Homewood/Flossmoor?

Planning a bike trip to the Homewood-Flossmoor area tomorrow afternoon. Any good places for a quick, inexpensive lunch? I'll travel to surrounding towns, especially if they're near the Metra.

Haven't been there, meaning to try, but exceptional reputation (and you can't get much closer to the train station): Flossmoor Station.

Wish I'd seen this earlier, since I live in Homewood.

The Flossmoor Station is good, especially if you are in the mood for one of their fine handcrafted beers, although I'm not sure if you are biking that you will be in the mood for alcohol. Across the street from the train station is Fresh Starts, also a very nice place for lunch or dinner.

If you will be passing by Vollmer Road, I would suggest Flavor in the Flossmoor Commons strip mall. Southern and Cajun food, very nicely done.

In Homewood you have a number of choices. For asian-inspired food, you might want to try Bamboo Blue on Harwood. Please don't make the mistake of thinking this is a strictly asian restaurant. In addition to some nice noodle and rice combinations, they have some great sandwiches and the fries are excellent. If you want Japanese, Little Tokyo on Ridge Road will fit the bill. Or, if you want something cheap and good, try Mr. Pollo on Dixie Highway, across from the library. A quarter rotisserie chicken with two sides will set you back a whopping $4.50.

My neighbors swear by the burgers at the Fifth Quarter on Dixie Highway, but I've never been there. I also used to be very fond of the olive burger at Lassen's Tap on 183rd St. (across the street from my house), but they were bought out and I haven't eaten there since the new owners took over.

If you need an ice cream fix, definitely stop by Mitchell's Ice Cream on Dixie Highway for a hot fudge sundae with chocolate chip ice cream, my personal favorite. Ask for a small sundae -- a large is really too big.

Hope this helps.

Flossmoor Station
1035 Sterling Ave.
Flossmoor, IL 60422
(708) 957-2739
www.flossmoorstation.com

Fresh Starts
1040 Sterling Ave.
Flossmoor, IL 60422
(708) 957-7900
www.freshstartsrestaurant.com

Flavor
3315 Vollmer Road
Flossmoor, IL
708/798-3220

Bamboo Blue
18147 Harwood Ave.
Homewood, IL
708-799-4700

Little Tokyo
2057 Ridge Rd
Homewood, IL

Mr. Pollo
Dixie Highway (across from the Library)
Homewood, IL

Fifth Quarter Tap
18105 Dixie Highway
Homewood, IL

Lassen's Tap
2131 W. 183rd St.
Homewood, IL 60430

Mitchell's Ice Cream
18211 Dixie Hwy.
Homewood, IL
708-799-3835