Suggestions for Bars/Restaurants near Soldier Field

[melcooks]

Just wanted to thank everyone who replied to my earlier post about my husband and I coming to Chicago in October. Suggestions were awesome and we're looking forward to great food and drinks. But... I have another question...
GOING TO BEARS VS VIKINGS SUNDAY OCTOBER 16TH, AND I BELIEVE THE GAME STARTS AT 7:15. STAYING IN RIVER NORTH 75 E WACKER DR. NO CAR, ON FOOT OR PUBLIC TRANSP.
ARE THERE ANY PLACES NEAR SOLDIER FIELD THAT ARE WORTH GOING TO BEFORE THE GAME? OR SHOULD WE STAY BY OUR HOTEL? NOT SURE HOW BUSY THOSE PLACES WILL BE AND NOT SURE ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR SOLDIER FIELD AND JUST WANTED A LITTLE ADVISE! SUGGESTIONS FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS NEAR OUR HOTEL ARE NOT NECESSARY, AS WE'VE ALREADY HAD LOTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS IN AN EARLIER POST. THANK YOU!

[melcooks]

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions! Just "trying" to plan ahead, but with so many great places to go we'll have some tough choices to make! I think a sports bar, really casual place is probably going to be what we're heading towards.

[ferret]

All of my recommendations are pretty casual and all feature bar dining.

[jbw]

I haven't been in several years, but one of our ex-Mayor's favorite places for steaks is Chicago Firehouse here:
http://www.mainstayhospitality.com/in...

If you're looking for more of a sports bar, the Wisconsin transplant, Kroll's is a little further south on 18th.

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Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
1401 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

[jbw]

Also in the realm of the sports bar is Scout Waterhouse and Kitchen, just opened in the old Opera space and very near Soldier Field. Nothing to report personally, but by October there should be some discussion floating around the cyberspace. Here's an early look:

http://chicago.metromix.com/restauran...

[ferret]

There are a few places within walking distance (a mile) of Soldier Field that are pretty good.

Gioco (Italian), Tapas Valencia (Tapas, obviously) and Zapatista (Mexican) come to mind, as well as Chicago-style deep dish at Lou Malnati's. We've done them all at one time or another before Soldier Field events.

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Tapas Valencia
1530 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605

Gioco
1312 S Wabash, Chicago, IL 60605

Zapatista
1307 S Wabash Ave Ste Lobby, Chicago, IL 60605

[nsxtasy]

Good recs from ferret. Incidentally, the Lou Malnati's location he/she refers to is at 8th and State. You can phone ahead with your pizza order to avoid waiting 30-45 minutes while seated for it to bake.

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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (South Loop)
805 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605