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In-Depth Information
entrees for those who don't want to go the tapas route. The vibrantly decorated
cafe makes an excellent, efficient choice for pre- or posttheater dining if you're
headed to Steppenwolf Theatre, a few blocks south, for a play.
2024 N. Halsted St. (at Armitage Ave.).
&
773/935-5000.
www.cafebabareeba.com. Limited number of
reservations accepted. Tapas $3.25-$7.95; main courses $11-$16. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs
noon-10pm; Fri-Sat noon-midnight. Subway/El: Red or Brown line to Fullerton, or Brown Line to Armitage.
INEXPENSIVE
Goose Island Brewing Company
AMERICAN PUB Some of the best beer
in Chicago is manufactured at this comfy, award-winning microbrewery on the
western edge of Old Town (an impressive cast of professional beer critics agrees).
In the course of a year, Goose Island produces about 100 varieties of lagers, ales,
stouts, pilsners, and porters that change with the seasons. Normally a pint costs
$4 (ale of the day, $3), but a 6-ounce sampler glass is only $1, making a tasting
session a fun evening's entertainment. For a behind-the-scenes look, you can tour
the brewing facility every Sunday at 3pm ($3, which includes tastings afterward).
The food here is far more than an afterthought. If you prefer to chow down in
a restaurant atmosphere (rather than sitting at the large bar), there's a separate,
casual dining area that attracts plenty of families on the weekends. Cut-above bar
food includes burgers (including a killer, dragon-breath-inducing Stilton burger
with roasted garlic), sandwiches (pulled pork, catfish po' boy, chicken Caesar),
and some serious salads. Goose Island is also known for its addictive homemade
potato chips, homemade Bavarian pretzels, fresh-brewed root beer, and orange
cream soda. The zero-attitude, come-as-you-are ambience is very refreshing for a
lazy afternoon pit stop or a casual lunch or dinner. A second location at 3535 N.
Clark St. in Wrigleyville (
&
773/832-9040
) has an enclosed beer garden.
1800 N. Clybourn Ave. (at Sheffield Ave.).
&
312/915-0071.
www.gooseisland.com. Reservations recom-
mended on weekends. Sandwiches $7.50-$9.95; main courses $11-$17. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs
11:30am-1am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 11am-1am; main dining room closes at 10pm daily. Subway/El: Red
Line to North/Clybourn.
La Creperie
FRENCH Germain and Sara Roignant have run this
intimate gem of a cafe since 1972, never straying from the reasonably priced
crepes that draw repeat customers aplenty. The decor is heavy on '70s-era brown,
but if you find the main dining room too dark, head to the back patio (enclosed
in colder months), which sparkles with strings of white lights. Onion soup, pâté,
and escargots are all good starters, but the highlights here are the whole-wheat
crepes—each prepared on a special grill that Germain imported from his native
Brittany. Single-choice fillings include cheese, tomato, egg, or ham; tasty duets
feature chicken and mushroom or broccoli and cheese. Beef bourguignon, coq
au vin, or curried chicken are the more adventurous crepe combinations. Non-
crepe offerings are few: orange roughy and steak frites. Don't leave without at
least sharing one of the dessert crepes, which tuck anything from apples to ice
cream within their warm folds. The restaurant officially discontinued its three-
course prix-fixe meal a few years ago, but they still offer it to in-the-know cus-
tomers, so ask about it if you plan on going whole-hog.
2845 N. Clark St. (
1
⁄
2
block north of Diversey Pkwy.).
&
773/528-9050.
Reservations accepted for groups of
6 or more. Main courses $5.50-$15. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Tues-Fri 11:30am-3:30pm and 5-11pm; Sat
11am-11pm; Sun 11am-9:30pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Diversey.
Potbelly Sandwich Works
SANDWICHES It doesn't seem to matter
what time I stop by Potbelly; there's invariably a line of hungry 20- and 30-
somethings waiting to get their sandwich fix. Yes, there's a potbelly stove inside,
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