Chicago recommendations?

Just got tickets to the Oprah show and will be staying at the Omni downtown. Please tell me the special places to eat at in this neck of the woods---Thanks ever so much! Judy

Although I am sure to get some argument from some of the native Chicago Roadfooders, my favorite place for Chicago pizza is Gino's East, their downtown location at Wells & Ontario, about 7 blocks west of your hotel. Just remember when ordering, even if you are very hungry, most people cannot eat more than 3 slices (they are so loaded), and if you like sausage, ask for the patty (a single slab that covers the whole pizza).
While you are at the Oprah show (Harpo studio), if you are there on a Wednesday thru Sunday from 12:30 to 5 pm, be sure to go one block west of the studio on Washington Blvd. and see the Museum of Holography. (website = http://www.holographiccenter.com/ )

Unless you want to spend your time in Chicago waiting in line for pizza I suggest the following:

Cafe Iberico - Terrific Tapas and sangria
Mon Ami Gabi - French Bistro, try the papas frites with your steak or chicken and don't skip the dessert
P.F. Chang's China Bistro - Great Asian menu, try the lettuce wraps
Wao Bao - Chinese steamed buns, soup and salads
Star of Siam - Pedestrian, if not, reliable thai food
Frontera Grill - Rick Bayless's Mexican restaruant
Adobe Grill - Home of the $50.00 margarita, great table side gaucamole(sp?)
Rosebud - Awesome Italian food, pricey but worth it
Houstons - Great American menu. Terrific veggie burgers.
Chicago Diner - Totally vegetarian, try the Philly Cheesesteak

This is just a mere sampling of some of the finer and non-touristy chicago food offerings.

Rick

Wishbone, next door to Oprah's studio 0n Washington is really really good...

I second Whisbone, especially for their breakfasts. For Cajun food you may want to check out Heaven on Seven.

quote:

Originally posted by mousec

I second Whisbone, especially for their breakfasts. For Cajun food you may want to check out Heaven on Seven.

DEFINITELY Heaven on Seven. There are several locations...my favourite is at the corner of Ohio and Rush Streets, about four blocks up Michigan Avenue from the river on the left.

I am a native Cincinnatian who went to Chicago for a week for training, and will definitely recommend that you find time for at least the following three things:

1) Chicago style deep dish or stuffed pizza. I had mine at Giordanos, and it was wonderful. I can't speak for the others, everyone who has been to Chicago seems to have a different favorite pizza joint. If you're going alone, order a small, as others have said this is very filling stuff. One aside here: avoid Pizzeria Uno and/or Due.

2) Chicago style hot dog. I had mine at Gold Coast Dogs at the train station and it was fabulous. If you have room, a small cheese fries to go with it. Delicious.

3) Italian Beef sandwich. Pretty much you don't find these outside Chicago. I had mine at Lukes near the Sears Tower and wasn't overly impressed, but I have heard good things about Mr Beef and Al's.

quote:

Originally posted by felix4067

quote:

Originally posted by mousec

I second Whisbone, especially for their breakfasts. For Cajun food you may want to check out Heaven on Seven.

DEFINITELY Heaven on Seven. There are several locations...my favourite is at the corner of Ohio and Rush Streets, about four blocks up Michigan Avenue from the river on the left.

I definitely recommend both of those places as must do's. They are outstanding.

Here's my Chicago trip log, might be of interest

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2383

Lou Mitchell has the best omelets in town. Make sure you try the homemade orange marmalade.
Berghoff is excellent German food.
Greek town has many good places including Greek Islands & Rodity's.
Italian beef is the best at Al's on Taylor (open late) or Mr. Beef on Orleans (lunch only.)
Excellent steak at Gene & Georgietti if your wallet can handle it.
For a sweet treat, try the smores at Mr. Kite at 1153 N. State.
My favorite lunch is at Manny's on Jefferson off Roosevelt. Everyone raves about the corned beef which is very good. But I prefer the roast beef. It is the only place in town I know where you can get a carved roast beef sandwich.

I'm a regular at "The Parthenon" in Greektown. They claim to have invented saganaki--"flaming cheese". Their Chicken Spanaki (boneless, skinless chicken breast with a spinach stuffing) is very good.

One of the few Trader Vic's left in the US is located inside the Palmer House Hilton. It's been there since the late '40s. Enjoy a "from scratch" Mai Tai and a poo-poo platter in the tiki bar area there.

If you like a great martini (or just a nice place to have a drink) go to the Hotel Intercontinental on Michigan Avenue. Their lounge is just off of "Boul Mich". Very cozy and nice atmosphere.

