Have one night in Chicago. Need a casual spot with interesting food? Help!!!

[Gorp512]

Hi All,

I will be making a trip from Philly to the Midwest to visit my girlfriend's family over the holidays. We are headed to Chicago for a couple days to meet a friend and will have only one real day in the city. I will have to get some quick bites for lunch and will just grab whatever looks best and closest, but being a huge food lover, I am looking for a casual place ( will have been walking around all day, no time to head home to change from jeans) with great food that is signature Chicago. I have a reservation right now at Publican. It is a little out of the way for where we will be earlier, but I love Paul Kahan. So is Publican my best bet? Would love Avec, but was a little hesitant because of the no res policy. Going on a Tuesday Jan 3. I am leaning toward Publican, but also considering Avec, Girl and the Goat, and Purple Pig. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!!

[Gorp512]

Thanks for all the input. In regards to Publican, what is portion size like? I see their menu isn't exactly small plates, but not entrees really either. How many plates and how much should we expect to spend per person? You split this stuff ,right?

[nsxtasy]

When I went to Publican, we spent $65/person including moderate alcohol and tax/tip. I don't remember how many plates we ordered, but I know we tried a bit of this and a bit of that. Some items (notably seafood) were excellent, some (their pork rinds) were just so-so, and some (desserts) were dreadful.

[kathryn]

At Publican, it really depends what you're getting. Oysters are on the lighter side, of course, as are many of the seafood preparations, but they can really drive the bill up. However, I've found the charcuterie plate to be pretty substantial, especially for the price.

When we went last I think we ordered 5 plates and 1/2 dozen oysters, for two people, and the number nsxtasy quoted sounds about right. But I am friends with a couple who goes and gets 4 hearty plates (2 vegetables, 1 entree, the charcuterie plate), and they typically pay less than we do. Then again, this is all dependent upon beer consumption!

[aburkavage]

I think you'd have a much nicer experience with better food at Gilt Bar (Publican is so loud that talking to anyone not sitting directly next to you is impossible). Gilt Bar would probably also be a little easier on your wallet.

Also, having recently eaten at Avec, I left thinking that the food at Gilt Bar was better. However, if you're big wine drinkers, Avec probably has one of the most interesting wine lists in the city.

I feel like a broken record with how much I recommend Gilt Bar, but I'm continuously impressed by how fantastic their food is. Also, I think it's often overlooked by visitors.

[Gorp512]

Thanks for the replies. Looking for a casual dinner spot. Really leaning on Publican now.

[chicgail]

It's a really good choice.

Since you referenced "best and closest," did you say where you are going to be while in Chicago (it covers a lot of real estate)? In an earlier post I mentioned a couple of other casual fun places with excellent food outside the central area, as did nsxtasy. Might make a difference.

[chicgail]

Stick with Publican, although the Purple PIg would also be a great option. I don't think you can snag a res at GatG for a date that close. In the same vein, but a little further out in the neighborhoods (would give you a better sense of "signature Chicago"), you would also really enjoy Longman and Eagle (one Michelin star) - althrough they don't take res either - or The Bristol which does.

[nsxtasy]

Well, that all depends on whether you're looking for lunch or for dinner. For example, the Publican isn't open for lunch, so lunch there wouldn't work. Whereas on the other hand, the Purple Pig is a great option for lunch when waits to be seated are minimal and they serve the same menu all day, but not for dinner, when waits to be seated typically exceed 90+ minutes, even during the week. I think Blackbird is a great option for both, but particularly for lunch (weekdays only), when they have a really good prix fixe deal. I would never recommend Longman & Eagle, where I had the worst food I've eaten in the past several years (and it's not downtown if that's where you'll be spending time). Some people like it, but many others have experienced the same extreme overseasoning and oversalting of food that I did (and I'm not oversensitive to such things). Different strokes, I guess, but I sure wouldn't recommend it.

Also, you asked about food that is "signature Chicago". Like any big city, Chicago has some fine chefs who are based here, and Paul Kahan is one of them; however, I wouldn't necessarily describe his food as "signature Chicago", as you can find similar food back home in Philly and elsewhere. Chicago does have some types of cuisine that have been developed here or which we specialize in, not generally available elsewhere. These include local specialties of deep-dish pizza (such as served at Lou Malnati's, Pizano's, and the original locations of Uno and Due) and Italian beef. Our provincial Mexican restaurants are another great local specialty not usually found elsewhere; our best include Rick Bayless's Topolobampo and Frontera Grill downtown, Mexique in West Town, Mundial Cocina Mestiza in Pilsen, and Mixteco Grill in Lakeview. (Take a look at the menus on their websites to understand how they differ from the conventional Mexican cuisine you find everywhere.) If you let us know where you'll be spending time, we can point you to the places that are close by.

[nsxtasy]

Are you asking about lunch or about dinner? Where in the city will you be?