Highland Park native Marco Santi was bitten by “the restaurant bug” when he was a young teenager working as a bus boy at Highwood’s venerable Del Rio.
“I came out of the kitchen one night and saw a roomful of people eating, drinking and laughing and having fun,” he said. “I was just mesmerized by that.”
A former soybean trader, Santi always found the time to stay connected with restaurants through close friends who were in the industry. At the end of last year, he opened what he calls his “dream restaurant,” Marco’s Northside Grill in Highwood, in the space formerly occupied by Las Tres Hermanas. He takes inspiration and aspiration from that former neighborhood institution’s “truly amazing run,” he said.
That he has chosen to open his first restaurant in Highwood feels like home. “I’ve always known Highwood to be a dining and drinking destination,” he said. “I came with my parents to Del Rio and Nite ‘N Gale. (The former) Hoagie Hut was one of my all-time favorites. I wanted to be a part of this business community.”
On the menu: Santi describes Marco’s Northside Grill as “a comfort zone” serving fresh-made appetizers, soups, sandwiches and salads. Classic American sandwich favorites include hamburgers and Black Angus sliders (and a 100 percent vegan black bean burger), a grilled chicken sandwich, classic grilled cheese, classic BLT and a Reuben. Appetizers include Marco’s jumbo shrimp cocktail, wings, onion rings and golden tenders.
About the owner: Andy Bluhm, a childhood friend, encouraged Santi to “really go for it,” but encouraged him to first get “world-class training.” Santi credits Steve Lombardo, owner of the Gibson Group, for giving him the opportunity to train at the Gibson’s restaurant in Rosemont. “I spent significant time in the kitchen, in the back office and with the managers,” he said. “I did it free of charge; they got an extra hand, and I got the greatest education I could ever get.”
Philosophy: “Roll out the red carpet,” Santi said. “Our demographic is wide; people my age have young families. We serve food that will be attractive to kids, but we also have shrimp cocktails and (beer, wine and cocktails) for the parents. The atmosphere is inviting with soft colors and wood. We are not here to reinvent the wheel. We want to serve the best Gulf shrimp cocktail; cold, creamy, crunchy coleslaw; the best fresh-cut french fries from Idaho potatoes. We strive for that high standard everyday.”
Why we’re different: The “magic door” between Marco’s Northside Grill and the Toadstool Pub. Santi has known the Toadstool Pub’s owner, Tom Garrity, since they were children. “We went to the city to ask if we could create a walkway (between the two establishments), affording (patrons) the opportunity to enjoy our food while they are at the pub. Ask the bartender for a menu and we’ll deliver,” Santi said.
What’s new: In honor of the new baseball season, the menu now includes the iconic Chicago hot dog.
Price range: Appetizers range from $6 to $11, sandwiches from $8 to $12, and salads from $7 to $10. The fish fry is $11.95 (cod or shrimp) or $13.95 (cod ad shrimp combo)
Logistics: Marco’s Northside Grill is located at 329 Waukegan Ave., Highwood. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday-Thursday. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Closed Monday. Call 847-748-8557 or go to www.marcosnorthsidegrill.com
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.Donald Liebenson is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.