After that, toddle North fifty feet or so to "Bandera". It is located on the second floor above Adriana furs. Comfy atmosphere (grab a booth instead of a window table) and know that the service will be professional and unobtrusive & the food excellent.

Try the cornbread in a skillet, the unusual cole slaw or the jalepeno dip. Steaks are excellent as are the seafood specials or rotisserie meats. Some folks rave over the rotisserie chicken and the garlic mashed potatoes but I've never tried them.

Oh, and the price is pretty darn reasonable too. Being a visitor, you might prefer a table overlooking Mich. Avenue.

Let us know what you try in the Windy City. Have a lovely stay!

francesca's on taylor st[little italy]5 min from harpo studios,for inexpensive,casual,italian comfort food well prepared [one can make a meal from the appetizers alone]!
downtown near your hotel,
spiaggia for incredible up$cale northern italian cusine at 1 magnificant mile
my favorite,mighty nice grill[meatloaf and mash potatoes and gravy,informal family freindly,great people watching] in water tower place!

To add to the pizza argument, I personnally think Giordano's Stuffed Pizzas are the best in Chicago. They are Chicago style, but the cheese and toppings are inside with sauce on top. Mouth-wateringly delicious.

If you want a little more upscale try the Berghoff on LaSalle I believe. It is a nearly 100 year old German place with some of the best food I have ever had. Recommended: Veal Medallions. Highly (and I mean HIGHLY)Recommemed: flourless chocolate cake.

Trevor

Heaven on Seven is great, but the first location is the most "roadfood" worthy. It's on the seventh floor of the Garland building at 111 n. Wabash in the loop. Not far from your hotel. Be advised the newer locations are a partnership with Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You corp. and while good (almost all his places are good) it aint the original and are a little to slick for me. But Melman's story of success if pretty cool...

Wait! Heaven on Seven is not an official Lettuce place, the concept was expanded in concert with Melman. However the first one is the most interesting, but they are all good. Check out the Wall of Fire if you go - so many hot sauces, so little time.

Here are my top 5:

Berghoff
Carson’s for Ribs
The Chop Shop
Lowery’s
Giordano's Pizza

Hey Bandwagon nice picks there. I forgot to mention the great beer (and root beer) selection at Berghoff. Also have you ever been to Bistro 110, it's a little more upscale but the entrees are fantastic and it definately not to fufu of a place.

quote:

Originally posted by Pedro12345

To add to the pizza argument, I personnally think Giordano's Stuffed Pizzas are the best in Chicago. They are Chicago style, but the cheese and toppings are inside with sauce on top. Mouth-wateringly delicious.

If you want a little more upscale try the Berghoff on LaSalle I believe. It is a nearly 100 year old German place with some of the best food I have ever had. Recommended: Veal Medallions. Highly (and I mean HIGHLY)Recommemed: flourless chocolate cake.

Trevor

Berghoff's is wonderfull and a true Chicago treasure. It's on Adam's Street, about a block and half east of LaSalle. Here is their web site: http://www.berghoff.com/

...Man I'm going to have to go back to Chicago again.....

I second Giordano's. We used to have one here in Milwaukee, it is now a Crapplebee's.

I can't for the life of me remember the name of the hot dog place we went to, but I do know it was nowhere near the Omni.

quote:

Originally posted by Shane

Wait! Heaven on Seven is not an official Lettuce place, the concept was expanded in concert with Melman. However the first one is the most interesting, but they are all good. Check out the Wall of Fire if you go - so many hot sauces, so little time.

rich melman is no longer a partner with the bannos bros[jimmy and george]that "marriage" at their rush st.operation has long since desolved,but the resturant as well as other locations on clark st. and in napperville il. continue to thrive[my fav is the garland buildings 7th floor original location]!
rich melman has an interest in chicago's version of miami's "joe's stone crab[and is quite 'hands on'] that does a brisk business for lunch and dinner.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

I am a native Cincinnatian who went to Chicago for a week for training, and will definitely recommend that you find time for at least the following three things:

1) Chicago style deep dish or stuffed pizza. I had mine at Giordanos, and it was wonderful. I can't speak for the others, everyone who has been to Chicago seems to have a different favorite pizza joint. If you're going alone, order a small, as others have said this is very filling stuff. One aside here: avoid Pizzeria Uno and/or Due.

2) Chicago style hot dog. I had mine at Gold Coast Dogs at the train station and it was fabulous. If you have room, a small cheese fries to go with it. Delicious.

3) Italian Beef sandwich. Pretty much you don't find these outside Chicago. I had mine at Lukes near the Sears Tower and wasn't overly impressed, but I have heard good things about Mr Beef and Al's.

