Chicago: Your favorite thing(s) to do

[Biggskip]

Originally Posted by ElDave

Hi gents, I just landed a job in Chicago and need a restaurant recommendation. Looking for a steakhouse no more than say $100/person. Any part of the city is fair game. Thanks!
Just go to Morton's. It's old as **** and it's not flashy, but they do what they do very well.

 

[Kvc06]

^+1

 

[--Jonas--]

Wednesday's Myra Hess Concerts at the Cultural Center (12:15)

Going up the lakefront by bike

Grant Park Music Festival and Ravinia Festival

 

[landoeffincalrissian]

1.Take the Red line to the Purple line up to Evanston and eat at Olive Mountain.
2.Consume Chicken Tikka Sandwich.
3.Then go to Bennisons and buy a chocolate croissant.

Edit:Be careful in certain parts of Rogers Park...mainly up by Howard. Parts of Edge water are sketch as well....although getting better.

 

[landoeffincalrissian]

Originally Posted by wmmk

Sorry if any of this stuff has already been mentioned:
Rocky's Tacos Super Tortas Futboleras, on Clark in Rogers Park
Chicken Shack, in Evanston
Bacino's (for the deep dish spinach supreme), in Lincoln Park
Sun Wah BBQ (for the Peking duck) on Bway in Rogers Park
Piece (for the white clam pizza, though it's not as good as New Haven pizza), in Wicker Park
Cemitas Pueblas, in Humboldt Park
Hecky's, in Evanston
The Berghoff, in the loop

Good list...have you ever eaten at Olive Mountain?

 

[cyrcpa]

Originally Posted by ElDave

Hi gents, I just landed a job in Chicago and need a restaurant recommendation. Looking for a steakhouse no more than say $100/person. Any part of the city is fair game. Thanks!



Gibson's on Rush and Morton's on State are two of the original Chicago institutions. They boarder an area known, affectionately as the "viagra triangle". It's a nice area to hang out after and get a drink. You'll get a sense as to the given name if you hang out for a few hours there and take in the scene.

Move further south (along State Street, give or take a block or two, east or west) to an area called River North and you have some of the local versions of the non-Chicago "chains" - Smith and Wo's, Mastro's, David Burke's Primehouse - all respectable in their own right. The River North area has a lot of nightlife too. Slightly different scene from the "triangle" but conceptually the same. (Perhaps a slightly less "mature" crowd.)

Capital Grille is east of Michigan Ave in between the Viagra triangle and River North. Wildfire is a handful of blocks west. Wildfire is a local chain, a little less expensive than the others mentioned, but a pretty consistent bang for your buck, IMHO.

These choices should be a good starting point.

 

[deepitm]

Blackhawks game
Carol's Bar on the weekends for live Country & Western
Kingston Mines
Al's Beef
Chicago style hot dog (just about anywhere will do, but if you want gourmet save yourself the wait and do Franks n Dawgs instead of Hot Doug's)
Xoco (churros and tortas)
Tacos al Pastor and guacamole from Los Comales on Milwaukee Ave
Chocolate shake from Oberweis
Architectural Boat Tour is touristy, but cool and informative
Big & Little's (burgers, truffle fries, po boys)
A steak. Morton's original location at State/Rush (raspberry souffle) or Chicago Chop House (wedge salad and cheesy potatoes are great).
Goose Island Root Beer
Art Institute on whatever day it's free admission
Bar DeVille
Purple Pig
Crisp for Korean style chicken wings (Seoul sassy flavor)
Charlie Beinlich's in Northbrook for a burger if you venture to the burbs
Gilt Bar for food or drinks
Urban Belly
Original pancake house (preferably Walker Bros in Wilmette)
Second City
Old Town Ale House
Twin Anchors (ribs)
Smoque (for the brisket)
For avant garde dining, Schwa or TRU (can't endorse Alinea as I have yet to go)