Well, I might as well kick things off on the Chicago board by listing some of my favorites and not-so-favorites with a comment or two about each.


For STEAKS, I'd have to say Magnums. Morton's is also very reliable in my opinion. I've never been to the Chop House. Ruth's Chris steaks are good but why put them in a pool of butter. My least favorite is definitely Gene and Georghetti's. I went there once and I thought that it misfired on pretty much every cylinder. I've heard many people express dissatisfaction with that place.

SEAFOOD: I have always liked Catch 35. Nick's is good but not as good as Catch in my opinion.

MEXICAN: My favorite place is El Tapatio on Ashland and Roscoe. Cheap and very dependable. Many of the customers are of Hispanic origin which tells me that the place must be good.

PIZZA: No question in my mind that the sausage pizza from Gino's East. But I've always liked New York style pizza better than Chicago style (I know that is sacreligious to say in this town).

KOREAN: Maybe my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago is Sam Mee at Clark and Roscoe. Don't be offput by the way it seems nobody is inside. They are all in private rooms in the back. You can grill your own Bulgogi. The food is phenomenal.

JAPANESE/SUSHI: I still like Sai Cafe but forget about trying to get a table on a weekend night. Better off ordering take-out.

EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS: Still the greatest restaurant meal of my life has to be at Charlie Trotter's. In all respects, this meal was incredible. While it cost $350 for two people, we ate there 3 1/2 years ago and I still have vivid memories. How many $150 meals can I say that for. Before you die, eat at Charlie Trotter's.

Well, that's enough for now.

I'm new to the Chicago restaurant scene, but here's my votes:

Steak: Morton's, Gene & Georrgetti. I agree - Ruth's Chris is good, but all that melted butter get's a bit much!

Seafood: Nicks (lobster bisque is amazing!), Marche (Seafood app. assortment is pricey, but well worth it!)

Italian: Maggiano's (but go with at least 3 people - family style and it's a LOT of food!)

Chinese: I don't think this exists in Chicago, but being from NYC, I may be a tougher critic. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

Japanese: Haven't had the pleasure yet of finding any. Working on it...

Hotel Restaurant: Park Hyatt - TOTALLY worth it!!

For Mexican, Rick Bayless' Topolobampo and Fronterra Grill. The restaurants are next door to each other and share a kitchen. Topolobampo offers Haute Mexican cuisine and offers an excellent tasting menu with or without wine. The food at Fronterra is still inspired but more reasonably priced in a more casual atmosphere.

PremEx2000,

Any good Greek/middle eastern restaurants that you can recommend? I heard that there is a place in Chicago called 'Greektown', and I was hoping to find some good Gyros or something like that the next time I am in town.
Thanks!

NittanyGal,

In Greektown, try the Greek Isles restaurant. They have all the "traditional" greek dishes, and a really nice atmosphere. Enjoy!

PremEx, you da man. mmmm... Trotters... mmmm...

I ate there four months ago.. unbelievable. The bill was $1,500 for four people (including wine), and it was so well worth it! We made reservations on the way out of the restaurant.. for another six months down the road.. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

Tru is also quite yummy.. although they're merely keeping pace with the man (Charlie T.)

I ate at Bin 36 last weekend.. quite good I must say. The food was good, the flights of wine that I ordered, of which I had heard of none of them, were also refreshingly good. I just wish that they had a flight of something really nice, say a vertical of Mondavi Reserve Cab or Opus One or something like that. Ahhh... http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

Jeff http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/cool.gif

Thanks, E!
I'll give it a try next time I'm in town!

Greektown is a very alive section of Chicago-- albeit somewhat isolated. It runs mainly along Halsted St., roughly between Randolph Street to the north, and Van Buren to the south. My personal favorite is Costa's...but anyplace along Halsted seems to be great.

A few comments:

I have only eaten at a few restaurants in Greektown. They were all pretty good. I guess I haven't eaten enough Greek food in my life to distinguish between okay, good and very good. Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of the places I ate at offhand.

Regarding Bin 36, I have also heard good things about it. But because I'm not much of an oenophile (a word I learned on this board which means wine afficianado), I'm not sure it's at the top of my list.

I still want to go back to Trotter's. The good news is that there is now a store called "Trotter's to Go" at Fullerton and Wayne -- a few blocks from where I live. It's cheap and the food is incredibly imaginative.

