Best eats in Chicago (going this weekend)

[bas71873]

OK, so now that I know what we are going to do while in Chicago this weekend, I need to know what the "must eat" places are. I guess we want to do Chicago pizza. But anything else? We are staying at the Conrad on the Magnificent Mile and will be doing the Lincoln Zoo lights Friday night, spending the day (or part of it) at Navy Pier on Saturday. Any good recommendations for breakfasts, lunches and dinners? TIA!


This is a last minute, very short, trip to Chicago in December. DH will be there on a biz trip, so DD and I are going to fly there to meet him. We will arrive on late afternoon on a Friday and depart Sunday afternoon, so really we only have Saturday to take it all in. I'm thinking of doing Winter Wonderfest first thing Saturday morning and the Zoo holiday lights that night. Friday night when we get there I guess we'll just stroll Michigan Ave and have dinner somewhere. Am I missing any really great holiday happenings that I should look into? Any shops that we must check out? We will be staying at the Embassy Suites right between Michigan Ave & Navy Pier if that matters.

Thanks.

 

[AlohaKeke]

We love going to the Christkindlmarket! It's like a little German market with ornaments, Christmas gifts, and food. It's located very near the Macy's on State St. (where you can go see their decorated windows and go upstairs to see the big Christmas tree in the Walnut Room)

http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/

Enjoy your trip!

 

[piglet too]

I always love going to see all the different Christmas trees at the Museum of Science and Industry, but I don't know if that fits in your plans time wise.

Which zoo will you be going to?

 

[bas71873]

We love going to the Christkindlmarket! It's like a little German market with ornaments, Christmas gifts, and food. It's located very near the Macy's on State St. (where you can go see their decorated windows and go upstairs to see the big Christmas tree in the Walnut Room)

http://www.christkindlmarket.com/en/

Enjoy your trip!

I always love going to see all the different Christmas trees at the Museum of Science and Industry, but I don't know if that fits in your plans time wise.

Which zoo will you be going to?

Thanks for the suggestions. Lincoln zoo? That's throne I keep seeing mentioned online, but someone mentioned Brookfield zoo too. Is that one close to downtown?

 

[CoP Luv]

Thanks for the suggestions. Lincoln zoo? That's throne I keep seeing mentioned online, but someone mentioned Brookfield zoo too. Is that one close to downtown?

Brookfield is not that close or easy to get to. I would go to Lincoln Park Zoo to see the Zoo Lights. And I think it's free!

Love going to the Christmas Market that pp suggested, and to see the windows at Macy's/Christmas Tree in the Walnut Room on the 7th floor.

DH and I go to the Signature Room Lounge (top of the Hancock building) for dessert and drinks at night. If the line isn't too long, I would get a bag of Garrett popcorn. Usually the locations in the South Loop (Jackson & State maybe) are not as busy as Mich. Ave.

Have fun and dress warm!

 

[bas71873]

OK, so now that I know what we are going to do while in Chicago this weekend, I need to know what the "must eat" places are. I guess we want to do Chicago pizza. But anything else? We are staying at the Conrad on the Magnificent Mile and will be doing the Lincoln Zoo lights Friday night, spending the day (or part of it) at Navy Pier on Saturday. Any good recommendations for breakfasts, lunches and dinners? TIA!

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Portillo's on Ontario for Italian Beef and char dogs.

Original Pancake House on Easy Bellevue for breakfast. Humungous apple pancake and a great Dutch Baby.

 

[ChiCat]

Bongo Room for breakfast.
Kuma's for burgers.
Hot Doug's for hot dogs.
Big Star for tacos.
Piece for pizza.
Portillos for fast food, get the chocolate cake.
Chop House or Gibson's for expensive steak dinner.

Those are my favorite places (besides Hot Dougs I've never been there, I just know it's good, be prepared to wait an hour or more at Kuma's or Hot Dougs).

 

[lovesmurfs]

Sounds like you'll be close to my office (near Michigan and Ontario)!

West Egg at the corner of Fairbanks and Ontario is great for breakfast. Love Smith and Wollensky's for steak if you're so inclined.

Pizza - Lou Malnati's (at State and Rush) is my favorite -- Uno's is good, too, at Ohio and Wabash, or Due's at Ontario and Wabash.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Skip Genos East for pizza IMO. Very overrated.

 

[SaraJayne]

Lou Malnati's for pizza and Yolk for breakfast.

 

[SideshowBob]

Sounds like you'll be close to my office (near Michigan and Ontario)!

West Egg at the corner of Fairbanks and Ontario is great for breakfast. Love Smith and Wollensky's for steak if you're so inclined.

Pizza - Lou Malnati's (at State and Rush) is my favorite -- Uno's is good, too, at Ohio and Wabash, or Due's at Ontario and Wabash.

Too funny ... for many years lived at State & Ontario so used to walk by West Egg every day. Pizzaria Due is in that same block area and great deep dish pizza.

 

[SaraJayne]

Sounds like you'll be close to my office (near Michigan and Ontario)!

West Egg at the corner of Fairbanks and Ontario is great for breakfast. Love Smith and Wollensky's for steak if you're so inclined.

Pizza - Lou Malnati's (at State and Rush) is my favorite -- Uno's is good, too, at Ohio and Wabash, or Due's at Ontario and Wabash.

West Egg is very good, too. We've eaten there a few times.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to select one (or more) of these AAA Five-Diamond-rated restaurants:

Alinea
Arun's
Charlie Trotter's
Everest
Tru

However, they may be a bit pricy and difficult to get a reservation for.

 

[bas71873]

You might want to select one (or more) of these AAA Five-Diamond-rated restaurants:

Alinea
Arun's
Charlie Trotter's
Everest
Tru

However, they may be a bit pricy and difficult to get a reservation for.

HA! We are taking along the 9 year old, so these are probably out. Not that I don't think she'd love it. The kid loves food and knows how to behave, but I do fear we are raising a kid that likes the finer things in life. I feel sorry for her future husband .

Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions!!!

 

[lovesmurfs]

HA! We are taking along the 9 year old, so these are probably out. Not that I don't think she'd love it. The kid loves food and knows how to behave, but I do fear we are raising a kid that likes the finer things in life. I feel sorry for her future husband .

Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions!!!

With a 9-year old, you'd probably enjoy Ed Debevic's -- at Wells and Ontario. It's a hoot.

 

[ChitownFamily]

With a 9-year old, you'd probably enjoy Ed Debevic's -- at Wells and Ontario. It's a hoot.

I was JUST about to type this same thing!!

Double yes to the portillos chocolate cake!

 

[SpecialK]

You might want to select one (or more) of these AAA Five-Diamond-rated restaurants:

Alinea
Arun's
Charlie Trotter's
Everest
Tru

However, they may be a bit pricy and difficult to get a reservation for.

Trotter's closed. He auctioned off all the equipment this week.

Ed Debevic's is a blast for kids! And I'll put in a vote for the chocolate cake shake at Portillo's.

I'd try to eat at the Walnut Room in Macy's. Get there early and get your name on the list and shop until you're called. The atmosphere is so festive and the tree is so pretty,to me it's worth the wait.

 

[Sweettears]

You might want to select one (or more) of these AAA Five-Diamond-rated restaurants:

Alinea
Arun's
Charlie Trotter's
Everest
Tru

However, they may be a bit pricy and difficult to get a reservation for.

Trotter's is closed. And you are correct that the rest would be difficult to get a reservation.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

Superdawg (Milwaukee & Devon)!