Chicago food and fun?

slyhiggs

Shaw's Crab house Sunday Brunch is where its at.  It will be the most glutenous meal you ever had.  4 rooms of food.

LukinFan

Other than Soldier Field, what Bears things should I check out? 

Indifference71

LukinFan said:

Other than Soldier Field, what Bears things should I check out? 

Besides Soldier Field, there's not really much I can think of in the city that is Bears-related.  You doing a tour of Soldier Field?  I've heard that's pretty cool.

rlaidepeas

I used to love going to Hot Dougs before it closed down. Anybody know how Hot G Dog compares? 

madhat181

rlaidepeas said:

I used to love going to Hot Dougs before it closed down. Anybody know how Hot G Dog compares? 

Hot G Dog is good and worth a visit if you miss Hot Dougs. 
My favorite classic Chicago hot dog is SuperDawg

KS80184

LukinFan said:

Other than Soldier Field, what Bears things should I check out? 

Yeah, there's not much.  There's a Chicago Sports Hall of Fame up on Michigan Ave. at Water Tower, but I haven't been, so I can't tell you one way or the other if it's worthwhile.

KS80184

Air and Water Show will be going on Saturday and Sunday with practices on Thursday and Friday.  Lots of jets screaming overhead all weekend.  It's centered on North Avenue Beach (which will be really crowded) but you can see plenty of the show all up and down the lakeshore.  

AAJC

What’s a good bar for some live blues music Friday night that’s in the downtown area?

AAJC

How about a pizza place that’s under the ‘L’ train and shakes almost to pieces as trains roll over? Bonus points for drips of water from the ceiling and no craft beer on tap.

darwinstheory

AAJC said:

What’s a good bar for some live blues music Friday night that’s in the downtown area?

I'd look into the House of Blues or Buddy Guy's Legends.

fgalpern

Wow, thanks for this discussion, great recommendations!

We're staying at the Holiday Inn in Skokie, a few miles from Wrigley. Anyone know about food and/or fun in that area?

KS80184

AAJC said:

What’s a good bar for some live blues music Friday night that’s in the downtown area?

Kingston Mines or B.L.U.E.S. come to mind- both in Lincoln Park on Halsted.

LukinFan

Indifference71 said:

LukinFan said:

Other than Soldier Field, what Bears things should I check out? 

Besides Soldier Field, there's not really much I can think of in the city that is Bears-related.  You doing a tour of Soldier Field?  I've heard that's pretty cool.

Cool, thanks. I was thinking about looking at a tour, but they do not offer them on the weekends, so that's out. It's a quick trip to Chicago, but I know I'll be back for a game at some point. Hopefully sooner than later. 

LukinFan

KS80184 said:

LukinFan said:

Other than Soldier Field, what Bears things should I check out? 

Yeah, there's not much.  There's a Chicago Sports Hall of Fame up on Michigan Ave. at Water Tower, but I haven't been, so I can't tell you one way or the other if it's worthwhile.

Sounds good - thanks!

LiteTheMatch

There is no "the one" pizza.   There are thousands of different pizzas here            Gioradanos & Lou Malnatis can be found anywhere in the city & suburbs.           Pizzeria Uno / Due can only be found downtown.    Gino's East is limited too.      I love Giordanos, personally.  I like Lou Malnati's but I do get sick of it after a while.

LiteTheMatch

Frontera Grill is a great place to eat -  One of Rick Bayless' Mexican restaurants.

ryan_kellett

KS80184 said:

AAJC said:

What’s a good bar for some live blues music Friday night that’s in the downtown area?

Kingston Mines or B.L.U.E.S. come to mind- both in Lincoln Park on Halsted.

100% answer.  Both are good.  I love Kingston Mines.  Buy your tickets for Kingston Mines in advance so you don't have to wait at the door.  $15    It is broken into two rooms that alternate playing, so you can move from room to room.  Many legends have stepped foot into Kingston Mines over the years.

The headliner on Friday is Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues.  An absolute Chicago blues legend. One of the best at blowing a blues harp that has ever lived.

PJWGIII

Portillo's and Murphy's. End thread.

huntersthompson

Pizza-Pequod's...a bit of a haul...but kicks a$$....they sprinkle parmesan on the pizza pan before putting the dough in...as I understand it, that's one of the "secrets".

It hasn't been touched on this thread yet, but I cannot say enough about a restaurant called the Girl and the Goat.
http://girlandthegoat.com/

It is so good with unique and delicious plates...tough reservation to get even though it has been open for a while.  Top notch chef (Stephanie Izard)...go to this place if you can get in.  She also has a place across the street called Little Goat, which can be easier to get into.

The neighborhood is called the West Loop or Randolph Street....and is a burgeoning foodie heaven.  Here is an article on the different restaurants.:
https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-places-to-eat-west-loop-chicago

Grab a sando at the J P Graziano Grocery....

Gibson's is great....a bit of a meat market at the bar...but that may be a selling point to some of you.  

I wish I was going to the show just to grab some of the local grub...hope everyone has a great time and the weather doesn't play a part in the festivities at all....

Cubu

For Pizza, Giordano's is the best deep dish. For steak, got to be Gene/Georgetti's downtown. Dikta's is overrated! Gibson's to pricey..IMHO.