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McHenryDad's Traveler List
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Chicago Restaurants

Ask this member a question. McHenryDad Spent my young adult years in Chicago and live in the suburbs today.
30 Mar 2008
2.0 of 5 stars based on 3 votes
The best places to eat in the world's best city.
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Chicago
  • Category: Best of
  • Traveler type: Sightseeing, Never been before, Repeat visitors
  • Appeals to: Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Budget travellers , Tourists
  • Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags: food, Chicago, family, kids, eating, local, affordable, restaurants
1. Ann Sather
Ann Sather, Chicago, Illinois
Start your Chicago dining day with a great breakfast. Ann Sather's is a wonderful swedish breakfast restaurant near the Belmont el stop. Don't miss the mild potato sausage. Family friendly and affordable.
2. Vienna Beef Company Cafeteria
http://www.viennabeef.com/contact/
Best lunch place in Chicago. This is the company cafeteria for the Vienna Beef hot dog/sandwich meet packaging plant, but it is open to the public: you'll likely see some of the butcher's eating with their families. It is inexpensive (company-subsidized) and delicious. There is also a small factory store so you can take home some of the world's best hot dogs or corned beef. If you can't get to the factory, have a Vienna beef hot dog or polish at any of the joints throughout the city. Don't put ketchup on your hotdog in Chicago!!!! (unless you're under 12 years old).
3. Signature Lounge
The Signature Room at the 95th, Chicago, Illinois
Before dinner drinks from the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building. A beautiful view from a beautiful skyscraper. No cover charge, no jeans allowed. Order champagne and laugh at the bubbles. This is the only place on this go-list that may not be appropriate for younger children, just because it is fancier and gets crowded early in the evening. If your kids are under 10, take them to the observation deck instead.
4. Sullivan's Steakhouse
Sullivan's Steakhouse, Chicago, Illinois
For dinner, you must eat steak someplace in Chicago. Sullivan's and O'Brien's are my favorites within the city: nice atmosphere, great steaks, and not as pricey as the top-top tier.
5. Billy Goat Tavern
Billy Goat Tavern, Chicago, Illinois
For a late night snack, the best in the city is the Billy Goat on Lower Wacker Dr. Have a cheezborger or a corned beef sandwich. Also great for lunch while shopping on Michigan Ave., even with kids.
6. Giordano's
Giordano's, Chicago, Illinois
If you want Chicago-style pizza, my favorite is Giordano's on Rush Street. It isn't fast, but it is consistently delicious pizza. Also offers thin crust pizza (not NY style...) and other entres if not everyone in your group wants pizza. Includes a full bar.
7. Nuevo Leon Restaurant
Nuevo Leon Restaurant, Chicago, Illinois
Best nachos in Chicago, they are sold 6 at a time, and each is a work of art. Good example of Chicago's bring-your-own-booze: pick up a bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer at a nearby liquor store and carry it in if you want a drink with dinner. Drive in and out from the east (on 18th St.), the neighborhoods immediately north and west are unsafe. This neighborhood, including street parking 1 block north or a few blocks in any other direction, are fine, and there seem to ALWAYS be Chicago policemen dining inside. Chicago has unbelievable ethnic food, especially Mexican, because they have extremely fresh meats and vegetable grown locally combined with a knowledgeable collection of chefs. This restaurant is inexpensive, casual, family-friendly and absolutely delicious.
8. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, Chicago, Illinois
Another wonderful ethnic restaurant in the true Chicago tradition. This is a newer Peruvian restaurant started by a former chef from Riconcito Sudamericano. Chicago has unbelievable ethnic food because they have extremely fresh meats and vegetable grown locally combined with a knowledgeable collection of chefs. This is particularly important for Peruvian food. This restaurant is family-friendly and a delicious introduction to the world's best cuisine, and street parking nearby isn't hard to find.
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Chicago