First Trip to Chicago (please critque)

I am going to be traveling to Chicago in three weeks and have used this board and EGullet to develop a gourmand plan. I am staying at the W in City Center. Here is my plan:

Friday:

Breakfast - at Orange (or Dunkin Donuts if my fiance gets her way!)
Lunch: Mr. Beef
Dinner: Boka
(Second City)

Saturday:

Breakfast: (undecided)
Lunch: SuperDawg
Cubs v. Padre game at Wrigley
Dinner: Custom House

I want to sneak in a quick slice of Deep Dish pizza maybe at Giordano's or Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.

Any glaring omissions or possible substitutions? Breakfast on Saturday?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Re: breakfast on Sunday, not sure where you are from but I love to take visitors to Maxwell Street in the morning followed by lunch in Chinatown at Phoenix or Shui Wah.

Here are two pieces of help I can offer:

1) Mr. Beef gets a lot of publicity and is very popular with tourists, but I don't consider it one of the best. I'd recommend GNR winner Al's on Taylor for better beef, better fries, and a more interesting neighborhood. Check out the other GNRs in that forum to see many places that this forum enjoys.

2) Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anyplace serves deep-dish by the slice. I'd recommend Lou Mal's or Pizano's. If Giordano's is your only option, skip it.

3) Where are you coming from? If you're coming from a place that doesn't have authentic Mexican or a variety of Thai options, you should all those to your list.

Enjoy your visit.

Best,
Michael

Due to its relative proximity to Wrigley and public transportation, I would substitute Hot Doug's for SuperDawg.

Hot Doug's
3324 North California, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: (773) 279-9550
Fax: (773) 279-9553

Thanks for the response.

I can probably be persuaded to eat a pizza, if it doesn't come by the slice!

I am coming from Phoenix (from Las Vegas from San Diego), so Mexican food is pretty much covered.

So Al's gets the nod over Mr. Beef?

eatchicago wrote:Here are two pieces of help I can offer:

1) Mr. Beef gets a lot of publicity and is very popular with tourists, but I don't consider it one of the best. I'd recommend GNR winner Al's on Taylor for better beef, better fries, and a more interesting neighborhood. Check out the other GNRs in that forum to see many places that this forum enjoys.

2) Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anyplace serves deep-dish by the slice. I'd recommend Lou Mal's or Pizano's. If Giordano's is your only option, skip it.

3) Where are you coming from? If you're coming from a place that doesn't have authentic Mexican or a variety of Thai options, you should all those to your list.

Enjoy your visit.

Best,
Michael

Random987 wrote:So Al's gets the nod over Mr. Beef?

Did you click that link?

Random987 wrote:
So Al's gets the nod over Mr. Beef?

For the neighborhood alone, I would suggest going to Al's instead of Mr. Beef and getting a lemonade at Mario's lemonade across the street. I'm not a fan of Al's, but it's a better experience all around than Mr. Beef.

Couple of suggestions for Sat breakfast.

Bongo Room. It opens at 9:00, but get there early. Some discussion on whether Orange is superior but I prefer BR (particularly if you like your pancakes rich and sweet).

Heaven on Seven. Starts breakfast at 10:00. Breakfast with a cajun twist, interesting atmosphere and I'm fond of their cheese grits.

Lou Mitchell's. I haven't been there recently, and I personally think it's come down a bit but it's still popular and a unique Chicago experience.

Maxwell Street was mentioned above, but Maxwell Street is only on Sundays.

The Bongo Room
1152 S. Wabash
312-291-0100

Heaven on Seven
111 N. Wabash Ave., Seventh Floor
312-263-6443

Lou Mitchell's
565 W. Jackson Blvd.
312-939-3111

Random987 wrote:I am coming from Phoenix (from Las Vegas from San Diego), so Mexican food is pretty much covered.

