FOODITOR’S TOP FIVE RESTAURANTS IN ALBANY PARK:

1. LD Pho
2. Ixcateco Grill
3. Chicago Kalbi
4. Nhu Lan Bakery
5. Salam

FOODITOR’S CURATED LIST OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN ALBANY PARK:

ASIAN

Chicago Kalbi— High quality meat ranks this Korean BBQ spot (run by Japanese) high among its type; popular with baseball players, as you’ll see from the decor.

Cafe Orient 33— Bright strip mall Korean spot with good chicken wings, other freshly-made dishes.

Great Sea Chinese Restaurant— Full-service Chinese restaurant (run by Koreans), but famous for one dish—spicy lollipop chicken wings.

LD Pho— Storefront Vietnamese restaurant (which used to be around the corner on Lawrence before being replaced by a place with a near-identical name) offers what many consider the best bowl of pho in town.

New Asia— Vietnamese restaurant pretty much known for a single dish—a terrific bowl of fresh-tasting chicken soup (using chickens from the halal butcher a couple of doors over).

Nhu Lan Bakery— Very authentic, tiny Vietnamese sandwich spot with a devoted following for lemongrass chicken or tofu and pork pate banh mi.

FAST FOOD

Hot Dog Station— Well-run fast food joint serving good dogs, superior Italian beef and housemade soups.

LATIN AMERICAN

La Brasa Roja— South American roast chicken and grilled meats.

Huaraches Doña Chio— Mexican restaurant specializing in housemade huaraches (literally “slippers”), long ovals of fresh-grilled masa topped with meat and the usual toppings.

Ixcateco Grill— Sitdown Mexican place from a veteran Frontera Grill cook, serving chicken in black mole and other more upscale dishes.

Pupuseria Restaurant Cuscatleco— Salvadoran restaurant specializing in pupusas (similar to quesadillas, and as comfy and satisfying topped with vinegary cabbage).

Taqueria San Juanito— Reliable basic taco spot with nice housemade salsas.

MIDDLE EASTERN

Afghan Kabob— Very welcoming family restaurant serving Afghani dishes, including manti (basically ravioli) in yogurt sauce, and savory meats with rice studded with sweet raisins.

Kabobi Grill— Very friendly service at a nicely-appointed Persian restaurant serving good versions of the usual kabobs and rice.

Noon-O-Kabob— Good Persian restaurant specializing in kabobs with rice and other dishes. Has a separate takeout/catering operation at 4651 N. Kedzie.

Salam— Not always great, but generally the most reliable and efficient place offering middle-eastern classics like chicken shawarma, kifta kebob and falafel.

Semiramis— Nicer than most of the Kedzie middle eastern spots, a Lebanese restaurant specializing in roast chicken.

List compiled by Michael Gebert 10/3/15.