What a way to kick off the Chicago board by saying you like New York pizza better than Chicago deep dish? Heresy! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/rolleyes.gif At any rate, I think Lou Malnati's is the most consistent. Gino's East is very good, but the best pizzas I have EVER had are at Uno's or Due's. By the way, for those of you from out of town, DO NOT confuse the original Pizzeria Uno in Chicago with the extremely mediocre Pizzeria Uno chain around the country. What a disappointment.

Well, for steaks in Chicago, I do like the Chop House. Have always had a great meal there. Haven't been to Trotters yet, but it is on my list. Agree with Frontera Grill--great stuff, especially the corn bread. But my favorite is Blackhawk Lodge for great American specialties, like the mustard-crusted rainbow trout.

Djlawman

[This message has been edited by Djlawman (edited 07-10-2001).]

ILuvParis:

I completely agree with you. Tried the Uno's in Union Station in Washington DC & was appalled! I've since sworn to only eat at Uno's & Due's at home. My top Chicago pizza places are Uno's (& Due's), Gino's East & Giordano's. Another good pizza & pasta small chain is Leona's. Gotta love their fresh mozzarella sticks! YUM!

------------------
Regards,
- Anna

Steak - I like Wildfire Grill on W Erie.

Seafood - Atlantique in the 5000 block of N Clark is great. For visitors, it is a little out of the way but for those of us who live on the north side, this is a wonderful find. Reservations are a must on weekends.

Chinese - agreed this is not a Chinese town.

Vietnamese - many small family owned places on Argyle and Broadway. Most of them are good and cheap.

Pizza, Another favorite is Lou Malnatis. Great pizza, and in competition with Gino's east and west.

I put my favorites out there for everyone. As you'll see, these are not the tourist stops and are true local fare.

Flat Top Grill for make your own stir fry. The food is good and not expensive. They've been a success and have several locations. If you are single, you be amidst lot's of working professionals. I think you can find them in D.C. as well.

For Mexican, I'd try a hole in the wall called Las Pinatas on Wells Street. The food is good and the drinks are better. They have really good salsa and chips and the Margaritas are killer!!!!

For Italian, it is a must to visit Topo Gigio also on Wells Street. You see local icons eating there.

Hands down the best pizza is not Uno's or Gino's. It is Rizzata's which is also a hole in the wall. Carry it out and eat it at home.

Enjoy!!!

Blackbird - 619 W. Randolph Street serves a wonderful dinner. Chef Paul Kahan was also voted as one of Food & Wines Best New Chefs in 1999.

As a transplanted Chicagoan, I've gotta agree with all your pizza picks, although I might question the order. My favorites:
1. Gino's East--Their crust beats everyone else's, and the pizza is consistently superior. Hands down #1!!!
2. Uno/Due--Lacks consistency, but when you get a good one, it's a trophy winner!!! But gotta agree...stay away from the franchises! They're pitiful! You don't seriously believe that Uno's would sell the most closely guarded recipe since Coca-Cola for the price of a franchise, do you???
3. Three-way Tie--Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, and Edwardo's. All are excellent! But each is a unique type of pizza, each with its own strong points.

In any case, the worst Chicago pizza (probably Ranalli's)would have to be better than the best California pizza! Pizza here is worse than pitiful!!! I'm looking forward to coming back for a few days in October to get my pizza fix!

As for Greektown restaurants, I haven't been to a bad one yet! But my personal favorite is the Parthenon, where saganaki was invented over 30 years ago. Still owned by the original owner and run by him and his daughter, the Parthenon seems to have slightly better food and slightly cheaper prices than the other excellent Greek restaurants on Halsted.

Some sample menus from some of the restaurants listed here

Topolobampo:

http://www.chicagochefs.com/clients/Topolobampo/menu/index.html

Frontera Grill:

http://www.chicagochefs.com/clients/FronteraGrill/menu/index.html

Blackbird:

http://www.chicagochefs.com/clients/Blackbird/menu/index.html

Topolobampo is to die for, if you can’t get in there, go to Frontera Grill.

IMO, Blackbird was very good, but based on too much hype for me.

For some AMAZING thai (also expensive but worth it), try Arun's. Reservations definitely required. You won't be sorry!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ORD-SJC Weekly:
For some AMAZING thai (also expensive but worth it), try Arun's. Reservations definitely required. You won't be sorry!</font>

yeah, the $$ is hard to spend considering Thai is usually very cheap, but ORD-SJC Weekly is correct, Arun's has been stellar the three times I've been.