Chicago has an amazing Mexican food scene - some would argue that it's better than Vegas, San Diego or Phoenix. Check out Hammond's amazing treatise on the wide variety of regional Mexican cuisines available in the area, compiled by eatchicago, here:
http://www.eatchicago.net/2006/11/overl ... icago.html

My family and I just ate at Custom House last Monday, and the food was delicious. The Alaskan King Crab and the Baby Octopus Italian Style Caponata were my favorite of the appetizers as well as the Seafood Chowder soup. My entree, the salmon with gnocchi, leeks, and pea emulsion was the perfect taste of spring. My brothers and father all chose the strip steak and finished everything on their plates. My mom enjoyed her pork chop immensely. The starch and vegetable sides we ordered were also tasty. The potatoe gratin and potatoe puree are really really good...rich, creamy good! And the pancetta wrapped asparagus and collard greens with red pepper flakes...yum! They had a special of handmade parpadelle with a rabbit sausage and rabbit ragout that we fought over. And don't forget dessert! Most of everything we ordered is not on their online menu. Sorry. The service is fantastic. You will surely enjoy your dinner there! If I had to say something picky about Custom House it would be that their bread is only average. They give you a slice of French baguette and whole grain. Just ok. My favorite bread currently is the cheese foccacia from Aigre Doux...but that's just b/c I'm a bread addict.

I just hope your a Padre's fan, because I can't see how anyone could endure watching the Cubs "play" baseball.

Oh and as far as beef - I actually prefer Mr. Beef over Al's.... but I may be in the minority.

Giordano's and Lou Malnati's are two different variations on the deep dish pizza idea. Malnati's is the more traditional with thick crust with all of the ingredients on top. Giordano's is a stuffed pizza with one layer of crust followed by cheese and most toppings, another layer of crust and then the sauce.

Both are good, just different from each other. I don't think either place sells slices.

Yep, I am Padre fan (just don't tell anyone at the game!). This is my birthday weekend.

I will definitely check out Hot Doug's. However, the fiance saw SuperDawg on some E! show, so she wants to go there!

I take it all of these places are within easy cab ride from the W City Center?

Thanks again!

rmtraut wrote:I just hope your a Padre's fan, because I can't see how anyone could endure watching the Cubs "play" baseball.

Oh and as far as beef - I actually prefer Mr. Beef over Al's.... but I may be in the minority.

Random987 wrote:I will definitely check out Hot Doug's. However, the fiance saw SuperDawg on some E! show, so she wants to go there!

I take it all of these places are within easy cab ride from the W City Center?

No, not at all, actually. SuperDawg is about 12 miles from the W City Center and depending on traffic could be between 25 minutes and an hour to complete, each way (and probably about $30 each way). Hot Doug's is maybe 2/3 as far. But don't let that stop you!

SuperDawg is a great place that gets on all the Chicago-hot dog-TV shows (there are more of these than one might expect; when we were there last summer a film crew was present) but it's not a short cab ride from where you are -- it will be an expensive one, and there's not that much around it to visit (except other good places to eat), and you have to get back to Wrigley anyway. I would think it makes sense to get your hot dog fix elsewhere, like Hot Doug's, which is at least closer to Wrigley. Breakfast Saturday could be at Fox and Obel, right, LTHers? I haven't been there at that time of day but I seem to recall people here saying that they have good breakfast options, and it's close to where you'll be staying.

dan1234 wrote:Giordano's and Lou Malnati's are two different variations on the deep dish pizza idea. Malnati's is the more traditional with thick crust with all of the ingredients on top. Giordano's is a stuffed pizza with one layer of crust followed by cheese and most toppings, another layer of crust and then the sauce.

Both are good, just different from each other. I don't think either place sells slices.

Dan, are you still working for Giordano's? If so, please make sure to indicate as much in posts about it, or really other pizza places too, per site policy on full disclosure.

