Chicago Michigan Ave area restaurant recommendations

[720L]

We're planning a trip to Chicago. We usually eat at Pizzeria Uno, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps. Does any one have any other recommendations for good kid-friendly, medium priced restaurants on or a few blocks off Michigan Ave?

 

[Dismagic1]

We're planning a trip to Chicago. We usually eat at Pizzeria Uno, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps. Does any one have any other recommendations for good kid-friendly, medium priced restaurants on or a few blocks off Michigan Ave?

There is an amazing burger place pretty close by on Grand Avenue which is called Boston Blackies. The steak fries and burgers are delicious and your kids would love the food there.

 

[akcire]

There is an amazing burger place pretty close by on Grand Avenue which is called Boston Blackies. The steak fries and burgers are delicious and your kids would love the food there.

Boston Blackies is bankrupt--some scandal with an owner stealing the $$. I don't know if the downtown location is closed, however the brand new one they opened in Naperville is now closed.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Boston Blackies is bankrupt--some scandal with an owner stealing the $$. I don't know if the downtown location is closed, however the brand new one they opened in Naperville is now closed.

It's across from my bus stop -- there's a huge "Under New Management" banner on it.

Grand Lux is wonderful! -- corner of Ontario and Michigan. It's owned by The Cheesecake Factory - http://www.grandluxcafe.com/.

Lawry's is on Ontario, near Michigan.

Off Michigan on Ohio is Big Bowl (Asian chain -- pretty good). Buca de Beppo (Italian) - http://www.bucadibeppo.com/ is at Rush and Grand.

 

[gate_pourri]

What type of food do you like? I live in the neighborhood and can probably recommend some places depending on your likes..
Off the top of my head (and kid friendly):

Ed Debevics seems fun for families with kids - http://www.eddebevics.com/

There is a Rain Forest Cafe on Grand and Dearborn

Quartino's on State and Onterio is quite good - www.quartinos.com

There is a Chili's across the street from Quartinos. As well as a Weber Grill down the block on Grand and State.

If you have girls, I'm told the American Girl Cafe is nice

Pizza wise, I find Gino's East to be the best. There are a couple of locations within walking distance - http://www.ginoseast.com/

There is a TGI Fridays on Erie, just east of Michigan

Food life, in the basement of Water Tower Place has good food and options for everyone http://www.foodlifechicago.com/

I can totally keep going, but will wait for what you like.

 

[gate_pourri]

It's across from my bus stop -- there's a huge "Under New Management" banner on it.

Grand Lux is wonderful! -- corner of Ontario and Michigan. It's owned by The Cheesecake Factory - http://www.grandluxcafe.com/.

Lawry's is on Ontario, near Michigan.

Off Michigan on Ohio is Big Bowl (Asian chain -- pretty good). Buca de Beppo (Italian) - http://www.bucadibeppo.com/ is at Rush and Grand.

I agree with both Grand Lux and Buca de Beppo. If you can get a seat with a view at Grand Lux, it is the best...

 

[Dismagic1]

What type of food do you like? I live in the neighborhood and can probably recommend some places depending on your likes..
Off the top of my head (and kid friendly):

Ed Debevics seems fun for families with kids - http://www.eddebevics.com/

There is a Rain Forest Cafe on Grand and Dearborn

Quartino's on State and Onterio is quite good - www.quartinos.com

There is a Chili's across the street from Quartinos. As well as a Weber Grill down the block on Grand and State.

If you have girls, I'm told the American Girl Cafe is nice

Pizza wise, I find Gino's East to be the best. There are a couple of locations within walking distance - http://www.ginoseast.com/

There is a TGI Fridays on Erie, just east of Michigan

Food life, in the basement of Water Tower Place has good food and options for everyone http://www.foodlifechicago.com/

I can totally keep going, but will wait for what you like.

Ed Debevics is delicious and very kid friendly!!

 

[Elmo9607]

Gino's East on Superior St. Hands down, the best pizza EVER

Grand Lux Cafe on Ontario St. (LOTS of choices...kids should find something here they like no problem. It is kinda pricey though)

 

[720L]

We prefer Pizzeria Uno over Ginos. I thought Lawrys was expensive?? I was looking for something like the burger place someone mentioned, a place that isn't a chain. The Grand Luxe Cafe sounds good. We've walked by that many times. Quartinos sounds good also. Thanks!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

About 4 years ago we found a little gem, but I can't remember the name. Of course, who knows if it is still there. In the Water Tower there is a food court. If you walk through the food court, there is a sit down restaurant. The food was good, prices reasonable, and kid friendly. It didn't necessarily scream Chicago, but it was a good break from shopping. Sorry I can't remember the name.

