Diners, Drive-In & Dives

Any places in the Chicagoland area, like on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives? Not Smoque. A good sit down or bar. Good atmosphere, drinks & good food.
Consistent quality at a reasonable price.

You might want to check out the recent DD&D filming in this thread. There are references to other places they filmed around town in that thread, too.

i might get a lot of flack for this, but what about rj grunts in lincoln park? my family and i recently had our friday night dinner there and it was fantastic. it's tight but it's a great atmosphere, so 70's. our burgers were juicy, we had a pitcher of stella that was delivered cold, an appetizer of onion rings and a french onion soup (very rich, but very edible), and our tab for three was under $60. ive never had a bad meal there and it's always affordable.

i know it's not a diner, drive-in or dive, but neither's smoque.

Well, a lot of the GNRs are considered dive-y, or are diners (do we have a drive-in yet?)

Thanks. Smoque is ok, but a "one trick pony".

The places resently featured on the show looked very good. A variety of fresh, interesting food.

A place like Mannys, but with some "charm". Good food that does not break the bank.

walter wade wrote:Thanks. Smoque is ok, but a "one trick pony".

I laughed a lot when I read this, only because I know the ire that statement will bring to die-hard Smoque fans to whom it is a sacred cow. (What is that thread up to now, 11 pages?)

Okay, I'll take a stab at this question even though it is so confusing to me that I almost want to put my head on my desk or lay down in a darkened room after pondering it.

You would like a place that is like those featured on DD&D. But not like Smoque, which was actually featured on DD&D. But like Manny's, which was not featured on DD&D, but yet, is neither a drive-in, diner or dive (at least not to me).

So, I'll start with the obvious answers, which are places in the area that were recently featured on DD&D (but not Smoque, 'cause that's a one-trick pony ):

Weiner and Still Champion
Glenn's Diner

The non-obvious answer - places that were not featured (to my knowledge) on DD&D, but may fill your need for places that are like those featured on DD&D:

Moon's Sandwich Shop (dive)
Patty's Diner (diner)

Neither are one-trick ponies.

It has been reported here that GNR recipient Cemitas Puebla will be featured on an upcoming episode of DD&D. I don't know if it's divey or dinery enough for the OP, but it sure is one of my personal favorites.

Consistent quality at a reasonable price.

Well, Jeri's Grill delivers consistently average food at cheap prices. And it's certainly a divey diner.

I'd think Kumas would fit the bill as they have both food and drinks

Here are the Chicagoland restaurants that have been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

Frosted Mug
Note: Currently Closed
11541 South Pulaski Road
Alsip, IL 60803
Website: http://www.thefrostedmug.com

Franks Diner
508 58th St.
Kenosha, WI 53140
Tel: (262) 657-1017
Website: http://www.franksdinerkenosha.com

Hackney's
1241 Harms Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
Tel: (847) 724-5577
Website: http://www.hackneys.net

Smoque
3800 N. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60641
Tel: (773) 545-7427

Paradise Pup
1724 S. River Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Tel: (847) 699-8590

White Palace Grill
1159 S. Canal St.
Chicago, IL 60607
Tel: (312) 939-7167

Gailwood Cook Shack
Lunch Truck/RV
Flea Market at Logan & Milwaukee
Chicago, IL

The complete list of all the places they've featured is here

Frosted mug is closed

did I hear right that Del Rheas Chicken Basket in Willowbrook will be on D3? Iwork right by there, and have eaten and drank there a few times.

If so, its and interesting choice, neat place because of its Route 66 history and all, but I can think of about 10 better fried chicken places out where I live.

jimswside wrote:I can think of about 10 better fried chicken places out where I live.

Jim,

I'll be passing by that arrea in a couple of weeks and I'd love to hear about some of those places. Neither White Fence farm (too touristy and small chickens) or Del Rhea's (Bigger Chicken, but nothing earth shattering) do much for me.

Places recently filmed for DD&D in Chicago:

Vito & Nicks
Tufanos
Cemistas Puebla
Dell Rhea's chicken
Glenn's Diner
Kuma's Corner
Wiener & Still Champion

I bet you'd like Candlelite Lounge, On Western at Birchwood in West Rogers Park. It's fallen a little out of favor on LTH, for whatever reason, but the super-thin crusted pizza, burgers, and garlic fries are swell, and the beer assortment is comprehensive, plus they're open very late. I'm surprised Fieri hasn't shown up there yet, as he seems at times to be following us around.

Give it a shot. (also search it here, for some wildly varying opinions, to put it mildly...)

Candlelite Lounge
7452 N Western Ave.
Chicago
773.465.0087

I'm not a die-hard Smoque fan, but I don't understand why you'd call it a one-trick pony unless you mean the one-trick is barbecue. Now, that's a pretty good trick in my book, but more to the point, it means I don't really understand what you're getting at.

