Best Dining in Evanston, Illinois Northwestern University

Tired of Northwestern's campus dining? Heading out for some late night munchies? Or maybe you've hit the jack pot and your parents are visiting for the weekend! You are in luck! Evanston. Illinois, offers some fantastic food at student prices, as well as critically acclaimed dining at parent prices.

For the Northwestern student, whether you live on-campus or eat microwave meals in your first apartment, here is a list of 10 great restaurants that won't bust your budget:

• Lou Malnati's and Carmen's Pizzeria
  Some of the best pizza in Chicago, practically in your backyard. Lou's offers an amazing vegetarian deep dish called the Lou's Special. Carmen's traditional Chicago-style stuffed is always good--just don't ask how many calories are in the crust.
• Gigio's
  New York-style pizza by the slice. Some of you have come from the East Coast, so here is a good, cheap option when homesick for your big slices of thin crust pizza.

• Uber Burger

  An eclectic array of burger choices when the Burger King on Church just won't do. Cheap, gigantic burgers for every palate.

• Unicorn Cafe
  For more than 20 years, the Unicorn Cafe has served as NU's unofficial hippie coffeehouse. Support a local establishment and buy your morning java from the Unicorn. The hummus plate is highly recommended.
• Joy Yee's Noodles
  A big bowl of steaming noodles, a rice dish, bubble teas. Delicious, generous portions from an amazingly large menu.

• Buffalo Joe's

  A Northwestern tradition since, well, ever. Go for the fantastic wings and filling burgers. Tip: the blue cheese burger is great!

• Bat 17

  Great sandwiches, huge burgers, filling breakfasts and beer (for you upper classmen). Eat in or carry-out.

• The Mandarin House

  The Bibim Bop can't be missed here. Fill yourself up for relatively cheap at this long-standing Noyes Street Chinese restaurant. The best hole-in-the-wall for miles.

• D & D Dogs

  For those living up north, D & D Dogs has been the quick go-to for generations of NU students. Convenient to the frat quad and Noyes Street apartment dwellers--and with a handy market next door.

For those weekends when you have parents or others visiting who may pick up the tab--and would prefer something better than the Burger King on Clark Street--here are some higher end restaurants (although not over the top) to suggest:

• The Cellar
  Innovative small-plate / tapas-style but branching out beyond Spanish cooking to include innovative dishes from around the world. Mac & cheese with truffles and lobster, crab cakes, and blue cheese brioches with mushrooms are just a few examples of the disshes you'll find here. Great wine and beer list and fantastic specialty drinks.
• Trattoria DOC

  High-end Italian that will fill you up but won't break your parents' bank account. In addition to well-proportioned, flavorful appetizers and entrees, this choice offers your folks a visit to Main St, with its unique shops in old Evanston buildings.

• Pete Miller's Seafood & Prime Steak

  Hungry for steak but can only afford chicken? Have the parents visit Pete Miller's with you next time they are in town. This is one of the leading steak houses in the area, and a restaurant mom and dad really shouldn't miss. A treat for everyone!

• Davis Street Fishmarket

  A dependable NU tradition for for Mom and Dad. Casual, moderately priced and always popular. Recommended: oysters Rockefeller and shrimp jambalaya (when offered). Open for Sunday brunches.

• Celtic Knot

  Good Irish food and excellent beer on tap. Also open for lunch. Live weekend musicians.

• Addis Abeba

  Introduce your parents or visitors to something completely different: the cuisine of Ethiopia and other African nations. Delicious! (And Mom can't tell you not to eat with your hands--you have to).

  You can find more Northwestern University / Evanston area dining options, at www.EvanstonSkokieRestaurants.com.

This article was written by a Northwestern alum and area resident but is not affiliated with, nor in any other way represents the opinions of, Northwestern University.