I'm curious about your experience at Pizzeria Uno/Due. My last trip there was quite disappointing. Tell me more about your experience there. Also, Luke's italian beef is very dull - you definitely have to try Mr. Beef.

When I wrote that, Danimal, I had the notion that the original locations and the franchises (some of which are located here in Cincinnati) served more or less identical food. I've been to the local franchise locations, and feel that the food quality is poor to mediocre. I therefore thought (wrongly) that the original locations would be no better. I have never been to the original Uno or Due, so I can't speak for the quality of either, but subsequent reading (mostly here) has indicated that the franchises are just pale shadows of the originals. On the other hand, I have heard that it is hard to get in to the original locations, so maybe it's still a better bet to go to one of the other great Chicago style pizza joints instead, just to avoid the wait for dinner.

On the matter of Lukes vs Mr Beef - I desperately wanted to get to Mr Beef, but a) I could only go at lunchtime or after 6pm, and b) it was too far too walk at lunch (my starting point was the Sears Tower), and c) it is closed at 4pm as best as I recall. Luke's is less than a half a block for the Sear's Tower, so that's where I ended up. I do intend to make every effort to get there when and if I get the opportunity to return to Chicago.

Here's another good resource on this very site: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1237 . Looking at that particular thread again, I would reiterate my own Windy City recommendations of:

Anne Sather's in nearby Andersonville for warm Scandanavian food.

Frontera for superb Mexican fare.

Garrett's popcorn (for what else?).

Trattoria No. 10 in the Loop for spectacular Italian food.

And, if its a special occasion, the North Pond (see: http://metromix.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Dining-!PlaceDetail-2813,00.html) -- a former warming hut on one of Chicago's skating ponds, for a truly memorable evening.


Also, and as touristy as it may look (and be located), the Weber Grill (restaurant) really does have excellent grub. I believe there are three maybe four locations with at least one in Chicago just north of the Michigan Avenue bridge.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

When I wrote that, Danimal, I had the notion that the original locations and the franchises (some of which are located here in Cincinnati) served more or less identical food. I've been to the local franchise locations, and feel that the food quality is poor to mediocre. I therefore thought (wrongly) that the original locations would be no better. I have never been to the original Uno or Due, so I can't speak for the quality of either, but subsequent reading (mostly here) has indicated that the franchises are just pale shadows of the originals. On the other hand, I have heard that it is hard to get in to the original locations, so maybe it's still a better bet to go to one of the other great Chicago style pizza joints instead, just to avoid the wait for dinner.

On the matter of Lukes vs Mr Beef - I desperately wanted to get to Mr Beef, but a) I could only go at lunchtime or after 6pm, and b) it was too far too walk at lunch (my starting point was the Sears Tower), and c) it is closed at 4pm as best as I recall. Luke's is less than a half a block for the Sear's Tower, so that's where I ended up. I do intend to make every effort to get there when and if I get the opportunity to return to Chicago.

When the original Due and Uno locations are at their best, there is absolutely no comparison between them and the franchises in other cities. I had a bad experience at Due last year and haven't been back since. I need to go back and see if maybe I was just there on a bad night.

quote:

Originally posted by danimal15

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

When I wrote that, Danimal, I had the notion that the original locations and the franchises (some of which are located here in Cincinnati) served more or less identical food. I've been to the local franchise locations, and feel that the food quality is poor to mediocre. I therefore thought (wrongly) that the original locations would be no better. I have never been to the original Uno or Due, so I can't speak for the quality of either, but subsequent reading (mostly here) has indicated that the franchises are just pale shadows of the originals. On the other hand, I have heard that it is hard to get in to the original locations, so maybe it's still a better bet to go to one of the other great Chicago style pizza joints instead, just to avoid the wait for dinner.

On the matter of Lukes vs Mr Beef - I desperately wanted to get to Mr Beef, but a) I could only go at lunchtime or after 6pm, and b) it was too far too walk at lunch (my starting point was the Sears Tower), and c) it is closed at 4pm as best as I recall. Luke's is less than a half a block for the Sear's Tower, so that's where I ended up. I do intend to make every effort to get there when and if I get the opportunity to return to Chicago.

When the original Due and Uno locations are at their best, there is absolutely no comparison between them and the franchises in other cities. I had a bad experience at Due last year and haven't been back since. I need to go back and see if maybe I was just there on a bad night.

The original Due and Uno locations were at their best in the 60's.

Due and Uno are past their prime. Giordano's or Edwardo's and even Bacino's are better, but the best pizza in Chicago is Pequod's at Clybourn & Webster.