I'm Coming to Chicago! (First Time)

Just got confirmation that several of us will be coming to Chicago in November. Since a good chunk of the trip will be dedicated to finding interesting dining spots, I was wondering which of the following I should definitely go to (I will be looking mainly for quirky, unique places in Chicago):

White Palace Grille
Hackney's
Angel Food Baker
Smoque

I found all of these on the Food Network, so any others that haven't been "discovered" would be terrific.

Thanks!

Start here:

LTH Great Neighborhood Restaurants

Dom's right, of course - start with Great Neighborhood Restaurants. With the exception of Smoque, I think you can do better than the others on your list. Whenever I have people coming in from out of town for the first time, I always highly recommend the many regional Mexican spots, and the Polish restaurants - I've never been contradicted when I've said that Chicago probably has the best Polish food in the Western Hemisphere.

I'm also a fan of Hackney's - not exactly quirky, but good burgers and signature onion loaf. One caveat - skip the one on Dearborn. I believe it has somewhat different ownership, and isn't true to the real Hackney's (no burgers on dark rye bread, just dark rye buns which don't soak up the burger's juices quite right). Hackney's on Harms - the original - has the best atmosphere, even if November might be a little late to enjoy the large outdoor garden.

Dmnkly wrote:Start here:

LTH Great Neighborhood Restaurants

Hmmm....I was hoping for a more extensive list....

Sounds like you are looking for "Chicago", not necessarily five-star. If that's on target I would toss out a few spots...

For a Chicago-style dog:

Wiener's Circle
2622 N. Clark
Chicago, IL 60614

For old-fashioned deli, which doesn't exist in Boston:

Manny's
1141 S. Jefferson
Chicago, IL 60607

For old-school breakfast:

Lou Mitchell's
565 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60661

mss60614 wrote:Sounds like you are looking for "Chicago", not necessarily five-star. If that's on target I would toss out a few spots...

Yup, those are exactly the types of places I'm looking for. I'd love to find some neighborhood spots that tourists generally don't know about.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I think a place whose tagline is "there are no two finer words than 'encased meats' my friend" is a good destination . . . that would be Hot Doug's. It's like taking the Chicago hot dog/sausage love on a big, fat dare. And they have all sorts of crazy but ultimately satisfying sausage options. It's not downtown, you'd be investing in your cab ride there but I think it would be worth it. And if you really want to get crazy and impress your friends/colleagues, you can actually rent canoes and kayaks on the Chicago River a few blocks from Hot Doug's.

good luck!

bjt

These dishes are more or less unique to Chicago:

* Deep-dish and stuffed pizza
* Italian beef sandwiches (and beef/sausage combos)
* Chicago-style hot dogs
* Maxwell Street Polish
* Shrimp de Jonghe
* Chicken Vesuvio (a classic version can be had at Rosebud, 720 N Rush St., 312-266-6444)
* Jibaritos
* And, while they're not precisely unique to this city, we offer better steakhouses than many other parts of the country.

If you do go to Hot Doug's, Friday is probably your best option. They only make duck-fat fries on Friday and Saturday, but given how long the line is on Friday even at 2pm, I can't imagine how daunting it would be on a Saturday.

I agree with the other recommendations, including the ones about the supremacy of Chicago's Polish and Mexican offerings -- and Smoque.

Of course, even though it's not a funky little hole-in-the-wall that tourists don't know about, if you can get to Alinea, it's never a bad thing to dine at a place that has been tagged as the best restaurant in the country.

Hi,

Since you are not exactly an unknown poster around here. If you have a restaurant that a broader review the menu might be nice, then why not post a place and time for other LTH friends to meet you.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Since you are not exactly an unknown poster around here. If you have a restaurant that a broader review the menu might be nice, then why not post a place and time for other LTH friends to meet you.

Regards,

My schedule is going to be pretty loose and open for the four days I'll be in Chicago, so I probably won't have any idea where I'll be from hour to hour while in town. But if it does look like some definite plans for a given restaurant are falling into place, I'll post something from wherever I am.

