Chicago Restaurants

[GBRulz]

I'm flying to Chicago this weekend to meet up with my sister, who is flying in from FL.

Been to the Windy City tons of times, but for whatever reason, could never find a good seafood place. I'm obviously not looking hard enough! Any suggestions on a good crab house / oyster bar?

What is your fav restaurant overall in this city?

[Iron Mike]

Best late night food:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/mike_zankle/Weiners.jpg

The Weiner's Circle (http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1306)

I had fries with that, bitch!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wWXJByiEIk)

[Partial]

Some stuffed pizza place. Not gino's. The other one. F'in delish!

[Iron Mike]

Best Pizza:

http://www.loumalnatis.com/images/locations_RiverNorth.gif

Lou Malnati's (http://www.loumalnatis.com/)

[Merlin]

Chicago isn't exactly known for it's seafood. I know there is someplace called Joe's seafood downtown. How good it is I don't know. I can only give you places on the east coast for the best seafood. Ruth Cris is very good in Chicago. Been there a few times. Kinda pricey but it's the best steak in town. Not sure what pizza place you are referring to but this place has the best pizza in Chicago as far as I am concerned:

http://www.giordanos.com/

[Iron Mike]

Best Belly Dancing/Hookahs:

http://cache.gridskipper.com/assets/images/external/5003/2007/06/cc/original_28a6b24f014baf8943954ab414e8e625.jpg

[Iron Mike]

Not sure what pizza place you are referring to but this place has the best pizza in Chicago as far as I am concerned:

http://www.giordanos.com/

Meh.....that's pizza for tourists. :bs:

Lou Malnati's!!!! :P

[Merlin]

Anyone else every notice that no matter what bar you go to in downtown Chicago that the tap beer is always in a 16 oz glass and it's $5 at EVERY bar for the cheap shit like Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, etc.? Unless you want a "specialty" beer in the form of Leine's or Red Hook or Fat Tire, then it's $6-$8.

[Merlin]

Not sure what pizza place you are referring to but this place has the best pizza in Chicago as far as I am concerned:

http://www.giordanos.com/

Meh.....that's pizza for tourists. :bs:

Lou Malnati's!!!! :P

I would normally agree with you but I have frequented Giordanos in the Chicago area for some 35 years (and tried just about every other one). They just got bigger over the years with more locations. Uno Pizza is for tourists.

[Iron Mike]

Best Italian Beef:

http://alscatering.com/images/Taylor_front_side_view_sml_gif.gif

Al's #1 Italian (http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=2629)

[Partial]

giordanos. That's the good pizza place I went.

[Iron Mike]

You'll have to travel to Oak Park to get the best Ribs:

http://rib1.com/images/MVC-001S.JPG

Robinson's #1 Ribs (http://www.rib1.com/AboutUs.htm)

[Merlin]

McCormick & Schmick's is pretty good for seafood in the Midwest. I'm trying to see if there is a Kincaid's in Chicago but their site is down. I think they may be a St Paul, MN only restaurant.

[Merlin]

You'll have to travel to Oak Park to get the best Ribs:

http://rib1.com/images/MVC-001S.JPG

Robinson's #1 Ribs (http://www.rib1.com/AboutUs.htm)

I disagree. Any rib place with a $5 lunch buffet is serving cat ribs. Smokey Bones has the best ribs I have ever had. Their BBQ sauce is second to none. Not sure if they are in Chicago but they are in Shaumburg. Can't wait for the tourist call on that one.

[Iron Mike]

I've never been here, but it gets good reviews:

http://www.icon.com/joes/images/img_chicago_04.jpg

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (http://www.icon.com/joes/Chicago_home.html)

[Merlin]

That's the one I remember from my last trip down there. Wasn't in the seafood kind of mood at the time.

[Merlin]

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/images/Userimages/locations/Chicago-Wacker-exterior.jpg

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant (http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.display&pageid=96&id=87)


This one is on East Wacker Drive.

(It isn't Packer Drive, for whatever reason it's changing W|acker to Packer)

[Harlan Huckleby]

I always go to Halstead Street and get some Greek food when I'm in Chicago. I don't think it matters what restaraunt you go to, they are all really good because the competition is keen.

Opah!

[Harlan Huckleby]

Another Chicago staple:


http://www.sequelsolutions.biz/popeye.jpg

[Iron Mike]

I'm gonna say, if we're telling you where to eat, you'd better bring us back some Garrett's popcorn:

http://www.roadfood.com/photos/3330.JPG

Garrett's Popcorn (http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/)

[Iron Mike]

Best drive-in:


http://bigpicture.typepad.com/writing/superdawg.jpg


Superdawg (http://www.superdawg.com)

[SkinBasket]

I know it's a chain, but I've eaten a lot of crab legs in my day, and some of my favorites were at Bubba Gumps. You gotta brave the pier though, and that can be nauseating enough to rob you of your appetite.

Smokey Bones is a bit like the Applebee's of rib places. They have an overall nice menu. but the ribs certainly aren't spectacular.

[Iron Mike]

Smokey Bones is a bit like the Applebee's of rib places. They have an overall nice menu. but the ribs certainly aren't spectacular.

All I know is...if you're going to Taste of Chicago, you're gonna be eating Robinson's #1 Ribs. :?

