Chicago Restaurant Recommendations
 

A colleague and I are on assignment in Chicago for the next few months. We ate at Rosebud on Rush and really enjoyed it, and would like recommendations for other restaurants in the area.

I'd like to hear some recommendations as well.

I'll be in chicago next week.

--Russ

Check out http://www.chowhound.com/boards/7

I'd imagine there are a quite a few threads regarding this in the Chicago forum.

also check out metromix for reviews on restaurants, clubs, bars, etc.

You can also post in Community and you may get some company to join you for lunch or dinner.


We had a nice get-together yesterday with 8 FTers for lunch and there will be one next week.

The best meal I had on my trip there last month was at a plce called The Gage on Michigan ave accross from the Fine Arts.
Lots and lots of chains(local and national)in the Loop.

And I'd say that place is so-so, by Chicago's standards. There's a reason Chicagoans are kind of chubby. :D

To the OP: any particular kind of restaurant you're seeking?

I ate at Le Colonial, also on Rush street, this past weekend. Vietnamese. Very, very good. Sat outside to eat, but at one point, went upstairs to go to the lavatory. The 2nd floor eating area looks wonderful as does the bar up there.

Not fancy, not downtown (but not too far away, and close to an L stop), but really great Mexican food cheap. Bring your own beer, 'cause they don't have it, but, they will provide an opener and glasses at no charge.

This friendly restaurant is an institution in Pilsen. Reliable food and good prices have made Nuevo Leon one of the most visited places in the neighborhood by customers from all around the city. The Gutierrez family is very proud of the restaurant, and the history is a classic American Dream: Emeterio and Maria arrived in Chicago in the 1950s, establishing their restaurant in 1962. It is now operated by their son Danny and grandson Danny Jr. For lunch during the week they serve inexpensive daily specials. The regular menu includes pork chops, beef, enchiladas and tacos. The atmosphere is very lively and comfortable. This is the place to go if you are looking for something more elaborate than fast food. 1515 W. 18th St. near Ashland.

LTHForum is better ;)

http://www.lthforum.com/

One of my personal favorites in the area is Heaven on Seven. In the 600 N Michigan building, but entrance at Rush/Ohio (same entrance as the movie theater)

Pick up a Chicago Magazine at any news stand. It will give you reviews of countless restaurants in the city.

Best meal I have had in Chicago over the past couple years was at Le Lan.

Thanks for all your suggestions. There was an article in the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday about the LTH forum. Their list of Great Neighborhood Restaurants will be out soon.
My colleague and I were working out in the West Suburbs last year and enjoyed the Rosewood Restaurant in Rosemount. We also tried Nick's and Harry Caray's near O'Hare. I didn't really care for either of them.
As I said in the original post, I'll be staying in the downtown area for the next few months..I'd like to use the opportunity to be a little more adventurous in my restaurant selections, and really appreciate all your advice.

You'll have to watch Community and join us for some of our downtown get-togethers or, as was suggested above, post something and have us join YOU! :)

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?" :D

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. :D

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.

Lettuce can go either way. It does operate cookie cutter brands ala Mon Ami Gabi, yet is also serves as the finance, marketing, and business end of other high end restaurants like Tru and Everest, leaving the chefs free reign on the concept and menu.

Nothing "really close." You're right next to a shopping mall and surrounded by big box stores and national restaurant chains like Old Country Buffet and Olive Garden.

Your best bets in the generally vicinity might be:
- Chuck's Southern at 5557 W. 79th St.
- Lindy's Chili at 76th and Pulaski
- Mabenka Polish at 7844 S. Cicero

Note: These places are the opposite of fancy.

I have had a meal at Dempsey's (sp) 6500 S Cicero. It is typical hotel restaurant fare. I'd typically recommend something else, but I am not familar with too many choices near there.

"Mabenka Polish at 7844 S. Cicero"
Hmmmm,we do not have too many polish places around here so that might be the ticket.
Thanks all for the suggestions.

Have a cab take you to New Warsaw at 6250 W 63rd St, Chicago, IL (773) 586-0410. It is a polish buffet, so you can try all and graze at your leisure. Very cheap, and "as much as you can stuff". Enjoy!

JMHO, but New Warsaw is my least favorite Polish restaurant in a city filled with Polish restaurants.

Speaking of Polish cuisine. I miss Golden Ox. I still don't know why they closed it.

Wasn't that German? And quite a bit more upscale than the Polish buffets. :)

Yes, it was German. Funny...I saw Polish, wrote Polish in my reply, but my brain was stuck on German food. Must have been the strudel I had for dessert yesterday still on my brain. ;)

The Mebenka place was pretty good-not great.But Super cheap!
Dinner was a huge meal,and I ordered the plaschinka(sp?)as an add on desert and it was under $16 with tip!
Rain and very heavy winds the am.