Originally Posted by
chgoeditor
There are a lot of lousy "authentically Chicago" restaurants. Aside from a few regional specialties (Chicago style hot dogs, deep dish/stuffed pizza, chicken vesuvio), Chicago doesn't have a distinct cuisine. Care to share some of your favorite restaurants in your home town or memorable meals you've eaten in your travels? Or even your favorite cuisines?
Yes, a little more help would be good...
I'd say there's one exception in the sit-down restaurant category, the steakhouse. I'd recommend Gibson's or Gene and Georgetti's for real Chicago-style restaurants.
There's also a number of good Italian restaurants in Little Italy, some of which are very authentic.
Finally, if the OP wants something a little more adventurous and upscale, try Moto. Chicago is also recognized as being on the forefront of molecular gastonomy.