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The Infatuation
Where To Eat In Little Italy And University Village
By Veda KilaruAdrian Kane,
14 hours ago
There are a lot of reasons you might find yourself in University Village a.k.a. Little Italy. It’s home to UIC, but there’s also a very good chance that your friend who works at Rush is townhouse-shopping there—probably while you read this. Or maybe you fell asleep on the Blue Line and woke up at the Halsted stop, and now you’re hungry. Fight the impulse to duck into the first restaurant you see on Taylor Street while running away from the roving freshman hordes, and consider one of the options on this guide instead.
Momo World sounds like a food-based theme park, but instead of rollercoasters and someone sweating in a dumpling costume, this counter-service spot has the best momos in Chicago. There are a lot of different preparations, including the classic steamed jhol (served in a spicy soup), and options like the momo chaat or tandoori, which are steamed, fried, and grilled. They’re all delicious, each order is under $10, and you’ll be in and out in less than an hour.
Legend has it that Al’s invented the Italian beef in 1938, and while that legend might have been started by Al’s, we don't care. This perfect specimen has fluffy bread fortified with beef cooked using a secret recipe. Yes, there are other locations around the city, but the food never seems to live up to the quality at the original on Taylor Street. It’s where they marinate and roast all the beef, and we believe in getting our Al’s straight from the source.
Come to Adda with at least three friends when you’re in the mood to share a bunch of curry and biryani. The menu is long, with dishes like tender lamb vindaloo in a spicy vinegary sauce, mahi-mahi in a coconut curry with kokum and red chilies for heat, and a tandoor section where the smoky, spicy meat tastes like it’s been marinated for days. Unlike Tuk Tuk (also on this guide), Adda is a good option when you want your Indian food accompanied by white tablecloths and cloth napkins.
Around the corner from Al’s on a quiet street corner is Carm’s, just a few blocks away from the traffic on Taylor Street. You’ll find plenty of things on the menu, but the main attraction at this small shop is the Italian beef. Not only is the side of jus here the best in Chicago—more like a peppery consommé—but the bread is so flavorful that you can even order the sandwich dry. The correct move, though, is to get your order dipped, and follow it up with a refreshing Italian ice as a palette cleanser from the separate, cash-only dessert counter.
Tufano’s has no menus (everything is just on a chalkboard), and it’s full of regulars, so you may be concerned you’ve stumbled into someone’s family get-together instead of a casual Italian restaurant. Honestly, since everyone seems to know each other, you’ve probably done both. Not much seems to have changed here since 1930, and people still come for the neighborhood atmosphere, plus signature dishes like stuffed shells or sausage and peppers. And unlike your judgmental family members, everyone here is very nice, whether they know you already or not.
This neighborhood institution has been around since 1999, and seems perpetually swamped until 1:30pm (when Sweet Maple Cafe closes)—for good reason. The brunch staples, like egg scrambles and home fries with perfectly crisped edges or creamy cheddar grits and sweet biscuits, are as comforting and homey as the service and warm, old-timey space. Whatever you order, make sure it involves table pancakes. They’re fluffy and tender, with the barest hint of a crust that holds up under any topping, even the ultra-sweet and thick cinnamon roll glaze.
Mellow pop music and muted earth tones make Lotus Cafe a tranquil place to enjoy a bowl of pho. And since most locals opt for takeout, it’s easy to get one of the handful of tables at the quiet University Village location of this Vietnamese mini-chain. Choose proteins like five spice beef or ginger chicken to go in your banh mi, pho, rice bowls, or noodle salads. The sandwiches come on ultra-soft bread with a pleasant chew, complemented by a generous amount of crunchy vegetables. But pho is the real star here—the noodles have a nice bite, and the fragrant broth is balanced, not too salty or sweet.
Get your fix of tuk tuk-themed decor and Indian snacks at Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food. The menu at this colorful counter-service spot is long and covers everything from samosa chaat to dum biryani to a whole section of “Bombay-style” South Indian dishes like paav bhaji dosa. But stick to the chaat (and head to Siri across the street for dosas instead). Tuk Tuk is open until midnight every night except Monday, so swing by for an afternoon or late-night snack among UIC students, a mix of Bollywood and pop music, and cans of Thums Up.
