Chicago Michigan Ave area restaurant recommendations

[paintnolish]

ITA with Grand Lux, Portillos, Heaven on Seven, and Widlfire. One place we really like is right next to The Cheesecake Factory. It's a little Italian deli- nothing fancy but a great lunch! Oh, and do get Garretts. I am partial to caramel but some swear by the mix.

 

[jemmouse]

Maggianos(Italian), and Wildfire(steaks), HAVE FUN!!! Visit Navy Pier the kids will like it along with yourself....

 

[720L]

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.

I know the rest are chains...but they are chains we don't have here. And we don't know of any other places which is why I started this thread. I've often thought of trying Harry Caray's.

 

[nd5056]

You can browse the Chicago Restaurants guide HERE: by location, cuisine, price or several other filters.

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[720L]

You can browse the Chicago Restaurants guide HERE: by location, cuisine, price or several other filters.

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Thanks I know that also, just wanted DIS'ers opinions .

 

[amg35]

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?

Um, Chicago is not lacking in excellent restaurants. But the OP wants kid friendly and downtown. I don't think sending her and her kids out to the various neighborhoods (it's a big city, not just the downtown) where all the excellent/unique/not super kid friendly restaurants are is going to help her.

And I'll throw Lou Malnati's in the mix as my favorite deep dish pizza!!!!

Oh, and the little Italian deli next to the Cheesecake Factory is called L'Appetito and it's wonderful. You can eat outside on the patio by the John Hancock building.