Oak Park’s stretch of North Avenue is not as restaurant-filled as River Forest/Elmwood Park’s section, but it’s still a dining destination that sometimes gets overlooked by those of us “south of the border.”
Here’s a roundup of what’s new and tasty at our northern boundary:
Heading from east to west the first restaurants on the south side of North Avenue are in a strip mall. J&J Fish has long anchored the mall with wings, catfish, gizzards aplenty.
Just past Narragansett, at the next strip mall over, China Chop Suey has stood the test of time. A new location of the locally-based chain Taco Pros is under construction in the old Surf’s Up space.
Continuing west, at the intersection with Oak Park Avenue, Michael’s Beef House upgraded its restaurant and refreshed the menu a few years ago. While you can still get a Chicago dog, Italian beef and many burgers, they also feature chicken and fish sandwiches and five different salads.
Across the street – making one exception to the tour of the south side of the street – is another strip mall. Linda Michoacana serves ice cream and savory treats. On weekend, they add homemade tamales. Flavors are chicken and green salsa, chicken and red salsa, rajas con queso, and sweet. Pre-ordering is the best way to make sure you get the ones you want.
In the same mall is North Avenue Falafel. Owner Youssef Salama forged a special bond through food with Oak Park teen Hank Souders, who passed away recently at the age of 19.
The restaurant hosted an event for his family and friends and they have a poster of him up in the restaurant. His parents say that North Ave Falafel’s chicken shawarma wrap and Alpine Food Shop subs were his go-to treats. “It’s hilarious – at his memorial, one of his friends called him a ‘sandwich connoisseur.’ I have never been prouder,” said his father, Brian Souders.
A block further on is Na Siam. New owners Knock and Honey Wareewanich came directly from Thailand to take over this Thai staple eight months ago. The menu includes all the Thai food basics, but they are starting to branch out into more flavors and tastes rooted in their memories of home.
“We love this area. We could see the potential of this restaurant. At first, we try not to change anything much. But we adapt the food as we get to know customers,” said Knock Wareewanich.
Just past Woodbine, The Onion Roll also got a renovation refresh recently, but it is still delivering Jewish deli and NY diner style treats, like hand sliced lox. Bagels are made in-house, and the ones that don’t sell are sliced, toasted, then given to customers along with butter and jelly when they settle in at a table.
“We brought the chocolate egg cream to Oak Park. I do not know of another diner that serves egg creams in the area, but they are a must try and very different from the Chicago Chocolate Phosphate,” said Ryan Rosenthal, the co-owner.
Edging closer to Harlem, Buona Beef has been at the corner of Belleforte since 1989. It was the second location for the Buonavolanto family’s growing business. Since 2018 their ventures include Rainbow Cone ice cream.
The iconic Rainbow Cone – with its “slices” of chocolate, Palmer House (vanilla, cherry, walnuts), followed by pistachio and orange sherbet – has been a Chicago tradition for almost a century.
Now it’s expanding.
Currently Rainbow Cone is in six states. One of those location is at Buona on North Ave. “We always kind of had that side dining room. Over the last several years as our business shifted a lot to online delivery, it kind of left some vacant space,” said Joe Buonavolanto III. “Rainbow Cone express version as we call it.”
Last, but not least, is the strip mall that marks the other end of our journey. Several national chains have outlets there, including a new Wing Snob location in the works. But eating local means eating with your soul and that’s what you get at Passion Eats Express.
Owner and chef Shawanda Simmons says it’s “pick up and go.” You can call ahead, ordering fresh chicken wings, catfish, spaghetti. The goal for Oak Park was to reestablish that southern customer service. “Every person that walks through the door, whether you are doing a catering order or you are just doing lunch, we want you to feel that you are part of the family,” Simmons said.
That sentiment is found all along North Avenue. These restauranteurs show a dedication to customers and fresh flavors. They don’t just have an address in Oak Park, they are a part of the community.
