I'm going with some friends for a short trip to Chicago this weekend. Leaving Thursday after work and returning sometime Saturday. I'm really not sure how much sightseeing time I will have. But I definitely plan on eating well while I'm there and having some drinks each evening. Having said that, what are some good places to eat there? Any good places to have a drink? Finally, what things should I try not to miss doing while I'm up there?

 

We are staying at The Allerton Hotel so I would prefer places close to that.

 

 

P.S. I LOVE pizza, so what's the one place I have to go for Chicago Deep Dish?

I didn't venture out of Grant Park too much (I was there for Lollapalooza) so I can't be too big of a help. But my wife really wanted to eat at Gino's East for the deep dish fix -- We just ultimately ran out of time. I think it was on Man Vs. Food maybe?

You will hear Geno's and some others mentioned for Chicago deep dish. Pass on them. The only place to go if you have one choice is Giordano's. http://www.giordanos.com/

 

You can thank me later.

Another cool place to get unique pizza (not deep dish) is Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/

 

Cool history. It's supposedly where Capone hid out during the Valentine's Day Massacre which happened across the street.

You will hear Geno's and some others mentioned for Chicago deep dish. Pass on them. The only place to go if you have one choice is Giordano's. http://www.giordanos.com/

 

You can thank me later.

Thanks. I'll put up a strong case for us going there instead of Gino's. Though, if it were soley up to me we would probably ONLY eat Chicago deep dish while there.

 

Any other food suggestions aside from pizza?

Pass on any of the touristy places if you don't have a lot of time. Ed Debevic's? Pass. OK at best. Schtick gets old really quickly.

 

 

For an adult beverage there are lots of cool little neighborhood corner bars.

 

Have fun. I LOVE Chicago.

Really good Italian place called Rosebud over in the theater district. Not cheap but really good.

Take advantage of the L train to get around. It puts everything within reasonable distance.

 

Wrigleyville is a good time if you want to booze and want a lot of options within easy walking distance.

 

Millennium Park and the Art Institute are cool places to check out if you want to sight see, do something unique, etc.

 

If you have the time, there's a great barbecue place called Gale Street Inn. I remember it being a little out of the way when I was there, but well worth it.

Giorando's is way better than Gino's. Also, if you like hot dogs (and who doesn't) go to Hot Doug's. There food is awesome. But get there early because the line gets pretty deep quickly.

 

Also, if you want an interesting experience, there is a heavy metal themed restaurant. They play heavy metal music, all the staff is tatted up, wearing gauges, etc., all menu items are named after heavy metal bands. If you go there I recommend the Black Sabbath Sandwich and the macaroni with pancetta side dish.

Geno's is the place to get pizza we always eat at Geno's East since it is near the main strip of shops and what not downtown. It's not but a few blocks from a lot of other top tourist spots.

 

Also, don't waste your time going in sacks fifth avenue unless you are loaded with cash. Me and my buddy went in their thinking oh cool we will get the women something since they didn't make the trip, we looked like the Clampets walking around that store and you could tell the employees wanted us gone. I looked at one t-shirt with a price tag of like $700 bucks and I was like ok I'm out.

Take advantage of the L train to get around. It puts everything within reasonable distance.

 

Wrigleyville is a good time if you want to booze and want a lot of options within easy walking distance.

 

Millennium Park and the Art Institute are cool places to check out if you want to sight see, do something unique, etc.

 

If you have the time, there's a great barbecue place called Gale Street Inn. I remember it being a little out of the way when I was there, but well worth it.

 

One of my favorite things to do in Chicago: Walk around the Art Institute by myself with my iPod playing Sigur Ros. Count me as one who thinks both Gino's and Giorando's are fantastic deep dish pizzerias. Check out the Kingston Mines for some solid blues - it's been amazing every single time I've been there.

Go to the club at the top of the Hancock building. When I went there, I had my fav mixed drink, listened to the jazz band while looking down on the city lights. Very cool.

I begrudgingly went to Second City a few years ago. LOVED IT!

I begrudgingly went to Second City a few years ago. LOVED IT!

 

I had a similar experience seeing the Blue Man Group about 3 years ago in Chicago. Had zero interest in going, and it was actually pretty cool. Kindof a sensory overload at times, but it was actually really entertaining.

Have to disagree with the pizza recomendations. All are good, but Lou Malnatti's is the best.

http://www.loumalnatis.com

 

Hugo's Frog Bar is an outstanding fine dining restaurant. On corner of Rush and Division.

 

Mother Hubbards is my favorite sports bar. Great pub fare, reasonable drink prices, and more giant TVs than I've ever seen anywhere.

 

If you're looking for the club scene just make your way down Rush and Division.