Steely Dan needs a steely supper...

Mellonhubby and I are going to all of the Steely Dan shows this week at the Chicago Theatre (State and Lake Street). We're looking for some inexpensive restaurant options (entrees in the $10 - 15 range) for dinner this week before the shows. We both work in the loop so we're pretty familiar with the lunch offerings but we were hoping for discovering something new on the dinner front that isn't the usual sandwich shop.

We do a healthy amount of eating at lunchtime at My Thai, Corner Bakery, Potbellies, Hannah's Bretzel, Tokyo Lunch Box, etc - so any other suggestions for dinner would be appreciated.

I had lunch at Chutney Joe's on Saturday, and I wasn't damning the place afterwards. Actually, for the loop-ish area, if it was 2 bux cheaper, I'd say it was pretty decent. Nothing was really good&spicy, but it was still tasty enough. Actually, the samosas had a nice chile zing to them. We were absolutely starving though. I'd go back if I was in the area, really hungry, and had to eat quick. The lamb was lamby and tender in the rogan Josh. The gravy was more like american dark gravy with a lil hint of Indian spicing in it. The Aloo Gobi was not spiced heavily either, but REALLY quite tasty. Naan was boring, the rice was decent. Just nutty basmati.

You'd do ok for under your price point for quick, overpriced, Indian food. (If that makes any sense at all)

Chutney Joe is definitely dumbed-down Indian. For a better option go across the street to Cafecito. However, neither are that close to the Chicago Theater. For right around the corner, Pastoral is an obvious choice. Both Cafecito and Pastoral are sandwich shops, but not "usual" sandwich shops.

Petterino's is a default goin' to da show restaurant for us. Nothing earth-shatteringly wonderful, but it's always good food...

McCormick and Schmick's at One East Wacker Drive- during "Happy Hour" (although- you cant officially say that anymore- it's against the law ya know!) has some yummious high end Bar Food- that sells for about 3-5 bucks per.

Certainly walking distance to the Chicago Theatre- and they'll sell ya MUCH better cocktails than you'll ever get at
The Chicago Theatre. Hand muddled Mojitos- Horeradish Spiced Bloody Marys,etc...
or-
that place in the lobby of The Prudential Building-cant recall the name- serves some tasty oven roasted mussels.!

that place in the lobby of The Prudential Building-cant recall the name- serves some tasty oven roasted mussels.!

Believe that'd be the Tavern on the Park, which might be a little pricey.
The Gage's lunch entree and sandwiches are within your range. Always my Loop choice. Try the pork belly on brioche with fried egg. Dear God.
Also, its easy to forget, but the food court on the top floor of Macy's has some good eats. Not exactly fantastic ambiance, but tasty nevertheless.

k - update:

We did Petterinos last night (the waitress was precious: "Oh! Steely Dan! He's playing here all week!")

We're expanding our search to redline destinations too. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Gotta put in a nomination for Miller's Pub: open-face prime rib sandwich w/ fries and a side of bleu cheese dressing is < $15 and quite good. Not sure what their kirschwasser selection might be like.

Miller's Pub & Restaurant
www.millerspub.com
134 S Wabash Ave Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 263-4988

The Gage is a few blocks south. Wow Bao is at State & Lake, if you want fast. Intelligentsia for coffee, perhaps sandwich or salad is around the corner at Randolph & Michigan.

Did you have the chocolate pudding at Petterino's? It's house made & delicious.

I don't know what time the 7th floor of Macy's closes but there are Kiosks for burgers, w/ 2nd best milkshake in the city by Marcus Samuelson, Rick Bayless , & Takashi Noodles.

There isn't much that is earth shattering in the theater district in my opinion. I

Well I've always had a deep respect,
And I mean that most sincere.
The band is just fantastic,
that is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?

Hope you liked Petterino's...

mchodera wrote:Well I've always had a deep respect,
And I mean that most sincere.
The band is just fantastic,
that is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?

And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?

We call it riding the gravy train! Indeed!

In the style of Homer Simpson:

Mmmmmm, delicious gravy...

try exchequer for pizza; great pie!! also second millers pub for the canadien baby back ribs!

I was so overcome with anticipation I couldn't even bring myself to eat all day Sunday.

I was at the Monday night Aja show with my son (that's one of the reasons I came into town) and it was a great show but not as good as the Royal Scam show with Larry Carlton that we saw in NYC last month.