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Where to Eat

The UIC Neighborhood

The University is located in a rather interesting area of the city, where several diverse neighborhoods converge. Within close walking distance of campus, you'll find not only the Loop, the commercial downtown area of Chicago, but neighborhoods which over time have still retained their distinctly ethnic character.

Grocery Stores

Many of you will decide to do your own cooking while you stay in Chicago, others will only want occasional groceries or small items. There are several possibilities quite close to campus.

Jewel is a grocery store located on Roosevelt and Ashland about a ½ mile away. Here you'll be able to find most of the basic necessities for cooking at fairly reasonable prices. The campus shuttle will be able to take you to and from the grocery store. We will have maps for the UIC shuttle in your arrival folders in your dorm rooms.
A more 'upscale' option is the newly-built Dominick's grocery store, located on Roosevelt on just the other side of the expressway. This is a much larger store with a wider selection, although the walk there should perhaps be avoided at night. Here you'll also find a deli/café, which offers freshly prepared dishes ranging from roast chicken to sushi.

The Seven-11 is a convenience store located on Halsted about ½ a block south of the Institute on the opposite side of the street. Prices will be the highest here, and the selection is limited, but it is open 24 hours a day and is a good place to get the morning newspaper and a cup of coffee.

Restaurants

One advantage to the location of the Institute is the number and variety of restaurants within close walking distance. Although campus dining services offers the most convenient location, the hours are limited, the fare will likely grow tiresome in short time, and the prices aren't even that great. You might want to consider something else. North of campus on Halsted Street, in what is known as Greek Town, you will find a variety of restaurants. Other than Quizno's, a hot sandwich shop which is located near your residence hall, the first and closest restaurant, is Giordano's, something of a favorite with some participants in past years, which offers Chicago-style pizza and other Italian-American dishes. Farther north are many Greek restaurants, which offer relatively good values. The most expensive and crowded of these is Costa's, located at the corner of Halsted and Van Buren Streets. Other options abound, however, such as the Parthenon, Greek Islands, Estia, and Artopolis all just a few buildings farther north. A typical "Greek" style American diner and a favorite with local police officers is Zorba's at the corner of Halsted and Jackson.

Just off the southwest corner of campus is Taylor Street, an historically Italian neighborhood. Wander through the streets north of Taylor Street and you'll find an old, quiet, and still distinctive residential neighborhood. Taylor Street itself offers many opportunities for dinner or a quick lunch. On Polk Street are Fontano's and Carm's, quick Italian-American sandwich shops. A little farther south on Taylor Street itself is Che Cafe, a Cuban-Mexican restaurant, a popular spot with UIC staff and faculty for lunch. Also on Taylor Street is Thai Bowl, which offers very generous portions of food at a low price. On Taylor Street you'll also find more expensive restaurants such as the posh Tuscany, which offer more authentic Italian cuisine. For more details about restaurants around UIC as well as Chicago, go to www.metromix.com.