Are there ANY destination restaurants on the South Side?

[prettyfish]

Most seem to be okay...for the south side. I'd love to find a south side restaurant that is simply GOOD--and would be, no matter where it was located. Any recos? PLEASE??

[PhuD4Thought]

if u like bbq, lem's on 75th
yassa on 79th offers senegalese cuisine

[Leadmine]

Calumet Fisheries is waaaaaay down south. Almost in Indiana but it is definitely a destination and worth the trip if you like smoked fish.

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Calumet Fisheries
3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617

[nsxtasy]

You also might want to check out the recommendations in this recent discussion:

What's Good To Eat Near The Museum of Science & Industry - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/724417

[Querencia]

Go to "chicago restaurant menus" and sort by neighborhood to see actual menus. I like Calypso in Hyde Park.

[jbw]

But better hurry for Calypso. It's closing June 5.

http://www.calypsocafechicago.com/

[nsxtasy]

There are some excellent restaurants on the South Side! For example:

Mercat a la Planxa (tapas, South Loop) - www.mercatchicago.com
Custom House Tavern (American, South Loop) - www.customhouse.cc
Double Li (Szechuan, Chinatown) - http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/double-li
Lao Sze Chuan (Szechuan, Chinatown) - www.tonygourmetgroup.com
Mundial Cocina Mestiza (Mexican, Pilsen) - www.mundialcocinamestiza.com
Amelia's Mestizo Grill (Mexican, Back of the Yards) - www.ameliaschicago.com

This list includes my favorite restaurant in the entire Chicago area for tapas (Mercat), for Chinese (Double Li), and for Mexican (Mundial).

Here are two more that I have not been to but have heard good things about, and are on my never-shrinking list of restaurants that I've been wanting to try:

Han 202 (Asian, Bridgeport) - www.han202.com
Nightwood (contemporary American, Pilsen) - www.nightwoodrestaurant.com

[prettyfish]

Thanks nsxtasy! I actually LOVE Mundial and Amelias is great too. Will definitely check out the other spots you reco'd.

[nsxtasy]

I forgot a few more in the South Loop:

Bongo Room (breakfast) - http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/text/bongo%20room
Manny's (Jewish deli) - www.mannysdeli.com
Lou Malnati's (deep-dish pizza) - www.loumalnatis.com

Also, you can find some recommendations in Hyde Park in this discussion:

What's Good To Eat Near The Museum of Science & Industry - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/724417

[nsxtasy]

>> Here are two more that I have not been to but have heard good things about, and are on my never-shrinking list of restaurants that I've been wanting to try:
>> Han 202 (Asian, Bridgeport) - www.han202.com

I went to Han 202 for dinner on Friday (then walked from there to the Cell to see a Sox game) and I really, really enjoyed it! It's worth going to, even for those who don't live nearby. It offers a mix of Asian (mostly Chinese) cuisine, along with some dishes that are more along the lines of contemporary American, as you'll see from what I had below. It's also an incredible bargain, with the five-course prix fixe menu costing only $25 (with small supplements for a few desserts) plus it's BYOB which saves money.

After a complimentary Asian bun, I started with the miso soup, which was okay. I then had a salad of golden beets with goat cheese which was very good. The appetizer was soft shell crab tempura, a perfectly-cooked half crab that was excellent. The main was Chilean sea bass, a Chinese-style preparation in a brown sauce, very good. For dessert I got the chocolate souffle ($5 supplement) which was a bit more runny than I generally prefer but it was delicious nonetheless. I thought dinner was excellent and it was fun to have a dinner which combines two different cuisines so well. I also appreciated the excellent value. Now Han 202 is off my list of places I want to try and on my list of places I want to return to!

[prettyfish]

sounds delicious! I will definitely check it out! thanks :)

[nsxtasy]

>> Here are two more that I have not been to but have heard good things about, and are on my never-shrinking list of restaurants that I've been wanting to try:
>> Han 202 (Asian, Bridgeport) - www.han202.com
>> Nightwood (contemporary American, Pilsen) - www.nightwoodrestaurant.com

I had Sunday brunch at Nightwood today and thought it was excellent! I posted a detailed report in the brunch discussion at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/3644...

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Nightwood
2119 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

[prettyfish]

Mizer, I stand corrected---I should have been more clear. When I said southside, I was referring to the Hyde Park Bronzeville Kenwood area. Totally excluded the other restaurant rich areas you mentioned. But that still leaves me with very little to choose from in the areas that I mentioned. And I am totally NOT looking for scene. Just memorable food. Please share a few of your favorites. I WANT to look forward to eating in my own neighborhood.