Chicago Food

ruffinit

Here are my recommendations for quintessential Chicago places to eat while you're here...visitors and locals alike! There are so many other great places to eat in Chicago though. Please, feel free to chime in on your favorite Chicago eateries...

Deep Dish Pizza:
- PEQUOD'S (2207 N. Clybourn Ave) is the Best in my opinion, but it is 10-15 minutes north of downtown. A classic Chicago pizza place is the local chain - GINO'S EAST is a great local chain restaurant, but I would go to the one in the city at 162 E. Superior St (you can write on the wall if you want).

Italian Beef:
- AL'S BEEF (169 W. Ontario) is one of my favorites...their beef and their fries are experience!
- PORTILLO'S is pretty great too (local chain restaurant, but I like the one at 100 W. Ontario). If you get a beef have them dip the bun in the juice!

Steak Dinner:
- GIBSON'S (1028 N. Rush St) is my favorite...it feels like a steak house should. A bit pricey, but so good!

ITALIAN:
- THE ITALIAN VILLAGE (71 W. Monroe St) has great food and a unique atmosphere...good for a date.
- LA SCAROLA (721 W Grand Ave) is off the beaten path, but you will walk out having some of the most flavorful italian food around...huge portions too!

Burger:
- BANDERA (535 N. Michigan Ave) has an amazing burger, but will cost a bit. They have tables overlooking the bustling Michigan Ave, which is worth the wait. Cornbread is a must! The entrance is a little hidden, but it's right near the Allen Edmand's shoe store...you go up an escalator.
- BLACKIE'S is somewhere I've never been, but I hear it is the best burger in town?

Cheap Sandwich (Subway style, but way better):
- POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS...is a great chain that is all over Chicago. They have great salads, shakes and cookies too.

Music & Drinks:
- KINGSTON MINES is always good, but there will be a cover (live blues, open late and good bar food).
- A LIVE ONE is a bar across the street that has an all-live juke box.

Late-Night eats (best after midnight):
- THE WIENERS CIRCLE (2622 N. Clark St) is where you can get hot dogs, burgers, beef and the other typical Chicago greasy food, but you'll also get verbally assaulted by the staff. These ladies take vulgar to a new level...can be a hilarious way to end the evening if you aren't too sensitive.

ENJOY & WELCOME TO CHICAGO!!

LikeAnOcean

I've lived here all my life and have never eaten at any of those places.. Chipotle and White Castles is good though.


Oh, wait, Portillo's rocks! Didn't know that was local.

South of Seattle

Ate at the Italian Village after Lollapalooza. It was some dank food for sure.

loadedgun

I was just getting ready to post a question about the best Chicago food. I will be staying the weekend up there and have never been before. THis helps out a lot, Thanks!

Now, if only I could figure out the train system up there and how best to use it, I would be good to go..........

ruffinit

Sawyer wrote:

do not miss 'Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company' on Clark......best restaurant in the city.....right by the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Good call...great place!!

Also, the train is very easy to use...go to http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/tripplanner.html and type in your locations and it will walk you through what you need to do.

JPR

ruffinit wrote:

Late-Night eats (best after midnight):
- THE WIENERS CIRCLE (2622 N. Clark St) is where you can get hot dogs, burgers, beef and the other typical Chicago greasy food, but you'll also get verbally assaulted by the staff. These ladies take vulgar to a new level...can be a hilarious way to end the evening if you aren't too sensitive.

The humor quality at this place is priceless - I'm not from Chicago, but I have been there many times as my friend lives around the corner. Come 2 AM on a weekend night and it's nothing short of a shit show.

Just hope some drunk hipster douchebags and trixies show up and try to talk shit to the sistahs behind the counter - sit back and watch.

There is a place called Kuma's/Tuma's (it's one or the other) that serves a REDONKULOUS burger.

Gmoney

ruffinit wrote:

Here are my recommendations for quintessential Chicago places to eat while you're here...visitors and locals alike! There are so many other great places to eat in Chicago though. Please, feel free to chime in on your favorite Chicago eateries...

Deep Dish Pizza:
- PEQUOD'S (2207 N. Clybourn Ave) is the Best in my opinion, but it is 10-15 minutes north of downtown. A classic Chicago pizza place is the local chain - GINO'S EAST is a great local chain restaurant, but I would go to the one in the city at 162 E. Superior St (you can write on the wall if you want).

