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as well as a player piano and other Old West saloon-type memorabilia, but go
here for the mouthwatering made-to-order grilled sub sandwiches (that's all they
serve). Prepared on homemade rolls stuffed with your choice of turkey, Italian
meats, veggies, pizza ingredients, and more, and layered with lettuce, tomato,
onion, pickles, and Italian seasonings, they're warmed in a countertop toaster
oven. Even with all the fixin's, each is under $5 (unlike the massive subs found
at many other spots, Potbelly's are the more the size of normal sandwiches).
Tempting milkshakes keep the blender mighty busy. And the good news about
those lines: The behind-the-counter staff are experts at keeping things moving,
so you never end up waiting too long. Potbelly has 10 locations throughout the
city, including 190 N. State St. (
&
312/683-1234
) and in the Westfield North
Bridge shopping center, 520 N. Michigan Ave. (
&
312/664-1008
), which are
convenient to the Loop and Mag Mile.
2264 N. Lincoln Ave. (between Belden Ave. and Webster St.).
&
773/528-1405.
Reservations not accepted.
Main courses $3.50-$5.50. No credit cards or checks. Daily 11am-11pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Fullerton.
RoseAngelis
NORTHERN ITALIAN What is it about RoseAnge-
lis that keeps me coming back, when there's not exactly a shortage of Italian
restaurants in this city? The secret is simple: This is neighborhood dining at its
best, a place with reliably good food and very reasonable prices. Tucked in a res-
idential side street in Lincoln Park, the restaurant fills the ground floor of a for-
mer private home, with a charming series of cozy rooms and a garden patio. The
menu emphasizes pasta (my favorites are the rich lasagna and the ravioli al Luigi,
filled with ricotta and served with a sun-dried-tomato cream sauce). The garlicky
chicken Vesuvio is excellent, but it's not offered on Friday and Saturday nights
because of preparation time. While RoseAngelis is not a vegetarian restaurant per
se, there's no red meat on the menu, and many of the pastas are served with veg-
etables rather than meat. Finish up with the deliciously decadent bread pudding
with warm caramel sauce, one of my favorite desserts in the city (and big enough
to share). I suggest stopping by on a weeknight because you'll be fighting lots of
locals on weekend nights (when you'll wait up to 2 hr. for a table).
1314 W. Wrightwood Ave. (at Lakewood Ave.).
&
773/296-0081.
www.roseangelis.com. Reservations
accepted for parties of 8 or more. Main courses $9.95-$15. DISC, MC, V. Tues-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat
5-11pm; Sun 4:30-9pm. Subway/El: Red Line to Fullerton.
Sai Café
SUSHI/JAPANESE Chicago has had an infusion of high-style
sushi bars in recent years, but the low-key Sai Café continues to be a popular
place for Lincoln Park residents more interested in food than funky decor. This
is truly a neighborhood restaurant, just off the chic Armitage Avenue shopping
corridor (star chef Charlie Trotter is a regular here, which is certainly a good sign).
A la carte selections come by the piece or maki-mono style, which pairs anything
from tuna and avocado to flying-fish eggs and scallions, and then wraps it all up
in rice and a thin sheet of dried seaweed. Combo plates feature different meat,
fish, and vegetables that can be dressed in tempura or teriyaki, or served sashimi
style. Sai Café also offers a large selection of noodle and rice dishes.
2010 N. Sheffield Ave. (at Armitage Ave.).
&
773/472-8080.
Main courses $16-$24; a la carte sushi
$3.75-$6.95 per piece. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 4:30-11pm; Fri-Sat 4:30pm-midnight; Sun 3:30-10pm.
Subway: Brown Line to Armitage.
Twin Anchors
BARBECUE A landmark in Old Town since the end of
Prohibition, Twin Anchors manages to maintain the flavor of old Chicago. It's a
friendly, family-owned pub with Frank Sinatra on the jukebox and on the walls
Value
