Log In / Sign Up
HOME > Chowhound > Chicago Area >
r
rikitikitembo Nov 3, 2009 07:53 AM

Best meal in Chicago, money no issue?!?!

I'll be in Chicago for two days. I need recommendations for the best meal I can have with money not being being relevant. Also looking for some good food that only the locals know about. Thanks!

  1. Kaelin Nov 4, 2009 04:32 AM

    L2O, L2O!!

    Read Frank Bruni's review of the place and tell me you're not sold:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/din...

    Alinea is extraordinary, but it is as much "theatre" as it is "fine dining". While I look back in awe on my meal there, most of what I remember has less to do with the food and much more with the presentation. In fact, there were too many dishes where I had to ask myself: if this weren't coming from Achatz, and we weren't told that Achatz is -- by definition -- a genius, would I really think that banana, foam, and salmon roe sounds like a good combination?? The service and aesthetics will blow your mind, but If I were free from fiscal constraints and guided by my taste buds and a quest for elegance, L2O would be the top choice.

    As for "locals only" food, how about Xoco??

    Kidding!

    Though not holes-in-the-wall in the purest form, some of our best restaurants are in neighborhoods that are off-the-beaten tourist path. Lula Cafe, in Logan Square, is an amazing, inventive farm-to-table gem; Urban Belly, Bill(?) Kim's noodle-and-dumpling counter-service BYOB tucked into a strip mall next to a laundromat is absurdly delicious; and there are at least a half-dozen spots in Pilsen that lay claim to the best tacos al pastor north of the border, but I'll let other Chowhounders point you in the exact right direction.

    Good luck and enjoy.

    -----
    L2O
    2300 Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614

    4 Replies
    1. re: Kaelin
      r
      rikitikitembo Nov 4, 2009 06:17 AM

      Anybody know anything about this place called graham elliot, seems like the food could be interesting? also good pizza as well be it deep dish or thin crust? Thanks

      1. re: rikitikitembo
        chicgail Nov 4, 2009 07:11 AM

        Graham Elliot is interesting, and worth a visit, but I wouldn't categorize it as one of the best meals in Chicago. It is not in a class with Alinea, Tru, Trotter, Everest.

        -----
        Alinea
        1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

        Graham Elliot
        217 W. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60654

        1. re: chicgail
          h
          HoosierFoodie Nov 4, 2009 08:37 AM

          Been to Graham Elliot twice. The first time it was great and the second it was just good and the staff was just a touch full of itself. I'd go back.

          That said, agreed, it is not in the Alinea, L2O, Tru, Trotters, Everest league.

          -----
          Alinea
          1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

          L2O
          2300 Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614

          Graham Elliot
          217 W. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60654

        2. re: rikitikitembo
          Kaelin Nov 4, 2009 01:13 PM

          For thin crust: Piece, Crust, Spacca Napoli (my personal favorite, in Lincoln Square), and Great Lakes all get lots of play on the boards

          For deep dish: I love Gino's East (the whole sausage patty across the entire pie, that thick, chewy cornmeal crust and sweet/spicy tomato sauce, yum . . . ), but there are plenty of other Chowhound posts that play host to Pizza Wars 2009. Everyone has a favorite spot; they tend to shake-out between Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, the original Uno's and Due's, Pizano's, and Gino's East. Regardless of where you go, call in advance and they can start your pie cooking so that you don't have to wait a full ~45 minutes after you order.

          -----
          Spacca Napoli
          1769 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

          Great Lake
          1477 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

          Gino's East
          2801 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

      2. Alan N Nov 3, 2009 03:15 PM

        Los Nopales on Western Ave. for a fantastic meal with a married couple of owners/chefs who make great quality food part of a wonderful experience.
        Not fancy or expensive, but for me...the best meal.
        BYOB

        1. c
          ChefJune Nov 3, 2009 12:49 PM

          Spiaggia. not the cafe.
          Tru
          Everest

          -----
          Spiaggia
          980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

          1. hcbk0702 Nov 3, 2009 10:23 AM

            If forced to choose only one, Alinea would be it.

            -----
            Alinea
            1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

            1. f
              forzagto Nov 3, 2009 10:06 AM

              If you are going to be here in 2 days it's not the money issue that will prevent you from getting the best meal in Chicago it will be the ability to get a reservation. There will be much debate on the best restaurant (which would also depend on your preferences) but many of the names that come up will be Alinea, Charlie Trotter's, Everest, Tru, L20 among others. What style or type of restaurant are you looking for?

              -----
              Alinea
              1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

              Charlie Trotter's
              816 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

              1 Reply
              1. re: forzagto
                chicgail Nov 3, 2009 10:51 AM

                I'd rate those as:
                Alinea
                Tru
                Everest
                Trotter
                L20

                I'd also add Topolobampo right up at the top of that list, but it's extremely difficult to get reservations since Rick Bayless won TCM.

                If I had to choose just one, I, too would pick Alinea.

                Good food only locals know about might include Schwa (reservations ridiculously difficult, but essential), and Bonsoiree on the upscale. Ethically, there's Sticky Rice, TAC and Spoon Thai for authentic Thai; Mexique, Mixteco Grill, Fonda del Mar or in the Pilsen neighborhood: Nuevo Leon and Mundial Cocina Mestiza. On the far north side of the city are Vietnamese and Indian neighborhoods with inexpensive, well-regarded restaurants.

                -----
                Alinea
                1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

                Mundial Cocina Mestiza
                1640 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

                Bonsoiree
                2728 W Armitage, Chicago, IL 60647

                Spoon Thai
                4608 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

                Sticky Rice
                4018 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

                Topolobampo
                445 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

                Mixteco Grill
                1601 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

                Mexique
                1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

                Nuevo Leon Restaurant
                3657 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623

              Share with your friendsX