20 delectable treats to eat along Dempster Street

Monica Eng

Three golden-brown fried spring rolls on a bed of fresh spinach and greens on a white plate, with a small bowl of orange dipping sauce in the blurred background. — Cha gio egg rolls from Pho Tam in Niles. Photo; Monica Eng/Axios

I recently bopped down a 4-mile stretch of suburban Dempster Street to see if I could find 20 delicious snacks from 20 cultures.

And I did.

Why it matters: This global smorgasbord on a single street reflects the growing diversity of collar suburbs like Skokie, Niles and Morton Grove, whose international populations have blossomed in recent years.

What's happening: Today, I'm highlighting 20 spots from that journey where you can try 20 of my top dishes for under $20.

I hope it helps readers create their own international eating tour along one of our greatest global dining streets. I've listed the places from east to west.
Tell me about the Dempster delicacies I missed at [email protected] and I'll share them.

A hand lifts a triangular slice of golden cheese pizza from a cardboard box, stringy cheese stretching to the remaining slices; a cozy living room with plants and decor sits in the background. — Cheese penovani at Metheki in Skokie. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Georgian

Metheki, 3341 W. Dempster St., Skokie: This elegant strip mall restaurant offers traditional Georgian wine and entrees including chicken tabaka and khinkhali dumplings, along with a wonderful, pizza-like cheese penovani ($16 for small) featuring stretchy white cheese in a hot crisp pastry.

A hand holds a clear bag of Mado's African Market spicy plantain chips in a grocery store; golden-brown chips visible through plastic, label shows $6.99. — Spicy ripe plantains at Mado's African Market. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Cameroonian:

Mado's African Market, 3522 W. Dempster St., Skokie: This one-year-old shop carries West African produce, meats and nostalgic grocery brands, but also housemade snacks like spicy ripe plantains ($6.99) with a jerky-like chew and pleasant sweetness.

Sesame-seeded flatbread wrap, toasted and split open to reveal crispy orange chicken, shredded lettuce, and melted cheese inside on parchment. — Original vegetarian jianbing at Monkey King. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Northern Chinese breakfast

Monkey King Jianbing, 3411 W. Dempster St., Skokie: Enjoy a millet and egg pancake filled with wonton chips, lettuce, hoisin sauce and optional meats. I love the original vegetarian ($7.99), which recalls a breakfast burrito that you eat with handy plastic gloves, but next time I'm trying the hot dog and meat floss jianbing.

A hamburger on a toasted bun with a beef patty, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, and melted cheese, resting on parchment. — Poochie's char-cheddar burger. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Hot dog stand

Poochie's Hot Dogs, 3602 W. Dempster St., Skokie: First opened on Dempster in 1969, this joint is most famous for its char cheddar burger ($6.99), but I fell hard for the char salami sandwich ($9.69) with caramelized onions and mustard on crusty French bread. Find more Dempster hot dog fare at Herm's and Redhot Ranch.

Four golden-brown croquettes arranged on green lettuce on a white plate, with a small container of creamy dip and colorful carrot and yellow mango sticks on the side. — Assyrian potato chops at Larsa. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Assyrian

Larsa Mediterranean Grill and Pizza, 3724 W Dempster St., Skokie: Larsa was out of its signature Mousel kubba (fried bulgar filled with ground meat) on my visit, so I tried the tasty "potato chops" ($7), crisp orbs stuffed with tender beef. I also loved the juicy shawarma and warming complimentary yellow lentil soup.

three tacos in a basket — Three tacos at My Little Kitchen. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Mexican

My Little Kitchen, 4031 W. Dempster St., Skokie: Come for the mole poblano ($15.50) and stay for the pastor ($3.95) and shrimp ($4.75) tacos with excellent red and green salsas in squeeze bottles.

middle eastern food — Impossible kefta plate and vegetarian combo plates from Pita Inn. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Palestinian

Pita Inn, 4710 W. Dempster St., Skokie: This fast casual falafel and kabob spot has been delighting Chicago-area diners with delicious and affordable chow since 1982 (starting in a smaller location down the street). Everything bursts with fresh flavor, but I'm partial to the Impossible kefta entree ($16.99) and vegetarian combination ($12.99).

Find more Palestinian-Jordanian food on Dempster at Zad, Jarasa Kabob, Al Bawadi and Al Badia.

scones under glass — Corned beef and caraway scones from Kaufman Bagel and Deli. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Kosher-style deli

Kaufman's Deli, 4905 W. Dempster St., Skokie. I've long loved the breads, bagels, soups and salads at this nearly 60-year-old institution, but I was blown away by its brand new ultra-buttery corned beef and caraway scones ($5).

Find more Kosher style on Dempster at Ken's Diner and New York Bagel and Bialy.

