119414 Thu Mar 30 16:20:57 -0800 2006 3 7 Chicago Area 0 651707 We've got 3 nights in Chicago... looking for casual local favorites... whats your top favorite for: pizza Mexican Italian "gotta have while in Chicago" Sunday morning breakfast (not brunch) looking for good food in casual atmosphere...not looking for a scene or the latest trendiest place. Staying near Miracle Mile. Thu Mar 30 16:20:57 -0800 2006 0 Donna 1 651714 I never get to these questions first! First some questions- Where are you staying, will you have your own transportation, and will anyone in their party have clue about how to get around Chicago? For my $0.02- If you're going cheap, fun & casual- Dogs: Hot Doug's for the novelty of experience, Murphy's (at Belmont & Racine)for a great dog (or polish) Pizza: Lou Malnati's (various locations) Or Giordonos... I'd skip Uno's if you can help it... Breakfast: WAAAAAYYYY up north (my neighborhood) Delux Diner has some great skillet plates (and campy atmosphere- Clark & Devon) and the goofy packed joy of Pauline's on Ravenswood and Foster (is it Foster?)is just fun. Mexican- I work with some great Mexican cooks and my landlord's wife always has something cooking, so I'm kind of useless on this one... If you can go to Bayless's Frontera or Topolobambo, do it... otherwise, grab a giant buritto at just about any corner shack. Italian- not my forte... I had 2 great meals in the last month up north at Cara Mia (Ravenswood & Wilson) and last night at Pizza D.O.C (Lawrence & Levitt). None of the meals I've mentioned (except for Frontera/Topolobomo) cost more than 10-20 a person- most of them are closer to $10! I'm guessing by your email address you're coming in for the NRA show or the fancy food show- there are definitely great restaurants downtown and plenty of spectacular dining opportunities around the city, but I'm just a guy who lives & works here and these are places I like to go. Come on down, and have fun in our city! Fri Mar 31 10:14:51 -0800 2006 651707 0 jdherbert 1 651767 My favorite place (sort of Italian) is Rick's Cafe, on Sheridan just south of Irving Park. To get there, take the Red Line to Sheridan and walk south half a block. It's very good, fresh, homemade Continental food. A good mix of French, Italian and Moroccan (I think the owners are Parisian by way of Morocco). There is pate, pasta, risotto, and spicy shrimp on the menu among many other choices (salmon, filet mignon, seafood crepes). It's a small place, less than 20 tables, not cheap, but very much worth the price. But probably comparable or less expensive than any decent place around the Magnificent Mile (not Miracle Mile). Be sure to get a reservation -- they fill up fast. Sun Apr 02 22:57:10 -0700 2006 651707 0 debbie f. 1 651796 Pizza; Hands down, Pizzeria Due or Uno (means one and two in Italian). It's the birthplace of deep dish pizza in the states...been around since the 30s or 40s. Lou Malnati's in a close second. All the others just pretend. Mexican; Mi Casa Su Casa is nearby on Ontario next to Pizzeria Due. Adobo on Wells at North aveune in Old Town is more like "Nuevo Latino" food. Good food. Trendy but not obnoxiously so. Salpicon on Wells in also excellent. Pricier though. Topolabampo is top notch but so are their prices. Italian; Carmines on Rush Street. Great combo of great food, wine, atmosphere, and location. Breakfast; Wishbone (I think its on Washington west of Halsted) is contempory american breakfast food with cajun and mexican influences. Ina's is on of the best on Randolph west of Halsted...truly gourmet. Tempo is a fantastic Greek breakfast place. Mon Apr 03 15:34:12 -0700 2006 651707 0 amoncada