[Freak Out]

Anyone else every notice that no matter what bar you go to in downtown Chicago that the tap beer is always in a 16 oz glass and it's $5 at EVERY bar for the cheap shit like Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, etc.? Unless you want a "specialty" beer in the form of Leine's or Red Hook or Fat Tire, then it's $6-$8.

$6-$8! WTF? I thought prohibition was over down there? Sounds like the gangsters are still running the town.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

You'll have to travel to Oak Park to get the best Ribs:

http://rib1.com/images/MVC-001S.JPG

Robinson's #1 Ribs (http://www.rib1.com/AboutUs.htm)

I disagree. Any rib place with a $5 lunch buffet is serving cat ribs. Smokey Bones has the best ribs I have ever had. Their BBQ sauce is second to none. Not sure if they are in Chicago but they are in Shaumburg. Can't wait for the tourist call on that one.

The best ribs you've had are from a chain restaurant? You, my friend, no nothing about ribs. :twisted:

[Iron Mike]

<==waits for the Chicagoland posters to weigh in about the best Chicago ribs. :wait:

[LL2]

<==waits for the Chicagoland posters to weigh in about the best Chicago ribs. :wait:

Bubba Gumps isn't bad..actually pretty good. For Chicago the staples are hot dogs, pizza, and beefs. A lot of times it's the small mom and pop restaurant that has some pretty awesome food. Going that route can be hit and miss. Restaurants on Halstead can be exspensive too, but so can a lot of other trendy areas. I hate to admit, as much as I hate the Chicago sports team...I do love Chicago.

[retailguy]

Catch 35 for seafood. Downtown and in Naperville. Is it the best? Who knows - It's Chicago. The fact that it's fresh is good enough.

Been to the Naperville one. I'm sure Downtown is good too.

http://www.catch35.com/g/nav-naperville.jpg


Best ribs in Chicago? Who cares. :wink: Seafood is where it's at baby!

But I know this, the best food NEVER comes from a chain restaurant. NEVER.

[Little Whiskey]

But I know this, the best food NEVER comes from a chain restaurant. NEVER.

is that kinda like the best music isn't played on the radio?


the last time we were in chicago we ate at an Italian rest......can't remember the streets or the name but it was up the road from Gibson's. I had the Mussels pasta. outstanding! priced very reasonable for the portions. We could have split the appetizer as our meal there was so much.

[Iron Mike]

the last time we were in chicago we ate at an Italian rest......can't remember the streets or the name but it was up the road from Gibson's. I had the Mussels pasta. outstanding! priced very reasonable for the portions. We could have split the appetizer as our meal there was so much.

Was it The Italian Village?

http://www.planet99.com/pix/1489_1.jpg

[Patler]

When I am in Chicago, I tend to chose a different small ethnic restaurant every time. The smaller the better. The busier the better. I am rarely disappointed, and have gotten genuine ethnic food, not pseudo-ethnic.

[GBRulz]

Chicago isn't exactly known for it's seafood. I know there is someplace called Joe's seafood downtown. How good it is I don't know. I can only give you places on the east coast for the best seafood. Ruth Cris is very good in Chicago. Been there a few times. Kinda pricey but it's the best steak in town. Not sure what pizza place you are referring to but this place has the best pizza in Chicago as far as I am concerned:

http://www.giordanos.com/

It's not? Gee, thanks for pointing that out, Merlin! :roll: j/k !!!

I wish I could remember the name of the seafood place we went to last time. All I know is that is was like two-three blocks east of the merchandise mart. Awesome seafood !!!

For pizza, my fav is Lou Malniti's or something like that. I've always wanted to go to Gibson's Steak House, too but you have to make reservations to far ahead of time. can't believe that many people are in a hurry to spend $100 on steak and a drink!!

At least I should be able to watch the game this weekend without worrying about the Bears game being on at the same time!

[GBRulz]

But I know this, the best food NEVER comes from a chain restaurant. NEVER.

So Red Lobster isn't the best seafood, then? lol

That Catch 35 place looks good, I think we'll give it a try...tnx RG

[Iron Mike]

For pizza, my fav is Lou Malniti's or something like that.

http://www.packerrats.com/ratchat/viewtopic.php?p=175264#175264

[KYPack]

But I know this, the best food NEVER comes from a chain restaurant. NEVER.

So Red Lobster isn't the best seafood, then? lol

That Catch 35 place looks good, I think we'll give it a try...tnx RG

Man, I was getting pissed.

She asked for seafood, people. Not Pizza or dogs!

The place RG posted about looks good. This is the best seafood joint I've eaten at in the Chicago area. Don't go to Joe's Crab unless you like to get robbed:

Bob Chinn's
393 S Milwaukee Ave
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 520-3633

They've got one in Kenosha now also.

Go to Billy Goat's on lower Wacker. It's the joint that the "Cheeborger Cheeborger Cheeborger" bit on SNL comes from. Great food and local color.

Eli's for steaks. Best Cheesecake you've ever eaten for dessert.

or Gene and Georgetti's for steaks. Sinatra used to go to Gene and Georgetti's to eat steak.

[Iron Mike]

Or you could go up to the dollar store and get a couple cans of potted meat.

http://www.tpr.org/articles/2005/06/cinema-slingblade2.jpg