Chicago Food

mirrorthelight

Touristy - Ed Debevic's (50's diner setting, servers talk smack to you)
BBQ - Robinson's or Twin Anchors (Frank Sinatra dined there frequently)
Cheeseburger - Paradise Pup in Des Plaines near the airport, they put Merkt's cheddar cheese on the burger! HANDS DOWN THE BEST!!! Billy Goat Tavern is over rated.
Hot Dogs - Superdawg or Hot Doug's (they have exotic meat dogs)
Pizza - Lou Malnati's is the best, I've had them all and nothing beats Lou's
Breakfast - Orange on Harrison
Sushi - Japonais or Kamehachi
Mexican - Lalo's
Steak - Weber Grill, get the skirt steak, its only about $17-18 and its about a foot long! It's very good!
Thai - Star of Siam, affordable and good
Italian - Scoozi or Rosebud

PJBuckeye

mirrorthelight wrote:

Mexican - Lalo's

I love Lalo's. However, you can keep Ed's.

TheKricket

my addition...

best burrito dive: the burrito house (the one at lincoln and addison)

might i recommend a jr. steak burrito plate, an order of guac and chips and a large horchata?

SENROCK

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.

mmmmmm Gino's is good! We met Ron Jeremy there.
Theres a pizza place called "EXXXCHEQUERS" near Michigan Ave. its not spelled that way but it SOUNDS that way. The pizza is the greatest pizza i've ever hadd and i ve tasted alot of pizza!!! And LOVE Blackies!!!!!

LukinFan

SENROCK! wrote:

mmmmmm Gino's is good! We met Ron Jeremy there.
Theres a pizza place called "EXXXCHEQUERS" near Michigan Ave. its not spelled that way but it SOUNDS that way. The pizza is the greatest pizza i've ever hadd and i ve tasted alot of pizza!!! And LOVE Blackies!!!!!

mmmmmmmm... pizza (foams at the mouth)

SENROCK

LukinFan wrote:

mmmmmmmm... pizza (foams at the mouth)

i know man. i am FAMISHED.

GraySaturday

Sawyer wrote:

'Moonshine' on Division also has a killer brunch....

'Piece' makes a good pie and even better beer

'Stanleys' on Armitage for amazing Mac & Cheese

U wanna a good steak? don't fuck around....go to the 'Mortons' in Rosemont...the service at this one will blow your mind and not far from O'Hare

Mexican----the divier the more authentic....check out 'El Jardin' on Clark

'Michaels' Highland Park/Buffalo Grove

---

best dog and burger

Best late night drunk food is at 'The Diner Grill' on Irving Park...Get a 'Slinger'...trust me

Hit up bars in Bucktown.....not as frat boy and more chill.....'Cans' is a good one.

I live right by Cans.. that is a good bar. And you're right about Moonshine! That place is awesome. I work a few houses down from Moonshine and I am constantly trying to convince the little boy to eat there with me.. he refuses.. figures..what do kids know!

Teddyledbetter

If you have time:

The best heart attack food in the area is at Paradise Pup in Des Plaines, IL.
Not to far from O'hare airport.
It's on River Road few blocks before Oakton Steet?
The Bacon Cheddar Chicken, Cheddar Fries and Chocolate Banana Shakes will clog the arteries for certain! A week at the gym will not be enough to work off this heaven of food! They only open 11AM TO 3PM each day. There is usually a line 10 or more people long out the door and the guys working go at there own speed. Some days it takes 30 minutes just to get in your order. If you want fast try McDonalds- The first one ever is just down the road, museum and all.

Enjoy!

JOEJOEJOE

SENROCK! wrote:

mmmmmm Gino's is good! We met Ron Jeremy there.
Theres a pizza place called "EXXXCHEQUERS" near Michigan Ave. its not spelled that way but it SOUNDS that way. The pizza is the greatest pizza i've ever hadd and i ve tasted alot of pizza!!! And LOVE Blackies!!!!!

Did Ron Jeremy have a big sausage?

I hear thats what he usually eats there.

catwoman

I've only been to Chicago once, about 15 years ago, but I still remember the steak at Harry Caray's Steakhouse. I'm a vegetarian now, so I'll have to just keep savoring the memory.

san pedro

loadedgun wrote:

Never have I imagined that people would be excited or even recommend White Castle. I like it myself, but it's mostly a joke around here. I guess it just goes to show how people from different areas appreciate different things.

Gotta love them sliders!

"gonna grind me up a white castle slider out of that sacred cow"-BUTTHOLE SURFERS "moving to florida"

pandora

HomeRun Pizza yeh!

SENROCK

catwoman wrote:

I've only been to Chicago once, about 15 years ago, but I still remember the steak at Harry Caray's Steakhouse. I'm a vegetarian now, so I'll have to just keep savoring the memory.

hey! where the devil have you been?!!!!

KDH12

don't feel like reading 6 pages but Pequoids is my favorite by far

sherm

The only place I specifically remember eating at during Lolla was called Bon Vino's? Anyone know where I'm talking about? WORST pizza ever. I'll be avoiding that place next weekend. Thanks to all of you for the suggestions.

demetrios

can't wait to visit chicago. can't wait. the stories are true. and i will make that promise to someday visit. visit i shall.

lostpuppy

s_rockvam wrote:

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

Zippy's is disgusting. Any place that sells RC cola as the main beverage is a sign to run

lostpuppy

mirrorthelight wrote:

Pizza - Lou Malnati's is the best, I've had them all and nothing beats Lou's

post 64 for Lou's to finally show up. good shit

deep dish extra cheese...

or deep dish pepporini.

yummy

lostpuppy

PJBuckeye wrote:

I love Lalo's.

i agree

lostpuppy

there is an itiallian place down on madison between state and michigan. i always forget the name, but they have the best fetticuni alfredo.