Chicago Visitor's Guide

[TB#1]

I'm a food guy so I'll have a couple recommendations for that...

Burgers:
Epic Burger - http://www.epicburger.com/
Five Guy's Burgers and Fries (not Chicago originial) - http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

Pizza:
Art of Pizza should probably be included in the deep dish section too.

Mexican:
Lalo's - http://www.lalos.com/
Zacatacos - some of the best steak tacos you can find - http://taqueriaszacatacos.galeon.com/
Los Comales - any of em...there are like15 to 20 of them around here - http://www.loscomales.com/
La Palapita - same owners as La Pasadita

Chinese:
Chi Cafe - http://chicafeonline.com/

Stir Fry:
Flat Top Grill - http://www.flattopgrill.com/

I love 5 Guys burgers and Fries.

[TB#1]

Anyone have some food/bars/clubs/attractions updates to add?

[CellarDoor]

Peace near Logan Park/Square (whichever is in the city) has some pretty amazing Mashed Potatoes Pizza

[glowsticks]

Question: Can you watch the Bulls practice at the Berto Center? Do you have to pay to get in if you can?

[Bulls423]

I'm surprised Japonaise isn't on the restaurants list. It's Oprah's favorite restaurant in Chicago and it also happens to be mine as well. If you eat downstairs and ask for "The Rock", you'll hear a funny story about Michael Jordan.

[TB#1]

Question: Can you watch the Bulls practice at the Berto Center? Do you have to pay to get in if you can?

No. Even the Chicago beat writers are rarely allowed to watch practices.

[TB#1]

I surprised Japonaise isn't on the restaurants list. Oprah's favorite restaurant in Chicago and also mine. If you eat downstairs and ask for "The Rock", you'll hear a funny story about Michael Jordan.

Nice addition. Thanks.

http://www.japonaischicago.com/main.html

Added to main list.

And I've been out of Chicago for a few years (all who know me know how painful that is to me) so anyone with additional recommendations, updates or alerts to the demise of places originally listed, speak up and we'll keep this list current.

[Chicago-Bull-E]

This is a really, really awesome thread. Even with the internet superhighway at our fingers, you can't find such a solid comprehensive guide for the city. Just awesome.

Went to Grand Lux Cafe and Pequods last week. I don't think Grand Lux is local, but its good food. I believe ts owned by the folks that own the Cheesecake Factory, so the style is very similar.

And Pequods is awesome.

http://www.grandluxcafe.com/
http://pequodspizza.com/

[Grand Champ]

Take Chicago Chop House off the list, seriously, by far the worst most expensive experience I have ever had at a steakhouse in my life. I believe new ownership has taken over within the last year and it is basically a tourist trap, living off its past name.

I wouldn't wish a meal at the Chop House (that they had to pay for at least) on my worst enemy. I won't go into too much detail about the "experience" but yeah seriously take that place off the list and put Rosebud Prime or some place that is good and treats you well.

Also, I know this is gonna sound lame but Hub 51 is a really good bar that has grown on me. TONS of beautiful women, music isn't too loud, HUGE place, has a LOT of tables, booths, or a bar area and if the club thing is your sorta thing they have a packed club in the basement. Best part is NO COVER and non ridiculously priced drinks for a touristy part of town ($5 imported pints, $7 non well mixed drinks) Expensive food but its good at least.

Also +Adobo Grill in Wicker park... WOW they have by far the best margaritas I have ever had. And i've had a lot of margaritas in my life! Also if you order guacamole, they have someone make it fresh right in front of you. Not insanely expensive either, great place!

