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Chicago/Wrigley/Food/Drink/Dive Bars

SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
edited August 25 in The Porch
There were a couple folks asking for suggestions, let's see if myself and my fellow Chicagoans can lend a hand. 

I will start with this suggestion, If you want to have a quality Italian beef, Chicago style hot dog, or a great burger ?
Then get yourself to Portillos!!! It's a chain so there should be one close to you no matter where in the city you are staying. 
Its quality food! And don't forget the Choclate Cake Milkshake. 
And order the beef sandwich wet with sweet and hot....Trust me on that one. 

Alright folks I am expecting my friends here to recommend some good pizza and dive bars! 
Let's show our visitors a great time! 

Take me piece by piece.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Post edited by SPEEDY MCCREADY on
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Comments

  • tylermooretylermoore Posts: 930
    I don’t care for the rest of their food really, but D’agostino’s has great pizza. Right down Addison from the park. 
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    edited August 25
    My 2nd suggestion

    Before the show go over to Yakzees, its on Clark Street, right across the street from Wrigley.
    Meet up with me and a good group of folks from this board. 
    The beer is cold, the music is somewhat loud, but no worries you can have a conversation with folks and actually hear each other. 
    The chicken wings are some of the BEST IN CHICAGO, and the rest of the menu is pretty fucking good too. 
    And did I mention the beer is cold!!
    Post edited by SPEEDY MCCREADY on
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • tylermooretylermoore Posts: 930
    edited August 25
    Also Pedestrian coffee on Belmont is probably my favorite cafe around Wrigley. Ancient Grounds on Belmont is also good. 

    Cozy Noodle around the corner from Wrigley has GREAT food
  • YAKIMATSUYAKIMATSU Posts: 843
    What's going on Friday? Any other great bands playing?  Are the White Sox paying people to go? 
    Please keep all the food choices coming.  Is the Billy Goat still on lower Wacker?
    Soldier Field 7-11-95, Alpine Valley 6-26-98, United Center 6-29-98, Riverport Amphitheater (St. Louis)7-2-98, MGM Grand Arena 10-22-00, Sprint Center (Kansas City)5-3-10, Adams Event Center (Missoula)9-30-12, Wrigley Field 7-19-13, Jobing.com Arena (Phoenix)11-19-13, Moda Center (Portland)11-29-13, Spokane Arena 11-30-13, Pepsi Center (Denver)10-22-14, Gila River Arena (Phoenix)5-9-22, Moody Center (Austin)9-18-23, Moody Center 9-19-23, Rogers Arena (Vancouver)5-4-24, Rogers Arena 5-6-24, MGM Grand 5-16-24, MGM Grand 5-18-24, Wrigley Field 8-29-24, Wrigley Field 8-31-24
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    YAKIMATSU said:
    What's going on Friday? Any other great bands playing?  Are the White Sox paying people to go? 
    Please keep all the food choices coming.  Is the Billy Goat still on lower Wacker?
    New Billy Goat right across from Wrigley. 
    At least I am 90% sure that is a fact. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 20,273
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    There were a couple folks asking for suggestions, let's see if myself and my fellow Chicagoans can lend a hand. 

    I will start with this suggestion, If you want to have a quality Italian beef, Chicago style hot dog, or a great burger ?
    Then get yourself to Portillos!!! It's a chain so there should be one close to you no matter where in the city you are staying. 
    Its quality food! And don't forget the Choclate Cake Milkshake. 
    And order the beef sandwich wet with sweet and hot....Trust me on that one. 

    Alright folks I am expecting my friends here to recommend some good pizza and dive bars! 
    Let's show our visitors a great time! 

    So what is the non chain Italian beef place to go? 
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,075
    edited August 25
    Johnnie's
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    Gern Blansten said:
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    There were a couple folks asking for suggestions, let's see if myself and my fellow Chicagoans can lend a hand. 

    I will start with this suggestion, If you want to have a quality Italian beef, Chicago style hot dog, or a great burger ?
    Then get yourself to Portillos!!! It's a chain so there should be one close to you no matter where in the city you are staying. 
    Its quality food! And don't forget the Choclate Cake Milkshake. 
    And order the beef sandwich wet with sweet and hot....Trust me on that one. 

    Alright folks I am expecting my friends here to recommend some good pizza and dive bars! 
    Let's show our visitors a great time! 

    So what is the non chain Italian beef place to go? 
    Al's Beef
    Mr. Beef
    Johnnie's Beef

    Beef, wet, sweet and hot......Trust me on that one. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    edited August 25
    Tim Simmons said:
    Johnnie's
    I live about a mile from Johnnie's  
    Thats an OUTSTANDING beef. 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • AnnieHewAnnieHew Posts: 48
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    Gern Blansten said:
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    There were a couple folks asking for suggestions, let's see if myself and my fellow Chicagoans can lend a hand. 

