As you can see by my name, since I moved to ATL, I have greatly missed Chicago (born and bred). One of the greatest things about Chicago is its diverse ethnic and local foods. Yes, they have all of the great high end restuarants that you would find in any major city, but they have one of the best selections of everyday ethnic foods to be found. If you have a car, you can go into many small great neighborhoods and find authentic ethnic foods.

A few personal favovites are the local polish buffets (Red Apple on the north side, on Milwaukee) and Star of Polski (I think, we always just call it "the polish buffet") on the south side 63rd "over by der Midway".

For brunch, Ann Sathers in Andersonville, The Bagel in Old Orchard, Skokie, or any of the Walker Brothers pancake house.

For middle eastern food, any of the suburban Pita Inn's.

I hope you enjoy your time in Chicago, and find many great eats!

My northside Polish friends swear by Red Apple.

There are also 3 Sathers locations in Lakeview (Broadway/Roscoe, Belmont at the L and Southport/Roscoe) and a Bagel in Lakeview (Broadway/Barry).

Not as cheap as they used to be, but still good.

IOW, thumbs up to all these suggestions.

Oh, and OP, if you're not familiar with our wonderful pizza, definitely try it out. Malnati's is my personal favorite.

As the t-shirt says, "Why schlep to Skokie?"

Ageed. They have also just come out with a book with about 1000 Chicago restaurant/club/bar reviews. About $10.

They have a t-shirt that says that? That's awesome!

Le Colonial is very nice, sea bass is yummmm, but it's definitely more of a date restaurant. I say you can't be Ditka's for great food and excellent cocktails. Also, you have to check out Greek Town in the west loop. Santorini has great food, and you must get the saganaki (flaming cheese)......OPA!

Yeah, they do. So clever.

Stay away from the national chains, too many local restaurants that are great! For a carribean/latin flair Mambo Grill can't be beat and has a great atmosphere! It is on Clark Street (at Hubbard?). Same owner has another great place approx. one block away at Kinzie and Wells - Kinzie Chop House. Great steaks and seafood. I agree with checking out Greek Town, but Little Italy and China Town both have some gems too. Little Italy has Tuscany and for an old time restuarant Tuffano's Vernon Park Tap, it's been there since the begininning of time! I also concur on Ditka's. Skip the national chains and enjoy all that is Chicago.

You prefer the Chicago chains, huh?

That's good.

Actually I had two meals at "local"chains that were pretty good.
Osteria della Stado(sp-sorry)on State and Ontario-a Lettuce entertain you one off)and A very good old style Italian dinner(huge portions)at Ballo-a Rosebud enterprise.
they were close to the hotel and we were hungry.
First night in we wen't to Cafe Lux-hated it.

Anything really close to the Four points at midway?
7353 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60629
Solo diner-unless a flyertalker would care to join me!

Well, they're not chains in the sense that they're copies of the same restaurant with the same name and you go in and can't tell one from the other. Some of the Lettuce restaurants have world renown chefs.

If money is no limit, the best dining experience that I ever had was at Tru, which is located in the Water Tower area.

Also, if you like gourmet italian, you might want to check out Spiaggia, with its ultra chic atmosphere and breathtaking views ($$$),
or Coco Pazzo, a personal favorite of mine, with wonderful atmosphere, nicely spaced tables, and reasonable prices.