I’m visiting Chicago for the first time and will be there for 3 nights. I’m staying downtown.
Is Alinea worth the price?
Is Publican still worth going?
What are the go-to pizza places? Lou Malnatti’s? Pequod?
3 Likes
I still love publican. Alinea is the worse meal I’ve tricked myself into having twice.
If you want a fine dining din - my fav is Feld as I’ve posted a bunch on the forum and @set0312 can vouch too. But I also very much like oriole and smyth but it’s been a long while since either for me. Enjoyed Indienne because we don’t have a lot like it in LA
pequods def my pick for deep dish but don’t miss a tavern style at pizzamici (it’s insane)
recent favs are Creepies and Brasero as well as Anelya and maxwells trading
5 Likes
2 Likes
We really enjoyed the burger at Au Cheval. Fries were great too.
Sawada Coffee nearby was excellent. One of the best lattes I’ve had anywhere.
4 Likes
First time in Chicago, do try the Au Cheval burger. Tick off the Deep Dish Pizza box too.
4 Likes
Alinea is fine, but not worth it imo. I haven’t been there since long before they lost their star.
Highly recommended to me by people I trust are Oriole, Valhalla and Ever. Save room for normal food though, as it’s some of the best I’ve had!
Edit: Confused Valhalla with Valkeryie, both Nordic themed
3 Likes
What are your normal food picks?
1 Like
Honestly part of the joy of going to a new city is discovery, so just walking around and talking to people and finding things out. I often find myself micro-optimizing my plans, but an Italian beef anywhere in Chicago is probably good, just like a good slice in NYC is probably good. If it’s bad, I can just get something else, or try to figure out why it’s bad.
Go get an Italian Beef, go get an Italian sandwich, go get a Chicago Style dog, go get a deep dish, eat some Italian. Maybe if you’re brave, try a taco since it will probably be trash compared to LA. Remarkably, I find east coast torta to be better than west coast torta, so maybe worth trying a torta.
If you insist I can give you some local places I like though!
3 Likes
I generally try to bookmark a lot restaurants in the areas I will be in and I just walk around randomly and hit them up if I happen to be nearby. If I were in my 20s I would be much more willing to take a chance on a bad meal but I only have so much space in my stomach nowadays.
I’ll take any recs you’re willing to name!
1 Like
1 Like
Get a personal size deep dish from Pequods to say you did, and then never bother again after realizing how much better tavern style is. Zarella is probably the best around that part of downtown, but Pats will do. Pizzamici and Vito and Nicks are the best though. Pizzamici is on the outskirts of “downtown” and vito and nicks is far as hell.
Check out Obelix and/or Le Bouchon if you are into foie.
2 Likes
Don’t forget to bring back a bucket of Garrett’s cheddar and caramel popcorn.
2 Likes
I’ve been eyeing Millys pizza when I go to Chicago next
1 Like
Where are your go-to places for Italian beef or a Chicago dog? I heard Portillo’s does a good version. Or should I go to Mr. Beef or A1?
Is the popcorn more of a touristy thing?
1 Like
Sorry, got distracted.
Portillo’s is worth a visit, but I hear it has gone downhill since their expansion push (typical story).
Johnnie’s Beef is a favorite. Bari’s makes a good one, even though they are known more for their cold cut sandwiches. Roma’s, Tony’s are also great.
For hotdogs, I like Superdawg, Jimmy’s Red Hots and Yo City dog.
Never heard of Chicago popcorn so ymmv.
Thankfully unlike fine dining, which has a pretty high barrier to entry, these places tend to be pretty cheap, so I dont feel bad about taking a few bites and throwing it out just to get the vibe of the place. Also, reddit tends to be a good source for stuff like this (also, for topics such as best LA Taco, etc)
3 Likes
Thanks appreciate it! I’ve been to most of these places but will have to check out the ones I haven’t and revisit some of the old favs!
2 Likes
While in Chicago I had to give the pizza they are known for also a try. It was fine and I’m happy I tried it. Not my particular favorite style though. But if you find the time I cannot recommend trying Great Lake enough. In top three pizzas I ever ate. Not deep dish, but extraordinary. Husband and wife opened Great Lake about 15 or so years ago. And shortly afterwords GQ magazine called it the best pizza in the country. Needless to say Nick and Lydia weren’t prepared for the onslaught of customers raining upon them. And truth be told they never expected or wanted such accolades. They only wished to open a small neighborhood shop sharing what they enjoyed making at home as a hobby. So unable and unwanted pressure they closed for a decade only to reopen late last summer in an even smaller location. The Tribune recently gave them another glowing review. Here is a link to the Tribunes Instagram post as the actual review may be behind their paywall. If unable to view let me know as there is a Chicago food/restaurant board similar to here that has a freebie link to the Tribunes review.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUxxx7bkkYt/?img_index=2&igsh=MTIwbXpjOWg3M2ptYQ==
4 Likes
Thanks I will bookmark this spot!
1 Like
those pizzas are only available from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
2 Likes