Top-down: a long naan bread with herbs sits on parchment, next to a black bowl of chunky red tomato sauce sprinkled with green herbs, all on a red table. — Garlic naan and Chicken 65 from OMG Nafisa Kitchen. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Pakistani

OMG Nafisa's Kitchen, 6027 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove: Check out nihari (long-braised beef shank), kebabs and curries, but also the house special of bright red Chicken 65 ($16.99) and chewy garlic naan ($2.99) baked in a tandoor.

Find more Dempster Pakistani at Restaurant Tandoori.

triangles of dough and dip — Pizza dosa from Dosa Point. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Indian-Mexican

Dosa Point-Sabor Mexicano: 6067 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove: I loved the huge potato-filled masala dosa ($12.99) and also the cheesy, quesadilla-like pizza dosa ($15.99). Next time I'll try the Mexican dishes and loaded fries.

crunchy chicken skin and vinegar — Chicken skins from Jason's BBQ in Morton Grove. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Hong Kong BBQ

Jason BBQ, 6120 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove: This little counter tucked inside the Richwell Market serves up juicy barbecued pork (char siu), crunchy roast pork (siu yuk), whole duck dinners and bags of delectable fried chicken skin ($5) that I dip in vinegar and cayenne at home.

Find more Dempster Cantonese at China Town Restaurant.

soup and banchan dishes — Goat soup plus several panchan side dishes at JeonJu. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Korean stews

JeonJu, 5707 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove: Find homey Korean dishes, including kimchi stew and the house special goat soup ($17.95) with multiple panchan side dishes and rice at this cozy spot.

Find more Korean at To Soc Chon and Hwang Soh Grill.

three types of maki rolls — Tuna, cucumber and California maki at Dempster Sushi. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Sushi

Dempster Sushi, 5850 Dempster St., Morton Grove: Sushi lovers flock here for early dinner but mostly their take out party trays and bargain sushi lunches that range from $7 to $20. I got the California, tuna and cucumber maki lunch for $11.

dips and bread in a box — The chef's sampler from Afghan Kabob. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Afghan

Afghan Kabob, 6002 Dempster St., Morton Grove: I tried the chef's sampler ($16.99) with delicious meat-filled (mantu) and leek-filled (aushak) dumplings and fried eggplant in garlic sauce (bourani badenjan).

A stainless steel chafing dish filled with a chunky stew of potatoes, green beans, and meat in a yellow-brown sauce; a large metal serving spoon rests across the dish. — Kare Kare from Filipino Catering. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Filipino steam table

Filipino Food Catering, 6019 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove: Find crispy lumpia egg rolls, noodly pancit, comforting lugaw rice soup, siopao buns and homey Filipino stews like the peanutty kare kare with tripe I picked up for $10.

Chicken fingers and a dip — Korean fried chicken from K-Coop. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Korean chicken

K-Coop Chicken, 5900 W Dempster. St. Morton Grove: Choose from a variety of traditional Korean fast foods, including spicy chicken tenders ($6.75) and sweet K-BBQ chicken ($7.75) at this chain. Ask for plastic gloves if you don't like saucy hands.

A loaded sandwich with shredded beef, crispy fries, a tomato slice, and creamy white sauce in a toasted bun, served on a turquoise plate. — A Greek pork gyros from Charcoal Flame. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Greek

Charcoal Flame Grill, 6800 W. Dempster St., Morton Grove: While many Chicago area restaurants serve "American gyros" made with beef and lamb, the attraction here is the Greek gyros ($10.75) made the traditional way: with pork.

Find more Greek on Dempster at Hub's and Grecian Kitchen.

Three golden fried spring rolls on a bed of leafy greens on a white plate, with an orange dipping sauce in a white bowl in the blurred background. — Cha gio egg rolls from Pho Tam. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Vietnamese

Pho Tam, 6959 W. Dempster St., Niles: I only had room in my belly to try the excellent crispy egg rolls ($5.95), served with herbs and fish sauce, but I've heard great things about their pho and spicy Hue-style soup.

A spoon lifts a bite of a layered green and brown dessert from a clear cup, topped with shredded garnish and a red berry; a black mug of orange tea sits on a white table in a cafe. — Dubai chocolate strawberry cup and adeni chai from Haraz Coffee House. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Yemeni cafe

Haraz Coffee House, 7007 W. Dempster St., Niles: This gorgeous marble-lined shop is part of a national chain serving coffee and tea from the Middle East with international sweets including cheesecakes and baklava. I tried a Dubai chocolate strawberry cup ($9.99) with a strong saffron-spiced black tea called Adeni chai ($6.50).

More Yemeni coffee on Dempster at Matari.

Close-up of a doughnut with purple frosting and orange shredded topping, resting on a white patterned napkin against a dark, blurred background. — Kapwa's ube ensaymada with orange cheese. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Filipino pastries and breakfast

Kapwa Bakery and Cafe, 7023 W. Dempster St., Niles: Come in for a Filipino breakfast of eggs, garlic rice and sausage ($10.99), a hearty lunch of chicken adobo ($14.99), or just an angel food like ensaymada ($4.50) topped with ube frosting and orange cheese.

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