Nowadays, it can feel hard to find unique places for a bite near campus. The good news is you do not need to go all the way downtown to experience some fine cuisine. Within ten minutes of Saint Xavier’s campus is W 95th Street – a road you may have driven down without realizing the abundance of options they offer to satisfy all kinds of cravings. Here are two standouts with some honorable mentions worth the quick trip.
Unidad – A Latin Kitchen & Bar
First up would be Unidad – the cutest local spot for Latin American cuisine. The atmosphere is extremely welcoming and pleasant. They had music playing, a lot of lights and candles, artwork, and a lit-up outdoor area to sit at as well. The business strives to ensure a warm and refreshing experience for those seeking new memories without having to pay the higher prices often found downtown.
When I visited, I tried the Crispy Chicken tacos – fried chicken thighs, jalapeño slaw, and chipotle ranch. This came with three tacos, lime, and additional salsa. The combination put together was divine. Alongside this, I had a side of rice and beans. Needless to say, it was the best rice and beans I have had the opportunity to try. They offer many other taco options, appetizers, and main Latin dishes.
You can find them at 3339 95th Street in Evergreen Park. They are open Tuesdays through Thursdays 4-8:30 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 4-9 PM, and are closed Sundays and Mondays.
Bialy’s Cafe
This family-run business has been around since 1985 and is considered a hidden gem to a lot of locals. This corner cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and other amazing options with ensured freshness and the care you want when you are going out to eat. They feature a menu with gluten-free and healthy options while providing easy parking, something that is not always guaranteed near the city.
I popped in for a visit and was able to try pancakes with blueberries and a side of hash browns. While I was waiting for my takeout, the service was evidently full of love for every person walking in. I was greeted with kindness and fast service that was admirable considering the staff to customer ratio. The pancakes exceeded my expectations and the hash browns had the perfect balance of crispiness.
You can find them at 2801 95th Street in Evergreen Park. They are open Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 3:30 PM.
Sundays they are open until 2:30 PM.
You can find their website here.
Honorable Mentions
There are many other varieties of food worth checking out on the same street.
If you are looking for a ramen restaurant, there is a Wu’s Ramen nearby at 4811 95th Street. Their menu has a range of delicious combinations for every consumer.
For sushi, check out Sushi Thaime at 4959 W 95th Street. They have a classic menu with reasonable prices and authenticity.
Last but not least, for a new range of coffee drinks, there is Biggby Coffee at 3150 W 95th Street. They boast a menu with dozens of flavors not offered anywhere else.
*This article was edited at 11:56 a.m. on October 6, 2023 to include a link to Bialy’s Cafe’s menu.*