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What to do and what to eat in CHICAGOOOOO.
- Thread starter Jewbacca
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reggieandTFE
Member
joelseph said:
Do agree. The only negatives are the tiny parking lot and that they close relatively early for a pizza place.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
can you be a little more descriptive about art of pizza?
ChiTownBuffalo
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
It's deep dish/stuffed pizza. It is pretty tasty if you like that type. I will mention that I think they have an A team and a B team making thier pies. Once I had it, it was meh. Second time, delivery, it was great.
The only issue I had with it, was the service was shite when I went dine in. I would opt for delivery if I eat from there. Personal choice.
The only issue I had with it, was the service was shite when I went dine in. I would opt for delivery if I eat from there. Personal choice.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
oh, deep dish, lol
no thanks
no thanks
UnluckyKate
Member
What to do ?
Climb up to the Skydeck in the John Hancock Center at evening at stays up there to see the sunset and the city lights.
I've stayed 3 hours up there and it's been the most beautiful thing I've ever seen (and the best pictures I've ever made)
Proof:
It's taken with a shity camera (on the ground for stabilisation though) through the panoramic windows. It's raw, it has not been edited.
And if you are a real dude, got to the lounge, one level higer, and take a drink over the sunset.
Climb up to the Skydeck in the John Hancock Center at evening at stays up there to see the sunset and the city lights.
I've stayed 3 hours up there and it's been the most beautiful thing I've ever seen (and the best pictures I've ever made)
Proof:
It's taken with a shity camera (on the ground for stabilisation though) through the panoramic windows. It's raw, it has not been edited.
And if you are a real dude, got to the lounge, one level higer, and take a drink over the sunset.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
Spasm said:
yeah i'm not even gonna bother with hot doug's or burt's.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
joelseph said:
are there any pics of the pizza or anything? or can you be more descriptive about the taste, crust, cheese, topping selection, etc?
Like the hat?
Banned
I like this place in Chicago. Haven't been there in years though, so dunno if they're still good
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-bolero-chicago
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-bolero-chicago
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
joelseph said:
sounds really interesting. i like a good pan pizza. we'll definitely check out piece or brick, and if we end up doing two pizza places in that week span, i'll do art of pizza.
i have a lot of eating to do :/
Best city in the world. I need to move back there some day. Also, you can't go to Chi-town and not have a Chicago redhot.
I usually go without the peppers. And if there's an ounce of ketchup within a 10 block radius of that redhot, you take your life into your own hands. Get that shit away.
I usually go without the peppers. And if there's an ounce of ketchup within a 10 block radius of that redhot, you take your life into your own hands. Get that shit away.
Nostalgic Nightmare
Member
Best hot dog in ChiTown area. Head on out to Milwaukee & Devon and get a dawg.
http://www.superdawg.com/
Also for pizza, Lou Malnatis. Get the butter crust though, it's worth it.
http://www.loumalnatis.com/
Most people in Chicago consider Genos East to be the best for pizza, while it's good, imo it's nowhere near as good as Lous.
Also, Superdawg has their dogs made especially for them, they are fantastic. You can get vienna dogs any day, try these and you wont go back.
http://www.superdawg.com/
Also for pizza, Lou Malnatis. Get the butter crust though, it's worth it.
http://www.loumalnatis.com/
Most people in Chicago consider Genos East to be the best for pizza, while it's good, imo it's nowhere near as good as Lous.
Also, Superdawg has their dogs made especially for them, they are fantastic. You can get vienna dogs any day, try these and you wont go back.
MikeOfTheLivingDead
Grapetastic!
EricM85 said:
If you go for an early or late lunch on a weekday the wait is not so bad. Also, it is directly across the street from the birthplace of Mortal Kombat.
joelseph said:
I went to Kumas twice and the second time they severely undercooked my burger to the point where it was still frozen, but my first time was really good. Also, if you don't care to eat in the restaurant, I recommend just calling in ahead for your order and picking it up to go, you'll save a lot of time.
Also, Hot Dougs... jamesfrancosogood.gif And I didn't even have to wait long!
I work across from Hot Doug's and, while tasty for a quick lunch (not on Fridays :lol ), I'd have to say I prefer a dog from portillo's.
So definitely Portillo's and I like a pizza place called Piece in Bucktown/Wicker Park. Oh, and if you find yourself around Wrigleyville looking for some Thai, check out tacquick.
So definitely Portillo's and I like a pizza place called Piece in Bucktown/Wicker Park. Oh, and if you find yourself around Wrigleyville looking for some Thai, check out tacquick.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
have any of you guys eaten at the SILVER PALM where they ate that crazy three pork sandwich on no reservations?
ChiTownBuffalo
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
I've been there...but never tried the sandwich.
I went on a Saturday night and it was like a 30 minute wait.
I went on a Saturday night and it was like a 30 minute wait.
beelzebozo
Jealous Bastard
wow, that may be tempting if kuma's falls through.
Tortfeasor
Member
Nostalgic Nightmare said:
There is also a Superdawg that recently opened in Wheeling, a northern suburb of Chicago, if you happen to be out that way.