One of the city’s best French bistros is actually in Little Italy. Chez Joel is small, has white tablecloths, fresh roses on the tables, and is full of vintage posters that are cliche but still charming. The food here isn’t groundbreaking, but it's perfect when you’re looking for a great steak au poivre or coq au vin while you gently hold someone’s hand, reassuring them that “Of course, I don’t regret having kids” after the babysitter texts that one of them just ate a Lego. Come here for a quiet neighborhood date night, even if you don’t live nearby.
Taylor’s Tacos serves a short menu of tacos with fillings like chicken, steak, shrimp, sweet potato, and a weekly special like fish or asparagus. The tacos are small but stuffed, so you’ll definitely be able to make use of the double-stacked tortillas (which happen to be delicious, despite being a little greasy). Keep in mind there are only five tables in this small but airy counter-service spot, and its proximity to the Medical District means that if you visit during lunch, you should be prepared to get your order to go.
This iconic counter-service hot dog stand opened in 1939 and claims to have created the original Maxwell Street polish, which we choose to believe because of how tasty their all-beef version topped with grilled onions is. There’s no actual seating, but a hot dog or burger at Jim’s Original is still satisfying whether you’re eating at the standing counters on the side or trying to avoid spilling mustard all over your dashboard. And if the line is long, you can always try for a hot dog next door at the equally iconic Express Grill.
Despite its name, resist the urge to only get kebabs at Cairo Kebab—there are plenty of other Egyptian specialties that deserve a spot on the table. The koshary is an excellent mountain of rice, lentils, pasta, tomato sauce, and fried onions. The taamiya is a must-order as well, because there aren’t many places in Chicago to get fava bean falafel and the ones here are perfectly crispy. Whatever you end up ordering, meals are never hurried—which is great because you’ll want to relax in their booths with throw pillows after eating a table full of mezze.
Conte Di Savoia is an Italian grocery store that’s been around since 1948, where you can stock up on all sorts of cheeses, salumi, and wine. That makes it the perfect place to raid for your next picnic or dinner party, but the real draws are sandwiches like a meatball sub or caprese panini. The cold subs are especially well-constructed and a good alternative to the ones from the Jersey Mike’s across the street.
One More Sushi Express is drowning in cuteness, as cartoons of frolicking anthropomorphic sushi plaster the walls. But what comes out of the kitchen is serious business, like the plump BBQ pork buns and tasty sushi rolls. Choose from a variety of dim sum, ramen bowls, classic maki, or specialty rolls involving ingredients like mango, potato tempura, or croutons—everything tastes fresh—or roll the dice and get a chef’s choice “mystery meal.” Even if the decor doesn’t match your personal aesthetic of black on black, this spot should be your go-to for sushi (especially takeout) in the neighborhood.
This casual Italian restaurant is from the owners of Tempesta, one of our favorite sandwich and specialty shops in the city. Peanut Park’s menu has a variety of antipasta (the housemade focaccia with ‘nduja is wonderful), pastas, and mains like a crispy chicken parmesan that's covered by a blanket of cheese. It also has a large bar and very friendly service, which are two things that make it a great destination for post-work pasta and wine.
Taqueria Jarabe
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After a fire closed their Pilsen restaurant in 2020, and a short stint serving tacos in a food hall, Jarabe now operates out of a much larger and permanent location on Taylor Street. But you’ll still find wine and cream-colored heirloom corn lining the counter, which is used to make masa for their hand-pressed tortillas. The quesabirria tacos are rich, the burritos are hefty, and their pico de gallo adds brightness and crunchiness. Do yourself a favor and grab a cucumber agua fresca while you’re sitting on their little patio, too.
Golden Thai is the epitome of a neighborhood go-to. An in-person meal will give you a front-row seat to the parade of locals getting takeout. But the casual space is low-key enough for a solo meal on a Tuesday night when you don’t particularly feel like talking to anyone, though it’s best enjoyed with a friend or two. You’ll need a few bodies to share the reliable Thai curries, noodles, and stir-fries.
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