Trying to find a new place in downtown Chicago to get quality food? Well, look no further! We have a couple spots that will not only satisfy your stomach, but also supply a cozy environment.
Greek Islands
First up on our list, is a place that boasts being the best Greek restaurant in the city of Chicago. They have been open since 1971, with a location in the city as well as one in Lombard, Illinois. The tavern-style decorations paired with a welcoming staff are sure to make you feel right at home.
That is not even the best part. The food served at Greek Islands is reviewed highly. You can expect to find an assortment of seafood, soups, salads, dinners, and desserts on their menu. Some Greek specifics include Baklava (a layered pastry dessert), rice pudding, homemade gyros (made with ground beef and lamb), Kontosouvli (pork with onions, pita bread, and horseradish yogurt sauce), Avgolemono (soup with chicken broth, rice, and egg-lemon), and much more.
For seafood, you can buy anything from an entire fish to a Broiled Swordfish Shishkabob.
To see their full menu, click here.
At my recent visit, I got to try two chicken dishes that were seasoned differently. Pictured on top is the Mediterranean Chicken Breast, which was baked with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Pictured on the bottom is the Grilled Skinless Chicken Breast, which was marinated in olive oil, herbs, and spices.
While both sound pretty similar, the taste was pretty unique for each. The Mediterranean Chicken, as seen, had more sauce and was a bigger piece of meat, making this meal more tender. The grilled chicken made the olive oil taste more apparent. Combined with the lemon, this made for a flavor that was excellent in its own way. The Mediterranean Chicken was the preferred favorite of the trip.
Both meals came with side dish options of either rice and potatoes or mixed vegetables. I got to try the first option. The rice was topped with a tomato-like sauce that went well with what is most comparable to a baked potato.
Greek Islands is a place I plan on visiting again, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking out a great restaurant. You can find their city location at 200 S. Halsted Street in Chicago, Illinois. It is roughly half an hour from Saint Xavier’s campus. They are open from 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 AM to 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Beatrix Market
Next up, Beatrix Market offers a special customer experience that is like no other. They are not quite a restaurant, but offer a few options for satisfying your hunger.
They have a grab-and-go style market section with an assortment of different foods. This consists of breakfast, a salad bar, a soup bar, a hot bar, and the bakery. You can expect to be able to order fresh, chef-prepared deli sandwiches and slices of fresh pizza.
For a more detailed list of their menus, click here.
That is not all! Beatrix Market also offers a coffee bar with seasonal options, usual coffee shop offerings, and some specialities. These specialties include the Tumeric Chai Latte, Hazelnut Oat Mocha, Cinnamon Roll Latte, Mexican Iced Coffee, Almond Mocha, Cinnamon Maple Matcha, and Lavender Honey Latte.
What makes this place so cozy? Besides being a grab-and-go eatery on top, this specific location has stairs that lead to a particularly nice seating area. There was dim lighting with a lot of places to sit and enjoy the time with friends or getting work done. When I went, there was no one else down there. It felt nice and private, giving off the vibes of being a hidden gem.
From my visit, I got to try one of their deli sandwiches along with a coffee. My particular sandwich was turkey gouda on a pretzel-like bun. It was a very fresh-feeling meal while being filling at the same time. For coffee, I tried the special Lavender Honey Latte iced. It had what seemed like cinnamon sprinkled on top. The only way I can describe it would be to say it remains the best coffee I have had to this day.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience and I cannot wait to be back. It is the perfect place to check out with friends or family. With the downstairs seating, it will also provide that comforting feel you will need in the coming cold months.
While there are many Beatrix Market locations throughout the city of Chicago, the one I focused on can be found at 23 E. Jackson Boulevard. This location is also roughly half an hour from campus. They are open from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday.They are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
That concludes our current recommendations! We hope you find comfort and good eats at these locations while exploring the beautiful city of Chicago.