I am going to Chicago in a few weeks for vacation.Are there any good restaurants that I cant miss there?

Answer 1

Best pizza (by far) is Carmen's in Evanston. There's also a chain called Leona's that's awesome. No lie, these pizzas will feed half a dozen people very well if you get a large.

Fun food and atmosphere all the way around is Gullivers on Howard between Kedzie and McCormack.

Chicago Brauhaus on Lincoln, just about 1/2 block south of Lawrence is an old-fashioned and very authentic German restaurant. It's also a fun little neighborhood.

Up the block on the other side of the street from the Brauhaus there's a wonderful little Greek restaurant just 2 doors down from Lawrence Ave. It's better than Greektown. But even better than that is a place called the Psistaria on Touhy Ave in Lincolnwood. They serve shrimp and scallops ala mikrolimono that is to die for.

The best hot dogs in town are at a little place called the Wiener's Circle in the 2600 block of Clark St. There's also a chain called Portillo's that makes great hot dogs, but their Italian beef and Italian beef and sausage sandwiches are their real specialty. You can find them all over town.

The "must do" for breakfast is Ann Sathers. There are a few around the north side...all in excellent neighborhoods. They make the most awesome cinnamon rolls and breakfast at Ann's is a tradition.

If you want to explore a little, there are wonderful little ethnic neighborhoods where you can find real food treasures in unassuming buildings.

On Clark St. around Foster Ave. is an area called Andersonville that's the largest Swedish population outside of Sweden. The King and Queen of Sweden even come visit. And west on Foster from California to Kedzie is the extension of that neighborhood at a little college owned by the Swedish Covenant church. Across the street from the campus are a pair of great little Swedish restaurants.

Just south of the campus is Lawrence Avenue and Kimball. It's very authentic Arabic, best you'll find in the US.

North of the campus is the Korean neighborhood on Bryn Mawr between Kimball and Kedzie

West down Lawrence to the edge of the city out by O'Hare is the Italian neighborhood. Drive down Cumberland Ave and there isn't a bad restaurant to be found.

Another wonderful street to explore is Milwaukee Ave. It starts downtown in the NW corner of the Loop and angles to the NW corner of the city (one of the few streets that goes on a diagonal in the city). Taking it, you'll pass first through a great Mexican neighborhood called Humboldt Park. A little edgy at night, but fun during the day. Then after you cross Fullerton, you're in a REALLY Polish neighborhood where food is phenomenal. Depending on who's cooking, there's a little hole in the wall called Theresa 2 that can be the best food in the world or just really, really good. Up a little farther is a place called the Red Apple (it has a more Polish name, but everyone knows it for the big red apple on the sign). They have a buffet that will leave you stuffed.

The best steaks in town are a little place called Cy's on Lincoln. Both the price and quality are unmatched downtown.

So none of these are touristy spots, just the really good places that natives go to for a great night out. Hope it helps.

Answer 2

Why are people telling you to go to Charlie Trotter's? It is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. The cost is like $120 per 5 course meal in which each course is VERY small. I have never been (even though I live in Chicago)but my friend went for her anniversary and they had to go to Wendy's after wards!!!!
No one mentioned Ed Debevic's. It is a 50's style diner that serves typical burger/mom's cooking type food. It is a lot of fun and in the heart of lots of other attractions. It is in a trendy part of the city. If you are 21, you can hit Exclaibur nightclub. Nice place. It has three levels. Said to be haunted.

A little known great deal is The Signature Room at the Handcock. Yes it is very expensive----at night. If you can swing a Mon-Sat 11:00 -1:00p time slot, you can have a buffet lunch up there for about $14. Very nice and 95 floors above the city. Call and make reservations. People who know about this deal come often. Tell them you are a tourist and they will do their best to seat you right at the window. Lakeside is best!!!

As for the person on here who says "screw" downtown, for the most part, I would agree. It is way overpriced and often you find chain-type places. However, the two I gave you are the exception. Have fun in the city. Millienium park is a waste of time (and our tax money) don't bother with it!! the "bean" is stupid. Don't let people talk you into going over there.

Answer 3

Best Hot Dog Joint: The Wiener's Circle, go after midnight on Friday or Saturday night, just trust me, you will never forget. (at Clark and Wrightwood, about 15 minute cab ride from downtown).
Best Hot Dog Joints not in Chicago: Poochie's in Skokie, and Michael's in Highland Park.
Best Italian Beef: Big Al's #1 Downtown.
Best Caramel Corn: Garrett Popcorn shop, and accept no substitute.
Best Burger: Boston Blackies, Downtown (debatable yet my favorite)
Best Southern Italian Supper Club: Sabatino's on West Irving (a Chicago Tradition like few others).
You will not find any of the above in the trendy magazines. These are great Chicago places for the greatest people in the world...the residents of the City of Chicago.

Answer 4

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
In chicago- 431 N. Dearborn 312 321-2725 for Reservations
In northbrook- 933 Skokie Blvd 847 498-6889 f R
Dress classy, (no jacket required)
Excellent place, Excellent food, but Pricey

If you can make it to Elmhurst, Hamburger Heaven(lunch hours only)

Paradise Pup on Milwaukee/ Devon

Mon Ami Gabi is good(French food)along with any other Lettuce Entertain You establishment ie....Wildfire, Maggiano's, Shaws Crabhouse, The Big Bowl, etc...

The Signature Room (95/96th floor John Hancock)

Answer 5

LOL I can tell you the clubs/bars but not restaurants....who wants to eat when there's drinking to be done!


Actually you would want to go to Gibbsons on Rush St...excellent steak house....a can't miss. Then after dinner walk down the street to Melvin B's for a few beers...after they close walk up the street to Le Passage they're open till 4PM. That will be a fun time you'll never forget.

Also hit up for club/bar scenes Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. You'll have fun there too. Just hop a cab and tell them to take you to those places...you don't need a specific bar/club name there's plenty to choose from once you're in the area.

Answer 6

Screw downtown Chicago, most of the restaurants are chain operated and are for the spoiled rich, go out to the neighborhoods that is where you find great restaurants. China town, Little Italy, Greek town, Andersonville, Pilsen, Lakeview, the list goes on and on.

Answer 7

Yes, go to the Chicago Pizza Oven and Grinder 2121 North Clark Street in the Lincoln Park area you can pull it up on the web also

Answer 8

Lou Mitchell's near Union Station for breakfast. They have the best eggs you ever had.

You have to try deep dish Chicago Pizza. I prefer Giordanos but many like Pizza Uno. There are a lot of them in town.

Joy Yee Noodle in Chinatown for Pan Asian and great fruit drinks.

Answer 9

Hi I live in Chicago and I think if you want really GREAT pizza you have to try Giordano's. They have a web site so you can find a location near to where you'll be staying. I would definitely try their stuffed pizza its the absolute BEST no matter what flavor. ...OR...... If you want Mexican food there's a super great Mexican place called MI TIERRA ( My land In English) that's located on the 25th hundred block of south Kedzie Ave they have great food the ambiance is great you get a the whole being in Mexico feeling I would definitely go there if you want to have a great time.

Answer 10

Ann Sathers for brunch
Hong Min for dim sum
Charlie Trotter's for a splurge
Rick Bayless' restaurant Frontera Grill
Nuevo Leon in Pilsen