    I will start with this suggestion, If you want to have a quality Italian beef, Chicago style hot dog, or a great burger ?
    Then get yourself to Portillos!!! It's a chain so there should be one close to you no matter where in the city you are staying. 
    Its quality food! And don't forget the Choclate Cake Milkshake. 
    And order the beef sandwich wet with sweet and hot....Trust me on that one. 

    Alright folks I am expecting my friends here to recommend some good pizza and dive bars! 
    Let's show our visitors a great time! 

    So what is the non chain Italian beef place to go? 
    Al's Beef
    Mr. Beef
    Johnnie's Beef

    Beef, wet, sweet and hot......Trust me on that one. 
    I second Al's. Portillo's is good, don't get me wrong, but Al's is number one in my book. 
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    I don't do the bar thing anymore. 
    Cmon Chicago folk, give our visitors some good dive bars to get a beverage.
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • JoMa1998JoMa1998 Posts: 37
    I mentioned Richard’s Bar at 491 N. Milwaukee Ave in a different post. No where near Wrigley but worth the visit. Bring cash. 

    2005.09.12-London
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    2009.08.21-Toronto; 2009.10.30-Philly
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    2011.06.26-EV Detroit; 2011.09.11-Toronto; 2011.09.12-Toronto; 2011.09.15-Hamilton
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    2014.10.16-Detroit
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    2021.09.24/25/26-Ohana Festival; 2021.10.01/02-Ohana Encore
    2022.09.03-Ottawa; 2022.09.06-Hamilton; 2022.09.08-Toronto; 2022-09-15 Nashville 
    2023.08.31-Minneapolis; 2023.09.02-Minneapolis; 2023.09.05-Chicago; 2023.09.07-Chicago; 2023.09.29/30/10.01-Ohana Festival
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  • LiteTheMatchLiteTheMatch Posts: 1,208
    Tony's Beef on the southwest side!  [not too far from Midway airpot]
    A child's rhyme stuck in my head...
    It said "Life is nothing but a dream."
    I've spent so many years in question
    To find I'd known this all along.
  • Emerald772Emerald772 Posts: 76
    Dive bars near Wrigley: Nisei Lounge (3439 N Sheffield Ave) and Guthries (1300 W Addison) A little further south - L & L Tavern (3207 N Clark St)
    Second Yakzies suggestion for wings.
    If you're going for Italian Beef in the city, I like the original Al's location in Little Italy (1079 W Taylor St); the one by Wrigley wasn't as good the last time I went.

    If you're looking to branch out for food, there's a Oaxacan place a bit further north that's AMAZING  - Kie-Gol-Lanee 
    Near that way is also the second location for the best birria you'll ever have - 

    Birrieria Zaragoza




    08-29/31-24 Wrigley Field;  09-05/07-23 UC;  09-17-22 Bourbon and Beyond KY;  08-18/20-18 Wrigley Field;  08-20/22-16 Wrigley Field;  10-20-14 Bradley Center WI;  07-22-13 Wrigley Field;  09-03/04-11 Alpine Valley WI (PJ20);  06-28-11 Chicago Theater EV solo;  08-23/24-09 United Center;  08-21/22-08 Auditorium Theater (EV solo);  08-04-07 Grant Park;  08-02-07 The Vic;  05-16/17-06 UC;  09-19-05 Air Canada Centre ON; 10-05-04 Fox Theatre MO (VfC); 06-18-03 UC;  04-23-03 Assembly Hall;  09-05-00 Post-Gazette Pavilion PA;  06-26-98 Alpine Valley WI; 07-11-95 Soldier Field
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    Chicago Pizza

    Ive never tried it personally, but everyone seems to lose their mind over Pequods.

    I like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. 

    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • ekwiptekwipt Posts: 560
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    Chicago Pizza

    Ive never tried it personally, but everyone seems to lose their mind over Pequods.

    I like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. 

    Happy to hear Lou’s gets your vote cuz there’s one near my hotel 🙌 
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    ekwipt said:
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    Chicago Pizza

    Ive never tried it personally, but everyone seems to lose their mind over Pequods.

    I like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. 

    Happy to hear Lou’s gets your vote cuz there’s one near my hotel 🙌 
    NICE!!!
    Get a whole pie, and take it back to the hotel. DEEP DISH
    You will appreciate a slice when you come back to the hotel after some beverages.
    Small deep dish is 4 slices, each slice is a meal. 
    Drunken Lou's is tremendous! 
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • bigdeathbigdeath Posts: 84
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    My 2nd suggestion

    Before the show go over to Yakzees, its on Clark Street, right across the street from Wrigley.

