When the Red Line reaches Howard, things change. L patrons must shift to the Purple Line, Chicago comes to an end and Evanston opens itself up to train-riders. One thing that doesn't change is the myriad of entertainment options just steps from the L. Evanston's Main Street stop is surrounded by enticing options for shopping, gazing and plain ol' walking in every direction. Whether you want to come home with bags full of new stuff or just a relaxed mindset, the peaceful avenues around the Main Street L are a good place to start.
Best of the nightlife
Firehouse Grill
Overcome your fear of themed restaurants (we all have stories about that one terrifying time at Chuck E. Cheese) and step into the Firehouse Grill—a neighborhood hotspot (no pun intended) tailor-made for toasts and belly laughs. The restored fire station is like a museum of tradition and kitsch: walls are plastered with portraits of firefighters; two brass fire poles shoot down from the ceiling like skinny bookends for booth seating; and the former firehouse doors are converted into floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the street. Patrons flock to its full bar, which runs the length of the restaurant; apparently no one is disturbed by tipping the bartender under murals of elaborately painted scenes of towns and forests catching fire. Follow vintage photographs of old fire engines up the stairs to the Chief's Room, a second-floor party/ game room with its own full bar. Three TVs, three pool tables, pinball and Pac Man machines provide entertainment until your stomach starts to grumble.
Good for groups
Lupita's
Lupita's obligatory chips and salsa come with flour-based chips instead of the usual cornmeal variety. It's this kind of charming culinary touch that makes Lupita's a unique Mexican dining experience, despite its outdated interior. People don't come to this establishment to lounge in its gray booths or "be seen" gliding against the dented bronze handrails that run throughout the restaurant. Lupita's hooks customers with its solid menu of 30-plus typical Mexican delights ranging from $10-$16, including enchiladas de mole, lathered in a dark and rich homemade sauce, and bistec tampiquena, grilled steak in Lupita's signature sauce with a cheese enchilada and guacamole.
Cheap eats
Cross-Rhodes
A good Greek meal is hard to come by, but Cross-Rhodes delivers time and again. The traditional favorites like mousaka and souvlaki are as good here as they are anywhere in Greektown, and Cross-Rhodes probably stands up pretty well against Athens's finest as well. Of course, a Greek restaurant will only go as far as its gyros will take them, and in this regard, Cross-Rhodes soars. Whether of the normal size, king-size or topped with cheese, Cross-Rhodes delivers in this vital department. The meals also veer into unfamiliar territory for a Greek joint, with plates of fried shrimp, burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches joining the tsatziki and pita.
Where to chill
Kuni's
With its dull blue carpet and simple wooden tables and chairs, Kuni's initially feels more Scandinavian than it does Far Eastern. A quick read of the menu, though, makes it clear that Kuni's is Japanese through and through. To open an evening of eating, Kuni's offers 23 appetizers, but the best decision is to head straight for the miso soup and save room for the main course. The sushi options will draw the most attention. With tuna, fluke, salmon, shrimp, yellowtail and maki options, Kuni's skilled chefs can deliver raw fish to you exactly how you like it. The entrees favorites like shrimp tempura, sashimi, and teriyaki chicken, fish or beef are all in effect, and Asahi and Sapporo beers are always on hand to wash the food down.
In-the-know spot
Thrift House
We all get the urge to buy something new, but often nagging credit card debt and an empty wallet can make fulfilling this impulse a daunting proposition. That, of course, is what thrift stores are for, and Thrift House is perhaps Evanston's best. With its evening gowns and dapper suits in the front window, Thrift House makes clear that it will offer more than just endless racks of T-shirts. Offering a clothing inventory with more variety makes Thrift House a great place to outfit yourself for a costume party or upgrade your wardrobe on those days when, for sanity's sake, you just need to buy something. But Thrift House delivers more than just clothes. The decades-old wooden tennis racquets are good for decoration or perfecting that backhand with a new Rod Laver instructional video. Old board games often float in and out of the store's displays. Customers bored with the shopping at Old Orchard float in and out of the store's checkout lines, too, happily struggling with bags full of new cargo.
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