Ah, the joys of Winter Quarter.
Although the first few days of class might have lulled you into a false sense of sixty-degree security, forecasts predict a drop in temperature and rise in precipitation — in other words, a return to the bitter cold we know and love.
Your horror of trekking to Norris / Hinman / Allison / your nearest preferred eating locale is well warranted. So why bother going outside to eat when you’re living in the dining capital of the North Shore?
With a wide variety of food and price ranges available, it’s time to toss out Papa John’s and Jimmy John’s in favor of classier cuisines from the renowned Evanston dining scene.
Here are some different (and delicious) restaurants around Evanston that deliver to the Northwestern area:
Pan-Asian Cuisine
Dozika
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Phone: (847) 869-9740
If the Hinman C-store isn’t cutting it for your sushi needs but you still need to work on a budget, give Dozika a shot; most meals are not only delicious, but they’re also in the $8-$10 range.
Mediterranean Cuisine
Olive Mountain
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Phone: (847) 475-0380
The Olive Mountain boasts spectacular falafel as well as a varied Mediterranean menu. Even better, if you’re on a budget, it’s cheap, with pizzas starting at $6.95.
Greek and American Cuisine
Wild Dogz
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Phone: (847) 869-9453
Baseball season is over, but don’t let your hotdog cravings go unfed. If you can’t wait for “American Picnic Food Night” at the dining hall, try Wild Dogz’s delicious brats and hotdogs, which also come kosher. Prices are cheap, ranging from $5-10.
Southern Cuisine
Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Phone: (847) 733-9030
Although slightlier pricier (some meals will run up to $15), Dixie Kitchen’s sandwiches are delicious, humongous and served with “down-home” fries. The seafood options are also generous, with a wide selection of fish dishes and seafood cakes.
Chinese and Japanese Cuisine
Koi
Hours:
Lunch: Monday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday: 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 4:30 p.m.-11 p.m.
Phone: (847) 866-6969
If Joy Yee’s temporary closing has your stomach growling, hit up Koi for a classy (albeit a tad pricy) combination of Chinese and Japanese food. The menu is consistently delicious, and the sushi quality is far above average. Expect to spend $10-20.
Nepalese and Indian Cuisine
Mt. Everest
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
Phone: (847) 491-1069
The menu may seem quirky to those accustomed to traditional American cuisine. (What exactly is chhoela? Answer: “fresh boneless chicken or goat grilled fillet marinated with garlic, ginger and royal Himalayan spices.”) Mt. Everest has a large vegetarian menu and reasonable prices, ranging from $6-12.
Barbeque
Fat Boy Subs Bad Boy BBQ
Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 10:30am-9pm
Phone: (847) 424-1187
Fat Boy Subs Bad Boy BBQ’s motto is, “Wipe that sauce off your chin!” Not recommended: using any dish from Fat Boy’s to romance your future boyfriend or girlfriend. The menu includes every unhealthy southern BBQ you can imagine, and is priced reasonably, from $5-10.
Italian Cuisine and Pizza
Philly’s Best
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-1:45 a.m.
Sunday: 4 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Phone: (847) 733-9000
Philly’s Best serves fantastic cheesesteak, and is a godsend to the (extremely) socially awkward: They take orders for delivery online, eliminating any need for person-to-person interaction. The menu is both tasty and cheap, ranging from $4-15. Even better, it’s open late on weekends, so maybe you really can eliminate that late-night trip to Burger King.