Thanks, everyone!

Marc

You've come to the right place for advice, that's for sure - for a simultaneous tourist + foodie group experience I'd suggest you research trips to the Maxwell St. market, Devon Ave. , Argyle St., & Greektown to start. You could even take the water taxi on the river from downtown to Chinatown to the inspirational origin of this forum - Little Three Happiness

I've hosted groups from New England here .... with only 3-4 days, I'd skip pizza and seafood and try to take in the amazing variety Chicago has to offer.

One last comment ... I can't really explain what an Italian Beef sandwitch is to someone who grew up on roast beef grinders. Well, it's roast beef, but its boiled roast beef with oregano and spices that create an "au jus" thing ... and its served on good bread, but dipped in the juice and sloppy ... and you can get sweet peppers, but they're usually boiled to death too ... but then there is this thing called giardinera ...

you should probably try one while you're here

Note: the water taxi trip to Chinatown is terrific, but I think it's still only available on weekends. See Maxwell Street Market Tour led by David Hammond, Sunday 8/10 If you decide to do that, see if you can set up a quick ping post on the events board - you'd be surprised who you can get to show up last-minute.

I'd agree with many of the posts here and emphasize our Mexican offerings. If you're going out for a few drinks in the neighborhoods (being from Boston, you know that this is where most of the "true" experiences are), you can grab some tacos at a little hole in the wall called La Pasadita (blue line Division stop in Wicker Park). There are some great bars in the neighborhood as well (post on the drink section and you'll be pressed not to miss Violet Hour). Also, in Andersonville, you should hit Hopleaf, which is probably the best Belgian beer selection outside of Belgium with really great food to boot (not bar food - good food).

Hot Dougs is a must, worth the cab ride. Taylor street is close to the downtown action and there you will find Al's Original Italian Beef.

If you're open to taking public transportation (trip advisor has some of the best advice for this - LTH for food), you can really hit a ton of great places.

If you have more detailed questions later on, please post.

if you would like to (try and) avoid the lines at hot doug's i'd recommend going early (10:30 or 11) or late (3-3:30). the wait is definitely worth it, but you're usually looking at 30-60 minutes in line these days...
pasadita generally has great carne asada, but right down the street is a little grocery store/meat market called Guanajuato, they have excellent fresh, simple tacos. the carne asada there is great too and the carnitas & cecina are fantastic. make sure to get a bottled coke!
1436 N Ashland Ave

jmc wrote:but right down the street is a little grocery store/meat market called Guanajuato, they have excellent fresh, simple tacos. the carne asada there is great too and the carnitas & cecina are fantastic. make sure to get a bottled coke!
1436 N Ashland Ave

JMC,

And slightly further down the street is Carniceria Y Taqueria Tierra Caliente (Was Caniceria Leon), also in the back of a grocery and home of my current favorite taco al pastor and steak tacos worthy of comparison to La Pasadita (East).

Enjoy,
Gary

Carniceria Y Taqueria Tierra Caliente (Was Caniceria Leon)
1400 N Ashland
Chicago, IL
773-772-9804

La Pasadita Restaurant
1141 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
773-278-0384

hiddenboston, I'm envious of your trip to Chicago.

I would concur with the suggestions posted here, and add one. Chicago has some great Thai food- beyond the usual standards. TAC Quick or Spoon would be my suggestions (both GNR's). Check out what to order in the relevant threads.

I will be consoling myself with some Portuguese meals here in New England.

I would definitely not qualify Hackney`s as "quirky" but more "corporate". Of the places
you have chosen, Angel Food Bakery ( for it`s very retroish desserts ) and Smoque for
barbecue is the "quirkiest" ( the former more then the latter for that matter ).

