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Donatella57's Traveler List
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The Chicago They Never Tell You About

Ask this member a question. Donatella57 This is my town, and I love it!
22 May 2006
3.0 of 5 stars based on 9 votes
Chicago places that the locals know about, but a lot of tourists don't
  • Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Chicago, Elmwood Park
  • Category: Best of
  • Traveler type:
  • Appeals to: Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Budget travellers , Tourists
  • Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags: Retro, Chicago, restaurants, atmosphere, vintage, kitsch, nostalgia
1. Superdawg Drive-In
Superdawg Drive-In, Chicago, Illinois
My husband grew up on the far northwest side of Chicago and has been going to Superdawg since the 1960s. I discovered it independant of him, but now we enjoy it together. The car service, the blue and black diamond decorations, and the girl and boy hotdogs on top of the building are not to be missed. But if you come for the decor, you'll definitely stay for the food. My favorite: a Supercheesie(R) on black bread, with grilled onions. It comes with the best fries EVER, so the only other thing you need is a chocolate malt. Oh, and a defibrillator.
2. Russell's Barbecue
Russell's Barbecue, Elmwood Park, Illinois
I'll tell you up front that not everybody likes Russell's Barbeque. It's a light, vinegar type sauce, not a heavy tomato type sauce. But people who've grown up with Russell's can't do without it. I have a bottle of Russell's sauce in my fridge, in fact. When I go there I eat the pork sandwich, which is finely chopped pork on a bun, french fries, and cole slaw. There's no sauce on the sandwich, so you add your own, which is at the table. They used to give out small carry-out containers of sauce with the sandwiches, but I guess people were hoarding them. I used to like the cole slaw, but it's changed in recent years--it's always been a vinegar slaw, but now it's even more so. The fries are so-so, but edible. For drinks, they serve pop and beer. Coffee, too, but I wouldn't recommend it; this isn't the kind of place you go for coffee.
3. Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
Lou Mitchell's Restaurant, Chicago, Illinois
Lou Mitchell's is a Chicago tradition that has its own traditions. While you're waiting in line (and there is always a line), the host or hostess passes out donut holes from a basket. When you're finally seated, each woman in the party receives a mini box of Milk Duds. After you place your order, you get a slice of orange and a couple of stewed prunes. After the meal, they offer you a small cup of soft serve ice cream (which used to be frozen yogurt, if I remember correctly). In between all the snacks you should have a hearty breakfast of cream of wheat, which is the best I've ever tasted. I prefer mine with maple syrup and heavy cream, both of which are on each table in the restaurant. Unfortunately the cream of wheat is only available during the week, so try to go then. Give yourself plenty of time to wait in line, and let me warn you that you may have to sit at a long table that runs the length of the restaurant, with chairs on each side. But don't worry--they don't serve family style, so you don't have to share that gypsy skillet.
4. Hala-Kahiki
http://www.hala-kahiki.com/
This is the tropical bar that time forgot. The atmosphere is great, with little drinking areas throughout the place. They serve nothing but drinks, so don't come here looking for appetizers. You get pretzels, and that's it. But the drinks are fantastic and they come in the tiki glassware you'd expect: coconut shaped, skull shaped, etc. Some are made for multiple drinkers. I don't know how to describe it any clearer: if you're looking for an authentic tiki bar, this is the place.
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Chicago, Elmwood Park