Hi Ricky Asian Noodle restaurants (there are 4 in the Chicagoland area) feature a Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai menu. Very informal, with open kitchen design. Food is generally very good and cheap. I prefer cold beer with most of my asian stir fry and Hi Ricky has quite a nice selection of beers, the Saigon beer being a favorite here.

For hours and locations see: http://chicagoasiannoodlesrestaurants.com/

I've been to the Hi Ricky on Southport a few times. I'm not particularly crazy about it -- kind of in the way that I'm not crazy about Penny's Noodles. Mind you, I don't think it's bad. It's decent. But I just feel like it is kind of dumbed-down Asian food. And why get dumbed-down food when there are a ton of great Japanese, Thai, Chinese, etc. places where you can get the real thing (or at least a lot closer than the real thing)?

Again, this is just my humble opinion and if there's one thing that people can never agree on (aside from politics, religion, sports, etc.), it's food.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx2000:
when there are a ton of great Japanese, Thai, Chinese, etc. places where you can get the real thing (or at least a lot closer than the real thing)?</font>

Please list them. I don't believe that Chicago has great Japanese, Thai, Chinese. I think we have very good but not great.

I truly believe the food at Hi Ricky is better than the typical sweet/sour Chinese or Thai restaurant in Chicago, especially the more adventurous dishes.

You forget PremEx2000, you are in the city where there is a greater concentration of good restaurants. The suburbs have their prizes, but they are more spread out.

As to Thai, what about Arun's?

Less expensive is P.S. Bangkok - always enjoyed that.

Also, there was a thai hole-in-the-wall just south of Montrose and Lincoln on the east side of Lincoln next to the liquor store with the absolute best chicken pad thai ever.

As to Japanese, try Sanko on Clark - great, fresh sushi. Alternatively, Yoshi's Cafe?

[This message has been edited by anonplz (edited 10-07-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anonplz:
As to Thai, what about Arun's?</font>

OK you caught me, Arun's is great, but so **** $$.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Alternatively, Yoshi's Cafe?</font>

I wouldn't classify Yoshi's as a Japanese restaurant. Asian inspired definitely. I have always enjoyed Yoshi's, but then again, I have always picked a winner from the menu. Yoshi's to me has always been about ying/yang. A ying entree and it is incredible. A yang and it is truly mediocre. Sums up Yoshi's for my experiences there.

Did you ever eat at Yoshi's when it was a very formal place?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
Did you ever eat at Yoshi's when it was a very formal place?</font>

No, unfortunately, though I wish I had... I was a poor student in those days...

So far my favorite Thai place is Pot Pan,
1750 W. North Ave. Inexpensive and wonderful food. 2nd place goes to Thai Wild Ginger,
2203 N. Clybourn Ave. PS Bangkok is good, as is Sweet Tamarind. I must have hit Yoshi's on a Yang night, as I thought my pumpkin soup was pretty bland and my entree not very good.

As far as good Thai, I recommend Sweet Tamarind at Southport and Diversey (right around the corner from where I live). I also like the place on Lincoln right under the El tracks (I forget what it's called).

As for Japanese, I think Shine, Sai Cafe, and Sushi Wabi are really solid. I'd love to try Heat sometime but I'm waiting for a bank loan to pay for that meal http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

As for Korean, my heart breaks. I used to go to a place called Sam Mee -- right under the El tracks on Clark (near Wrigley). It was so good. You'd cook your own Bulgogi at your table. Alas, what once was the restaurant is now a parking lot for that lame-*ss bar, Johnny O'Hagan's. Progress. Ha!

[Edited to add stuff about Chinese].

You're right that there's not much great Chinese food in Chicago. I'm a little scared of the places in Chinatown, especially after spotting a rat on a sidewalk in front of one of the restaurants. (Maybe he was waiting for his table). But outside of Chinatown, I think Dees is solid.

[This message has been edited by PremEx2000 (edited 10-21-2002).]

I believe all Hi Ricky locations are now closed.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
I believe all Hi Ricky locations are now closed.</font>

Their website is still up . . .

"Bye" Ricky. I stand by my earlier comments about Hi Ricky (when I was posting as PremEx2000). I thought it was okay but nothing special.

Ricky is easy cuz you get lots of choices which can be important if you are going with a group.

Good Chinese - Chinatown

Good Thai - There is this little place I like right around Lawrence and Sheriden

Good Japanese - Heat is good. Mirai is too. What about Matsuya? Kinda of depends what you want right?

Good Korean - ummm...Koreatown? pick a stripmall any stripmall. And don't forget about that place with mega bad for your chicken wings

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chichow:
Ricky is easy cuz you get lots of choices which can be important if you are going with a group.</font>

great point, I have only been to Ricky's with a group and it was very easy for non-adventurous eaters to find something they could order, yet it could hold the interest of a more particular diner.