<p>....while waiting for the RD Decision to come in. What are the favorite local joints for students to eat/hang out at? And more importantly, how far is it to the BillyGoat Tavern?</p>
<p>i am getting more and more attracted to UChicago every day....i would prolly turn down Dartmouth and Yale for UChicago.</p>
<p>The original Billy Goat Tavern (well, there was an earlier one at a different location prior to the 1960s) where Mike Royko (famous Chicago columnist) used to hang out and made famous by SNL is located on lower Michigan Ave near the Tribune and Wriggly buildings. It is about 8 miles from Hyde Park.</p>
<p>This map is a start, though it covers just Hyde Park:
HYDE</a> PARK COFFEE - hydeparkmaps.emiller.info</p>
<p>Some Hyde Park favorites:</p>
<p>The Snail (reasonably priced and delicious thai-- mobbed on Friday and Saturday nights)</p>
<p>Medici (good sandwiches, pizza, ambiance--mobbed on Sunday mornings)</p>
<p>Rajun Cajun (more for ordering out than sitting down, but clubs will advertise that they're offering it free-- it's the only place I know of where you can get Indian food with your cornbread and mac and cheese and eat it with sporks)</p>
<p>There's a Hyde Park branch of Giordano's, which is just as tasty as the one on Rush and nowhere near as crowded.</p>
<p>There's also Cedars for meditteranean food, a new all-you-can-eat sushi place, and Pizza Capri. Not to mention Hyde Park staples like Calypso, Dixie Kitchen, and Original Pancake House.</p>
<p>Probably the fanciest restaurant in the neighborhood is La Petit Folie. I don't imagine students would go there on a regular basis, unless they were celebrating an anniversary or something like that. But I find Hyde Park food options to be very varied and very good for college students during a recession.</p>
<p>Are there any really cheap alternatives to dining halls? And is there a grocery store nearby?</p>
<p>Non-meal plan meals in HP restaurants probably cost about 10 dollars per person. The cheapest restaurants I know of is Wok N' Roll and Maravillas. Wok N' Roll is not of the highest quality, but Maravillas is pretty good.</p>
<p>The two big grocery stores are Hyde Park Produce and Treasure Island. Both are good.</p>
<p>Followup question of course is, where are the best Hot dogs around the U? I am ashamed I did not think of it, my S reminded me. How could I leave out the famous dog that is a meal in itself.</p>
<p>The best hot dogs are not to be found near campus, but way, way up at Hot Doug's.</p>
<p>Hot</a> Doug's</p>
<p>The best hot dogs are not to be found near campus, but way, way up at Hot Doug's.</p>
<p>Hot</a> Doug's</p>
<p>Salonica on 57th Street across from the Medici and the 57th St. Bookstore. It's a Greek diner and have great breakfasts. DH and I got out of there w/breakfast for under $20, including a generous tip. (it's cash only -- be warned) We were there at 8:00 on a Sunday morning and there wasn't a student to be found!</p>
<p>There's a billy goat tavern near the united center, which is where the bulls and blackhawks play. You'll probably need to take the #6 bus before transferring to the #20, and it takes around half an hour to get there.</p>
<p>Hallowed Grounds is a coffee shop with nice vibes and VERY comfy chairs in the Reynolds Club.</p>
<p>...and periodically, free concerts!</p>