Family Dining on the North Shore

So, you just moved to the North Shore from Chicago and you think you're going to either starve or go broke! We've all been through it: You've found the fancy places, but you're beginning to have chills and nightmares in fear that you'll never again have a great hamburger or pizza with the family.

Well, we're here to tell you that you CAN enjoy casual, good dining on the North Shore! Don't despair! These are our favorite, fun, family-friendly restaurants in the area (and, in some cases, a bit beyond but worth the drive).

-- Kevin & Debby Killion
    (click to write to us)

Our Top 3 Nearby Family Favorites
Cap'n Nemo's	Green Bay, Winnetka	as old Rogers Parkers, we longed for a Nemo's on the North Shore, and now their fantastic subs and soups are here.
Walker Bros	Green Bay, Wilmette	classic apple pancakes, crowded for weekend breakfasts but a nice alternative at lunch or dinnertime
C. J. Arthur	downtown Wilmette	Decent food (to both kids' tastes and grownup tastes), family-friendly, low key. Also has nightly entertainment ranging from karaoke to classic rock.
Mexican
Las Palmas	Glenview	fun, mariachis, good salsa, great Mex seafood
El Tipico	Dempster, just w. of McCormick	interesting decor, "typical" Mexican dining
Chinese
Wah Mei	W. of 4th and Linden, Wilmette	outstanding take-out
Hunan Chef	Northfield, east side of Happ	take-out,delivery, and a small but never busy dining area
Best places for a burger or sandwich and a beer
Meier's Tap	Lake, just west of Edens and tracks, Glenview	Great burgers, lean Reuben sandwiches, and addictive tater tots. Tables in the bar area, or a separate dining area in back, if you prefer
Hackney's	two in Glenview: - Harms s. of Lake - Lake e. of Waukegan	A North Shore classic
Seul's	Northfield, east side of Happ	Everybody's after-the-game lunch stop
BBQ
Merle's	Evanston	Grab a roll of paper towels and throw your gnawed ribs in the bucket. Tasty and fun.
Irish
Tommy Nevin's	Evanston, across from Holiday Inn	great food (really!) and music on Sunday afternoons
Italian
Dave's	Evanston	new, somewhat-too-polished home for the long-time favorite of many.
The North Shore still needs a good, low-key, neighborhoody Italian place. If there is one, we haven't found it.
Pizza
Pequod's	s. on Gross Pt Rd, right on Dempster, left on Fernald, 2 blocks	Legendary, fantastic pan pizza and German beer make drive worthwhile. Excruciatingly informal.
Gulliver's	Howard just east of California in Rogers Park	amazing decorations, great pan pizza, wide menu of other choices
Carmen's	Evanston	Good stuffed pizza, easy walk to Evanston theaters
Japanese
Akai Hana	s. side of Lake, across from Edens Plaza	Comfortable, attractive restaurant, many choices
Sea Ranch	same strip as Akai	the best take-out sushi around Hana
Gyros
Chuck Wagon	downtown Wilmette	nearest
Dengeo's	McCormick & Main	best
Greek
Periyali	Niles	A drive, but it's our pick for the best Greek restaurant in the entire Chicago area; delicious, beautiful.
Breakfast
Pretty Good Cafe	Green Bay, Winnetka
Outdoor
Hackney's	Harms Road just south of Lake, in Glenview	Beautiful surroundings on a summer day
Gulliver's	Howard and California, Rogers Park	Fabulous decorations, great food
Periyali	Niles	Welcome to Greece!
Ouilmette Depot	downtown Wilmette
C. J. Arthur's	downtown Wilmette	A few tables on sidewalk
Where the heck have they hidden the franchises?
Subway	west side of Happ in Northfield, south of Willow north of Hubbard Woods in Winnetka
McDonald's	Green Bay and Tower, Winnetka downtown Evanston
Burger King	Waukegan Road, Glenview downtown Evanston

What have we missed? Let us know!
Kevin & Debby Killion
(click to write to us)

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