Chicago Restaurants?

Question

My husband and I are taking a mini-vacation to Chicago this weekend. What are some good places to eat out that aren't outrageously expensive? We'd prefer something that you can only find in Chicago ~ we live in Dallas, so we've got most of the franchise chains and we'd like to find something more original.

Guys, I'm from TEXAS. I'm not eating Mexican food anywhere north of the Red River. That just ain't right!

Answer 1

I'm amazed at the slop that you are being offered in previous responses.

I want you and your husband to return to Dallas knowing that Chicago is a culinary marvel. Here's how:

For the best steak in the city, and maybe anywhere, go to Gibsons on Rush Street. They also have incredibly sharp service!

Best Chinese: Evergreen, in Chinatown, on Wentworth Ave.

Best French (country style): Le Bouchon, in Bucktown, at the corner of Armitage and Damen.

Best French: Les Nomades, 222 E. Ontario. This restaurant is pricey, but is the most romantic, and most delicious restaurant in the city. For a special night!

Best Italian: Spiaggia / Cafe Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave.

Best Greek: Rodity's, 222 S. Halsted.

Best Vietnamese: Pasteur, 5525 N. Broadway

Best Thai: Thai Pastry, 4925 N. Broadway

Best Japanese / Sushi: So many choices! But here's a good one. Shiroi Hana, 3242 N. Clark.

And of course... the best Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza: Pizzeria Uno, 29 E. Ohio!

Answer 2

The Taste of Chicago is going on this weekend in Grant Park. Biggest Festival of the summer. Fair or Carnival type atmosphere if that sounds like fun but also have good free concerts.
http://www.tasteofchicago.us/

Pizza
Lou Malnati's
Uno's
Duo's
Gino's
Giordano's
Pizza D.O.C. authentic Italian but north a little
Scuzi's
Carmine's
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder

Italian beef or Chicago Dogs
Gold Coast Dogs
Mr. Beef on Orleans as seen on Great Sandwiches

Steak
Mike Ditkas
Chicago Chop House

Cajun
Heaven on Seven

Burgers/Dinner
Ed Debevic's

Buba Gump Shrimp at Navy Pier
other places there to like Riva

Some good south american steak places like
Brazzaz
Sal & Carvaio
Tango Sur is just a small BYOB but very good
Good Spanish Tapas at 1492 Tapas
Cafe Babareeba
Emilio's Tapas
Iberico Tapas

Bar Food/Burgers/etc
PJ Clarkes
McFaddens

Sushi
Tsunami
Kamahachi
Mirai
Coast
Blue Water Grill

Check site below for everything else

Answer 3

Are you kidding me????? You have hit the jack-pot of all eating destinations this weekend!!!!! Did you know that the world's biggest food fest starts on June30th? The Taste of Chicago is fantastic for out-of-towners!!! You can literally eat at 60 different places over the weekend!!! Admission is free, but you have to buy tickets to eat. They are 11 for $7.00. Try to stop at a Walgreens in the city and pick up pop or water for yourself. Drinks alone are like 3 or 4 tickets and not worth it. Another tip. Get the taste portion at the booths. Every restaurant has to offer one, and it is always 3 tickets. you don't get much, but you can both split it, and if you get those throught the fest, you will have had enough food. In addition to the food, there is entertainment also. the concert line-up is lame this year for this city. THey can definately afford better. However, if you find any of the music to your liking, it is also free.
Have a great time!!! What hotel are you at? If you post it, I can tell you how far you are from the fest.

Answer 4

Check out some of my favorites: Le Bouchon in Bucktown for inexpensive and extremely good French food, Club Lucky for old-school Italian also in Bucktown has great food and an excellent atmosphere (it's where Vince Vaughn hangs out when in town), Smoke Daddy is a great place for barbeque and blues in Wicker Park, the Duke of Perth in Lakeview serves a mean fish & chips and shepherd's pie with an incredible menu of Scotch (more than 75 varieties), and you've got to get a doublecheese "borger" at the Billy Goat Tavern - a Chicago classic located under the Tribune building on Lower Michigan Avenue.

Answer 5

In Chicago you must have the deep dish pizza--my fave is Lou Malnatis--439 N. Wells St. 312-828-9800.

I also like Fireplace Inn for ribs--1448 N. Wells St. 312-664-5264.

Please avoid the Billy Goat Tavern (cheeseburger, cheeseburger from the Saturday Night Live skit)--it's nothing but a tourist trap and a waste of time.

Have fun and enjoy!

Answer 6

Haha, you are correct. I have eaten at so-called 'Mexican' food places north of Texas and really, do not bother. If it is run by real Mexicans then they are likely to cater the food to local tastes. Yes, it is a waste of money. In Chicago, I forget where it is, but there is a strip of decent Pakistani and Indian food places. Last time I was there for a few days we ate at a different place every day, I forget the streets though.

Answer 7

Cafe Iberico is a Spanish Tapas Restraunt. Excellent Food. Price is also fair. Location: 739 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60610-3523. Phone # [phone]. Awesome place.

Answer 8

I'm from southern Texas and I go up to Chicago for business quite often, best place for meat is El Tango Sur, an argentine restaurant partnered with an argentine food store and butchery next door. It's BYOB, so it's fairly inexpensive. Excellent atmosphere and outside seating. Very romantic on weekend nights-might get a little loud(very busy)
Address: 3763 N Southport Ave-Chicago, IL
[phone]

Answer 9

Why dont u check out the Taste Of Chicago its starts Friday June 30 and ends July 4th. At the Taste u can get a sample of whats here and u can go the restaurant if u like what u sample. U can get the tickets from Dominicks Grocery Store or u can purchse them at the Taste..

Answer 10

Julius Mienl on Southport &Addison. I just heard about this restaurant. It is Austrian and has wonderful pastries in addition to other great dishes. It is the only one of its kind in the United States. There are many in Austria, I am told. I am looking forward to going there. Also, Geja's seems to be a favorite place to go. They serve fondue. The Indian and Pakistan Restaurants are 6400 North and about 2600 West on Devon between Western and California Ave.