Visiting friends! Where do you go to eat in the St Charles area?

[coachrbc]

I'll be staying with friends for five days I am looking for restaurants in the general vicinity. I have transportation to go anywhere. where do we eat When we are not in chicago
Deep dish pizza
Mexican
fine dining
Seafood

Anything other than chain food places in the area. in other words local places have good food

[Georgia Sommers]

There was a St Charles sushi restaurant featured on ABC's "190 N" tv show Sunday night. Anyone have experience with this one?

www.woknfire.com

[nsxtasy]

Here are some discussions where you'll find recommendations in the St. Charles area:

Restaurant Picks for Geneva, IL - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/594401
Geneva, IL rests? - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/464092
Another NYer visiting Chicago (mostly West Chicago though) - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/573934
Special Occasion reco needed in the Fox Valley area - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/479112

>> Deep dish pizza
>> Mexican
>> fine dining
>> Seafood

There are two principal kinds of deep-dish pizza. One is a single-crust "pizza in the pan", and Lou Malnati's is as good as anyone's. The other is a double-crust "stuffed pizza" and Giordano's is as good as anyone's. Both are excellent, but if you've never had our deep-dish pizza, I suggest starting with Malnati's, since pizza in the pan is the original type first introduced by Uno in 1943. Wherever you go, phone ahead with your pizza order to avoid waiting 30-45 minutes while seated for your pizza to bake.

For Mexican, I've heard good things about Bien Trucha, haven't been there though.

There are numerous "casual fine dining" restaurants mentioned in the topics listed above.

For great seafood, go to Hugo's Frog Bar in Naperville or Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg.

[coachrbc]

Thanks i'm also looking forgood traditional greek foonear halstead which are your favorites. i don't mean souvlaki joints i mean places where i can get lemon potatoes and stewed okra

[nsxtasy]

There's a discussion of the Greek restaurants in Greek Town at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/119233

However, if you're staying in St. Charles, you don't need to go all the way downtown for authentic Greek food. Greek Islands, one of the most well-known restaurants in Greek Town, has a second location in west suburban Lombard that's a lot closer to St. Charles than going downtown. www.greekislandslombard.com

[LikestoEatout]

No need to leave St Charles for Greek, you can go to Odyssey 2 in St Charles on East Main across from the Charlestown Mall. We have gone a number of times, excellent service and food.

http://www.odysseygreektaverna.com/

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Odyssey 2
3755 E Main St, Saint Charles, IL 60174

[LikestoEatout]

The local branch of Lou Malnati's is in Geneva Commons and is a carry out only. There is a Giordano's in St Charles.

[nsxtasy]

Good to know.

I see there's a location of Gino's East in St. Charles. They too serve deep-dish "pizza in the pan". I assume they are eat-in as well as carry-out, yes? www.ginoseast.com

[LikestoEatout]

Yes, Gino's East is in a large building that housed Tin Cup Pass some 25 years ago. I haven't been in Gino's in about 10 years though and that was for a political fundraiser so I can't comment on quality but I did enjoy the pizza we had.

[coachrbc]

Hugo's sound excellent. How is the fish at Greek islands I usually go to Greek restaurants in Astoria, Qns. for fresh fish. If you are ever in NYC try Stamatis you feel like your are in Greece most of the side converstions are in Greek. that flaming cheese must be a Chicago thing because it's not all that common in NYC

[nsxtasy]

The fish at Greek Islands is very fresh.

[coachrbc]

Sounds real good. Much better than Geek Odssessy? Is it better than the Parthenon and can i get lemon potatoes . i will be going to a cubs game on Saturday anywhere to eat near there. ethnic or bar food

[nsxtasy]

Greek Islands and the Parthenon are both very popular here.

For recommendations near Wrigley Field, see http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/373516

[Eldon Kreider]

Saganaki originated in Chicago.

[nsxtasy]

According to its entry in Wikipedia, saganaki originated in Greek cuisine and is named after the pan in which it is prepared. However, the entry gives credit to the Parthenon restaurant here in Chicago for the practice of flambeeing it tableside and extinguishing it with lemon juice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saganaki The Parthenon's own website is consistent with this distinction, taking credit only for the flambeeing. www.theparthenon.com/history.htm

[AluminumChef]

I recommend Bien Trucha, a Mexican restaurant in Geneva (the town next to St. Charles). The tacos come in orders of four which is great for sharing. I have tried most of the taco combinations and have loved them, but the fish tacos are definitely my favorite. We also enjoy the guacamole and the margaritas.

We ate there over the weekend and also tried the side of corn which was wonderful, charred and mixed with cheese, peppers and lemon.

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Bien Trucha
410 W State St, Geneva, IL 60134

[coachrbc]

there are two deep dish places in st charles giordano's or Lou Malnati's Which is better isnt there a prix fixe place in Aurora Chef a? epicurian feast

[chellez437]

Lou Malnati's is definitely my preference. The only other deep dish place that compares is the original Uno's and Due's downtown.