Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
150
the fray. Penny Chiarnopoulous, a Thai native, has assembled a concise menu of delec-
table dishes, all of them fresh and made to order—and at prices that will make you do a
double take. The two dining rooms are clean and spare. The Thai spring roll, filled with
seasoned tofu, cucumber , bean spr outs, and strips of cooked egg, makes a r efreshing
starter. Of course, noodles unite everything on the menu, so your main decision is choos-
ing among noodles (crispy wide rice, rice v ermicelli, Japanese udon, and so on) in a
heaping bowl of soup or spread out on a plate. There are several barbecued pork and beef
entrees, and plenty of options for v egetarians.
The original Penny's, tucked under the El tracks at 3400 N. Sheffield Ave., near Wrig-
ley Field (
&
773/281-8222
), is small and often has long waits; you stand a better chance
of scoring a table at the D iversey Avenue location (address below) or the one in Wicker
Park, at 1542 N. D amen Ave. (
&
773/394-0100
). The original location is BY OB; the
Diversey Avenue and Wicker Park locations have decent beer and wine lists.
950 W. Div ersey A ve. (at Sheffield St.).
&
773/281-8448.
H ighchairs, boost ers. Reser vations not
accepted. Main courses $5-$8. MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm. Subway/El: Brown
Line to Diversey.
Uncommon Gr ound
Finds
BREAKF AST/SANDWICHES A living-r oom
atmosphere created by a wood-burning sto ve and ar twork on the walls that r otates fre-
quently (and is always av ailable for pur chase), U ncommon G round is home to local
artists, musicians, and writers. (F ive nights a week, you can check out a per formance in
the back room by a local trying to make the big time—highly recommended for families
with teens.) Thankfully for families, the atmospher e is 100% smoke fr ee. Sit next to a
window and watch the traffic cr uise by on Clark and Grace streets while you indulge in
steaming bo wls of latte and hot chocolate and some of the yummy baked goods, or
choose fr om the menu, which is heavy on br eakfast foods like nutty oatmeal with
bananas; the “uncommon” breakfast burrito; a croissant with ham, egg, and cheese; and
granola piled with fresh fruit and yogurt. One can't-miss choice is the apple-pecan whole-
wheat pancakes with cranberr y-honey butter. L unchtime means sandwiches, hummus
platter, and a full bar ( Thurs night is $4 mar tini night). Teens will get a kick out of the
Midwest's alternative press on hand here, from the
Reader
to the
Onion,
for your reading
pleasure.
3800 N. Clark St. (at Grace St.).
&
773/929-3680.
Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters. Main courses $9-$15;
kids' menu $4-$9. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 9am-2am; Sat-Sun 8am-2am. Sub way/El: Red Line t o
Addison. Bus: 22.
5
8
WICKER PARK/BUCKTOWN
The booming Wicker Park/Bucktown area followed closely in the race to gentrification
on the heels of Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. First came the artists, photographers, and
musicians, followed by armies of yuppies and y oung families, originally follo wing the
cheap r ents and r eal estate, and later chasing the cachet that became attached to the
neighborhood. Happily, what's now one of the city's hippest restaurant scenes includes a
number of fun options for families. G et yourself to the nexus of activity at the intersec-
tion of North, Damen, and Milwaukee avenues, and you won't have to walk more than
a couple of blocks in any dir ection to find a hot spot. Cab far e is within r eason from
downtown, or you can take the El's Blue Line to Damen Avenue.
