map: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AGfUU ... sp=sharing
  • Post #6 - September 11th, 2021, 5:05 am
    Post #6 - September 11th, 2021, 5:05 am Post #6 - September 11th, 2021, 5:05 am
    I think people read the OP as places that are ethnic markets that also serve food. I read it as a request for great ethnic dives and great ethnic markets.

    Some newer ethnic places I've been enjoying:
    Taiwanese at Taipei Cafe - 2609 S Halsted St
    Turkish at Antepli Turkish Gourmet - 4849 N Kedzie Ave
    Dim Sum/Cantonese at D Cuisine - 2723 N Clark St
    Indian at Mild2Spicy - 714 W Diversey Pkwy

    Ethnic Markets currently in our rotation:
    Middle Eastern at Sanabel - 4213 N Kedzie Ave
    Chinese at Park to Shop - 4879 N Broadway Ave
    Korean at Joong Boo - 3333 N Kimball Ave
  • Post #7 - September 11th, 2021, 11:06 am
    Post #7 - September 11th, 2021, 11:06 am Post #7 - September 11th, 2021, 11:06 am
    Next to Antepli Turkish Gourmet in the same strip center is Sahar International Supermarket, which has a different from Sanabel but quite good assortment of goods including from a wider range of ethnic groups. Unlike Sanabel there is a well-stocked meat department that is a good source for lamb including offal.

    Lunch at Antepli followed by grocery shopping at Sahar is a good one-two job without moving your car.

    Sahar's web site seems to have disappeared. Neither the link from my post from 2011 in the Sahar Meat Market II thread nor the one on Yelp as of today work.
  • Post #8 - September 21st, 2021, 9:49 pm
    Post #8 - September 21st, 2021, 9:49 pm Post #8 - September 21st, 2021, 9:49 pm
    ronnie_suburban wrote: I'll post them as I think of them but top of rotation Carniceria Guanajuato #3 on California. Their taqueria is excellent. I especially love tacos with carne asada, al pastor and chile rellenos. And their burritos are lovely, too.
    Absolutely. But you may have to be cautious eating a tortas. 8)
    Valuable links for survival, without the monetization attempt: https://pqrs-ltd.xyz/bookmark4.html
  • Post #9 - September 23rd, 2021, 1:09 pm
    Post #9 - September 23rd, 2021, 1:09 pm Post #9 - September 23rd, 2021, 1:09 pm
    Be warned. The food court @ 88 mktplace is dismal. Besides here and a Panda Express between planes @ an airport in Atlanta, I can't remember the last time I didn't enjoy Chinese food.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #10 - October 1st, 2021, 3:31 am
    Post #10 - October 1st, 2021, 3:31 am Post #10 - October 1st, 2021, 3:31 am
    HPglutster wrote:Indian/Pakistani/Vietnamese/Thai/Mexican/Korean/Arab/Chinese/Malaysian -- basically Asia south of Russia plus Mexico!

    Lahore Food and Grill
    2116 W. Devon
    (773) 761-4919

    They keep cabbie's hours so don't expect to visit for lunch.
  • Post #11 - August 3rd, 2023, 9:12 am
    Post #11 - August 3rd, 2023, 9:12 am Post #11 - August 3rd, 2023, 9:12 am
    Piggybacking on this oldie (but goodie.)

    We have a college aged nephew staying with us for the summer for an internship. He's from a smaller town up in the U.P. and he's always been a very adventurous eater. We made a loose plan on where we'd try to take him to try a bunch of stuff over the summer, but as crunch-time is starting as summer is winding down, I'm wondering if anyone has anything else we should target. So far, we've done:

    Thai food - loved it.
    Ghareeb Nawaz 3 or 4 times - loved it.
    KBBQ - loved it.
    Sushi - Loved it
    La Chaparrita - Loved it.
    Ramen - Loved it
    Neighboorhood Mexican grocery store hot food feast - loved it
    Greektown - forgot which one we went to, but it was good, even tho it was boring.
    Patel Bros - Loved it

    Still on the list, in order of importance in my mind so far:
    Ethiopian (somewhere)
    Dongpo Impression for that green fish soup
    Middle Eastern, more than likely one of those joints on S Harlem.
    Vietnamese
    Calumet Fisheries
    H-Mart
    EggHolic

    He's been here several times in the past, and we've hit Sun Wah, Katy's, plenty of Chinatown spots, but he's usually with his family, that aren't very adventurous at all - to put it mildly. One thing he has said after we'd taken him to a good handful of places, "It seems the little holes in the wall are way better than the fancy places."