    The chicken wings are some of the BEST IN CHICAGO, and the rest of the menu is pretty fucking good too. 
    And did I mention the beer is cold!!
    I second Yakzees and their wings. Amazing
  • Mamasan23Mamasan23 Posts: 16,388
    Get some of the best fried chicken ever at Parson's...there's a few locations but I'm partial to the one in Logan Square. When they say hot, they mean on fire!! Balance it with a frozen negroni....heaven...
    WI '98,  WI '99 (EV),  WI '00,  Chgo '00,  MO '00,  Champaign '03,  Chgo '03,  WI '03,  IN '03,  MI '04,  Chgo '06:N1 & 2,  WI '06,  Chgo '07,  Chgo '08 (EV:N1),  Chgo '09:N1 & 2,  Chgo '11 (EV:N1),  WI '11:N1 & 2,  Philly '12,  Wrigley '13,  Pitt '13,  Buff '13, Detroit '14, MKE '14, Wrigley '16: N1 & N2, Seattle '18 N2, Wrigley '18: N1 & N2, Fenway '18 N1, STL '22, St Paul '23 N2, Chgo '23: N1 & N2
  • PJ-CubsPJ-Cubs Posts: 3,319
    If you want some great BBQ, Smoque BBQ is arguably the best in the city

    Pequods Pizza is also worth the trip
  • RS65573RS65573 Posts: 2,483
    I arrive tomorrow at 1PM.

    Well be GA so online all day Thursday and Saturday.

    Most of our other meals will be in the Magnificent Mile. Can someone recommend a good lunch/bar? We are from NJ, and like MEAT and beer.

    Also if anyone is bored, just me and my brother, come join us! DM me.
  • CubuCubu Posts: 91
    Sluggers is doing a Wishlist Foundation fundraiser from Noon-6. I went to the one near the UC last fall and had an amazing time. There were silent auctions, (I won what I wanted) and met people from all over the world there. I anticipate another fun time. Yakzees is also an excellent choice!! And for the record, Giordano's rules!! LOL
    Chicago Stadium -94, Soldier Field -95, United Center -98, Allstate Arena -2000, United Center -03, United Center -06, United Center -09, Alpine Valley - 11, Wrigley Field-13, Wrigley Field-16
  • Emerald772Emerald772 Posts: 76
    edited August 27
    RS65573 said:
    I arrive tomorrow at 1PM.

    Well be GA so online all day Thursday and Saturday.

    Most of our other meals will be in the Magnificent Mile. Can someone recommend a good lunch/bar? We are from NJ, and like MEAT and beer.

    Also if anyone is bored, just me and my brother, come join us! DM me.
    Jake Melnicks!  https://www.jakemelnicks.com/
    Timothy o’Tooles also has a good beer selection. https://www.timothyotooles.com/location/timothy-otooles-chicago/

    Craft local brewery off the mag mile: Crushed By Giants  https://crushedbygiants.com/

    a little further west but delicious meats: https://www.greenstreetmeats.com/
    Post edited by Emerald772 on
    08-29/31-24 Wrigley Field;  09-05/07-23 UC;  09-17-22 Bourbon and Beyond KY;  08-18/20-18 Wrigley Field;  08-20/22-16 Wrigley Field;  10-20-14 Bradley Center WI;  07-22-13 Wrigley Field;  09-03/04-11 Alpine Valley WI (PJ20);  06-28-11 Chicago Theater EV solo;  08-23/24-09 United Center;  08-21/22-08 Auditorium Theater (EV solo);  08-04-07 Grant Park;  08-02-07 The Vic;  05-16/17-06 UC;  09-19-05 Air Canada Centre ON; 10-05-04 Fox Theatre MO (VfC); 06-18-03 UC;  04-23-03 Assembly Hall;  09-05-00 Post-Gazette Pavilion PA;  06-26-98 Alpine Valley WI; 07-11-95 Soldier Field
  • ComeToTXComeToTX Posts: 7,794
    Thx for the recs.  Crushed by Giants looks like a good place to hang before flying out Sunday evening.
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,593
    Yakzees was fun last year!


    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • AA295481AA295481 Posts: 111
    Portillos is is just about  in or close to every suburb in the Chicagoland area. nothing to write home about
  • ComeToTXComeToTX Posts: 7,794
    AA295481 said:
    Portillos is is just about  in or close to every suburb in the Chicagoland area. nothing to write home about
    we have them here in texas now.
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,290
    SPEEDY MCCREADY said:
    Chicago Pizza

    Ive never tried it personally, but everyone seems to lose their mind over Pequods.

    I like Lou Malnati's or Giordano's. 

    Pequods is my favorite.  Pequods will be happening in the next few days.  Don't know when, but it is happening!!
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 20,273
    AA295481 said:
    Portillos is is just about  in or close to every suburb in the Chicagoland area. nothing to write home about
    We have a few around Indy...I went there once and wasn't impressed but figured I would give them another shot. They are always busy.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • craigkrupski12craigkrupski12 Posts: 73
    Wings = Birds Nest or Roost Carolina Kitchen
    Pizza = Pequods or Lou’s
    Dive Bars = Richard’s, Duggans, Galway Bay, The Lodge
    Burgers = Au Cheval, Small Cheval, Rocks (!! - 10 min walk from Wrigley and awesome whiskey selection)

    Lmk if you’re looking for something else in particular!

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