Restaurant recommendation in Chicago for PJ20

PureandEasy

81 wrote:

PureandEasy wrote:

My brother always told me if you go to Chicago, you have to go to Webber's Grill.

How come no one has mentioned that? Is it not good?

i've been to the one by the office for lunch. it's not as fancy as alot of the other ones that have been mentioned. food is solid, but imo, if you are going for a full on classy joint, you go some place else.

and every time i've gone, i've left with that charcoal smell on the clothes.

well that explains it, my brother has no class

Get_Right

Really? Ruth's Chris when visiting Chicago? The ones out here are not that great. Id go to Gibson's if its a steak you seek.

Any of Bayless's joints for mex.

Alinea or Charlie Trotter for high end tasting menus (if you can get in).

Hot Doug's for the foie gras dog (and other bizzare sausages).

Pizza? Well I dont consider that deep dish stuff to be pizza-so I will let the locals decide.

Indifference71

81 wrote:

Up Here In My Tree wrote:

Giordano's for sure. Supposed to be the most popular old style pizza joint in Chicago. Went there last summer for Lollapalooza and Lady Gaga showed up. Eddie's is rumored to frequent the joint as well.

Lou's is better.

Giordano's is BK right now.

Definitely Lou Malnati's. Make sure you get the sausage patty!!

Indifference71

PureandEasy wrote:

81 wrote:

PureandEasy wrote:

My brother always told me if you go to Chicago, you have to go to Webber's Grill.

How come no one has mentioned that? Is it not good?

i've been to the one by the office for lunch. it's not as fancy as alot of the other ones that have been mentioned. food is solid, but imo, if you are going for a full on classy joint, you go some place else.

and every time i've gone, i've left with that charcoal smell on the clothes.

well that explains it, my brother has no class

haha. It's pretty decent, just not a place that would come to mind for out of towners looking for a great meal in Chicago.

MSnider44

Thanks so much for the recs, everyone! What a great list. We prefer Italian and Modern American Cuisine. I love Ruth's and Morton's, but we have them here in San Diego. Looking for something we can't get in San Diego.

Indifference71

High Fidelity 2000 wrote:

I think the place is called Cafe Baba Reeba... Not Baba O'Riley... but awesome tapas food. Vegetarian or carnivore, you'll find some food you love.

Also a good spot. Great variety. It's in Lincoln Park so if you're staying downtown, it's a quick 5-10 min cab ride away.

Indifference71

MSnider44 wrote:

Thanks so much for the recs, everyone! What a great list. We prefer Italian and Modern American Cuisine. I love Ruth's and Morton's, but we have them here in San Diego. Looking for something we can't get in San Diego.

If you love Ruth's and Morton's, go to Joe's Stone Crab. I guarantee you it will not disappoint!

DEReam13

I am definitely another vote for Lou's pizza, but you can't go wrong with the original Uno's pizza. Better than the chains, IMO.

I also recommend Hot Doug's which is ofter featured when talking about food in Chicago. It is not very convenient since it is out of downtown and 2 miles away from Wrigley. It is open only Monday thru Saturday 10:30 to 4 pm. It is worth the line, but hardly convenient unless you really love encased meats.

So many good restaurants. This is making me hungry. I am going to Green Zebra, vegetarian restaurant, this weekend. I wish it was tonight now.

DEReam13

MSnider44 wrote:

Thanks so much for the recs, everyone! What a great list. We prefer Italian and Modern American Cuisine. I love Ruth's and Morton's, but we have them here in San Diego. Looking for something we can't get in San Diego.

Modern American: Alinea, Schwa and Blackbird

Italian: Spiaggia, Riccardo trattoria

Sawyer

'Oven Pizza and Grinder Company' on Clark......do not miss it...trust me

NHiding

For all you veggies out there, The Chicago Diner is awesome! http://www.veggiediner.com/wp/

Indifference71

Sawyer wrote:

'Oven Pizza and Grinder Company' on Clark......do not miss it...trust me

Man Sawyer, you really do love that place huh?

Sawyer

Indifference71 wrote:

Sawyer wrote:

'Oven Pizza and Grinder Company' on Clark......do not miss it...trust me

Man Sawyer, you really do love that place huh?

its a staple bro.......the place is so unique and so damn good

Indifference71

Sawyer wrote:

Indifference71 wrote:

Sawyer wrote:

'Oven Pizza and Grinder Company' on Clark......do not miss it...trust me

Man Sawyer, you really do love that place huh?

its a staple bro.......the place is so unique and so damn good

Yeah, I can't disagree with you on that. It is pretty damn good. You live in the area around there?

81

Indifference71 wrote:

the sausage patty!!