Italian: Johnny's.

French: Vivere.

Pizza: Lou Malnati's, hands down.

Chinese: Moon Palace in Chinatown.

Greek: Greektown Gyros and Greek Islands.

Mexican: Taco and Burrito Palace at Halsted/Cornelia.

Burgers: The Coq D'Or at the Drake.

American: Jack's on Halsted/Belmont, especially the Beef Tenderloin.

Honorable Mention to Schulien's for German, if you like that.

Sorry, folks, I just have to post this - Charlie Trotter's is the most overpriced good restaurant I know. Bland food, overwrought service, good deserts and wine, however. Just not worth $150 per person or whatever it is now...

[This message has been edited by anonplz (edited 09-16-2002).]

I just had Lou Malnati's pizza for the first time.
Although it was good, I still prefer Diogourno's. I have not found a better crust.
Anyone have any good breakfast recommenations?

Yes, as a matter of fact, Ann Sather's on Belmont near the el. You can get a bloody mary or a mimosa, too.

Nookie's Tree is good.

For downtown, the Whitehall has a nice brunch.

indigoboy, welcome to Flyertalk! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

Do you mean the grocery store Diogourno's (sp?) pizza? If so, OUCH that is quite a slam on Malnati's!

Also, as far as breakfast is concerned, some clarification are you looking for a traditional breakfast, gourmet or ethnic?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by indigoboy:
I just had Lou Malnati's pizza for the first time.
Although it was good, I still prefer Diogourno's........
Anyone have any good breakfast recommenations?</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
indigoboy, welcome to Flyertalk! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

Do you mean the grocery store Diogourno's (sp?) pizza? If so, OUCH that is quite a slam on Malnati's!

Also, as far as breakfast is concerned, some clarification are you looking for a traditional breakfast, gourmet or ethnic?

</font>

Ooops. Sorry. I meant to say Giordano's (sp?). I would never speak that highly of grocery store pizza - especially in a town like Chicago.

As far as breakfast, any suggestions would be welcome. So far, I've tried Wishbone (both locations - great!), Ann Sather on Belmont (quite good), Clarke's on Belmont and Leo's Lunchbox. I'd love to find more great diners (like Leo's).

Thanks for the suggestions!

It's been a while now since I lived there, but what about the Golden _____ (not Golden Nugget, Pancake?) on Clark just south of Diversey? Low priced, tasty, IHOP style.

Now I'm feeling homesick! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/frown.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anonplz:
It's been a while now since I lived there, but what about the Golden _____ (not Golden Nugget, Pancake?) on Clark just south of Diversey? Low priced, tasty, IHOP style.

Now I'm feeling homesick! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/frown.gif</font>

I believe it is the Golden Nugget that you speak of. I've been there a few times. It's OK. Like you said, it's low priced. Nothing on the menu is exceptional but it's adequate.

Indigoboy - give Twisted Spoke on Grand and Ogden a try for breakfast, great Bloody Marys, with a great deck upstairs.

Another great breakfast place is Hillary's Urban Eatery on Division near Ashland. It is BYOB though.

OK now, on with my list:

Steak: Capitol Grille - hands down the best steak I have ever had.

Italian - Bellan Notte on West Grand reasonably priced, great food, huge portions

Pizza - Don't order it enough, but Gino's sausage is the best

Seafood - gotta be Nick's

Greek - Parthenon

Bar - Who said I could only have one favorite?

- Abe

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MrAbeFroman:
Indigoboy - give Twisted Spoke on Grand and Ogden a try for breakfast, great Bloody Marys, with a great deck upstairs.

Another great breakfast place is Hillary's Urban Eatery on Division near Ashland. It is BYOB though.

OK now, on with my list:

Steak: Capitol Grille - hands down the best steak I have ever had.

Italian - Bellan Notte on West Grand reasonably priced, great food, huge portions

Pizza - Don't order it enough, but Gino's sausage is the best

Seafood - gotta be Nick's

Greek - Parthenon

Bar - Who said I could only have one favorite?

