Noyes Street Eats, Art and Recreation

Want to get away from it all? Hop on the Purple Line and head north to Noyes Street, where they keep things simple, friendly and pretension-free. This tiny strip of independent, casual eateries features everything from Chinese and Italian favorites to “community dining” and greasy goodies. But it’s not just about food here; you’ll find theater companies, art galleries, dance instruction and yoga classes-all under one roof! If you decide to drive, enjoy the scenery along Sheridan Road or the gorgeous homes on Ridge and don’t worry about parking: 50 cents will buy two hours, not 15 minutes.

Kim’s Kitchen
815 Noyes St, Evanston
Tel: (847) 475-5467

“We’re all in this together,” says owner Kim Garza, which is why she decided to design a space where sharing is encouraged through community-style seating and themed dinners every other month. During the early a.m. hours, students and locals both young and old stop by for a perfect cup of Metropolis coffee (an organic Chicago roaster) and for Kim’s specialty, made-from-scratch scones. Fresh homemade muffins will also please the pastry-lover. Feel free to grab a chair at one of the two large, communal tables (one in the window, the other in the middle of the room) or, if you want a moment alone, grab a stool at the small bar area. For lunch, Kim serves up hot soups (usually one meat and one veggie option) and sandwiches. For special prix-fixe dinners, daytime tables and chairs are shuffled out and replaced with a table for 20. Past themes include French fare, Italian eats and a tribute to Julia Child; in December Cajun fare will be the highlight. Reservations are required.

Rollin’ to Go
910 Noyes St., Evanston
Tel: (847) 332-1000

Popular with Northwestern students and locals alike, this casual caf�© and take-out spot serves up hot and cold sandwiches, specialty pizzas, hearty pastas, salads and soups. Try the margherita pizza, made with pesto, fresh basil, plum tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and mozzarella for $5.25, or the kuyperelli pizza, a wheat crust version with fresh basil and tomato sauce. Sandwiches range from roasted veggie on ciabatta and pesto chicken to an Italian sausage philly and baked grinders. Extras include jambalaya and chili, served with cornbread muffins, and non-fat yogurt shakes. All menu items are priced under $6.

Noyes Street Caf�©
828 Noyes St., Evanston
Tel: (847) 475-8683

The interior of this Evanston eatery features exposed brick with high ceilings and blue walls and accents throughout. The large dining room offers ample seating for large groups, and diners will feel comfortable wearing casual garb or dressing it up a bit, making it a choice first-date spot. The Italian and Greek-influenced dinner menu features appetizers like sautÃ?©ed spinach with olive oil, garlic, feta and tomatoes, and main dishes like honey basil chicken and orange roughy. If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, the restaurant also serves pastas, burgers, soups, sandwiches and a wide range of salads. All menu items are priced below $20, and patrons typically leave with a hefty doggy bag. Lunch items range from patty melts and Greek spinach pie to grilled seafood salad and half portions of pasta dinner entrÃ?©es like linguini, vermicelli and fettuccini. You can also grab French toast or an omelet if you have a hankering. The drink menu features wines that hail from California to as far as Africa and domestic and imported beers. Stop by for brunch beginning at 8 a.m. on weekends.

Tallmadge Park
927 Noyes St
Evanston

Located right alongside the elevated L tracks, this massive park features a children’s playground, baseball and softball fields, several basketball courts and plenty of space to stretch out and relax. Because it’s literally steps away from the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, feel free to take a walk up to the second floor, grab a handful of alternative publications, free weeklies or information about upcoming events and enjoy them outdoors with a cup of joe and a scone from Kim’s Kitchen. Though trains often rumble by, there remains something peaceful and calming about the environment.

Mandarin House
819 Noyes St., Evanston
Tel: (847) 869-4344

Don’t be too quick to pass up this unassuming storefront. Regulars describe Mandarin House as “comfortable and pleasant” and “homey and friendly,” perfect for casual (and inexpensive) dates and conversation with friends. This family-owned and operated Chinese and Korean restaurant seats around 60 comfortably and serves up the usual suspects like sweet and sour shrimp and fried rice among its beef, chicken, pork, seafood and vegetable dishes. Favorites among Northwestern students and local residents include Mongolian beef and garlic chicken. The most popular dish, bibim bop, is made with steamed rice topped with egg, beef and assorted vegetables, served with hot bean paste sauce. Large portions, perfect for two, will set you back a modest $6-$8 bucks. There’s plenty of wine and beer to go around in the form of Heineken, Miller Lite and chardonnay, to name a few options.

Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes St., Chicago
Tel: (847) 448-8260

A mecca for artists and art lovers alike, Noyes Cultural Arts center houses two galleries that feature year-round exhibits by local artists, the Piven and Next theater companies, Light Opera Works and “Art Encounter,” which offers workshops taught by professional artists. Stop by to check out photography by Northwestern students (the current exhibit) or take a stroll around the second floor to gather information about upcoming events, pick up registration forms or to grab a few of your favorite alternative publications or free weeklies. A variety of classes are offered through the Piven Theater or the cultural center at any given time and may include yoga, adult and youth movement classes such as modern and jazz, and acting classes such as scene study, theater games and improvisation, and “adaptation, story and performance.” Driving? Try the cultural center parking lot (metered), or metered street parking near the center.

D.D. Dogs
825 Noyes St., Evanston
Tel: (847) 864-1909

Students stop by in droves to grab a quick bite before or between classes at this popular greasy spoon that offers sandwiches, dogs and burgers. Cheesy beefs, hoagies and gyros dot the menu alongside double burgers, ham and Swiss sandwiches and side orders of cheese sticks, cheddar fries and jalape�±o poppers. On the lighter side, if you dare, expect to find soup, salad and turkey burgers. Attention all vegetarians-forget about ordering the same old fries and onion rings, as D.D. serves veggie burgers just for you. Breakfast, desserts, milkshakes and ice cream are among the sweeter offerings. Patrons may nosh outdoors during the warm summer months and when it gets too chilly, the inside includes seating for at least a dozen or so.