Nuevo Leon Restaurant on 18th

Nuevo Leon Restaurant

 http://checkplease.wttw.com/restaurants/nuevo-leon

Mexican Food

(credit to triposo.com)

1515 W. 18th Street

Chicago  Illinois  60608

(312) 421-1517

Nuevo Leon Restaurant is a small restaurant on the first floor of a three story building with an artistic outside that reflects the Mexican culture.  the Gutierrez  family has owned Nuevo Leon since 1962.  Three generations have worked in this restaurant, “the old with the new” is a common phrase said by the workers there.  Just like the three generations that word their, the restaurant is painted three stories high to represent their Mexican culture which also blends in with the neighborhood of Pilsen.  Yolie Miramontes, of WTTW, says, ” It’s a piece of Mexico on 18th Street.”

Located in the Heart of Pilsen, on 18th street, Nuevo Leon represents the rich culture that can still be seen in the South side today.  It’s graphic, mural like exterior mimics the thriving art community in Pilsen, while also representing one of the many restaurants and stores on 18th street.  The interior of the restaurant is just as vibrant as the outside, and even the waitresses wear colorful traditional Mexican dresses.

The prices are very affordable ranging anywhere from $10-15 a plate filled with delicious Mexican meals that have been passed on from generations.  To emphasize their traditional taste, Nuevo Leon is a cash only restaurant focuses on pleasing their customers.  The restaurant has many regular customers that enjoyed their hand made tortillas and meals that truly remind customers of their homeland.  I tasted their tacos with handmade tortillas, and it was delicious! The quality of food was well worth the price.

Contributed by Cindy Acosta

Ricobene’s on 26th

Ricobene’s

http://www.ricobenespizza.com

Italian Food

252 West 26th Street

Chicago, IL  60616

(312) 225-5555

Ricobene’s is located at 252 w. 26th St in the south side of Chicago near Chinatown, but has been serving up Italian food for 67 years.  Since 1946, Ricobene’s has been a South Chicago neighborhood eatery with Italian beef, deep dish or thin crust pizza, and their famous breaded steak sandwiches, smothered in cheese. In fact, Frank P Ricobene co-owned Ricobene’s eateries by helping create their breaded steak sandwiches.  Chicago Magazine even named Ricobene’s breaded steak as number 12 on their list of Chicago’s BEST sandwhiches!   Though the sandwiches sounded deliciously tempting, I chose three slices of pizza (with three different flavored toppings), an order of fries and a soda all on a cheap budget of $15 total!

It was very delicious because they have a variety of pizza flavors, and next time I want to try their sandwiches.  If Italian food isn’t part of your appetite, Ricobene’s also has traditional hot dogs and hamburgers.

The customer service was very good while I ate at Ricobene’s.  All the workers were friendly and helpful even though they were very busy.  Expect a louder, busier atmosphere when you walk into Ricobene’s, because they always have a hungry crowd.  If you don’t feel like waiting, Ricobene’s offers online ordering at both the W 26th location, and the S. Pulaski one.

The inside of Ricobene’s is decorated with vintage paintings on the wall from how the restaurant looked previously. Frank P. Ricobene’s obituary is even posted as a painting on the wall from the Chicago Sun Times in which describes his accomplishments.  As you sit and eat you can take in the rich Chicago history from a restaurant that has been serving happy customers since the end of World War II.

Contributed by Cindy Acosta