Inexpensive Sit-down place near Millennium Park

Mellonhubby and I are going to a concert at the Harris Theatre on Millennium Park. We're looking for an inexpensive restaurant that's close (say entrees around $15 or less). I never eat around this area because my experiences haven't been great. I'd normally suggest the Park Grill - which is usually decent - but it's a bit pricy for our blood right now.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If you want very casual, you could go to Pastoral (53 East Lake). They have a few tables to eat at in the store, and they may have the best sandwiches in the Loop. They also have some sides available by the pound. They are open untili 8:00 M-F, but only until 6 on Saturday.

If you want pizza, Pizano's is very close by.

Jonah

You might be able to accomplish that at Quartino's.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6711&hilit=quartino%27s

Parking will be the real budget breaker!

I've always liked Salvador's Barro, a casual Mexican place on Lake Street, near Michigan Avenue. It isn't the best Mexican you'll find, but I've always been happy with my food. Below is a link to the menu and you'll see that most entrees are under $15. There is also a coupon for a free appetizer. It's about three blocks from the Harris Theater.

http://cityinsights.com/salvadorsmenu.htm
A coupon for a free appetizer: http://cityinsights.com/salvadorcoupon.htm

Salvador's Barro
73 E Lake Street
Chicago IL 60601
Phone: 312-346-8457
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm
Sat & Sun 12pm-9pm

Elephant and Castle comes to mind, on Lake and Wabash

Web: http://www.elephantcastle.com/content/l ... wabash_ave

Menu: http://www.elephantcastle.com/files/menus/MM_WB_PM.pdf

Miller's (Wabash), Exchequer(Wabash), Fontano's Subs(Jackson), Seventh Floor of Macy's, Ada's Deli (Wabash).

For $15, you can have a gyros melt, fries, broasted chicken piece, budweiser, and lottery ticket.

I've never been but Madame Tartine on Hubbard is an option.

Fox & Obel, across the river, is walkable. Fox & Obel is an upscale gourmet grocery store, with the very best of everything from meats and fish and vegetable to baked goods and soups and other prepared foods. In the rear of the market is their cafe, where they serve 6 a.m. to midnight. Great food; the atmosphere is your basic coffeehouse, not fancy at all. You can check out their cafe menu on their website (click here).

I enjoyed a lunch last week at Emerald Loop (Irish pub food), which is on Wabash between Lake and Wacker. I could imagine enjoying a pre-concert dinner there as well.

Pizano's is right there on Madison. Not exactly filled with atmosphere but excellent pizza and pasta. And only a block away.


Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
61 E. Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312.236.1777

Hiya! I thought I'd resurrect this thread. I have a buddy coming in from Ol' Blighty and his plans (so far) include "Lunch(ish), Bean, walkabout, high deck (your choice of), beer, dinner".

I'm an introvert, so a place that's not deafening (so he can hear me) and not pin-drop-silent (so it's not awkward; this is our first time meeting). He's never been to Chicago. Open to all cuisines. Good view/rooftop deck a plus. Idears?

Acanto? It's pretty tasty.

Miller's Pub
134 S Wabash Ave, Chicago

Very Chicago

Try the Chicken Pot Pie

MingHin
333 E Benton Pl #300
Chicago, IL 60601
https://www.minghincuisine.com/

I was going to recommend Miller's as well. No view, but a surprisingly good beer list and old school ambiance.

Here are more possibilities.

Terzo Piano - the location/view, inside the Art Institute (no admission required), is the thing here, and it also offers interesting cuisine from Tony Mantuano.

Italian Village - Vivere offers the most creative cuisine of the three restaurants, but the Village offers the kitschy re-creation of a village in Italy. Also worthwhile to recount how long it's been there (even longer than Miller's) and how the owners refused to sell so they had to build the skyscraper next door around it.

Seven Lions - I really like this place, for yummy contemporary American cuisine.

Remington's - same story as Seven Lions.

The Gage - For a gastropub experience.

Can you just pick up a picnic from Pastoral, or sandwiches and walk over to the park to eat them? The park has pretty magnificent views.

Alternatively, al fresco at Toni's Patisserie on Washington just east of Wabash fits the bill in the price range I think.

Everywhere at lunchtime in the area will most likely be busy and not quiet over there. The original Heaven on Seven, the 7th Floor of the Garland Building (Wabash, just north of Washington) could be intriguing.

For chains, I am a huge fan of Sweetgreen, they offer a small piece of bread from Hewn in Evanston, again you could take it to go and head over to the park to eat.

For the ultimate in sky deck and impressive Chicago views -- go to Cindy's at the Athletic club group of restaurants. It's not cheap but the view is stunning. You might be able to go get a drink, look agog at the view and then go somewhere else for food, although by all accounts, Cindy's does a great job of food as well.

Also --I love the Gage but it is one of the loudest places in town. If you want to hear him, choose another location. Something on the fun side might be to go check out the view and then head over to Block 37 for Latinicity or come over a bit further on Monroe at Dearborn, look at the fantastic mural walls at the Marquette Building and then go on to the great food court at the Revival Food Hall. Or eat -- and then do a drink at Cindy's. Call first though to make sure you can grab a drink and check out the view.

Have fun!