I am moving my son this Saturday into Columbia College. There are 5 of us and I was wondering what your favorite Chicago, affordable restaurant is. There will be 3 kids 19 and up so they are not going to want to dress up. They all like Italian but I am open to any suggestions.
Thanks

Osteria via Stato.

It's a seriously gourmet Italian restaurant, open the new Bon Apetit and look at the section on Chicago...

BUT, it's not fancy at all, and it's just $35 per person for family style antipasti, pasta, and a main course. And if you want more of something, you just ask for it. It's excellent food. Not olive-gardeny red sauce and meatball kind of place, but still a very friendly, approachable, upscale Italian.

Frontera Grille - mexican.

How about one of the restaurants in Greek town? It's close to the city and very reasonable! My favorite is Athena.

These are all great selections but my 19 year old son would not like these restaurants. For Italian, he really likes Maggiano's and Scoozi. Maggiano's is a big chain restaurant usually served family style. It wouldn't be my first choice but it is good. Scoozi has a little different atmosphere. Lots of young adults. My son loves Mexican but would not care for Frontera. He would rather go somewhere that they give you a big basket of chips and have a burrito. You might also want to try one of the Italian restaurants on Taylor Street. My favorites our Francesca's or Tuscany but if I was taking my son I would choose Rosebud which is also good and the portions are huge (the boys seem to like that

Maybe it would be easier to do a search from Columbia College's address as well.

www.metromix.com

All good choices, but I have to say that IMHO Cerlaurie is on the money. Another one the young kids like is Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinders. Mine often go 40 miles out of their way for that one. EXCELLENT salad for yourself also.