Rehearsal Dinner Suggestions

I am looking for ideas for a rehearsal dinner for my wedding guests. Casual is the way we want to go and if we can try to keep the food/venue "Chicago" themed, that would be great. Chicago or the Rosemont areas would work. Any ideas?

I think you might have to help us narrow this down a bit:

--By "Chicago-themed" I'm assuming you mean deep-dish and/or beef? Correct? (This could also be interpreted to refer to one of the many ethnic cuisines that are strong in, but not necessarily unique to, Chicago)

--Are we talking 10 people? 50? 100? A small party can go anywhere, the larger you get, the more limited it is.

--Budget? No need for an exact number, but is it "low budget", "medium", or "unlimited".

--Do you have to like the food? This is a serious question. When I was planning my rehearsal dinner, I grappled with the question of whether or not I actually wanted to eat there, or if the place was just cheap and could accomodate our party.

Sorry for the quiz but I could name about 40 places that might meet your original criteria.

Congratulations on your impending nuptuals and welcome to LTHForum.com!

Best,
Michael

I know a few people who have simply done pizza and beer for the rehearsal dinner. Everyone has a good time...

Giordano's or Lou Malnati's would fit the vicinity for you - for something nicer, maybe Sabatino's or Manzo's - classic Chicago old school Italian down to the plastic grapes, faux barrels, gold mirrors and good food.

Thanks for the help. Yes, your assumptions about "Chicago themed are correct. If I could do beef and deep dish pizza, or even add hot dogs to the mix, I would be happy. We are thinking about a place like Lou Malnati's, but other ideas are few and far between at this point. Budget is on the lower end, since we want to focus our overall spending on the wedding itself. Does this help?

Oh, and it will be 50 people or less, so a huge location is not necessary.

We had a good time at Tufano's during my rehearsal dinner...

Suparossa has a nice little private room. We had our dinner there and there was no extra feee to use the room. Their pizza is pretty good.

Suparossa
4256 N. Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60634
phone 773.736.5828
fax 773.736.1372

butter674 wrote:Thanks for the help. Yes, your assumptions about "Chicago themed are correct. If I could do beef and deep dish pizza, or even add hot dogs to the mix, I would be happy. We are thinking about a place like Lou Malnati's, but other ideas are few and far between at this point. Budget is on the lower end, since we want to focus our overall spending on the wedding itself. Does this help?

Yes, it helps.

To stay with the Chicago-themed idea, I think your options are Lou Malnati's (and the like), Portillo's, and Connie's Pizza. All of those places can accomodate a big party and aren't too tough on the wallet.

Best,
Michael

We had our rehearsal dinner at Goose Island on Clybourn. I would recommend it. We had a fun time.

I've been to a few wedding rehearsals at the Suparossa on Central and my baby shower was also there. Great food and the prices are good too.

I have also been to events at the original Lou Malnatis in Lincolnwood and that has been great too. I almost had my daughters b-day party there and for unlimited pop, pizza, beer and pasta it was under 8 bucks a person.

Hope that helps!

i know a couple who had their rehearsal dinner at fluky's, i belive the one in northbrook, which i think is now closed. doesn't get more "chicago" and causal than a hot dog. perhaps the one in roger's park can accomodate.

The people who own Fluky's on Western and Max's Italian Beef have a whole catering division that can surely handle a crowd. I'm not sure what they do about renting out the restaurants, though.

Catering by Max's
(773) 989-4488

butter674 wrote:Casual is the way we want to go and if we can try to keep the food/venue "Chicago" themed, that would be great. Chicago or the Rosemont areas would work. Any ideas?

Butter,

Couple of years ago an LTHer (Arika), who has since moved out of town, came thisclose to having her wedding reception at Manny's.

Manny's perfect for what you outlined, Chicago theme and casual. .

Enjoy,
Gary

Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli
1141 S Jefferson St
Chicago, IL
312-939-2855

Thanks for all the advice. I will certainly look into all of these options.

Gang:

I am also looking for a rehearsal dinner reccomendation. Lou Malnati's (on Wells) was my first choice even before reading this thread, but they no longer do private parties or even large reservations on Friday or Saturday. Can anyone reccoment a downtown or near downtown place (besides Giordanos or Manny's--and it doesn't have to be pizza) that can handle ~30 people for roughly the same price as Malnati's?

I will check out Goose Island & Tufano's in the interim, but I have a feeling Tufano's will be a bit more $$ than I need to spend.

Thanks!

Gino's East downtown has party rooms. Basically the same pizza you were looking for from Malnatis.

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub‎
226 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 939-5633

Has some pretty good pizza and a regular menu as well.

Miller's Pub
134 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 263-4988‎
(312) 645-5377‎

Is even nicer (no pizza though)

I am not sure how they handle parties though...

Gang:

I am also looking for a rehearsal dinner reccomendation. Lou Malnati's (on Wells) was my first choice even before reading this thread, but they no longer do private parties or even large reservations on Friday or Saturday. Can anyone reccoment a downtown or near downtown place (besides Giordanos or Manny's--and it doesn't have to be pizza) that can handle ~30 people for roughly the same price as Malnati's?

I will check out Goose Island & Tufano's in the interim, but I have a feeling Tufano's will be a bit more $$ than I need to spend.

Thanks!

Full disclosure, I work for the organization. Pizano's at 61 E. Madison has a downstairs room that fits close to 70. We do a ton of rehearsal dinners at all price points. PM me for more information or call restaurant directly and ask for Danielle, the GM there.