I really don't ever use the term "dive" but if I try to, I'd definitely second Weiner and Still Champion, Patty's and Cemitas Puebla. (Cemitas Puebla might be only a two trick pony. I haven't been in a long time, but I don't think there's much more than tacos and cemitas.)

Again, I'm not trying to get sidetracked on what is or isn't a dive, but Candlelite is a pretty different kind of place. The kitchen got a little inconsistent a while ago but they still produce pretty good burgers and the garlic fries are good-to-great depending on your luck.

I bet Cross-Rhodes would qualify for your interests. I think they have very good burgers and I love the greek fries, but the menu is actually pretty well rounded, and while they don't have a bar, they serve beer and wine.

walter wade wrote:Thanks. Smoque is ok, but a "one trick pony".

The places resently featured on the show looked very good. A variety of fresh, interesting food.

A place like Mannys, but with some "charm". Good food that does not break the bank.

I'm wondering what your issue is with Smoque. Personally, Smoque is one of my favorite restaurants, if not my favorite restaurant. The food and service there is excellent, although I do think that the place needs more space.

stevez wrote:

jimswside wrote:I can think of about 10 better fried chicken places out where I live.

Jim,

I'll be passing by that arrea in a couple of weeks and I'd love to hear about some of those places. Neither White Fence farm (too touristy and small chickens) or Del Rhea's (Bigger Chicken, but nothing earth shattering) do much for me.

Steve, I agree, White Fence, and Del Rheas are just average in my opinion.

A couple of places I like:

Rips Tavern
Ladd, IL.

http://www.ripstavern.com

Cherry Supper Club
110 N. Main
Cherry, IL.
815-894-3520

Carettos Bar & Bowl(huge pork tenderloin sandwiches also)
729 Chestnut
Ottawa, IL.
815-434-0758

One place I need to try for their fried chicken and the turtle meat they have on the menu:

Johnnys Corner Tap(cash or local checks only)
700 E. Bluff Street
Marseilles, IL.
815-795-5577

If the garbage plate can cause Frank's in Kneosha to be featured on the show, there's no reason that Diner Grill shouldn't be recognized.

Any of the places mentioned herein that feature the big baby down on the southside.

Many thanks to all.

For all you die hard Smoqueies, I ate their once. Their baby backs & fries are very good. The balance including sides is average. The great thing is BYOB. If i'm in the area, I'd go back, assuming I had a taste for ribs. I would not go out of my way. I can cook ribs with the "best of them". Using my Weber and following Prof. Wiviott's instructions, with a bottle of Gerard- Artistry. I'll run with Smoque any time any where.

Someone mentioned Vito & Nicks. 83rd & Pulaski location ONLY. THE BEST.
I live in the northern burbs, we are in a pizza wasteland. I've tried most, all junk.

Someone mentioned the Purple Pup in Des Plaines. Friends say very good burgers, but you eat outside. I want to sit & have a beer.

Back in the day, on 57th & Ashland was Oswalds. A tavern that served corned beef roast beef, fried chicken, butt steakes along with daily specials 7 days, 10 hrs. a day.

There was a similar place at 71st & Ashland. Both are long gone.

As to those breakfast places, probably ok, but I'm not looking to clog my arteries.

My favorite restaurant Frontera Grill.

Please note that Cemitas Puebla is now sporting a 5-foot tall framed signed poster of Guy Fieri with related paraphernalia. He's in just slightly worse shape than most of the soccer stars on the other walls.

Smoque-THE best bbq I've ever had, especially the brisket.

Vito & Nicks- loved everything, especially the pizza.

Can't wait to try Cemitas.

I'll second the call for chicken at Ripps in Ladd IL. People stand in line for it all the time. Ladd, the mecca for fried chicken.

I went to Lou Mitchell's for breakfast yesterday. If Guy hasn't done up that place yet, he's bound to soon. Great, cheap breakfast. Note: 1 egg = 4 eggs & 2 eggs = 6 eggs.

565 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60661

FYI:

Cemitas Puebla was on Diners Drive In and Dives tonight for 2 segments..

Saw the segment. Location approx 3600 W. North Ave. Ave.
I'll make an effort to get there. Looked good.
They have some good joints on that show. The first one yesterday on the Phili. joint in Utah look mighty good.

Any really good places like on the show in our area???
Thanks

walter wade wrote:Saw the segment. Location approx 3600 W. North Ave. Ave.

Here are the specifics.

Glenn's Diner will be on this evenings eposide of DD&D on the Foodnetwork.

Barnew wrote:Glenn's Diner will be on this evenings eposide of DD&D on the Foodnetwork.

That's odd. Was at Glenn's yest and they said the 24th.

gp60004 wrote:

Barnew wrote:Glenn's Diner will be on this evenings eposide of DD&D on the Foodnetwork.

That's odd. Was at Glenn's yest and they said the 24th.

They show them tons of times.