Incidentally, I agree with your post, and I actually rather enjoy Giordano's about as much as any of the deep Chicago genre, though I can see an argument for recommending the cornmeal crust to an out-of-towner. I believe Art of Pizza sells deep dish by the slice, but I have a recollection of it being closer to Pizza Hut's deep dish than the other standards in this thread.

One more question (hopefully). Where is a good place for cocktails (yes, cocktails--Manhattan, etc.)?

Thanks

Random987 wrote:One more question (hopefully). Where is a good place for cocktails (yes, cocktails--Manhattan, etc.)?

Thanks

Provided you don't mind getting cozy with strangers (the place is TINY), The Matchbox is a fantastic stop. Whenever there's a classic cocktail I've never had and I want to establish a baseline, that's where I go to ensure that I'm getting the real deal, the way it was meant to be made, without cheap booze, premade mixes and fakey citrus. Plus, anything made in a cocktail shaker is really a two for one, since they leave the shaker with nearly another full drink.

If you're going to be downtown, I LOVE the cocktails at David Burke's Primehouse at the James Hotel.

Also, though their cocktails aren't *great*, I still love going to the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock Bldg. for drinks and the phenomenal view of the city. Even if you are surrounded by tourists, the view is worth it.

http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/menus/PH_Primehouse%20Wine%20List%2010-25-06.pdf

I recently took a cousin in from out of town to breakfast at Orange. This was a Sunday morning around 9:30 or so. It seems we arrived just before the place got swamped.

I have no real complaints about the food, because in comparison to the service it was fantastic, but the overall experience was awful and I am unlikely ever to go back. First, we fill out our juice orders on the little sheets with the golf pencils before the server even gets to our table. I order a large XYZ, one DC orders a large XY and out of town guest orders a small XYZ (same as mine). The two large juices come in about 20 minutes, but it takes until halfway through the meal for the other juice to come out, which, remember, was the same exact one that I ordered and already received, only small.

Then, the server had no idea what an item on the menu was. I believe it was the pancake flight. She didn't know what it was, but somehow did know that they "weren't doing that." So we order (steak and eggs benedict, chai french toast, something else I don't remember, and some fruishi to try). It takes a good 40 minutes to get the food, and all the while we didn't see our server once. In fact, the only time she was actually present was to take our order, and I had to wave my credit card in her face as she walked by at the end of the meal to settle up.

This was Orange on Harrison so I have no idea if you would have the same awful experience at the Clark location. I will not be returning. The food was decent when it finally arrived (except for the tough and dry steak in the steak and eggs benedict), but certainly not good enough to overcome the other shortcomings.

If you must do SuperDawg, there is a Superdawg stand on concourse A in Midway Airport. The menu is limited. But, the hot dogs are pretty representative of what you would get a the original location itself, which, though it is technically in the city of Chicago, I consider a suburban location.

It is fair to say that Hot Doug's is also a bit off the beaten path and you may not find cabs waiting for you when you exit.

Between your hotel and Wrigley is Weiner's Circle where you can get a classic Chicago Char Dog (as well as a heaping amount of employee abuse if you go late at night) -much superior in my opinion to the steamed dogs of SuperDawg.

I also encourage you to rethink the Mexican thing. I've scoured San Diego for Mexican during many visits there and find few places that match some of the options I find in Chicago. Salpicon, Frontera and Topolobompo are recommended and fairlyn close to you.

YourPalWill wrote:If you must do SuperDawg, there is a Superdawg stand on concourse A in Midway Airport. The menu is limited. But, the hot dogs are pretty representative of what you would get a the original location itself, which, though it is technically in the city of Chicago, I consider a suburban location.

I once tried the Midway Aiport Superdawg, and if my one sample was repersentative, it was nothing (NOTHING) like the what Maurie and Florie serve at the tip of Milwaukee. I do agree, however, that Weiner Circle is a good repersentative of the Chicago hot dog and one I (I) prefer more than Hot Dougs (for hot dogs at least). Still, I would highly recommend thee visitor get his tail to that little stretch off of Roosevelt that substitutes these days for Maxwell/Halstead and get the original Maxwell Street Polish (do the ReneG cycle, get a polish sausage, burger, hot dog AND pork chop for the true Chi-town experience--see here for the best details.

