OT: Where to Eat in Chicago OT

blind99

@caliking sadly, hot doug's closed.  boy was that good, one of the only places i'd stand in line for.
as @yemtrey mentioned, piece is a fun place, right in the middle of bucktown/wicker park.  take an uber there and walk the area, it's a lot of fun. Taxim is nearby, Greek, very well regarded.

the area you're staying will be fairly touristy but there's a lot of good stuff a short ride away.

Tapas at Emilio's would be nearby, it's good, very easy

another area to check out would be old town and lincoln park.  
anything lettuce entertain you is dependable.  mon ami gabi - a bit dated, but always reliable french bistro, up near the zoo.  BTW the lincoln park zoo is free, small, and next to a free conservatory.

sky is the limit as far as nice meals. Chicago Magazine will have pretty up to date reviews. I really like North Pond's fireplace room. For 'fancy' food I think it's a lot of bang for the buck.

if you have a chance, get a drink after sundown on a clear night at the bar at the signature room.  it's the 95th floor of the hancock.  fantastic views.

Safety wise you would have to get in a cab or uber and tell them to take you to an overly dangerous place. 

feel free to PM me for more details or recs.

Jcacavias

To add on to what others have said...

green river has great cocktails with a view.  Sunda is good if you're in an Asian fusion/sushi kind of mood.  Bavette's is one I haven't seen mentioned yet and it's probably on my top 5 best ribeyes ever.  Avec is small, but if you snag a seat at the bar you can watch the open kitchen.  Au cheval is good as well.   

Oh and probably anything on the Eater 38 in addition to the ones folks here have already mentioned...

http://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-chicago-restaurants-38

Alinea if you're looking to knock your socks off (and kill your bank account).

Seriously cant go wrong, so many good options.  Enjoy!

RRP

For nearly 15 years I had a Monday morning meeting every month at our bank's home office in Chicago down in the Loop. I always drove up Sunday afternoon and checked in to The Palmer House which at least at that time was exquisite! On the lower level was a superb stately old traditional steak house. Despite the hassle of the monthly meeting trips I looked forward to those - and of course on the company's dime!
I have no clue if The Palmer House is even still standing as my last time there would have been like in 1992.

caliking

We used to watch this show regularly, and really enjoyed some for the places that were featured:
http://checkplease.wttw.com/

I think you can watch episodes online (if you have time before your trip). 

Also, Navy pier used to have fireworks on Wed and Sat nights during the summer.

If you like Chinese food, this hole in the wall place used to be killer. Northern Chinese fare. They used to make a cumin lamb dish that was amazing - 
http://www.potstickerhousechicago.com/

For Schezwan, this place in Chinatown (need to take a cab or Uber, so may not make it to your list)-
http://www.chicagolaoszechuan.com/

And if you like Malaysian food, Penang in Chinatown used to be very good.

caliking

@blind99 - man I'm sad to hear that Hot Doug's was closed. Loved going there. 

dennis661

All great suggestions, but Gino's East is a must if you have never been.  The best site for Chicago crime is this site:  heyjackass.com.  It gives each area and the amount of shots fired/homicide incidents.  We stay in the Navy Pier area frequently and are not worried when walking.  Just be careful if you use the trains, it can get confusing and you can wind up in places you would rather not be.  

Mickey

Last time was for a national Toyota meeting and enjoyed the food. 
Loved the original Gino's east pizza with the corn mill crust and the restaurant that used Weber grills downtown. Had a plate with everything and outstanding. 

saluki2007

My parents have a condo on the east side Hancock building so we spend a lot of time up there.  You can't really go wrong eating or drinking in Chicago.  I would recommend reading the Yelp reviews of any place you want to go and also check out www.opentable.com  I won't pile onto the list of restaurants as there are too many great ones, but I will say that you must go to Garrett's Popcorn and get the Garrett Mix.  You will thank me later.

blind99

@saluki2007 boy am I jealous!  the Hancock is my favorite skyscraper - such a great looking modern building. Used to love going to the top when I was a kid.

@caliking Love lao Szechuan. never been to the one in Chinatown but there's one in the burbs near me.... now I want lunch there... funny enough the owner recently got arrested for tax fraud.  restaurants are all still open thank goodness

castironman

Another vote for the Ginos East South Loop. You wont regret it. Go early.
The Purple Pig had a line prior to opening, so we skipped it.

@RRP .. We stayed at The Palmer just a week ago. Fancy place. The lobby bar  makes a fantastic bloody mary ... A++

RRP

castironman said:

@RRP .. We stayed at The Palmer just a week ago. Fancy place. The lobby bar  makes a fantastic bloody mary ... A++

Thanks! Being a flagship Hilton I didn't think it would have lost any luster. Since posting last night I did some research and I see where that stately old steakhouse I referenced is no longer open though.

