Where--Fort Worth and Chicago?

I will be traveling by train to New York and --oddly--we have to go south to Fort Worth to catch a train north to chicago to go east to New York!---any way--i will have layovers--maybe--if the trains are anywhere near schedule in Fort Worth for 1 1/2 hrs on the way east and 3 on the way home----and in Chicago 6hrs on the trip to NYC and three hrs on the way home---so---any of you know these areas around the train stations that we could walk to and get a decent meal---figured i would get hot dogs in Chicago on the short stop and maybe some other local stuff on the long stop and maybe a deep dish to go with us on the train?---and i know NOTHING about the Fort Worth area but i love to try some barbecue IF its close enough to the train.

In Chicago you would be within walking distance of quite a few good restaurants.  You would be about 6-8 blocks from the famous Billy Goat tavern.  There is a nice little breakfast place at the corner of Wacker & Michigan.  In the mall under Wacker there are several little restaurants including one where you can get a killer burrito.  If you are going to look for snacks you could go to Garrett's for their famous popcorn.  I think it is on Randolph in the Theater district.  Just a block or so from the train station on Michigan is a deep dish pizza place but my favorite has always been Gino's East on Superior St.  It would be about a mile from the train station.  Walk straight towards the mag mile on Michigan until you get to superior and turn right towards the lake.  Order the sausage pizza that has a solid piece of sausage across the entire pizza.  TO DIE FOR!  If you like Thai there is an outstanding choice on Ohio 2 1/2 blocks off of Michigan towards the lake.  Of course, there is Big Al's for its famous italian beef.
 
This is, of course, not even scratching the surface of your choices in Chicago.  If you can't find good food in Chicago then you ain't looking because it is all over the place.

Tiki - 
 
I know you won't have access to a car, but you might be able to grab a cab at the Amtrak station in Ft Worth.  It is located near the convention center, which should provide some cab opportunities.
 
If you can grab a cab, you are about three miles away (in two different directions) from two of the best barbecue spots in Fort Worth.  To the west is Railhead BBQ.  I have written about them previously and really like the place.  Good brisket and ribs.  Outdoor seating is available, too.
 
To the north - by the stockyards - is Cooper's BBQ.  It is the same Cooper family that runs the Roadfood-reviewed place in Llano, TX.  I went there for the first time last month and it is now on my go-to list for Fort Worth.  They serve central Texas-style - meat cut by the pound.  I ordered a pork chop (one of their specialties, for sure) and one beef rib, which looked more like a Fred Flintstone brontosaurus rib.
 
Either one would be an excellent choice for you.

I agree with TTM on Coopers in Ft. Worth.  I was there about a year ago and it was very very good.
 
Tiki, enjoy your trip although I do not envy you on the train trip.  Sounds like you could almost walk to NYC as fast as the train.  Anyway I guess it is relaxing and I also guess less stress than flying.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I have no idea where the train station is, but it would be worth a cab ride to go to Hot Doug's () for his delectable foie gras duck dog. And if you go on a Friday or Saturday, you can have the famed duck fat fries too. Not diet fare, but divine.

vinfan


I have no idea where the train station is, but it would be worth a cab ride to go to Hot Doug's () for his delectable foie gras duck dog. And if you go on a Friday or Saturday, you can have the famed duck fat fries too. Not diet fare, but divine.

Union Station map:  http://www.chicagounionstation.com/map.html

That Cooper's BBQ in Ft Worth sounds great! I have always wanted to go to the one in Llano.

Sundancer7


I agree with TTM on Coopers in Ft. Worth.  I was there about a year ago and it was very very good.

