You Hungry?

If you know me and Elsworth at all, you know that we like delicious food.  If you know me at all you know that I love to eat delicious food in restaurants.  In the seven years that Elsworth and I have been together, I have eaten more meals at home than I ever did before I met him and he's eaten (FAR) more meals in restaurants than he ever did before he met me.  In the year that we've lived in Oak Park, we've tried many local eateries that I would like to recommend to those of you who will be spending some time in Oak Park for our wedding weekend, or any other time. 

Delia's Kitchen http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/1625411/restaurant/Chicago/Delias-Kitchen-Oak-Park is a diner type of restaurant located at 1034 Lake St. and is one that we've enjoyed for breakfast several times.  I've had a very delicious omelet on their specials board a few times...a goat cheese and arugula omelet.  Very good!  Delia's Kitchen also serves lunch and dinner.  I have only been here for breakfast but I am sure lunch and dinner are good too.  It's a diner though so don't expect some fancy meal.  But you can expect consistently good. 

Another diner type of place is George's Restaurant http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/865489/restaurant/Chicago/Georges-Restaurant-Oak-Park located at 145 S Oak Park Ave.  I have only had breakfast at George's but it was delicious.  Also, if you are looking to feed a small family on one entree, I would suggest a breakfast skillet.  Seriously.  I did not order this but I saw one arrive to another table and it was a very generous portion.  Another perk to this place is that everything on the menu is served all day.  Which is why my father was able to order a chicken sandwich at 9:30am! 

Another good spot is Hemingway's Bistro http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/1455102/restaurant/Chicago/Hemingways-Bistro-Oak-Park (for those of you who don't know, Oak Park is the boyhood home of Ernest Hemingway.  This is a fact that will slap you across the face when you come to Oak Park).  Hemingway's Bistro is located in The Write Inn at 211 N. Oak Park Ave.  Hemingway's Bistro is definitely more fancy pants than Delia's but you won't be kicked out if you aren't dressed up.  I have only been here for dinner and it was a nice place with good service and good food.  I have heard that they have a nice brunch as well. 

If you are looking for a good Thai restaurant in downtown Oak Park, New Pot http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/865531/restaurant/Chicago/New-Pot-Restaurant-Oak-Park is one that we've gone to MANY times.  It's consistently good and located at 727 Lake St.  The people who own New Pot also own a Sushi restaurant, Sagano Sushi http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/865557/restaurant/Chicago/Sagano-Sushi-Oak-Park right next door at 731 Lake St.  While neither Elsworth and I eat sushi with fish, we can say that the veggie tempura rolls and many of the entrees here are very good.  Elsworth especially likes that when you order a soft drink it comes in a glass with crushed ice.  He loves crushed ice. 

If you are looking for something a little fancier and modern, Maya Del Sol http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/335131/restaurant/Chicago/Maya-Del-Sol-Oak-Park located at 144 S. Oak Park Ave is delicious!  They also have very good alcoholic beverages (I suggest the sangria if you are looking for a delicious drink).  If you need gluten free or vegan entrees, they have an entire section of their menu that lists foods that are vegan and gluten free (although when we went here last night it looked like their menu had changed.  I asked and they still offer both vegan and gluten free but you will have to ask for those menus specifically).  If you are thinking of checking out Maya Del Sol, you may want to call ahead for a reservation (phone number (708) 358-9800) because it does tend to be busy. 

If you are looking for a nice Indian restaurant, Klay Oven http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/1425493/restaurant/Chicago/Klay-Oven-Oak-Park located at 734 Lake St has great Indian food.  If you are like me, and prefer your food mild, make sure to specify this as the baseline is VERY spicy.  This is a nice restaurant with consistently good service and food. 

I really could go on and on about food here in Oak Park.  There are many good restaurants in the area that I haven't listed.  Here is a link to the Urban Spoon page about Oak Park http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/2/40708/Chicago/Oak-Park-IL-restaurants that has more information about local places to eat.  I can't wait to see you at the wedding and find out what places you've checked out!