Virginia Hounds visitng Chicago 6/29-7/1 - Looking for best local recs
Deep Dish Pizza is on our list but we are wide open to other recommendations.
Probably more business casual then upscale formal.
We are staying at the WIT in the Loop area...as if I knew what the Loop area is.
Haven't been back to Chicago since I was 1 year old.
Hope to visit Wrigley field, Navy Pier and Millineum Park - to give you an idea where we will be.
Thanks in advance for any tips. Taste of Chicago would have been perfect but I guess it is later in July
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I definitely think its better you avoided the taste of chicago
For pizza i'd suggest Lou Malnati's- it's classic, good, and they're fairly flexible and there are multiple locations.
For cocktails I would really suggest the drawing room (casual) and bernard's bar (a little more formal). Both are across the street from each other and have some of the best cocktails in the city. Also they're pretty much off the mag mile and a good retreat from shopping and sight seeing.
If you want some true chicago style food I'd suggest johnny's grill, portillo's, luke's, or hot doug's
For finer dining options I'd go to Schwa (its really lucky if you can get a reservation), Tru, and Ria.
I would also venture out to longman and eagle if you get a chance. This may be a bit of a cab ride but for the michelin star food you get at such a low price its a great value still and you get to see a chicago neighborhood as opposed to just the metropolis.
Other spots you should definitely try to check out include North Pond, Table 52, and Henri.
This list encompasses a wide variety of tastes, budgets, and areas but i'm sure you will find something you will like. Good luck.
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Taste of Chicago is terrible so no worries there. It's almost as bad as a state fair but they do have one gourmet tent where you can get high-end stuff if you pay make arrangements in advance i believe.
Without more about your tastes, I'll provide the following list. Once you do a little research, if you have questions I am sure the group will respond.
In order from casual to more dressy, all within a cab ride or walking to Wit
Hot Dougs *
Xoco
Slurping Turtle *
Au Cheval *
Sable (terrific cocktails and good nibbles)
Publican *
Mexique
Tavernita*
Naha
Aterisk indicates current favorites.
Oh yes, and for pizza there is a huge debate. My favorite deep dish is at Lou Malnati's -- the Lou with buttercrust and low-fat cheese is yummy. Search the board for many pizza discussions.
Make sure to get the Chicago Mix at Garrets, it's awesome. Ten seconds in the microwave and you will understand.
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re: jbontario
I shared these with the concierge at the WIT. He was impressed. Made it to Pequods for Pizza and we ending up eating at Second City during the show.
Tonight we are taking teh Untouchables gangster toruist bus ride 5-7 near the huge MCD near Longwood.
Any good spots right around there for after the bus tour?
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re: Alexvamike
The tour departs from the Rock 'n Roll McDonalds, right? Do you know where it ends? The company has an address on South Longwood, but that puts it in Beverly, a neighborhood about 15 miles south of the Loop. I doubt that's where the tour would end (but I've never taken it - what do I know?!).
Assuming it drops you off near where you started, I've been enjoying Farmhouse lately. It's a lot of farm-to-table type food with a great beer list. Nothing terribly creative (like the Publican), but everything is made well. Purple Pig is a local favorite though they don't accept reservations and wait times may be pretty high. For French, I've heard good things about Bistronomic though it doesn't get much attention on these boards. They did get a Bib Gourmand (for what that's worth... which, yes, debatable).
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