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    The Big Melt

    3.5 (2 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

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    5 years ago

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    Lotus Banh Mi - Belly classic banh mi

    Lotus Banh Mi

    4.5(605 reviews)
    4.0 kmUniversity Village
    $

    5 stars based on Bahn mi, cha gio and iced coffee I ordered today…read more I must have been part of an early crowd. When I arrived, there was only one other table dining, which made it GREAT for me. It's a decent size hall with 10+ table arrangements, making it pretty great for a group to enjoy their lunch. It also featured a couple of kiosks for ordering, which I thought was a bit easy to miss, since it was tucked away in the left corner when you walked in. It looked like there was also a cashier available to take orders, if you miss the kiosks. I've seen places where they simply do not have anyone at the register to take orders, but that wasn't the case for Lotus. Before deciding to visit them today, I had an impression that their menu choices were very limited compared to other Vietnamese restaurants I was used to. I'm certainly not complaining, since I'm usually a huge fan of select "specialty" approach in restaurants. That's why I decided to order one of their Bahn mi, where I normally would have chosen pho for my first visit. And it didn't disappoint. First off, the size of the sandwich was good. I've had it where they charged a buck or two less, but they weren't big enough to be a full "lunch" portion. Lotus' size, I thought was decent. I had ordered one of their cha gios just in case the sandwich failed to fill me, but I think I would have been okay without it. Cha gio was super good tho! Oh, and the iced V-coffee was good, too. Typically, they'll bring out the coffee before your meal is ready, probably because they're ready-made in the morning and all you'd need to do is pour them over ice. I of course, have known legitimate mom n' pop places, where they'll actually bring out coffee as it's brewing in Phin (stainless steel coffee filter) and a glass of ice with condensed milk, so you can wait for the coffee to finish brewing and pour yourself one, which is what I *always* prefer. Not here, but no big deal. You can usually tell how good the food is going to be by trying their iced coffee. Even though V-coffee isn't known for using "incredible" beans, the balance of the strength of coffee and condensed milk *does* make a big difference in your experience. I felt this place had it correct! I'll definitely come back myself and even bring coworkers or my family to have their Bahn mi again. What I'm not sure about is whether I want to try their pho or bun. First, they don't offer too many variations, so I'm stuck choosing from just a few. (For example, I usually go for "brisket-only" or a combo of brisket and rare steak, but they didn't seem to have those options. Granted, it's possible they'll make it happen if I asked) Secondly, I think they're a couple bucks more expensive than what I would like to pay for a bowl of pho. We'll see.

    Ambiance - neighborhood gem, casual, offers small dine in area…read more Service - order at kiosk upon arrival, self serve, pick up food at counter Food - pho broth was aromatic, sliced beef was slightly different than what I'm used to (it was marinated, not the typical rare un-marinated sliced beef)

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    Lotus Banh Mi - Inside

    Inside

    Lotus Banh Mi - Pork House Salad

    Pork House Salad

    Lotus Banh Mi - Sunny side beef

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    Sunny side beef

    Shang Noodle - Chicago - Har Gao

    Shang Noodle - Chicago

    4.3(490 reviews)
    0.4 kmNear North Side
    $$

    Such a pleasant, fulfilling surprise. By chance we stopped at Shang Noodle, looked in the window…read moreand was drawn inside. Atmosphere was great; a little noisy, but in a good way. Lots of friend groups and others, enjoying their together time, incredible meals, and just sharing together. Serious stuff: Ambiance was very inviting, letting all clientele the opportunity for unfettered enjoyment. Food was flavorful, sumptuous - just delicious and more than ample. Service; quick, courteous, attentive. Waitstaff proving good information on menu items and pairing suggestions. They checked on us several time, ensuring everything was to our liking. If ever back in Chicago, I will definitely be look for Shang Noodle!

    Went here on a whim last night after reading all the glowing reviews on Yelp. Before that, I…read morechecked out a few eateries on the 4th floor of the Nordstrom building, but nothing really stood out, and honestly, none of them seemed very busy and the one restaurant Lao Sze Chuan was way too expensive, $30+ entrees were average and the place wasn't busy at all. So I decided to try Shang Noodle, which was tucked away on a side street off Grand Ave., just steps from Michigan Ave. It's across from the Nordstrom building, past Labriola's, down some steps and about a block away located on the south side of the street. As soon as I walked in, and I wasn't expecting this but the restaurant was extremely loud and nearly every seat was taken and everybody seemed to be enjoying themself, families, couples and groups. I figured that was a good sign and it signaled to me that the food was probably good! At first, the host wanted me to sit at the bar, which I politely declined because I don't usually sit at bars, also, I was there to eat, not pick up somebody! I noticed a small table open, pointed it out, and he kindly let me take it. No 'tude either! As far as my server goes, she was efficient, friendly, and very helpful with recommendations since it was my first visit and probably because I didn't look like the other customers who were more familiar with the cuisine. She suggested the pot stickers over the hot and sour soup, and the beef Chow Fun instead of chicken Chow Fun. The pot stickers were a little small, but crispy and very tasty. I also asked for some sweet and sour sauce on the side which I'm glad I did because it paired nicely with the pot stickers instead of that plain vinegar sauce they usually serve you. For my main dish, I ordered the char-grilled beef Chow Fun. The portion size was more than generous, and the char-grilled beef had a great umami flavor. A few of the rice noodles were a bit firm, likely undercooked, but overall though it was quite enjoyable. What I appreciated the most about Shang Noodle was the value. $18 for the beef Chow Fun and $9 for the pot stickers felt reasonable to me, considering it was on the dinner menu, the portion sizes were humongous and the restaurant was located on the Near North Side, which is usually quite pricey. I'll definitely be back, though next time I may try lunch instead, or go with friends of mine.

