I am traveling to Chicago on Friday - where is a good place to eat?

Question

Wow - thanks for the great responses so far. Let me know if you are ever in New England (well - little RI) and I will try to return the favor. Please keep the responses coming.

With Respects,

Mike

Answer 1

If you want GOOOOD food, stay away from the touristy places like Unos.

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.

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

The best breakfast place downtown is Lou Mitchells. Double yolk eggs in a skillet with Greek toast. It is near Union Station.

You have to try a real Chicago deep dish pizza. I like Gioordanos but Pizza Uno, Connies, or Nancy's are good.

Go to China town for Joy Yee Noodle. PanAsian food and great fruit drinks.

Take architectural river trip.. It is amazing. Then you could go to Billy Goats Tavern--made famous from Saturday Night Live. Cheeseburger Cheesburger Chips Pepsi no Coke.

Answer 3

Breakfast - Morgan and Washington on the corner. I forget the name but they make great eggs with spinach and serve really good fruit.
Lunch- Giordano's on Jackson downtown
Dinner- Just go to Taylor Street and travel down. You will have a huge variety to choose from in all praice ranges. I love all the Italian restaurants there. Enjoy your stay.

If you go out south- Go to Western around 103rd - 111th Street for restaurants you will enjoy
Breakfast- International Houseof Pancakes
Lunch- Leona's
Dinner- Joe Bailey's

Answer 4

Breakfast: Ann Sather's (either the North Clark or Belmont location are good) or... if you head up to Wilmette (just north of Chi-town), Walker Bros is AWESOME!

Lunch/Supper: Andersonville area: Andie's is fabulous! Their Portobello and Lentil dish will knock your socks off.

Wing Ho (on Sheridan and Berwyn) has incredible Crab Rangoon... and a dish that the name escapes me. It's a Chinese pancake thing - stuffed with beefy goodness.

On Belmont, Mi Tierra has some good Mexican food in a nice atmosphere.

There are hundreds of great eats in Chicago... enjoy yourself!

Answer 5

I'm usually more interested in fast food restaurants when I visit a city, because it is usually cheaper. And I use www.infofastfood.com. They have listed many restaurants with contact information... you can call and ask about reservations or prices if you want.

Answer 6

Carmines best Italian food on Rush Street and great people watching !! awesome drinks too

Answer 7

Marches. Pronounced mar-shay. Very unique and delightful menu. Great decor and service.

Answer 8

The Y

Answer 9

If you like PIZZA Gino's East!!

Answer 10

there is a great place called ginos east great pizza.