North Shore Foodie Finds

The Wall of Weird Sandwiches at Little Louie's

Why order a hot dog when you can have a fowler?

There are two menus at Little Louie's at 1342 Shermer Rd. in Northbrook — one with standard burgers and hot dogs and everything else you would expect from a fast food joint. The other menu is less typical, offering items called McLovin, Ace Ventura and La Bubba Rosa.  The weird wall of sandwiches at Little Louie's has about 20 different items inspired by flavors, movies and whatever else might be on owner Peter Weiss's mind at the time.  "Everything that up there is good and it sells," Weiss said. "Some people come in and just order off the wall."  The 45-year-old business hasn't always offered quirky, movie-inspired sandwiches. Weiss came up with the idea after he bought the restaurant 15 years ago.  "I'm all about flavors," Weiss said. "…

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Glenview Dive Shop Submerges Scuba Enthusiasts, Beginners

D.D.Dive practices what it preaches, first teaching people how to dive, then taking them literally around the world to explore a different world under water.

What is D.D. Dive Shop doing at 1035 Waukegan Road, smack dab in the middle of downtown landlubbin’ Glenview? The north end of a branch of the Chicago River trickles through town just 1 ½ blocks south, too shallow to scuba dive. Isn’t Lake Michigan, 2 ½ miles east, too dark, murky and cold to scuba dive? And didn’t the only weekly show, “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” airing late Saturday nights on ME-TV and featuring regular scuba-diving scenes, produce its last new program early in 1968? Not a problem for D.D. Dive (standing for the “Dive! Dive! Dive!” command by sub commanders when they order the boat submerged) owner Ralph Naruszewicz. In his view, he’s open for business in just the right place. “There are plenty of places to go …

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Stan Golovchuk

4:35 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012

Glad to see the Gregs chiming in :D   more ›

Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery Seeks Liquor License

Glenview's organic bakery-cafe continues its growth pattern with an important boost in its offerings and employment opportunities.

The measure of a thriving business to its community is not just in how it satisfies the palate, but also its economic impact. In that respect, Sweet Dreams Organic Bakery and Café, 1107 Waukegan Rd., will add to Glenview’s positive cash flow in a couple of months. The seven-year-old eatery, already renowned for organic, vegan and gluten-free entrees and baked goods, is finalizing its liquor license with both the village and state of Illinois. That means an expansion of hours further into the evening and added staff, likely after Jan. 1. Owner Mary Sopcic and executive pastry chef Martha Sutton both project at least three workers will be added to Sweet Dreams once they begin serving wine and beer. Sutton, for one, encourages anyone …

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This 'Bomber' Leaves No Taste Bud Spared

One of the most unique Italian beef sandwiches around is the historical link in the 46-year history of Spiro's Deli at its two Glenview locations on Waukegan Road.

Pete Nestos is a peace-loving man, but his stock-in-trade is a Bomber. But it’s only vaguely explosive to the taste buds, though. And it’s not spicy. The concoction is delectable in contrast to what it was named for, via a big helping of Italian beef, French bread, Swiss cheese, pickle, onion and special home-made mayonnaise-based dressing.  Sweet peppers and an overall soggy sandwich dipped in beef juices always are welcome additions. The Bomber is Nestos’ best-selling sandwich at Spiro’s Deli, 1210 Waukegan Road, and is a tasty link to the 1966 origins of the shop a half-mile north at the northeast intersection of Waukegan and Lake Avenue.  The Bomber and the Nestos family ownership of Spiro’s is one of the longest continuous business …

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