As far as pizza goes, Geno's was good until it was sold to the guys behind Ed Debevics, now it sucks. Giordano's is vile crappy tourist trap shite. Lou's is really good, but the absolute best "chicago style" pizza in the immediate vicinity of Downtown is Pizzeria Due in River North. If you can get to the burbs you should go to Burt's Place, the absolute best pizza in all of chicagoland. If you go, you must call in advance, you cannot just show up.
Nex Superne
Member
I would recommend one of the Paul Kahan places: Avec, Blackbird, The Publican, or Big Star. Avec is one of my favorites in Chicago, serving delicious, rustic, wood oven-cooked Basque/French food along with well-priced and food-friendly wines. A winning formula in my book as long as you're ok with the noise, communal tables, and no reservations policy; don't miss the excellent (and spicy!) chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce. Blackbird is a more upscale, contemporary American fine dining restaurant. Dinner is on the expensive side, but there's a great $22 three course lunch deal. The Publican pays tribute to Kahan's (and many chefs') holy trinity: oysters, pork, and beer. Big Star is a taqueria and dive bar which just happens to be right across the street from one of the best cocktail bars in the country, The Violet Hour. Obviously, you should visit both if you decide to head out towards that area. If I had to choose one it would be Avec, but I'd still make the special trip out to The Violet Hour.
I'd also suggest Frontera Grill for upscale Mexican. Rick Bayless is one of the only chefs in the country that can actually pull this off well, simultaneously aiming high while remaining true to an authentic Mexican culinary style. I generally prefer Frontera to the more expensive Topolobampo next door. The moles are excellent, especially the sensational Oaxacan black mole; several types of chiles, a panoply of spices, and Mexican chocolate make for one heady mixture.
For pizza, I would stick with Great Lakes if you can manage it in your itinerary. Skip the deep dish, pan, and stuffed pizzas if that's not to your liking. For hot dogs, Hot Doug's is the clear and obvious choice, but it's really quite out of the way if you don't have a car. Kuma's Corner is a favorite for burgers; another option is the burger at Rosebud Steakhouse. I don't think the steaks are supposed to be particularly good, but for some reason the burger there tops many Chicago best burger lists.
With money/time/reservations no object, Alinea, L2O, and Schwa are tops in Chicago, with Alinea being the absolute pinnacle in terms of food, presentation, and price. Les Nomades, TRU, Charlie Trotter's, Avenues, Moto etc. are a full tier below IMO.
I'd also suggest Frontera Grill for upscale Mexican. Rick Bayless is one of the only chefs in the country that can actually pull this off well, simultaneously aiming high while remaining true to an authentic Mexican culinary style. I generally prefer Frontera to the more expensive Topolobampo next door. The moles are excellent, especially the sensational Oaxacan black mole; several types of chiles, a panoply of spices, and Mexican chocolate make for one heady mixture.
For pizza, I would stick with Great Lakes if you can manage it in your itinerary. Skip the deep dish, pan, and stuffed pizzas if that's not to your liking. For hot dogs, Hot Doug's is the clear and obvious choice, but it's really quite out of the way if you don't have a car. Kuma's Corner is a favorite for burgers; another option is the burger at Rosebud Steakhouse. I don't think the steaks are supposed to be particularly good, but for some reason the burger there tops many Chicago best burger lists.
With money/time/reservations no object, Alinea, L2O, and Schwa are tops in Chicago, with Alinea being the absolute pinnacle in terms of food, presentation, and price. Les Nomades, TRU, Charlie Trotter's, Avenues, Moto etc. are a full tier below IMO.
ChiTownBuffalo
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
Hcbk0702 said:
Avec is easier to get into.
Urban Belly is a strong recommend.
Frontera is great, but he also opened Xoco, which is hot chocolate and churros. And Topolobampo which maybe easier to get a res to,
If you can't get to Kuma's Corner, there is aplace near Weiner's Circle called Duke's which has great burgers.
Alinea, sweet, sweet Alinea. 4 hours and 300 per, which includes wine. I didn't like L20 as much as Alinea, but that's like saying the Bently isn't as posh as the Rolls.
Go to Old Town.. there are a number of Italian places that are excellent and in that price range. It's probably the area I think of right away when I think of Italian restaurants here (and not just Italian Beef joints, which I think of the UIC area).Flo_Evans said:
The nicest Italian place in town is probably Spiaggia. I think it would fall in your price range at the upper end.
http://www.spiaggiarestaurant.com/
The Main Event
Member
Hcbk0702 said:
+1 for Frontera Grill. And their goat milk ice cream...DAMN their goat milk ice cream. Best thing I've ever put in my mouth.
Hcbk0702 said:
This post is so full of win.
Had desert at Blackbird, almost creamed my pants. Ate diner the next night at the Publican, great food and great beers. Went the The Violet Hour for cocktails and had one of the best manhattans I've ever thrown down my gullet.
Never got a chance to check out Rick Bayless places.
TheDrizzlerJ11
Member
JOHNNIES BEEF, EXTRA JUICEY!
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