Let’s continue to support and uplift local businesses. Evanston, long the North Shore hotspot for dining, provides a wide range of options for dining out, and in these emotionally fraught times, comfort food has taken on a new meaning.
Blind Faith Café
Vegetarian
For more than thirty years, they’ve been satisfying vegetarians, vegans, and those that love them with globally inspired dishes (Bi Bim Bop, Yellow Coconut Curry, Spinach Lasagna) and hearty baked goods.
525 Dempster St., Evanston, 847-328-6875, blindfaithcafe.com
The Barn Steakhouse
Contemporary American/Steakhouse
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This sister restaurant to Found Kitchen has a speakeasy feel (it’s down a side alley), chic décor and food that’s classic with a twist. James Beard Award winner Debbie Gold now helms the kitchen. Craft cocktails are top-notch.
Rear 1016 Church St., Evanston, 847-868-8041, thebarnevanston.com
Five & Dime
Everything
This rooftop restaurant, located directly over sister restaurants Lulu’s Dim Sum (Asian Fusion) and Taco Diablo (Mexican), has the largest outdoor patio in town. Chef Dan Kelch makes a fabulous Tuna Poke, craveable Patty Melt, and slow-smoked BBQ Baby Back Ribs that are worth the often-long wait for a table.
1026 Davis St., Evanston, 847-869-4343, fiveanddimeevanston.com
Good To Go
Caribbean
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Jerk, that spicy hallmark of Jamaican food, is the name of the game at this full-service restaurant, be it the Jerk Chicken Nachos, Jerk Rib Tips, or Jerk Shrimp. Cool down your palate with sweet potato fries, or a side of coconut rice with pigeon peas. Don’t miss the homemade caramel cake.
711 Howard St., Evanston, 847-868-8226, goodtogorestaurant.com
Koi
Chinese/Sushi
The menu at this stylish Downtown Evanston restaurant and lounge covers eight regions of China. In addition, find fresh and inventive sushi rolls, great dim sum offerings at weekend brunch.
624 Davis St., Evanston, 847-866-6969, koievanston.com
La Principal
Mexican
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This colorful taco palace pours a mean margarita, and the churros are a local treasure. But we can’t get enough of their elotes — the perfect street food — and the red mole short rib tacos.
700 Main St., Evanston, 224-307-24444, laprincipalevanston.com
Nakorn
Modern Thai
This “Cosmopolitan Thai” resto is exactly where you need to eat. Clean, bright flavors pop big in craft cocktails and curries; not your average Thai menu, and the mouthwatering “Big Fish,” a crispy branzino served whole with lime gastrique, is Exhibit One.
1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston, 847-733-8424, nakornkitchen.com
Next Of Kin
Modern American
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This gorgeously appointed restaurant — in a repurposed old bank, no less — scores big with their focus on farm to table. Favorites include their extra-crispy fried chicken with spicy honey and the Kale Caesar with Mighty Vine tomatoes and paprika breadcrumbs.
625 Davis St., Evanston, 847-563-8242, nextofkin.restaurant
Table to Stix Ramen
Ramen
Small but mighty, this is the best ramen in town — especially the Spicy Miso, a chicken-based broth dressed with roasted pork belly, spicy ground beef, and crispy Brussels sprouts. And don’t sleep on the Bulgogi Pork Buns!
1007 Davis St., Evanston, 847-859-6847, tabletostix.com
Ten Mile House
BBQ/American Comfort Food
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Families welcome at this North Evanston hangout, where juicy smoked brisket and BBQ ribs vie with a top-notch grilled cheese sandwich for your love. DB3 Donuts holds court next door on weekends only.
1700 Central St., Evanston, 847-905-0669, tmhevanston.com
Terra & Vine
Italian
Celebrity restaurateur and sommelier Alpana Singh knows something about hospitality, and you’ll find it on display at this rustic Italian spot. Terrific bar and spacious private dining, plus a large outdoor seating area.
1701 Maple Ave., Evanston, 847-563-4333, terraandvine.com
Union Pizzeria
Pizza
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Pies from a wood-burning pizza oven just have that special something. We love the blistered thin crust pizzas and small antipasti plates here, and the Detroit-style square pizzas down the street at sister restaurant Union Squared, which has a huge back patio for those perfect summer evenings.
1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-475-2400, unionpizza.com
How to help:
In addition to supporting these local restaurants, consider supporting one of these local nonprofits that urgently need support during the pandemic.
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Julie Chernoff, Better’s dining editor since its inception in 2007, graduated from Yale University with a degree in English — which she speaks fluently — and added a professional chef’s degree from the California Culinary Academy. She has worked for Boz Scaggs, Rick Bayless, and Wolfgang Puck (not all at the same time); and counts Northlight Theatre and Les Dames d’Escoffier International as two of her favorite nonprofits. She currently serves on the national board of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, an advocacy group addressing hunger issues in the U.S. and Israel for the nearly 46 million people — veterans, children, seniors, tribal nations, and more — who go to bed hungry every night.
