Chicago Where to Eat and Drink
You name it, you can get it in Chicago. There are Michelin starred restaurants and a vast array of eating options.
Chicago Institution
In terms of local cuisine, Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza, pizza pie. This is not really my thing but try Gino’s East or Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria both on N Wells St, failing that Pizza Uno on E Ohio Street is very popular.
The mid-west is also rather good at steak and there are several great Chicago steakhouses to try. My personal favourites are Ruth’s Chris Steak House on N. Dearborn St and Smith and Wollensky on N. State St.
If you are looking for something a little less steak centric, my perennial favourites for a really nice meal out are MK The Restaurant on N. Franklin Street, Crofton on Wells on N. Wells St and Naha on N. Clark St. These are all quite high end restaurants and good for an occasion meal. I would not take children.
More family friendly and both Chicago institutions are Harry Caray’s Italian Restaurant on W. Kinzie St and Joe’s Seafood Prime Steak and Stone Crab on E. Grand Avenue. I love Joe’s, it is loud and hectic with good food and a great night out. Harry Caray was a sports broadcaster and an announcer for the Chicago Cubs (baseball team). He is very famous throughout America and especially in Chicago and seems to be held in similar regard to Brian Johnston for those of you who are fans of test match special. Whether you eat in the restaurant or not it is well worth going for a drink in the attached sports bar. It is always lively and a great spot for people watching (n.b. children are not allowed in the bar).
Ice Skating in front of the Park Grill
Other good family friendly options are the Park Grill on N. Michigan Ave, in Millennium Park near the silver bean. The food here is surprisingly good – given the location I expected to be ripped off and badly fed but this was not the case and I have eaten here several times. South Water Kitchen on N. Wabash Ave is also a handy bolt hole. It is especially good for breakfast/brunch.
In terms of other options for bar food I would recommend Rockit Bar and Grill on W. Hubbard St, they do great burgers. Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery W. Grand Ave is a brew pub that does an interesting range of beers and reasonable food. Fado on W. Grand Avenue is an Irish pub that does OK bar food if you fancy something simple and it is a great place to go for a few drinks. I have spent many happy evenings there……
For bars in general heading for W. Hubbard St between N. State and N. LaSalle is a good place to find a goodly range of drinking establishments. Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap on E. Superior Street and Rosebud on Rush on N. Rush St are very handy places to know as they are a block or so back from the main shopping street and a good place for resting weary legs and placating weary significant others with a welcome beer.
If you are after something a little more civilized, Bin 36 on N Jefferson St is a combined wine shop and wine bar that does cheese plates and other small eats. They do a great range of wine by the glass if you fancy some wine tasting and their cheese plates are excellent.
If you are self catering or just fancy having a look in a supermarket, there is a Trader Joes on E. Ontario St and a Jewel-Osco on N. State St. Both stay open until late at night, Jewel is often open until midnight and are a reasonable size for city centre supermarkets.