 

[FINFAN]

Another vote for Grand Luxe, and Ed Debevics....we also prefer Uno's, actually we really preffered Due's...but don't forget to hit Ghiradhelli's, by the Water Tower, get your free sample of chocolate, and then order some awesome ice cream!

 

[mjkacmom]

Interesting - I've eaten in Chicago (my sister lived in Lincoln Park for many years), and although I don't remember where we ate, it was never a chain. Does Chicago lack the excellent restaurants that cities like NYC have?

 

[redbirdgrad]

No Chicago doesn't lack the NY restaurants - but naming kid friendly, medium priced restaurants off Michigan is challenging. My recommendations and you can look at their menus on line - Jake Melnicks on Wabash/Superior, further north - Mike Ditka's/Gibsons/Saloon Steakhouse (believe it or not - great lunch Menu and affordable). K and K may be thinking of Mighty Nice Grill - good choice. Frankie's Scaloppine in 900 North Michigan, check those out - let me know if you want more.

 

[clh2]

We love Portello's which is a GREAT Chicago-Style Hot dogs kind of place. It is at:

Portillo's - Chicago, Illinois
100 W. Ontario
Chicago IL 60654
312-587-8910
Theme: 30's, 40's Gangster

We have Chicago style hot dogs whenever we go to northern Illinois!

We also like Ed Debevic's!

Have fun!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you like Cajun/Creole food, Heaven on Seven's second location is in the theatre complex on the Corner of Rush and Ohio, one block S of Michigan on Ohio. It's up on the second floor.

The problem with the N. Michigan Avenue area when you are eating with children is that the local restaurants right around Michigan tend to be high-end and somewhat less than kid-friendly. It's expensive real estate, and it shows in the menus. Getting a few blocks off Michigan helps immensely in finding unintimidating local places to eat.

I'm not fond of chains when traveling, but with kids those are sometimes an easier choice once in a while -- even my kids who love travelling will sometimes crave the familiar when away from home, and food is an easy thing to make familiar if you're American.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I would hop a cab to Greektown, (its under $10). We spend many many weekends on Michigan Ave and I do agree that its hard to find something that isn't a chain in that area.

We take a cab to Greektown or to Little Italy ($10) Little Italy was eat at Tufano's (Vernon Park Tap)

Our kids are getting a bit older now - we have taken them to Rosebud on Rush and we even took them to Morton's for an EARLY dinner.

 

[LaurenLC]

About 4 years ago we found a little gem, but I can't remember the name. Of course, who knows if it is still there. In the Water Tower there is a food court. If you walk through the food court, there is a sit down restaurant. The food was good, prices reasonable, and kid friendly. It didn't necessarily scream Chicago, but it was a good break from shopping. Sorry I can't remember the name.

It's called Food Life and a good choice if everyone can't agree on a 'type' of food. I would also suggest Grand Luxe, Portillos, Rosebud and California Pizza Kitchen.... Hope the OP has a GREAT trip to Chicago!

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Joe's Stone Crab,a block from Michigan Avenue is a high end steak and seafood restaurant, but they have the most fantastic fried chicken we have ever eaten. We had a couple of salads and paid a little extra for all white meat, and all we could handle was a piece each, taking two large pieces back to our hotel for a late night snack. We ate in the bar area rather than the main dining room.

 

[Elmo9607]

Oh, and if you need a snack, don't forget to stop by Garrett's and get some carmel cheddar popcorn!!

And I have to vote for Ghiradhelli's as well. I was actually there last Friday, and they were handing out chocolate squares filled with caramel for the samples that day

 

[robinb]

We're planning a trip to Chicago. We usually eat at Pizzeria Uno, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Bubba Gumps. Does any one have any other recommendations for good kid-friendly, medium priced restaurants on or a few blocks off Michigan Ave?

Only Uno's is a Chicago restaurant. I actually prefer their sister restaurant Due's a little better. The rest are just regular chains. Why bother ?

We ate at Wildfire (http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/) last year. We made an earlier reservation and had a great meal there. Very busy, but plenty of kids around.

I second going to Greek Town. We really like Greek Islands: http://www.greekislands.net/

We also really like Harry Caray's: http://www.harrycarays.com/home.html although it might be a bit pricey for you. I would recommend sharing entrees here ... they are HUGE. The Chicken Vesuvio is to die for.