the two things I'd definitely get again are Lou Malnotti's butter crust pizza and Portillo's Italian Beef sandwich.

quote:

Originally posted by zoom6zoom:
the two things I'd definitely get again are Lou Malnotti's butter crust pizza and Portillo's Italian Beef sandwich.

Both a franchised chains, you can buy that stuff all over the country.

Where are you staying?
What are your interests?
What kinds of activities do you enjoy?
Where are you coming from?
Help us help you.

AVOID:
The west side west of Racine ave.
The south side south of the UoI.
your pretty good going northwest and staying east near the lake.
USE COMMON SENSE as in all big cities the predators are out there and are eating the naive.

https://www.thehouseontherock.com/

its right on the way , plan on about 8 hours

quote:

Originally posted by armored:

quote:

Originally posted by zoom6zoom:
the two things I'd definitely get again are Lou Malnotti's butter crust pizza and Portillo's Italian Beef sandwich.

Both a franchised chains, you can buy that stuff all over the country.

I wasn't aware that Malnati's was nationwide. Are you taking about ordering frozen pies?

Anyway, I second the butter crust. That was my favorite. Pequod's is great as well. Lastly, I liked Pizanos but the service was always terrible.

STOP with the anti deep dish crap!
Deep Dish Pizza is the greatest thing in Chicago.
Anyone can get the thin stuff anywhere.
True Deep Dish is a delight.


Umm...I'm actually making a deep dish for tonite.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
STOP with the anti deep dish crap!
Deep Dish Pizza is the greatest thing in Chicago.
Anyone can get the thin stuff anywhere.
True Deep Dish is a delight.


Umm...I'm actually making a deep dish for tonite.

Blasphemy I say, I must have been doing it wrong all these years. Lol!

Do NOT Leave without a big ole can of Garretts Popcorn!
Cheese and Carmel Pecan flavors, to die for!

DO not put ketchup on your hot dog. Mustard only.

La Scarola is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to... including in Italy.

Some Chicago photos from 2013: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157635030487917/.

And take a ride on the El. Here a couple of my favorite shots:

Trip2005A 269.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


Trip2005A 270.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

flashguy

Being born/raised/worked as LEO (CPD) in Chicago; prior to retiring from the profession and getting out of that state:
I second SuperDawg (Milwaukee Ave & Devon Ave) and I toss in Twin Anchors (1655 N Sedgwick Ave), the best ribs in town. Also for real deep dish try the real Pizzaria Uno (29 East Ohio St) it's the real deal not the chain that you find around the states. Also, the museums are all great, navy Pier is a tourist trap but ok to kill some time, but stay aware of your surroundings as the misguided youth is milling around there. Also, for some other good eats try Taylor Street area.

Good luck on trip

quote:

Originally posted by M'headSig:
La Scarola is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to... including in Italy.

Second this, Milwaukee/Grand avenue.

Some tips:

> If you decide to go see the U-Boat at the science museum, be sure to purchase advance tickets.

> Take the water taxi from downtown to Chinatown for some great and leisurely views of the city from a vantage point like no other! Buy the all day pass for $9.
https://www.chicagowatertaxi.com

Eat lunch at the Moon Palace in Chinatown and then walk up and down the main drag.
http://www.moonpalacerestaurant.com/menu.html

> Once you've choked down a Chicago style dog, go find ye an Italian ice shop to finish it off! (Mario's is great!)
https://foursquare.com/top-pla...-places-italian-ices

> The Berghoff is a nice place for dinner with the family.
https://www.theberghoff.com

> The Drumbar is a great rooftop venue to have a drink at.
http://drumbar.com

Have fun!

I'll third Ricobenes, I stop there every time I head back to Chicago. I'm probably the odd ball here, but I prefer Pan Pizza to both Deep Dish, and Thin Crust.

Again I'd recommend Ricobenes, their pie is very good, and the fries are the best I've ever had.

But my favorite pan pizza comes from Connie's, and thin crust from Phil's, both located in the Bridgeport area of the city.

Both the major museums are world class, as is the Art Institute. The Radio Broadcast Museum is phenomenal.

The River architectural tour is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Plus there's always Chicago Ghost Tours

If you like live blues music, check out Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park on the north side. It's on Halsted, forgot the cross street. Joanna Conner is amazing! They have 2 stages and each stage alternates performances every hour.

I would forgo Portillo's. You can get them in Illinois, Indiana, Arizona, Minnesota, California and Florida. If you're going to eat in Chicago, you need to get something unique.

I would NOT recommend the Berghoff for dinner anymore. Bad part of town, place has gone downhill.