    Photos
    Shang Noodle - Chicago
    Shang Noodle - Chicago - Sizzling Beef

    Sizzling Beef

    Shang Noodle - Chicago - Deep Fried Pork Belly (gf)

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    Deep Fried Pork Belly (gf)

    Yummy Yummy Noodles - Wonton Beef Slice Noodle Soup

    Yummy Yummy Noodles

    4.4(374 reviews)
    5.1 kmChinatown
    $$

    Easily the best noodle soup I've had. It's not just yummy, it's yummy yummy!…read more This is a must go Chicago Chinatown spot if you're a noodle and soup lover. It's that legit! They have other Chinese staples too, but let's not kid ourselves, you come and come back again for the noodle soup. And they have PLENTY of different options of it to choose from. It's a small place and off the beaten path a bit, so get there before the lunch rush. Owners are super nice and welcoming. I discovered it on the walking food tour we did and I came back for more!

    This spot has changed hands, names, and menus over the years, but it seems to have found its…read moreidentity - noodles. This family-run spot is quaint and doesn't offer much in terms of interior decor and lighting. The entrance is also fully covered in a decal, which makes it easy to walk right by this spot. The food makes up for some of these shortcomings. This is the familiar Cantonese cooking that is comfort food for many. The stir-fried noodles in particular are a must. There are rice dishes, soups, and more to choose from and you can't really go wrong with anything. The soup is my least favorite of these due to the broth lacking depth, but the wontons were good. The XO sauce stir-fried noodles with beef was my favorite. If you're looking for something casual with affordable dishes, Yummy Yummy is worth checking out.

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    Yummy Yummy Noodles - Inside

    Inside

    Yummy Yummy Noodles - Roast duck over rice

    Roast duck over rice

    Yummy Yummy Noodles - Pea tips with garlic

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    Pea tips with garlic

    Half Sour - Breakfast Potatoes

    Half Sour

    4.1(404 reviews)
    2.6 kmPrinter's Row, South Loop
    $$

    This is a great little bar…read more The drinks somehow all had glitter--which I love--but didn't seem to match the vibe. My husband and I stopped in for a quick dinner and Half Sour fit the bill. Casual pub fare of good quality. Slow service, but it wasn't a huge issue. I'm sure we'll be giving it another shot.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Printer's Row! I have been here several times and everything is…read moreamazing. I bring friends and family here and everyone loves it. Lunch, dinner, cocktails, brunch...you name it, they do it, and they do it well. Everything is made from scratch and top quality. They do everything so well. They have homemade donuts on weekends and flavors change. They make their own bagels too and they are the best. Everything is made in house, including their meats. The corned beef is so good and I love their Rueben. The cocktails are fantastic! I love the Me espresso so much. It's an espresso martini but creamier and better and prettier. They also have wonderful THC and CBD drinks that a taste great. They have delicious lemonades, mocktails, and coffees too. I love their hero cold brew with simple syrup. The food is phenomenal. I have tried so many things and I plan on trying the entire menu. I have thoroughly enjoyed the latkes, black bean burger, steak, French fries, Caesar salad, breakfast bagel sandwich, and more. I love their homemade ranch dressing. The chilaquiles are my favorite brunch item and I top it with steak and it's so tender. The nachos are so delicious and their homemade nacho cheese is stellar. Excellent service!!!!! Everyone who works here is very kind and attentive. Dottie, Grace, and Nicole have taken such great care of me. Indoor and outdoor seating. You can seat yourself, which is very nice. The vibe and atmosphere are so good. Relaxing, positive vibes and lots of seating. It's a fun place to watch sporting events on TV too. I can't say enough about this place. It's my absolute favorite and I love being a regular here.

    Photos
    Half Sour
    Half Sour - French Toast

    French Toast

    Half Sour - Cheeseburger  & Hero Cold Brew Coffee

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    Cheeseburger & Hero Cold Brew Coffee

    The Big Melt - desserts - Updated May 2026

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