Mickey

Just thought of the worst meal in both visits to Chicago. 
To me and Linda we wished we had a good Chicago hot dog better than Don Shula's Steak House (not a happy memory). 

caliking

Mickey said:

Just thought of the worst meal in both visits to Chicago. 
To me and Linda we wished we had a good Chicago hot dog better than Don Shula's Steak House (not a happy memory). 

What you need is a good ol' Maxwell Street dog. Deep fried until they split ( rippers?) then topped with fried/caramelized onions, and other stuff.

Of course, they taste best at about 2am and with a certain BAC level. 

Mickey

caliking said:

Mickey said:

Just thought of the worst meal in both visits to Chicago. 
To me and Linda we wished we had a good Chicago hot dog better than Don Shula's Steak House (not a happy memory). 

What you need is a good ol' Maxwell Street dog. Deep fried until they split ( rippers?) then topped with fried/caramelized onions, and other stuff.

Of course, they taste best at about 2am and with a certain BAC level. 

Sign me up coach. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I've stayed in that hotel many times. It's awesome. There are a ton of restaurants around there but I never found a great one. I'm sure there are many great places though so I'll let others with more knowledge of the area chime in there. I will just say to pack a bottle or go to the nearest liquor/wine store and stash some in your room. I'm not cheap but they are like $15 for a single drink and $20 for a **** glass of wine in that joint. I haven't been there in 7 years but I'm sure the prices have not gone down! There was a super cool grocery store within walking distance last time I was there that had great wine and maybe booze too (don't remember liquor laws in Chi-Town). i remember that place being the most expensive hotel bar we have ever been to. 

northGAcock

Heading there myself today on bitness. Looking forward to some good eats myself.

EggObsessed

Thanks so much to all of you for all the great advice.  I've taken some extensive notes.  I really appreciate it!

JRWhitee

northGAcock said:

Heading there myself today on bitness. Looking forward to some good eats myself.

Where are you staying Robin?

northGAcock

 Out in Bloomingdale....not in the city.

JRWhitee

I suggest playing golf at Medinah....

Bill_Swerski

have lived in Chicago all my life, and I go out to eat at least twice a week.  honestly, there's way too many good places to list.  so many good new places in the West Loop, and obviously a lot in River North.  I'll throw out a few of my favorites.

Sunda (Japanese)
Siena Tavern
Bavette's (steak)
Chicago Cut (steak)
Maude's Liquor Bar 
Gilt Bar
Au Cheval (no reservations.  get there early (a few mins before open) for brunch
Publican
Frontera is outstanding Mexican, but they don't take reservations and it's regularly ~2 hour wait.  a fast casual alternative from Rick Bayless right on the corner that's awesome is Xoco
RPM Italian

also, if you're looking for pizza, don't go anywhere but Lou Malnati's.  the rest of the places give Chicago pizza a bad name (i.e. Giardano's)

btw, on the crime, it's all on the south side.  a long long distance from anywhere that a tourist would never go.  I've lived here 32 years and never witnessed any crime.  part of the problem is that it's so isolated from the affluent areas, so it hasn't received the attention it's due over the years.

saluki2007

FYI, this is the Sumo Bloody Marys from Sunda.  You have to ask for it as it's not on the menu.

northGAcock

JRWhitee said:

I suggest playing golf at Medinah....

What about eats? Hoping for at a minimum a Portello's.

JRWhitee

There is a Gibsons in the Embassy suites airport, that is the best around there. Also, a casino a mile from there as well, black jack, craps...

blind99

Have you been to Eataly?  If not it's a fun place.  Two huge floors of all sorts of Italian food and wine.  Upstairs has a bunch of places you can eat at (casual, sort of a cross between cafeteria style and made to order). Lavazza coffee on the ground floor is OK but the espresso stand on the 2nd floor is fantastic.

Yikes that Sumo thing looks awesome!  Right near there is another favorite of mine, Slurping Turtle.

Grillmagic

I have always had great food at Carsons on Wells Street.

DaveRichardson

My friend from high school runs 2 places....  Fountainhead and Coverdell. Don't know where they are located, but it's an all natural place. If you go, tell Darby hi for me.....  I had such a crush on her in high school!!!!!

Jstroke

I have not had many experiences eating in Chicago, however I have had the Pizza at Giardano's and I was fairly unimpressed. Not bad, just that my deep dish in a cast iron pan on the egg is better in my humble opinion. But then again I am making one pie with loving care and they are making who knows how many. 

YEMTrey

DaveRichardson said:

My friend from high school runs 2 places....  Fountainhead and Coverdell. Don't know where they are located, but it's an all natural place. If you go, tell Darby hi for me.....  I had such a crush on her in high school!!!!!

Been to Fountainhead many of times on my visits.  Love the rooftop patio.  Time gets lost on that rooftop patio.  Glorious day, weather and beer?!  Heaven on Earth!

nth78

Lou Malnati's Pizza
Portillo's Hot Dogs