    He's a smart kid, obviously :P

    So, anything anyone would kinda "target" for a divey ethnic joint / market (with hot food) that's a little more on the exotic side? One of my thoughts was Zaragoza, but, I snuck there by myself a few weeks ago, and I think he'd rather go back to Chaparrita than try Zaragoza.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
    Pronoun: That fool over there
    Identifies as: A human that doesn't need to "identify as" something to try to somehow be interesting.
  • Post #12 - August 3rd, 2023, 9:42 am
    Post #12 - August 3rd, 2023, 9:42 am Post #12 - August 3rd, 2023, 9:42 am
    You mention you’ve been to a lot of C-town spots but have you done Dim Sum? If not, I’d definitely hit Phoenix for the full cart experience. I also like Dolo but you just order off the menu there which is efficient, but not quite the same.

    If you can make the trek, In-On-Thai is quite different than the other LTH faves—so worth a trip for the various crispy fish salads and other specialties even if you’ve “done” that cuisine.

    For Vietnamese, there’s both the places with “regular” menus and the Banh Mi places—if he hasn’t had one, a stop at Nhu Lan would be good.

    I’ll keep thinking about others—he’s a lucky guy to have you as his food Sherpa :)!!!
    "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington
  • Post #13 - August 3rd, 2023, 10:53 am
    Post #13 - August 3rd, 2023, 10:53 am Post #13 - August 3rd, 2023, 10:53 am
    seebee wrote:...

    Still on the list, in order of importance in my mind so far:
    Ethiopian (somewhere)
    Dongpo Impression for that green fish soup
    Middle Eastern, more than likely one of those joints on S Harlem.
    Vietnamese
    Calumet Fisheries
    H-Mart
    EggHolic

    ...
    So, anything anyone would kinda "target" for a divey ethnic joint / market (with hot food) that's a little more on the exotic side? One of my thoughts was Zaragoza, but, I snuck there by myself a few weeks ago, and I think he'd rather go back to Chaparrita than try Zaragoza.

    Head up to Uptown. You could have goat at the Zaragoza at Broadway and Lawrence, Ethiopian at Demera across the street. Kill some time and calories by walking up Broadway towards Argyle. Grocery shop at Park to Shop and Tai Nam. Stop at In-on-Thai for a snack then wander on Argyle to see if anything else catches your eye. ;-)
    -Mary
  • Post #14 - August 3rd, 2023, 12:43 pm
    Post #14 - August 3rd, 2023, 12:43 pm Post #14 - August 3rd, 2023, 12:43 pm
    Maybe a few Howard Street places? Badou Senegalese (2049 W Howard St Chicago, IL) is next door to Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining (2043 West Howard Street, Chicago, IL), and roughly across the street from Good To Go Jamaican Cuisine (711 Howard Evanston IL).
  • Post #15 - August 4th, 2023, 10:22 am
    Post #15 - August 4th, 2023, 10:22 am Post #15 - August 4th, 2023, 10:22 am
    Thanks!

    Dim sum is a fantastic idea, but that'll be more for the whole family when they visit. It's tame enough for them, but still an experience.

    Badou is definitely an option that was on my mind, but I like the idea of going to a place that has the "family style" options, and I'm kinda wanting him to try injera, which I'm not 100% sure Badou has. I just remember injera being shockingly good and interesting the first time I had it (and I kinda want it, too.)

    In On Thai (never been) sounds great to get "weirder" with it. That might be a winner.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
    Pronoun: That fool over there
    Identifies as: A human that doesn't need to "identify as" something to try to somehow be interesting.
  • Post #16 - August 4th, 2023, 11:06 am
    Post #16 - August 4th, 2023, 11:06 am Post #16 - August 4th, 2023, 11:06 am
    You could try Korean corn dogs, at least as a snack--there are many more options around than there used to be (there's now even a Kong Dog downtown).
  • Post #17 - August 4th, 2023, 11:09 am
    Post #17 - August 4th, 2023, 11:09 am Post #17 - August 4th, 2023, 11:09 am
    seebee wrote:In On Thai (never been) sounds great to get "weirder" with it. That might be a winner.

    In-On Thai is superb. There are a lot of great items on the menu, but be sure to order the Crispy Fish with Jungle Salad.

