This hole-in-the-wall Italian eatery is home to some of the most flavorful, filling, authentic Italian fare in the city. Though the venue is small, it boasts large character, with every inch of wall space covered with framed photographs of famous athletes, celebrities and local icons – all smiling with the restaurant’s owner.
From the minute you walk through the doors, you’re treated like family, greeted graciously with a smile, hug and sometimes even a shot of limoncello. This love was made even more apparent to me when I first tried the food – each dish tastes as if it were made with love, actually – it’s as if the food was created and prepared with my exact likes and preferences in mind. The majority favorite is the vodka sauce, but the fresh fish dishes take the cake for me.
Since every dish on the menu is undeniably delicious, the best approach to dining at La Scarola is to order a few main plates to share among the table – that way, everyone can get a taste of the award-winning Italian classics served up at this local gem.
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The food here is prepared by Moses Sake, chef and co-owner of Tesfa, who learned how to cook from his mother. He runs Tesfa with his brother, Samuel Sake.
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I recommend getting the traditional breakfast combo, a sampler with three dishes, that comes with complimentary warm, crispy bread!
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The star of the show is De Luna's "volcano" taco, made with spicy poblano pepper and melted cheese. It may be one of the best tacos I've eaten in my life!
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Although this street is dominated by Vietnamese eateries, Nhà Hàng is a quieter, no-frills joint as opposed to the touristy, upscale restaurants nearby.
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Here diners sit in the naturally lit patio while enjoying traditional homemade Costa Rican food: sweet plantains, grilled veggies, rice and beans.
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My favorite thing to order here is the vegetarian arepa, which is stuffed with black beans, a generous portion of avocado, and sweet plantains.
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Founded in 1948, "Superdawg" is THE quintessential Chicago hot dog place - they'll bring your order right to your car, like they did in the '50s!
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The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.
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OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.
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Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.
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Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.
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Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!
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