Tiki, enjoy your trip although I do not envy you on the train trip.  Sounds like you could almost walk to NYC as fast as the train.  Anyway I guess it is relaxing and I also guess less stress than flying.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

We LOVE the train---pack plenty of good travel foods--sit back with a good book,an ipod loaded with the best blues i can find and let them drive all night,and the views are great! Last time we drove it took two plus days---same as the train and i get there with no jet lag or road burn. I will be renting a car there and driveing up to visit family in Boston so i plan to stop for WHITE CLAM PIZZA!!!--guess where! Should be a fun trip and we leave before and after the Thanksgiving travel madness!

vinfan


I have no idea where the train station is, but it would be worth a cab ride to go to Hot Doug's () for his delectable foie gras duck dog. And if you go on a Friday or Saturday, you can have the famed duck fat fries too. Not diet fare, but divine.

 I agree that Hot Doug's is an excellent destination.  The last time my wife and I were in Chicago we went there.  Decided to not mess with getting the valet to get our car and took a taxi.  $20 one way from downtown (Michigan Ave) to go to Hot Doug's.  I had the duck sausage w/foie gras and a smoked sausage w/grilled onions.  My wife had an elk sausage w/little chunks or artisan cheese.  We split an order of the tremendous duck fat fries and each had a soda for a total of $25.  We also stood in line for 1 1/2 hours.  Then had the $20 taxi ride back to the hotel.  It was great and I will go again but next time I will drive.
 
The cost of the taxi is why I didn't include Hot Doug's in my suggestions.
 
BTW after I posted I was thinking that all my suggestions were based on the station that houses the Southshore and I am not sure whether or not Amtrak uses the same station.

hey Tiki,
 
Sounds like a good trip. A few suggestions. In Chicago not far from the train stations is my favorite Mexican restaurant the Frontera Grill. I think only open at night but an amazing place. Alos, you can get an Italina Beef at Als as they have a northern branch. I alos realy love Greektown and the Partenon Restaurant,a  shoret can ride from teh train. And although its not roadfood a few blues suggestions. A taxi to teh old Chess Records studio, now the Willie Dixon Foundationa and museum. Or a taxi to teh Jazz Record Mart, a wonderful place full of blues recordings and memorabilia including one of Big Joe William's nine string guitars. By teh way, if you send me a PM I want to discuss your festival next year with you.
 
 

Rocky Enfield

vinfan


I have no idea where the train station is, but it would be worth a cab ride to go to Hot Doug's () for his delectable foie gras duck dog. And if you go on a Friday or Saturday, you can have the famed duck fat fries too. Not diet fare, but divine.

I agree that Hot Doug's is an excellent destination.  The last time my wife and I were in Chicago we went there.  Decided to not mess with getting the valet to get our car and took a taxi.  $20 one way from downtown (Michigan Ave) to go to Hot Doug's.  I had the duck sausage w/foie gras and a smoked sausage w/grilled onions.  My wife had an elk sausage w/little chunks or artisan cheese.  We split an order of the tremendous duck fat fries and each had a soda for a total of $25.  We also stood in line for 1 1/2 hours.  Then had the $20 taxi ride back to the hotel.  It was great and I will go again but next time I will drive.

The cost of the taxi is why I didn't include Hot Doug's in my suggestions.

BTW after I posted I was thinking that all my suggestions were based on the station that houses the Southshore and I am not sure whether or not Amtrak uses the same station.

 No, Amtrak uses Union Station. (see the location on my map link above).

tiki, it depends on what day of the week you are coming through Chicago. If it's a Sunday you might be hard pressed to find much open near Union Station. Greektown is about 6 blocks to the West, not sure how walkable it is though because you have to cross over I-95 and the traffic can be pretty scary if you're on foot crossing the exit and on ramps. Chinatown is much farther south and would have to be a cab ride. It's pretty cool and everything would be open on Sunday, a very busy area.
 
 
http://www.greektownchicago.org/
 
http://www.chicagochinatown.com/

LOVE Bayliss's tv show!!!!--would really like to get to Frontera---but may not have the time---Itaian beef sounds good though--have4nt had one IN CHICAGO--had a lady friend rom there that made it at home though---may be the ticket---will pm yu toda!

will be in Chicago on Tuesday and on a weds----tickets cheaper in midweek!