Around Swedish America in 548 Days - Day 310

Day 310 - Tre Kronor

More and more fast service restaurants claim that they serve “real food”. And that is exactly what the Swedish restaurants in Chicago serve, with little fanfare. The portions are generally large and wholesome. At Anne Sather’s locations (like 5207 N. Clark St. Phone 312-271-6677) you can start your day with a Swedish Breakfast Sampler or go for a Swedish Panini. Starters include cottage cheese, homemade soup and chilled Swedish fruit soup. They have potato sausages, meatballs and turkey just to mention a few of the main course selections. And there are cobblers and pies among the “sweet endings” pioneered by Ann Sather in the restaurant that she bought from a Swedish couple and after 60 years sold to 24-year old Irish descendant Tom Tunney who has expanded it to four locations. If you are looking for something “Swedish” the Tre Kronor restaurant (3258 West Foster Avenue, trekronorrestaurant.com, phone: 773-@67-9888) on the edge of the North Park College campus fits the bill. There is an eclectic mix of patrons from students and professors to Albany Park regulars under the huge Troll mural munching on Falukorv sausage and Oslo omelett. Tre Kronor was started by Kurt Mathiesen who ran thef Swea restaurant in nearby Andersonville. The present owners who find much of their inspiration in a Copenhagen bistro also run the landmark The Sweden Shop across the road.