Mitch8415

Pizza: Lou Malnati's, Uno's, Pequod's
Steak: Chicago Chop House (No idea why you'd go to Ruth's Chris in Chicago... W.T.F.)
Seafood: Joe's Stone Crab or Shaw's Crab House
Italian: Mia Francesca
Beer/Pork: The Publican
Greatest Sandwich Ever Made: Silver Palm (google No Reservations and Three Little Pigs Chicago... I've had it, and it's freaking awesome)
Best Beer Selection: The Map Room, Hopleaf, or Sheffield's

Other Good Spots:

---

Hugo's Frog Bar
The Purple Pig
Gene and Georgetti's
Deleece Grillpub
Weber Grill (good lunch spot)
Salpicon (upscale Mexican)
Roy's (Japanese/Hawaiian/Seafood fusion)
Sappori Trattoria (good affordable Italian joint)

Sawyer

Northern burbs...Long Grove area but frequent it after Cub games

GivenToLukinKP

Indifference71 wrote:

Sawyer wrote:

'Oven Pizza and Grinder Company' on Clark......do not miss it...trust me

Man Sawyer, you really do love that place huh?

That place is OK, its got a kind of unique way of making pizza (not that its complicated or really crazy ridiculously tasty though...) but its a small, crowded and kinda dirty feeling. I would not classify this place anywhere near a "special birthday dinner for my wife" kinda place. AT ALL. I dont know what kind of girl your wife is, but from your description of what you want and what you guys like in San Diego...I have to say don't do the birthday dinner here. Maybe a lunch. If you do go there, get the Mediterranean bread.

my vote is Topo (mexican) or Spiagga (italian)...

Get_Right

http://www.yelp.com/c/chicago/restaurants

just another source of info to consider

SVRDhand13

Good idea for a thread :thumbup:.

Sawyer

Kumas for the best burger lunch you ever had too

Mamasan23

Mitch8415 wrote:

Steak: Chicago Chop House (No idea why you'd go to Ruth's Chris in Chicago... W.T.F.))

To each their own dude.

Mitch8415

GivenToLukinKP wrote:

Indifference71 wrote:

Sawyer wrote:

'Oven Pizza and Grinder Company' on Clark......do not miss it...trust me

Man Sawyer, you really do love that place huh?

That place is OK, its got a kind of unique way of making pizza (not that its complicated or really crazy ridiculously tasty though...) but its a small, crowded and kinda dirty feeling. I would not classify this place anywhere near a "special birthday dinner for my wife" kinda place. AT ALL. I dont know what kind of girl your wife is, but from your description of what you want and what you guys like in San Diego...I have to say don't do the birthday dinner here. Maybe a lunch. If you do go there, get the Mediterranean bread.

my vote is Topo (mexican) or Spiagga (italian)...

Haven't been to Spiaggia yet, but did go to Terzo Piano in the Art Institute (same chef) last year for lunch. It was interesting... but good.

Mitch8415

Mamasan23 wrote:

Mitch8415 wrote:

Steak: Chicago Chop House (No idea why you'd go to Ruth's Chris in Chicago... W.T.F.))

To each their own dude.

Not the point. You can get Ruth's Chris in Indianapolis, or KC, or some other city. It's a huge chain. Why wouldn't you want an authentic Chicago Steak House if you are going that route?

81

Mamasan23 wrote:

Mitch8415 wrote:

Steak: Chicago Chop House (No idea why you'd go to Ruth's Chris in Chicago... W.T.F.))

To each their own dude.

no doubt....truely, the best steak in chicago is typically found on my grill. :P melt in your mouth good.

Mitch8415

81 wrote:

Mamasan23 wrote:

Mitch8415 wrote:

Steak: Chicago Chop House (No idea why you'd go to Ruth's Chris in Chicago... W.T.F.))

To each their own dude.

no doubt....truely, the best steak in chicago is typically found on my grill. :P melt in your mouth good.

This is another good point. Though I'd argue mine is better .

81

Mitch8415 wrote:

This is another good point. Though I'd argue mine is better .

steak off at PJ20...

MSnider44

I'll do some research and let everyone know when I make a res in a couple weeks. Awesome info from everyone. I've never wanted a summer to go by so fast as this one coming up....

Get_Right

81 wrote:

no doubt....truely, the best steak in chicago is typically found on my grill. :P melt in your mouth good.

if you know what you are doing no doubt

Except for the wagyu I have had in Japan that is.
http://www.thewagyubeef.com/ :shock:

derbydave

Indifference wrote:

Alinea.

I've had the pleasure to dine at Alinea twice and have to agree with you!!

http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/

It was also named "The Best Restaurant in North America" & #6 in the World by Restaurant Magazine!!

http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners/alinea

Grant Achatz is the Chef and has just opened a new restaurant called "Next" & a bar called "The Aviary"
You have to buy tickets to get into Next!! :ugeek: