Chicago Trip...Looking for your best

We're heading to Chicago in a little over a week. Let me your musts for eating in Chicago. We already know about Lou Mitchell's and Gino's East. What else???

Ethan took a bit of a sabbatical there and made an excellent report. I brought it back to the first page for you.

We're heading to Chicago in a little over a week. Let me your musts for eating in Chicago. We already know about Lou Mitchell's and Gino's East. What else???

my first meal in Chicago was the original Gino's just off the Mag. Mile.

Horrible.
We waited over an hour for the pizza (we were informed it'd take 30-45 minutes to cook), but it wasn't so much that the pizza itself was bad, it just lacked any kinda of flavor.


I'd do a bit more Chicago-style pizza research myself next time, and I'd suggest doing the same.

Seemed more like a tourist destination than the real deal (it was a block from our hotel and a spur of the moment decision, so I can't complain too much - i did no research.)


$30+ (after tip, for two) will take you a lot farther and for better food at other venues.

My favorite French restaurant in Chicago:

Les Nomades
222 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611 · 312-649-9010

And, my favorite Italian:

Spiaggia
980 N Michigan Ave, 1 Magnificent Mile, level 2, Chicago, IL 60611 · 312-280-2750

Both are at the high end of the financial spectrum but well worth the price.

Davis Street Fish Market (the original, in Evanston)
check them out http://www.davisstreetfishmarket.com/
they've been around forever - good (fresh) seafood, good wine, good prices...
worth a trip to the suburbs (not too far out), I promise!

For delicious coctails labored in love....look for a place called Violet Hour.

Jim, I can give a fairly comprehensive view of Chicago's major dining spots, but you give no idea as to what you are looking for in terms of cuisine types, price ranges, or neighborhoods.

Lou Mitchell's is excellent. Chicago is a breakfast-lover's paradise with many great options to choose from.

I would not recommend Gino's East, however. I hesitate to recommend a pizza joint, however, as everyone's tastes are personal. I will just say that my personal favorites are Bacino's stuffed spinach and mushroom with garlic (for stuffed pizza) and D'Agostino's for thin crust, even if they do cut it into trapezoids. There are a millions fancy pizza joint/wine bar establishments around as well.

I like Bin 36 (a wine bar in Marina City complex) on the river. Don't order steak, though. If you go there, you MUST order Hummus and do a wine flight. Also, the Peppercorn encrusted swordfish is wonderful. While there last time, I chatted with the manager and they have opened a new italian place downstairs called A-Mano. It sounded really good, but we didn't really have time to try it. There's a Moroccan place up near Wrigley field that was lovely. There's a great Thai spot around the corner from the Hancock building with great shaded outdoor dining. Finally, the Park Grill is excellent in Millennium Park (both the casual version on the ice rink and the more upscale version inside). Have fun and explore the many cuisines of this fine American city!

We are getting ready for our annual summer trip.
My Taste of Chicago:
Chinese Dim Sum:
Shui Wah
2162A S. Archer Ave
New section of Chinatown
Go early open @ 8 am, real deal!
Chinese Bakery
Fredia’s in the old section of Chinatown
Coconut buns, hotdog & Chinese sausage buns, all gooood
Great to take a few home.
Spanish Tapas:
Cafe Iberico (Google web site)
737 N. LaSalle (River North area)
The best and fresh, great prices and portions.
Mexican:
Frontera (Google web site)
445 N. Clark (River North area)
A little pricey, but great authentic taste. Good drinks.
Oyster/seviche platter favorite
Pizza is pizza. Eat something you can't get here!
23 days and counting
Doug Chin