    You also mentioned Ethiopian upthread - I recommend checking out Axum, which is in the former Ras Dashen space. The decor in the dining room is rather sterile/generic, but the food is expertly prepared with fresh ingredients.
  • Post #18 - August 4th, 2023, 12:18 pm
    Post #18 - August 4th, 2023, 12:18 pm Post #18 - August 4th, 2023, 12:18 pm
    tapler wrote:In-On Thai is superb.

    In-On Thai is in the same conversation as Zaragoza, La Chaparrita, RHR, Uncle John’s, Sun Wah, Katsu and a few other tip-top-tier places.
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #19 - August 4th, 2023, 1:27 pm
    Post #19 - August 4th, 2023, 1:27 pm Post #19 - August 4th, 2023, 1:27 pm
    G Wiv wrote:
    tapler wrote:In-On Thai is superb.

    In-On Thai is in the same conversation as Zaragoza, La Chaparrita, RHR, Uncle John’s, Sun Wah, Katsu and a few other tip-top-tier places.


    Are you toying with us by noting Katsu?
  • Post #20 - August 8th, 2023, 7:50 pm
    Post #20 - August 8th, 2023, 7:50 pm Post #20 - August 8th, 2023, 7:50 pm
    I slept on In On Thai for waaay too long. Wowed us all. Crispy Fish/Jungle Salad was a stunner, but the basil pork with bamboo was a table favorite. Nothing was not a hit, tho.
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
    Pronoun: That fool over there
    Identifies as: A human that doesn't need to "identify as" something to try to somehow be interesting.
  • Post #21 - August 9th, 2023, 5:01 pm
    Post #21 - August 9th, 2023, 5:01 pm Post #21 - August 9th, 2023, 5:01 pm
    I sadly admit I haven't been since pre-pandemic, but Nhà Hàng was always a pretty quintessential "ethnic dive" for me (can someone come up with a better term for "ethnic"?). Used to get a lot of love around here but I haven't seen any posts in a while. I plan to take my mom there when she visits in a couple weeks. Hope they're still going strong.
  • Post #22 - August 10th, 2023, 9:39 am
    Post #22 - August 10th, 2023, 9:39 am Post #22 - August 10th, 2023, 9:39 am
    ”ethnic dive" for me (can someone come up with a better term for "ethnic"?).


    Global/International?

    Personally the term ethnic doesn't bother me, since all food is ethnic in origin, its just a shortcut that we have always use when referring to food that is perhaps cheap and usually different from the norm, brought to us by the immigrants of the moment, but I suppose it really is a rather inelegant expression.
  • Post #23 - August 10th, 2023, 7:36 pm
    Post #23 - August 10th, 2023, 7:36 pm Post #23 - August 10th, 2023, 7:36 pm
    Luckyguy wrote:I sadly admit I haven't been since pre-pandemic, but Nhà Hàng …………Hope they're still going strong.

    I’ve been 7-8 times during and post pandemic. Good as ever. Nha Hang has expanded into the next storefront and the next generation seems to be running day to day. All good though.

    Nha Hang, count me a fan!
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow
  • Post #24 - August 11th, 2023, 7:19 am
    Post #24 - August 11th, 2023, 7:19 am Post #24 - August 11th, 2023, 7:19 am
    Thanks for the intel, Gary. I think my mom, a Tampa-based retiree, will find the experience eye-opening.
  • Post #25 - August 11th, 2023, 10:07 am
    Post #25 - August 11th, 2023, 10:07 am Post #25 - August 11th, 2023, 10:07 am
    So, which Ethiopian (or perhaps if not, then African in general) place approaches the conversation of Chaparrita, In On Thai, Zaragoza, RHR, etc?
    We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
    Pronoun: That fool over there
    Identifies as: A human that doesn't need to "identify as" something to try to somehow be interesting.
  • Post #26 - August 11th, 2023, 10:43 am
    Post #26 - August 11th, 2023, 10:43 am Post #26 - August 11th, 2023, 10:43 am
    its no longer politically correct to say "ethnic"
    my apologies
    I suggest "specialty" or "niche"
  • Post #27 - August 11th, 2023, 10:55 am
    Post #27 - August 11th, 2023, 10:55 am Post #27 - August 11th, 2023, 10:55 am
    HPGlutster2 wrote:its no longer politically correct to say "ethnic"
    my apologies
    I suggest "specialty" or "niche"


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