Restaurant recommendation in Chicago for PJ20

H.Chinaski · May 2011

Was just in Chicago this last weekend and loved Kuma's Corner, listening to Electric Wizard while you eat some burgers is the shit. Not really a b-day dinner sort of joint though. I second the Rick Bayless place amazing chef. Try Xoco for the Hot Chocolate and churros in the morning.

Mamasan23 · May 2011

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.

I prefer Gino's 8-)

GivenToLukinKP · May 2011

Ruth Chris for sure...Mortons is great too, but it feels old and musty in there to me...

Depends on what kind of place she likes...

the Capital Grille is superb, great steaks and seafood-but pricey...
http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/about/main.asp

Italian?? Must go here:
http://www.spiaggiarestaurant.com/

I have not been here yet, but hear that Table 52 is pretty good too...
http://tablefifty-two.com/
Its got a southern-type food menu,

Topolombampo is excellent, as someone before me mentioned. Rick Bayless has a way of doing fancy but also making it authentic and very tasty:
http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/topolobampo.html NOTE- if you want any hope of getting in here, make reservations NOW. I know that sounds crazy, but seriously they book up quick.

there are plenty of little casual type places all over the city that are excellent, but if you want something special, my opinion is to go for one of these.

Good luck!

(p.s.: if you arent from Chicago, and haven't been spoiled with excellent pizza your whole life, any of the pizza places people mentioned would be just fine...they are all great...I personally also like Edwardo's (stuffed cheese and spinach is the best)

dimitrispearljam · May 2011

Wma31394 wrote:

greek islands in greektown. Not just saying that since im greek...well maybe but the food is outstanding!

no way ill go to chicago to eat greek food!!!!!!!

PureandEasy · May 2011

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?

81 · May 2011

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.

81 · May 2011

dimitrispearljam wrote:

Wma31394 wrote:

greek islands in greektown. Not just saying that since im greek...well maybe but the food is outstanding!

no way ill go to chicago to eat greek food!!!!!!!

i see you as a tilted kilt kind of guy.

GivenToLukinKP · May 2011

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?

Its not horrible or anything, just that in a city as big as this one that is a "foodie" town, its just nothing special. There are a lot better places, in my opinion.

81 · May 2011

GivenToLukinKP wrote:

Mortons is great too, but it feels old and musty in there to me...

went to the schaumburg location...it smelled like a locker room there with urlacher eating.

Mamasan23 · May 2011

One more suggestion - I went to this restaurant while I was in Anaheim for a tradeshow, there's a couple of them, including one in Chicago, but I have to say that it was without a doubt THE BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE:

http://roysrestaurant.com/locations/IL/chicago.asp

PureandEasy · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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 · May 2011

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

Restaurant recommendation in Chicago for PJ20

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