Chicago

[Beanie]

I might be able to go up for a day... I'd probably take the train up but depending on finances I might be able to come...

I recommend Giordano's. I don't even LIKE deep dish pizza and oh. my. God.

The bad thing about Chicago, besides the traffic which you can avoid by taking the L, is that it can get pricey really fast - especially on a weekend. I can't remember what it's called but there is some kind of a pass you can buy that will get you in to the zoo and the aquarium and I think some of the museums and it works out to slightly cheaper than if you paid everywhere individually...


As for me, well, I usually go to Schaumburg just so I can do IKEA.

 

[Linds]

some kind of a pass you can buy that will get you in to the zoo and the aquarium and I think some of the museums and it works out to slightly cheaper than if you paid everywhere individually...

I think the zoo is free, at least Lincoln Park Zoo. Though if we don't all do something dog related we should totally go to Brookfield zoo

Also, IKEA is awesome, I live right around there

 

[Beanie]

You're right, Lincoln Park Zoo is free, I was thinking of Brookfield! I looked on the Shedd Aquarium page and found the pass:
Go Chicago Card: Chicago Attractions, Tours, and Things To Do from Smart Destinations

The pass is a good deal if you were planning on hitting a bunch of stuff it includes anyway, but it's definitely still pricey...

 

[Chewbecca]

oooh, can we meet up in a place with air conditioning?
I'm a TOTAL WUSS when it comes to hot, humid Illinois summers, and last year when I went up to the city for Ophie's spay and had to spend the day wandering around Chicago in the GOD AWFUL HOT SUMMER, I about died.

:lol-sign:

 

[*blackrose]

I'd so love to meet up if we do it the weekend I'm up there. We'll be up there the 26th (concert at 3:00 and then again at 7:00, I do believe) and we're going to need to eat sometime between then. The 27th is when we plan to do our sight seeing.

 

[drmom777]

Here's some inexpensive dining suggestions. I've just been checking to make sure these places are still there.

If you like Chinese, the weirdly named Mandar Inn, on Wentworth in Chinatown is delicious. They make this eggplant dish that is my single favorite Chinese entree anywhere.

Then there's Pasteur, on north Broadway. Its Vietnamese, but more Asian-French fusion than most Vietnamese. I miss it a lot. Not as cheap as the Mandar Inn.

For deep dish pizza, nothing beats Gino's East. They do it right.

If you eat hot dogs, you need to go get a Chicago style hot dog somewhere. its a unique presentation. I try to make them at home but cant get the right kind of buns so all the toppings dont fit. Also they have no sport peppers in New Jersey.

My husband also suggests getting an Italian Beef somewhere.

 

[vanillasugar]

You guys are awesome, I'm loving all these recommendations!

I'm totally up for a meet-up (YAY!), we'll have to save detail planning until I've actually already got a hotel booked. Then I'll be sure to get the party started!

 

[96 GTS]

Chinatown is a very interesting place to go, lots of fun though.

Also, how did I forget about Giordano's!?!? Gino's is also excellent for deep dish.

 

[PWCorgi]

Is Giofdano's where we went with Gus?

And don't let anyone fool you Nilly, Chicago is SCARY!! Legit.
Really good pizza though.

 

[Linds]

Oooh and take a Boat Taxi for no other reason than it's fun

 

[96 GTS]

Is Giofdano's where we went with Gus?

And don't let anyone fool you Nilly, Chicago is SCARY!! Legit.
Really good pizza though.

Yup, we went there the first night.

And granted, the south side can be a bit sketch, but downtown is about as scary as Disneyland.

 

[RedHotDobe]

Someone mentioned Pizzeria Uno, and if you're looking to avoid chain restaurants, that's one of them. We have plenty of them out here. The food isn't necessarily bad, but it's not all that special. I wouldn't waste a meal there if you're looking to avoid chains.

 

[96 GTS]

The REAL Pizzeria Uno is on the near North Side of Chicago, and is completely unaffiliated with any chain. It's also essentially the place where deep dish pizza originated, and was one of the first recommendations out of my friend's mouth, a 24 year Chicago native..

 

[RedHotDobe]

You sure it isn't a chain? The chain still claims to be the home of the original Chicago deep dish pizza.

 

[96 GTS]

Chicago Foodies: Pizzeria Uno vs. "Uno Chicago Grill"

Essentially the original location is still a legitimate, classic pizzeria, but they whored it out and made franchise stores. They're not run at all the same though.

 

[Skivvies]

I live outside of Chicago. Definitely familiarize yourself with public transportation as driving/parking is a nightmare! A lot of really good ideas have been mentioned, but here are a few more things.....

You gotta get Chicago pizza. In addition to the places that have already been mentioned, I'm also a fan of Lou Malnati's.

Rick Bayless has his restaurants in Chicago (Mexican food...he hosts a local cooking show and he won a season of Top Chef Masters): Xoco, Frontera Grill, and Topolobampo. I've only been to Xoco, which is the least expensive/most casual of the three, and it's delicious.

If you guys like beer, you should check out Goose Island. They also sometimes do tours and tastings but I think you need to call ahead.

There are lots of places to catch live music. A few good ones are Lincoln Hall, Schubas, and The Metro. You can check websites like Pollstar - The Concert Hotwire to see who's playing in the city.

I've also got a soft spot for the whole Wrigleyville area. There's always a lot of fun stuff going on around there...baseball, bars, weird/quirky shops, etc.

I may be in for a meetup depending on the day. Hope you have an awesome time!

 

[RedHotDobe]

Chicago Foodies: Pizzeria Uno vs. "Uno Chicago Grill"

Essentially the original location is still a legitimate, classic pizzeria, but they whored it out and made franchise stores. They're not run at all the same though.

Well the chain locations blow, lol. Probably why the one closest to me closed a few years ago. Maybe I'll give the original a chance to redeem the bland, boringness that is its franchise market.

 

[96 GTS]

Well the chain locations blow, lol. Probably why the one closest to me closed a few years ago. Maybe I'll give the original a chance to redeem the bland, boringness that is its franchise market.

Lol, doesn't surprise me that the chains blow in comparison to the original, pretty much par for the course with most places unfortunately.