[superdave]

This is a great thread. Having been away from Chicago for 5 years now, the foods I really miss are:

1) Hub's Gyros (no decent gyro on the West Coast, nothing!!)
2) Pequod's, Lou's, and Giordano's... Chicago has awesome pizza btw, dare I say the best anywhere. Not just the deep dish but the Sicilian style 'box' pizza cut into squares that you can get at your run-of-the-mill places in the city.
3) White Castle sliders
4) Late late night diners, esp. White Palace, Hollywood Grill, and Omega's in the burbs. Okay so the food is greasy crap but I miss detoxing w/ my buddies here
5) Pita Inn... hot sauce here is like crack
6) Maxwell street polish... is this place even open? It used to be Jim's and another place next door
7) Buffalo Joe's wings in Evanston... I hear this place has gone downhill though
8) Joy Yee's fruit drinks in Chinatown

I could probably go on. Btw, Chicago has really bad Mexican and Middle Eastern food (Pita Inn aside). Sorry had to get that in. But the city is tops for pizza, Italian anything, Greek anything, hot dogs, and bar fare. You guys have it good!!!

[Eyeballs]

Peace near Logan Park/Square (whichever is in the city) has some pretty amazing Mashed Potatoes Pizza

Peace is in Wicker Park - just went on Sat - like their pizza, love their beer, would love to love a couple of the waitresses

Also live band karoake on Sat night

[SolidSnake]

Chicago has really great Mexican and Middle Eastern food you need to look around better.

Try going to Devon Ave. for nice Indian/Middle Eastern food .

[ChronicKerr]

I Btw, Chicago has really bad Mexican and Middle Eastern food

Try Tarascas, mexican place, on the corner of Wrightwood and Clark in Lincoln Park. I've been there nearly 20 times the past two years. It has amazing mexican food and the margaritas are all kinds of good.

[t-time]

Any tours you guys can recommend for Chicago for December? I am coming with the missus to watch the Bulls and I will be there for 4 days. Wanna see the city and what it has to offer even though it will be likely snowing like it was when I went last time.

Also going to the Mecca to watch us play the Knicks on christmas day. If you see some Bulls diehard with an aussie voice in December it will likely be me

[malcrk]

Did my recommendations get deleted from this thread?

[CjayC]

Any tours you guys can recommend for Chicago for December? I am coming with the missus to watch the Bulls and I will be there for 4 days. Wanna see the city and what it has to offer even though it will be likely snowing like it was when I went last time.

Also going to the Mecca to watch us play the Knicks on christmas day. If you see some Bulls diehard with an aussie voice in December it will likely be me

This looks like a pretty good deal.

http://www.smartdestinations.com/chicag ... hi_Prod_Go

That has pretty much everything you'd need to see as far as the touristy stuff.

As far as Museums make sure you visit Navy Pier and the Field Museum. If you can try to fit Shedd Aquarium and the Planetarium in there.

I'd also maybe make a trip to Chinatown. Lots of cool odds and ends there.Go to Joy Yee's noodleshop. The Bubble Tea is a must.

If you're going in December, above all else make sure you visit the Magnificent Mile at night time. You'll get to see all the storefronts adorned with Christmas ornaments, and the whole strip is adorned with Christmas lights. Its really special.

[samwana]

Why isn't this thread on top anymore, it's great! And very helpful for non-Chicagoans! Please put it back up there!

[dougthonus]

You can always find it in the announcement thread.

[t-time]

Any tours you guys can recommend for Chicago for December? I am coming with the missus to watch the Bulls and I will be there for 4 days. Wanna see the city and what it has to offer even though it will be likely snowing like it was when I went last time.

Also going to the Mecca to watch us play the Knicks on christmas day. If you see some Bulls diehard with an aussie voice in December it will likely be me

This looks like a pretty good deal.

http://www.smartdestinations.com/chicag ... hi_Prod_Go

That has pretty much everything you'd need to see as far as the touristy stuff.

As far as Museums make sure you visit Navy Pier and the Field Museum. If you can try to fit Shedd Aquarium and the Planetarium in there.

I'd also maybe make a trip to Chinatown. Lots of cool odds and ends there.Go to Joy Yee's noodleshop. The Bubble Tea is a must.

If you're going in December, above all else make sure you visit the Magnificent Mile at night time. You'll get to see all the storefronts adorned with Christmas ornaments, and the whole strip is adorned with Christmas lights. Its really special.

Thankyou soo much CjayC,

That card looks like a really good idea - last time I came to chicago it was sort of rushed and outside of watching my missus shop and going to Bulls games I didnt get to really see the city.

[Scorpion King]

Thanks for the information