I would definitely not hit the downtown places but try to venture to neighboorhoods like
Andersonville, Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Wicker Park and West Town if you are looking for off the beaten path quirky. In fact, you will find many places by happenstance. All of
these neighborhoods are in very close proximity to one another on the north side of Chicago.

I would suugest visiting Chaos Theory Bakery on 2961 N Lincoln Ave over Angel Food Bakery for quirky as well as downright great. The proprietor, Michelle Garcia, has been
on Food Network in some of the baking contests and is better then Duff of Ace of Cakes.

Steve

Steve wrote:I would definitely not qualify Hackney`s as "quirky" but more "corporate".

Possibly that applies to the downtown location -- I haven't been -- but the older venues in Glenview and Wheeling have decidedly quirky, old-fashioned charm.

LAZ wrote:

Steve wrote:I would definitely not qualify Hackney`s as "quirky" but more "corporate".

Possibly that applies to the downtown location -- I haven't been -- but the older venues in Glenview and Wheeling have decidedly quirky, old-fashioned charm.

Agreed - particularly the original, on Harms.

nr706 wrote:Agreed - particularly the original, on Harms.

Tom,

Of the Hackney's I've been Harms is my favorite and the "quirkiest", which is one of the original posters criteria. That said, on all counts, including quirky, Kuma's is bun and onion over Hackney's.

Far as HB's other food network driven choices, generally the LTHForum GNR's are a good place to start, but specifically I'd also consider Honey 1 BBQ along with Smoque, Moon's Sandwich Shop and Ramova along with White Palace Grill and Pasticceria Natalina in the bakery category.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:Of the Hackney's I've been Harms is my favorite and the "quirkiest", which is one of the original posters criteria. That said, on all counts, including quirky, Kuma's is bun and onion over Hackney's.

I would never think of ordering a Hackneyburger on a bun. Dark rye is the way to go.

Does Kuma's do an onion loaf?

As mentioned in an earlier thread, I am a few days away from visiting Chicago for the first time, and will be looking for interesting neighborhoods near downtown that have good, casual restaurants that are more local hangouts than touristy spots. Some good suggestions have been posted already--thanks for the info so far!

In response to an earlier post, are Andersonville, Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Wicker Park and West Town all within walking distance from each other? If not, what would be a good "foodie walking tour" based on at least two or three of these neighborhoods?

Thanks!

hiddenboston,

You come here often enough to know that you should be looking at the list of Great Neighborhood Restaurants. All the info you seek is in the threads and the pocket guide. Also, if you're so inclined, you can post in the Events section and I'm sure your fellow LTHers will be happy to accompany you someplace of your choosing.

stevez wrote:hiddenboston,

You come here often enough to know that you should be looking at the list of Great Neighborhood Restaurants. All the info you seek is in the threads and the pocket guide. Also, if you're so inclined, you can post in the Events section and I'm sure your fellow LTHers will be happy to accompany you someplace of your choosing.

Yes, I have actually sent that list to others who are going on the trip, thanks! Right now, I'm trying to narrow things down a bit, since we won't have a ton of time to hit all of the places I want to check out. Right now I'm trying to concentrate on places that are within walking distance of downtown, but in interesting neighborhoods (I edited my last post since it wasn't all that clear that this is what I was looking for).

Thanks again, everyone!

hiddenboston wrote:In response to an earlier post, are Andersonville, Roscoe Village, Bucktown, Wicker Park and West Town all within walking distance from each other? If not, what would be a good "foodie walking tour" based on at least two or three of these neighborhoods?

Depends on your definition of "walking distance". Bucktown/WickerPark are right on top of each other, but the others you've listed are a good distance away.

First-time visitors to Chicago who are fond of NY, Boston, and SF, should temper their expectations about walkability. Chicago is significantly more spread out than any of those places

Also, very little is within walking distance of downtown (especially since "downtown" covers quite a few square miles). The closest interesting food areas to downtown are Chinatown, Pilsen and those are a pretty good walk even from the southern edge of downtown.

