Best burgers evar.

Yup, the Kuma and the Yob are my 2 favorites


Their Mac and Cheese is very good too

Lots of good beer too

qft

If I'm going to be spending a long weekend in Chicago, what area is the best to stay in? I'll be there for three nights and the only plans I have are to go to the Cubs game on Saturday. Good bars within walking distance are a huge plus and price is a factor.

Just came back from Chicago, it was my first time.

I enjoyed the Sears Tower, the view was simply amazing.

Navy Pier was meh, like someone said earlier it's just a big tourist trap/carnival essentially. They had a "maze" that looked cool and sounded fun but upon paying $13 (**** you sales tax) it was a roughly 5 minute walkthrough of a mirror maze, etc.

The food was great but also expensive. We found this cool joint near the McDonalds/BP Gas/River North Hotel (best western) it was a burger/italian joint where there were several stations you could go to and order food. Had pictures of celebrities all over that were autographed, I cannot think of the name of the place but highly recommend it.

Honestly couldn't get too much done in 2 days but hopefulloy will return this summer.

heh you found your way to portillo's

Yes that's it!

It was soooo sooo good. Reasonably priced too.

Perfect and they're not booked for the days of my trip.

Thanks

GS

Anyone been to Topolobampo and have a review? It's one of Rick Bayless' restaurants and we're thinking about going for my mother's 60th b-day.

I was there about 6 months ago and absolutely loved it. Ordered a tasting menu paired with wine. They change the tasting menus every few weeks so I'm sure they have different options now, but I believe the courses consisted of: Carnitas, Lobster, Lamb, Duck and a dessert that I forget. I haven't been to Frontera but I've heard Topo is far superior. Definitely want to go back soon.

http://www.brewview.com/

Brew and View! On the off nights at the Vic they show third run movies. 2 or 3 movies for $5 and they serve beer. You can shout things at the screen if you want so depending on the crowd, general drunkenness and movie you can end up with a mystery science theater 3000 feeling. No one cares if you talk during the movie and most people do but it isn't very loud. I'd recommend going Mon-Thu because that's when the beer is the cheaper and you're going to have better seating.

^ awesome date or pregame option. When I lived in Wrigleyville I went to probably 4 or 5 of these.

+1 on Brew & View. That place is a blast. Good place to go on a date or with your buddies. If you live in Lakeview there's no reason not to go. In fact, if you live on the North side in general, you should go. It's right next to the belmont train stop. Easy to get to and plenty of things to do before and after the movie.

Portillo's is so awesome. Their hotdogs are underrated too.

Brew & View sounds awesome. Never heard of it but definitely gonna have to check that out.

Now that the weather is nice again, take the water taxi. It's cheap, convenient and fun for tourists and locals. It's route is from Michigan Ave to China Town, with intermediate stops at LaSalle and Clark and Madison street. There's lots of different boat tours on the river and lake and they're all fun. But the river taxi is the cheapest and you get a great view of the city.

Awesome thread! I just found it...I will +1 all of the following:

-Ann Sathers - Cinnamon Rolls, Swedish Pancakes, Sausages, all amazing.
-Harold's Chicken - Best fried chicken I've ever had and I'm a cheap chicken connoisseur
-Lula's Cafe - Funky dishes, plenty for veg's, reasonably priced, a bit hipster for me, but the food can't be denied.


I'll also contribute the following. I live in Logan Square so most of my experience is around that area (NW side)

Arturo's Tacos - Best taqueria I've come by (in the area anyway). It's right off the Western blue line stop and is cheap and delicious. The margs will knock you on your ass. Also try the shrip tacos.

Rosa's Lounge - Great live blues, recommended highly for locals of the area, but probably a bit out of the way for tourists. Cheap cover.

Also **** Navy Pier. What a tourist trap!

Lou's pizza, can't beat it. Uno/Due are a close close second.

To the Aurora guy: That's gonna be a nasty commute. You're going to want to live somewhere close to 290 if possible (Check out Pilsen or Humbolt Park). Personally, I would just live somewhere in the suburbs near a metra station. You can be downtown in less than an hour no hassle.

-Craig

Bump. I'm leaving on Tuesday and staying for 5 nights. Staying at Avenue Hotel (E. Huron St.) I'll be here with my fiance. Unfortunately, I'm taking a class all day wed & thurs & 1/2 day fri (out at noon) but I'll be able to get dinner & drinks each of these nights and have all day saturday to do some sightseeing (drinking.)

Based on this thread, I'm going to try to hit: Malnati's or Due for pizza, Gene & Georgetti's or Gibson's (I love great steaks & steakhouses, but not into fancier style - for example, I do not want pine nuts involved in my dinner - just personal preference,) second city, chicago architectural boat tour, old town, wishbone or map room for brunch on saturday, and blue chicago one night. If at all possible, I'll hit hot doug's or Kuma's corner.

How does this sound to any of you locals if you were just in town for a few days? Any other hints, tips or suggestions are welcomed!

No. Go to Connie's or Giordano's for pizza and avoid Uno and Due at all costs. Second City is fun. Old Town is kinda yuppiescumdie, but it's next to 2nd city. Blue Chicago is a horrible horrible tourist trap where you will find middle-aged white women dancing poorly.

Grab a Reader newspaper when you get there (free) for goings-on.

can anyone recommend a couple great restaurants in the $75 - $100 range (for food, 1 person). I'm not looking to spend in the Alinea/Charlie Trotters stratosphere, more looking to get a tasting menu or prix fix < $100 as opposed to $150 or >. I'll be staying at the Drake.

Moving to the city at the end of June. Grew up in the suburbs and have been going for five years. I'm getting pumped just thinking about being back, and this thread isn't helping.

Hope to see some 2p2ers out there.

Welcome. Which part are you moving to? You are invited over for UFC 100. Also owe kirkrr and b3kclash or whatever his name is invites too.

check out blackbird, they are generally excellent and worth going to



welcocme back mikey

lew,

1) the chophouse is probably my go-to "i want a good steak and not much pretension" steakhouse. i've never been to g&g.

2) i really love the violet hour, which is a classic cocktail lounge. i would pencil it in for early on a weekday evening (like 6-7pm) pre-dinner type deal.

3) new modern wing of the art institute just opened, and is supposed to be really great.

kbz,

2nd blackbird for that rough price range. i don't know/think they do tasting, but excellent food. spiaggia does both ala carte and tasting menu. i'm not sure how much their tastings are offhand, since it changes. small tasting at moto is 115? spring is roughly $60-80 for food depending on your courses, and excellent. 6 courses at tru for 110... north pond has a seasonal tasting menu for 85, and a really fantastic setting. 5 course tasting at onesixty blue is $75, and i've heard that takashi has a tasting menu for roughly 100 (but that might not be listed on the menu).

Excellent. Thanks!

thanks!

are any of these particularly close to the Drake?