Not in the loop (Lincoln Park) but Sapori Trattoria is excellent (Italian).

So, it’s FOOD you want. Well, get ready (and buy loose fitting pants!):

PIZZA: Pizzeria Uno or Due` are about the best. South Loop area has Flo & Santos. Lou Malnati’s is another Chicago land favorite. Giordano’s (for a chain restaurant) isn’t half bad. There’s a metric ton of pretty great family pizza places thru ought the city, the little neighborhood joints, just ask, we’ll let you know what’s good and what tastes like wet cardboard. (Pay no attention to the haters talking bad about deep dish! You got to try it!) Hot dog joints are pretty much the same; some outstanding little out-of-the-way joints in the neighborhoods! (Fat Johnnys! But you better bring a whole mess of friends with guns, the neighborhood aint the greatest!) Ricobenes is always a “go to” place – get a breaded steak sandwich.
STEAKS: The Palm on Wacker Dr, in the Swiss Hotel! Smith & Wollenski’s, Chicago Chop House, Gibsons, Catch 35, Mortons the Steakhouse, Gene Georgetti’s

PORK: ***THE shrine to all things Porcine is PUBLICAN, in the West Loop area.***

ITALIAN: Rosebud, La Scarola, Maggiano’s, Carmine’s, Trattoria No. 10. Osteria Via Stato, If you’re in the Little Italy neighborhood; Francesca’s on Taylor St, Pompeii, Davanti or Tuscany.

MEXICAN / SPANISH: Topolobampo / Frontera grill – Rick Bayless’ places OUTSTANDING! Salpicon, Zapatista, XOCO, Café Ba-ba-Reeba, Tapas Valencia, Nacional 27, Café Iberico.

THE OTHERS: I suggest you check out “Restaurant Row” on Randolph. Not too far from Down town. Here’s a website:

http://www.chicagospropertysho...et.html#.VFPit9h0x9A

there isn’t a bad restaurant there!
Avec & Blackbeard (next door to each other) are also excellent choices. Hugo’s Frog bar, Tavern on Rush, Carmine’s, Heaven On Seven, Phil Stefani’s, McCormick & Schmick’s are all in the Rush St / Viagra Triangle area.
Old Town (South of North Ave on Wells St) has another collection of phenomenal places to eat! And Second City is right there, catch a comedy show and laugh your butt off!

Chinatown- A short distance from Downtown. There’s a ton of great places there too. In Chinatown Square – north side of Archer, check out Joy Yee, good price and a decent size plate of food. There’s also Strings, it’s a local chain for Ramen noodles. Honestly, the best place I’ve had Ramen outside of Japan!



There’s some great museums in Chicago too. Science & Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Dr.) Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium are all on Museum Campus, within walking distance of each other (1200 S Lake Shore Dr). if you’re in that neighborhood, 12th street beach, Del Campo’s Tacos. You can easily spend a whole day in just the Museum of Science and Industry or the Field Museum. The Art Museum is in Grant Park (200 S Michigan). There’s Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park, as well as Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park – pretty cool place if you have kids. Even just a walk along the river and the lakefront! There’s a Broadcast Museum that’s outstanding as well.

Sports? We’ve got whatever you want. Sox, and that other team that (finally) won last year, the Cubs. Bulls for basketball, Hawks, and the Bears. Depending on what season you’re in town.

The Chicago architectural boat tour along the river is well worth it! Navy Pier is kind of a tourist trap, but a nice place to walk around and there’s a water taxi from Navy Pier to the Museum Campus. The Treasury Dept has a small museum on LaSalle & Jackson about money, pretty cool for a quick hour or so. Chicago Board of Trade is right around the corner, there’s still an observation deck to see the traders in The Pit. The Sears Tower (I refuse to say Willis Tower) is a pretty neat place to check out too!

Feel like spending some money? Hit the Magnificent Mile! Michigan Ave, just north of the River. The River walk isn’t half bad to walk around either.

Honestly, there’s about a million things to do & see. A lot depends on how much time you’re going to be in town, where you’re staying and what you’re into. If you’re into the Opera and the Symphony, I can’t recommend you go to Reggies and listen to punk / heavy metal. There’s some great Blues clubs (Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy’s Legends), Jazz & Rock. There’s always a concert going on somewhere in this city. Again, a lot depends on what you’re into.

You need anything else, please let us know!

Skip the Navy pier. One of the worst tourist traps I have ever seen.

I hear the south side is real nice this time of year

Looking into one of the walking food tours. You get some nice places to eat and some sight seeing along the way.