Italian Beef:
- AL'S BEEF (169 W. Ontario) is one of my favorites...their beef and their fries are experience!
- PORTILLO'S is pretty great too (local chain restaurant, but I like the one at 100 W. Ontario). If you get a beef have them dip the bun in the juice!

Steak Dinner:
- GIBSON'S (1028 N. Rush St) is my favorite...it feels like a steak house should. A bit pricey, but so good!

ITALIAN:
- THE ITALIAN VILLAGE (71 W. Monroe St) has great food and a unique atmosphere...good for a date.
- LA SCAROLA (721 W Grand Ave) is off the beaten path, but you will walk out having some of the most flavorful italian food around...huge portions too!

Burger:
- BANDERA (535 N. Michigan Ave) has an amazing burger, but will cost a bit. They have tables overlooking the bustling Michigan Ave, which is worth the wait. Cornbread is a must! The entrance is a little hidden, but it's right near the Allen Edmand's shoe store...you go up an escalator.
- BLACKIE'S is somewhere I've never been, but I hear it is the best burger in town?

Cheap Sandwich (Subway style, but way better):
- POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS...is a great chain that is all over Chicago. They have great salads, shakes and cookies too.

Music & Drinks:
- KINGSTON MINES is always good, but there will be a cover (live blues, open late and good bar food).
- A LIVE ONE is a bar across the street that has an all-live juke box.

Late-Night eats (best after midnight):
- THE WIENERS CIRCLE (2622 N. Clark St) is where you can get hot dogs, burgers, beef and the other typical Chicago greasy food, but you'll also get verbally assaulted by the staff. These ladies take vulgar to a new level...can be a hilarious way to end the evening if you aren't too sensitive.

ENJOY & WELCOME TO CHICAGO!!

**If anyone has 2 extra tickets for either Eddie Vedder show, I would love to buy a pair off you.
FYI: I have NEVER bought or sold over face value.

PEQUOD'S best pizza??!! I'm not a huge fan, always taste burnt to me. Gino's East, Lou Malnati's, and Giordano's for me...

No_ones_rival

Is Zippys still there? Home of the least healthy food in the world...mmmm Cheesy Beef!!! Its been about 8 years since I've been in the area so I wouldnt even begin to know where to look

locked

great post!

Indifference71

Deep Dish Pizza:
- PEQUOD'S (2207 N. Clybourn Ave) is the Best in my opinion, but it is 10-15 minutes north of downtown. A classic Chicago pizza place is the local chain - GINO'S EAST is a great local chain restaurant, but I would go to the one in the city at 162 E. Superior St (you can write on the wall if you want).


Pequods????? I don't know about that. Gino's East is pretty solid, but I have to say the best deep dish in the area is Lou Malnati's. I'm not sure if there is one downtown though??

Late-Night eats (best after midnight):
- THE WIENERS CIRCLE (2622 N. Clark St) is where you can get hot dogs, burgers, beef and the other typical Chicago greasy food, but you'll also get verbally assaulted by the staff. These ladies take vulgar to a new level...can be a hilarious way to end the evening if you aren't too sensitive.


I've seen some crazy shit go down at this place late in the night. Nothing like going to the wiener circle at 3 am and trading verbal barbs with the staff when you're shitfaced...

cincybearcat

For drinks, I'd go to Goose Island CLybourne...actually has free parking available and they have some very tasty brews!!!!

Not to mention, this location is said to be closing at th eend of the year due to lease $ increase.

mattmidgett

When I go to Chicago I stay with friends who live in Lincoln Park (Sheridan and Diversey). There is a sports bar that is a huge University of Michigan hangout that has awesome breakfast food (very nicely priced as well) called Duffy's. On Sunday they have a brunch buffet that is ridiculously awesome that includes bottomless mimosas (which I don't really care for, but whatever) for $15 or $16. The place is a pretty crowded bar in the evenings as well. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by.

Once again, Duffy's. Go there. You won't be let down.

PJBuckeye

ruffinit wrote:

Here are my recommendations for quintessential Chicago places to eat while you're here...visitors and locals alike! There are so many other great places to eat in Chicago though. Please, feel free to chime in on your favorite Chicago eateries...