- Abe</font>
I've actually been to Twisted Spoke. I believe they own Bone Daddy, the rib joint next door also. As you said, it's quite good. My wife and I just went to Baba Palace on Chicago Avenue for the first time. It's open 24 hours and it's heavily frequented by the Indian and Pakistan cab drivers. The portions are large enough to enable you to have left overs later and it's dirt cheap (our bill was $14 for two full entrees). The atmosphere inside is awful - much like a social club with pool tables, loud TV's and alot of talking. Get your food to go and enjoy.
Has anyone been to Slow Down...Life's Too Short on Elston? How about Dick's Last Resort?
Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by indigoboy: The atmosphere inside is awful - much like a social club with pool tables, loud TV's and alot of talking. Get your food to go and enjoy.
Has anyone been to Slow Down...Life's Too Short on Elston? How about Dick's Last Resort?
Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming.
</font>

If it's a typical cabbie joint, I can only imagine the smoke. Smoke is 24/7 as well!

Dick's Last Resort is not really for food, it is if you have a large and or rowdy group that wants to drink and get loud and obnoxious, Dick’s can be a hoot. I've actually eaten at Dick's quite a few times, good food but nothing outstanding, but you feel ok for eating there, because Dick's IMO makes no pretense about being the best or gourmet.

A beware in North Pier there may be a "Carolina Crab Shack" or something of this nature, stay away! very very mediocre.

If you are in the North Pier area, there is a very good tapas place called Emilio's Tapas. Located: 215 E Ohio, phone 312-644-9779

In North Pier, there is the Fox & Obel store. Maybe safe to say Chicago’s most gourmet or at least the most self proclaimed gourmet grocery store. This is why I don’t go out for steak anymore, they have USDA Prime, dry aged porterhouses for sale. Fox and Obel also has a café that serves some tasty items, not sure on the hours. http://www.fox-obel.com/


[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 09-24-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Sweet Willie:

Dick's Last Resort is not really for food, it is if you have a large and or rowdy group that wants to drink and get loud and obnoxious, Dick’s can be a hoot. I've actually eaten at Dick's quite a few times, good food but nothing outstanding, but you feel ok for eating there, because Dick's IMO makes no pretense about being the best or gourmet.

If you are in the North Pier area, there is a very good tapas place called Emilio's Tapas. Located: 215 E Ohio, phone 312-644-9779

In North Pier, there is the Fox & Obel store. Maybe safe to say Chicago’s most gourmet or at least the most self proclaimed gourmet grocery store. This is why I don’t go out for steak anymore, they have USDA Prime, dry aged porterhouses for sale. Fox and Obel also has a café that serves some tasty items, not sure on the hours. http://www.fox-obel.com/

[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 09-24-2002).]</font>

I agree with your comments about Dick's. We were not impressed. I went there after hearing about it from some friends. I fully expected the rude treatment I had heard they were famous for. The waitress we had was actully pleasant to us!!?? I guess we didn't look or act like the typical tourist. As you mentioned, the food was very mediocre and expensive for what it was.

Thanks for the other suggestions. This is why I love Chicago - a seemingly endless choice of restaurants and other cool places!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by indigoboy:
I've actually been to Twisted Spoke. </font>

I passed by Twisted Spoke, it looks like they added on to the place. Did they do away with the open air seating on the street?

If they did, IMO, that was virtually the only reason to go there as it was usually easy to get seated outside.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
[B]

In North Pier, there is the Fox & Obel store. Maybe safe to say Chicago’s most gourmet or at least the most self proclaimed gourmet grocery store. This is why I don’t go out for steak anymore, they have USDA Prime, dry aged porterhouses for sale. Fox and Obel also has a café that serves some tasty items, not sure on the hours. http://www.fox-obel.com/

Oh my gosh! Fox and Obel has got to be the most overpriced gourmet store I have ever visited. I've visited many gourmet stores around the world including Dean & Deluca in NY, Oakville Grocery at Stanford, Fauchon and Hediard in Paris, Harrods Food Halls and Fortnum & Mason in London.

I will categorically say that Fox & Obel is the biggest ripoff. The markup is absoultely terrible. Some of the products the market as gourmet isn't. Some of the stuff at Fox & Obel can be found at Trader Joe's for much less.

For example, Valrhona chocolate at Trader Joe's cost half as much as it does at Fox & Obel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by francophile:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sweet Willie:
[B]

In North Pier, there is the Fox & Obel store. Maybe safe to say Chicago’s most gourmet or at least the most self proclaimed gourmet grocery store. This is why I don’t go out for steak anymore, they have USDA Prime, dry aged porterhouses for sale. Fox and Obel also has a café that serves some tasty items, not sure on the hours. http://www.fox-obel.com/

Oh my gosh! Fox and Obel has got to be the most overpriced gourmet store I have ever visited. I've visited many gourmet stores around the world including Dean & Deluca in NY, Oakville Grocery at Stanford, Fauchon and Hediard in Paris, Harrods Food Halls and Fortnum & Mason in London.