Unfortunately, if you're goal is interesting food and walkable to downtown, you're gonna be pretty disappointed. You're gonna need to get on the El. Look at the GNR map and note places that are near a train line.

I would suggest getting a good map of the city (paper or electronic) and locating each of the neighborhoods and/or restaurants you're considering visiting. That way, you can judge walking distances for yourself. Remember, most of Chicago is laid out on a grid in which major streets are at one-mile and half-mile intervals, and 800 house numbers are equal to a mile (although slightly less in the immediate downtown area). You can this website to find the geographic limits of almost any Chicago neighborhood. If you're using public transportation to get around, the maps on the CTA website are a good guide, and a way of finding what is and isn't near public transportation. In particular, the el (subway, portions of which are elevated) is a fast way to get around. Places that are close to el stops are more convenient than those that aren't.

I think you might have a better time limiting yourself to a small number of neighborhoods (no more than 2-3) and spending a lot of time just walking around. Better yet, decide on 3-4 places (restaurants shops museums etc) which you absolutely want to visit within those 2-3 neighborhoods.

As for the downtown areas - which I might loosely define as extending from the Gold Coast to the South Loop and also including the Mag Mile (North Michigan Avenue), Streeterville, River East, River North, the Loop, and the West Loop - there are plenty of foodie-worthy destinations within that area. A "walking tour" of that area might include restaurants for almost any kind of food you can think of, as well as food stores and other sites. For example, leaving aside the hundreds of mid-priced and upscale restaurants, within that area you can find most of our local cheap eats (Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dogs), small plates and wine-oriented restaurants (Quartino, Cafe Iberico, Avec, Bin 36), breakfast-oriented restaurants (Bongo Room, Orange on Harrison, Lou Mitchell's, Kitsch'n River North), our premier gourmet food store (Fox & Obel), bakeries (Sarah's Pastry), an excellent artisan chocolatier (Canady), etc. So don't rule out the downtown areas either.

Ethnic foods are what Chicago does best, imo. So I would include plenty of that on my walking tour. If it's a Saturday, I'd start with brunch at Frontera Grill, perhaps the most famous restaurant in Chicago, and one of the most well-known places in the country for upscale Mexican cuisine. Then I'd walk to the red line train, and take it North to the Sheridan Road stop. Late lunch at TAC Quick, perhaps the best thai food in the city. Now walk about 1.5 miles north to Sun Wah for some amazing Peking Duck and garlic fried pork ribs. One more mile west for really good mussels and one of the city's best beer selections at Hopleaf. 2/3 of a mile north, and you're ready for amazing Italian pastries at Natalina.

I think you could easily get to some Asian favorites on Argyle (Sun Wah and Tank Noodle) and then to Andersonville favorites (Hopleaf, Great Lakes Pizza, Pasticceria Natalina) in a few hours. From Argyle and Broadway to Balmoral and Clark is about one mile. From Andersonville, Mixteco Grill, a terrific Mexican restaurant is about a one mile walk. And from Mixteco, it's not too far to Lincoln Square to catch Spoon Thai (also about a mile, I think). So a day's itinerary might look like:

Late morning/early lunch - Sun Wah and Tank
20-30 minute leisurely walk to Andersonville
Late lunch and sweets at Great Lake Pizza (not Chicago-style pizza!) and Pasticceria Natalina
Early beer and frites at Hopleaf (check what time they open though)
20-30 minute leisurely walk to Mixteco Grill
Early dinner at Mixteco Grill
20-30 minute leisurely walk to Lincoln Square during which you will pass Angel Food Bakery on Montrose and Paulina (but again, check their hours)
Another dinner at Spoon Thai
Hop on the Brown line at Western/Lincoln to get back downtown

I think that would be a cool day of walking and eating. But this is from someone who plans day-long bike and eat and bike and walk events

Hellodali wrote:Early beer and frites at Hopleaf (check what time they open though)

According to their website, the bar opens at 3 pm, but the kitchen doesn't open till 5 pm.