Deep Dish Pizza:
- PEQUOD'S (2207 N. Clybourn Ave) is the Best in my opinion, but it is 10-15 minutes north of downtown. A classic Chicago pizza place is the local chain - GINO'S EAST is a great local chain restaurant, but I would go to the one in the city at 162 E. Superior St (you can write on the wall if you want).

Italian Beef:
- AL'S BEEF (169 W. Ontario) is one of my favorites...their beef and their fries are experience!
- PORTILLO'S is pretty great too (local chain restaurant, but I like the one at 100 W. Ontario). If you get a beef have them dip the bun in the juice!

Steak Dinner:
- GIBSON'S (1028 N. Rush St) is my favorite...it feels like a steak house should. A bit pricey, but so good!

ITALIAN:
- THE ITALIAN VILLAGE (71 W. Monroe St) has great food and a unique atmosphere...good for a date.
- LA SCAROLA (721 W Grand Ave) is off the beaten path, but you will walk out having some of the most flavorful italian food around...huge portions too!

Burger:
- BANDERA (535 N. Michigan Ave) has an amazing burger, but will cost a bit. They have tables overlooking the bustling Michigan Ave, which is worth the wait. Cornbread is a must! The entrance is a little hidden, but it's right near the Allen Edmand's shoe store...you go up an escalator.
- BLACKIE'S is somewhere I've never been, but I hear it is the best burger in town?

Cheap Sandwich (Subway style, but way better):
- POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS...is a great chain that is all over Chicago. They have great salads, shakes and cookies too.

Music & Drinks:
- KINGSTON MINES is always good, but there will be a cover (live blues, open late and good bar food).
- A LIVE ONE is a bar across the street that has an all-live juke box.

Late-Night eats (best after midnight):
- THE WIENERS CIRCLE (2622 N. Clark St) is where you can get hot dogs, burgers, beef and the other typical Chicago greasy food, but you'll also get verbally assaulted by the staff. These ladies take vulgar to a new level...can be a hilarious way to end the evening if you aren't too sensitive.

ENJOY & WELCOME TO CHICAGO!!

**If anyone has 2 extra tickets for either Eddie Vedder show, I would love to buy a pair off you.
FYI: I have NEVER bought or sold over face value.

HEY I AM A FAT GUY FROM CHICAGO

Pizza- Giordano's

Hot Dog's - Gene's and Jude's (River Grove)

Steak- Bunch of places work; Gibson's is as good as any. Carmichael's is solid. The Chicago Chophouse also works.

Beef- Al's (but go to the one on Taylor Street- there's an Italian ice place accross the street called Mario's that is orgasmic) and Portillo's is overrated.

Eat like a pimp - Tru - Bring lots of money

Burgers- Who cares? it's Chicago.

Italian -Scoozi or Armand's (Elmwood Park)

I don't have time to get you addresses, but you all seem to have the internet. Enjoy Chicago. Eat good food. Please avoid chains. It will be well worth the extra $.

ledvedderman

Bennigans (a couple blocks north of the venue on Michigan) is also a pretty neat place to eat if you're just wanting a burger and some brew

PJBuckeye

ledvedderman wrote:

Bennigans (a couple blocks north of the venue on Michigan) is also a pretty neat place to eat if you're just wanting a burger and some brew

Bennigan's went bankrupt. No More.

ledvedderman

PJBuckeye wrote:

Bennigan's went bankrupt. No More.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

You just busted my balls PJBuckeye

PJBuckeye

Sorry, I too am sad that I will no longer be able to obtain bland Irish food.

ledvedderman

PJBuckeye wrote:

Sorry, I too am sad that I will no longer be able to obtain bland Irish food.

Exactly. Bland Irish food. Maybe it's just so close to where I stayed for about a month for work, but I was there almost every day and developed a personal attachment with the place.

PJBuckeye

ledvedderman wrote:

Exactly. Bland Irish food. Maybe it's just so close to where I stayed for about a month for work, but I was there almost every day and developed a personal attachment with the place.

Ya, it's a ok drinking place, specifically that one.

cheddar

Definately the best pizza in Chicago! The crust is carmelized. They layer the pan with cheese before they put the dough in.

chuck nevitt

ledvedderman wrote:

Bennigans (a couple blocks north of the venue on Michigan) is also a pretty neat place to eat if you're just wanting a burger and some brew

If you eat at Bennigan's while in Chicago you ought to be banned for life.