Cliché Question - Unique Yet Inexpensive "Chicago" Dining

jrapacz wrote:I'm sure this question has been asked hundreds of different ways over the years, but I'm still going to ask it again. For out of town guests that have not visited Chicago previously, can someone provide a recommendation for a restaurant that is uniquely Chicagoan but will not destroy their vacation budget?

They are specifically looking for a sit down restaurant - I can already provide a long list of inexpensive Chicago fast food.

Thanks in advance.

teatpuller wrote:Where are they going to be and what are their transportation options?

Darren72 wrote:Just to be clear, "Chicago style" can mean different things. One the one hand, it means things like Chicago style hot dogs, deep dish or stuffed pizza, and steaks. These have been Chicago staples for a long time and most travel shows about Chicago will invariably highlight these types of places. I'd draw the analogy to fish and chips in England.

On the other hand, there's the type of restaurants that are doing more contemporary food based on locally sourced ingredients. Above, people mentioned Mado, Lula Cafe, and North Pond. These are excellent examples. The menus may not strike you as different than what you might find in a contemporary restaurant in California, New York, London, or Paris. The differences are subtle and depend on which ingredients are in session in each place. I would recommend one of these restaurants, frankly - unless you want to go for hot dogs or pizza. I've had great meals at all of these places. I'd recommend North Pond. It has stellar food, but it is also the most beautiful space, located right in the park along the lake (Lincoln Park). It is difficult to get a reservation on a Friday night, though, so don't wait too long. Mado would be my second choice, but note that they are BYO and also quite meat-focused.

Finally, there are the great "upscale casual" restaurants that are currently really hot right now. These places combine a casual atmosphere with higher-end, refined food. Mado and Lula Cafe are included in this group also (North Pond is somewhat more expensive and I wouldn't necessarily call it "casual", though it certainly isn't formal). Other places are Avec, the Publican, and the Gage. Avec is a modern take on French and Spanish-influenced tapas. The publican focuses on pork, seafood, and beer. The Gage is a gastropub. Take a look at the menus for more details.