Anyways, getting back to Superdawg, a cab may be hard (I'd just have the cabbie keep the meter running if I was a rich tourist), but have you ever considered walking (scroll down).

I endorse the suggestions to check out Weiner's Circle instead of SuperDawg. It's much closer to Wrigley and very representative of the chicago-style hot dog experience. Also, there is a parking area in the back. Make sure to get a char-dog or char-polish. yum.

The Weiner's Circle
2622 N Clark St

I also do not think the airport Superdawg is a worthwhile proxy for the original. In fact, I don't order anything there.

Aaron Deacon wrote:I also do not think the airport Superdawg is a worthwhile proxy for the original. In fact, I don't order anything there.

Third. If you're having your first taste of a Chicago dog, don't do the Midway Superdawg. It's serviceable as airport food goes, but it doesn't do the Chicago dog justice, and I think it's an embarrassment to Superdawg (which I adore).

you might be able to get a quick slice at art of pizza! probably better than lou malnatis and giordanos. if i'm not mistaken they have slices of deep dish available. they are also relatively close to wrigley. someone else might be able to clarify this as i havent been there in a while

For cocktails, I heartily second MATCHBOX. But, if you're feeling a little too claustrophobic, my suggestions in the downtown area are:

Hotel bar at The TALBOT (Rush and Delaware?) is great. Quiet, comfortable, a good place to relax with a strong drink. JILLY'S on Rush is another good option for a stiff drink and a little piano music.

Surprisingly, the bar at McCORMICK & SCHMICK'S on Chestnut and Wabash makes very, very good (and strong!) cocktails. Real cocktails.

FULTON LOUNGE @ 955 W. Fulton is favorite. The room is comfortable and the bartenders are actually nice! They also have a small but great sidewalk section so you can soak up the warehouse district atmosphere.

Outside of that, Wrigleyville obviously features tons of sports bars for a shot-and-a-beer. However, the DARK HORSE on Sheffield @ Newport is calmer than most and makes a decent drink, as does RAW BAR north of Wrigley on Clark.

Those of us who can vividly recall 1984 hope that you have an awful time INSIDE the park but wish you nothing but good cheer OUTSIDE of Wrigley. Enjoy!

I would definitely choose Al's on Taylor over Mr. Beef - on its own merits, but also because of Mario's Italian lemonade across the street. (try one with fresh cateloupe or watermelon). Heaven on Seven on Wabash is a fun choice for breakfast: wonderful Cajun omelettes and Bananas Foster French toast and a really unique atmosphere. We've also had scrumptious breakfasts (and dinners) at Hot Chocolate, but that might be a bit out of your way. The Maxwell Street Market is an incredible experience on Sunday morning
Hot Chocolate
1747 N. Damen Ave.
773-489-1747

After that series, I actually liked Steve Garvey. Until then, I always thought of him as a Dodger rental. I remember a couple of my high school teachers brought in TV's to watch the games at Wrigley. Good Times!


Thanks for all of the great advice and suggestions. If any of you are traveling to Phoenix (or Vegas), let me know and I will return the favor! Now, I just need to convince the Fiance that these places are better than Dunkin Donuts or Grand Lux!

lfw1031 wrote:Those of us who can vividly recall 1984 hope that you have an awful time INSIDE the park but wish you nothing but good cheer OUTSIDE of Wrigley. Enjoy!

After that series, I actually liked Steve Garvey.

I wouldn't mention this guy's name within the "friendly confines" of Wrigley if I were you, or you might find them becoming "unfriendly" very quickly.

He is, on the other hand, very popular on the South Side.