Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
close together, so you can't help eavesdropping on your neighbors—and check-
ing out their food.
You'll find mostly the same menu at two other Francesca's locations in the city:
Francesca's on Taylor,
1400 W. Taylor St. in Little Italy (
&
312/829-2828
), and
Francesca's Bryn Mawr,
1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., just north of Wrigleyville
(
&
773/506-9261
). Both accept reservations, which are highly recommended on
weekends.
3311 N. Clark St. (1
1
⁄
2
blocks north of Belmont Ave.).
&
773/281-3310.
www.miafrancesca.com. Reserva-
tions recommended. Main courses $9.95-$23. AE, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm. Subway/El:
Red Line to Belmont.
INEXPENSIVE
Ann Sather
SWEDISH/AMERICAN/BREAKFAST A sign hanging by
Ann Sather's door bears the following inscription: “Once one of many neigh-
borhood Swedish restaurants, Ann Sather's is the only one that remains.” It's a
real Chicago institution, where you can enjoy Swedish meatballs with buttered
noodles and brown gravy, or the Swedish sampler of duck breast with lin-
gonberry glaze, meatball, potato-sausage dumpling, sauerkraut, and brown
beans. All meals are full dinners, including appetizer, main course, vegetable,
potato, and dessert. Sticky cinnamon rolls are a highlight of Sather's popular
(and very affordable) weekend brunch menu (it can get frenzied, but you'll be
fine if you get here before 11am). The people-watching is priceless here: a cross
section of gay and straight, young and old, from club kids to elderly couples.
There are several other branches that serve only breakfast and lunch: a restau-
rant in Wicker Park, at 1448 N. Milwaukee Ave. (
&
773/394-1812
), and smaller
cafes in Lakeview, at 3411 N. Broadway (
&
773/305-0024
) and 3416 N. South-
port Ave. (
&
773/404-4475
).
929 W. Belmont Ave. (between Clark St. and Sheffield Ave.).
&
773/348-2378.
Reservations accepted for
parties of 6 or more. Main courses $7-$12. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 7am-9pm. Free parking with validation. Sub-
way/El: Red Line to Belmont.
Penny's Noodle Shop
ASIAN/THAI Predating many of Chicago's
pan-Asian noodle shops, Penny's has kept its loyal following even as others have
joined the fray. Penny Chiamopoulous, a Thai native, has assembled a concise
menu of delectable dishes, all of them fresh and made to order—and all at prices
that will make you do a double-take. The two dining rooms are clean and spare;
single diners can usually find a seat along the bar that wraps around the grill.
The Thai spring roll, filled with seasoned tofu, cucumber, bean sprouts, and
strips of cooked egg, makes a refreshing starter. Of course, noodles unite every-
thing on the menu, so your main decision is choosing among the options (crispy
wide rice, rice vermicelli, Japanese udon, and so on) served in a soup or spread
out on a plate. There are several barbecued pork and beef entrees, and plenty of
options for vegetarians.
The original Penny's, tucked under the El tracks at 3400 N. Sheffield Ave.
near Wrigley Field (
&
773/281-8222
), is small and often has long waits; you
stand a better chance of scoring a table at the Diversey Avenue location or the
one in Wicker Park, at 1542 N. Damen Ave. (
&
773/394-0100
). All locations
are BYOB.
950 W. Diversey Ave. (at Sheffield St.).
&
773/281-8448.
Reservations not accepted. Main courses
$4.50-$7.95. MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Diversey.
Value