I will categorically say that Fox & Obel is the biggest ripoff. The markup is absoultely terrible. Some of the products the market as gourmet isn't. Some of the stuff at Fox & Obel can be found at Trader Joe's for much less.

For example, Valrhona chocolate at Trader Joe's cost half as much as it does at Fox & Obel.

</font>

Francophile,

RELAX, CHILL

As I stated, "...at least the most self proclaimed gourmet grocery store." I no means should my post be construed as the end-all for gourmet stores in Chicago, nor did I state it was a bargain. We were discussing the North Pier area and Fox & Obel is a unique store in the North Pier area.

The outlay of the store is very nice, produce selection is fresh but not large, the deli area has some great pre-made items (some not-too good), nice game/seafood selection, wife likes the tea selection, I like the aged steaks.

I do not even begin to make the claim that Fox & Obel should (or can) compete against Dean & Deluca, Harrod's or Fortnum & Mason (the only locations I've been to from your list). I brought up Fox & Obel because there are not too many other places like it in Chicago, if you know of some, I implore you to share.

There are very few items from ANY gourmet store that can not be found elsewhere/through another source for cheaper than the gourmet store. A gourmet store for me represents convenience as many items I wish to purchase are in one place.

Willie

Is Treasure Island still around? I know they were in bankruptcy or something like that a few years ago, but I used to LOVE them, the one on North Broadway - a reasonably-priced grocery store very much in the style of L'epicerie at Le Bon Marche in Paris. Also, I used to like the Fresh Fields at Lincoln/Belmont/Ashland triangle. Aside from those, I bought all my produce from those ethnic markets around LBA triangle and from that strip of North Kedzie between Irving Park Road and Foster, I believe.

EDIT: Forgot - Meyer's Deli!!! The best selection of German stuff in Chicago!

[This message has been edited by anonplz (edited 09-28-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anonplz:
Is Treasure Island still around?</font>

Yes, there are 4 locations in Chicago, one very small store in Wilmette and one location in Lake Bluff (but I have not been to that location in quite sometime and heard they had closed)

We really liked that Lake Bluff store! I liked perusing through the "about to go out of code/date" section for the meats, the USDA PRIME stuff one could find at a bargain!!
Good stores for sure all around.

Good suggestions so far. A few more:

Mexican: Taqueria Mamacita on Broadway just south of Roscoe. Least greasy mexican food we've ever had. Fantastic.

Breakfast: Someone asked about diners. We live right near Melrose Restaurant (aka Melrose Diner until they changed signs out front). Typical diner--nothing too special, but perfect for weekend breakfasts

Steak: I'd have to go with the Chop House over Magnums and some of the others. Weird how it "feels" like a tourist trap, but the food was sooooo good.

Vietnamese: Du Yee on Clark and Belmont. Nobody is ever in there, but it's great!

Italian: Mia Francesca is, IMHO, worth the wait, although we rarely end up braving the crowds there

Rigmutt: Another great Mexican restaurant (if I haven't mentioned it already) is El Tapatio at the corner of Roscoe and Ashland. Again, not greasy at all, reasonably priced and I've never had anything there that wasn't really good. Try the Caldo de Camarones (shrimp soup). It's really good.

I agree about Mia Francesca. I love that place. I always order the grilled calamari appetizer (it's not on the menu but they'll make it if you ask). If you like calamari, you'll love this. We try to go before 6:30 so we don't have to wait hours.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx2000:
Rigmutt: Another great Mexican restaurant (if I haven't mentioned it already) is El Tapatio at the corner of Roscoe and Ashland.</font>

El Tapatio is also great for breakfast!

[This message has been edited by candycandycane (edited 10-02-2002).]

A couple of comments:

Try Francesca's on Bryn Mawr instead of Mia Francesca's (on Clark). Same food, but you can make reservations. Also, the decor is a little nicer. Worth going out of your way for (either Red Line stop at Bryn Mawr or take Lake Shore Drive to Bryn Mawr).

For Tapas, try Cafe Iberico. Emilio's is good, Iberico is better (also, Iberico has a deli where you can take home some goodies for a snack later).

Breakfast places - I agree with the selections listed (Nookies, Melrose, Wishbone - but if you are going to Wishbone, the one on Washington puts a little more zip in the food).