Visiting Chicago for first time this June. What should I do and where to eat? (Fulton: 2013, how much)

[vthok]

My wife and I are going to Chicago for the first time this June (12-18th). We are staying on the magnificent mile (and will not have a car with us).

So what activities, sites, events should we look to do for first time Chicago visitors?

Also any recommendations on restaurants/foods that we MUST try?

I already have planned to try a deep dish pizza and a chicago dog of course but also looking for more details on good restaurants (we're open to all cuisines) that really would make our Chicago trip memorable.

Thanks in advance.

[Vlajos]

How much do you want to spend on dinner? Any guidance on the type of food would be helpful as well.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

How much do you want to spend on dinner? Any guidance on the type of food would be helpful as well.

Yep, and also the willingness to be able to take the train or cabs to other neighborhoods. Tons and tons of good food in Chicago outside of "downtown" that many, many tourists completely miss out on.

[urbanlife78]

Go to a Cubs game if they are in town while you are there. If they aren't there, then take a tour of Wrigley Field.

[vthok]

Dinner budget...max of $100 for 2 people at the most. We like all sorts of food (Italian, Indian, Latin, Steakhouses, etc).

We're pretty much open anywhere within a reasonable distance from downtown Chicago if the experience is worth it.

[Alacran]

63rd and Wallace

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by vthok

Dinner budget...max of $100 for 2 people at the most. We like all sorts of food (Italian, Indian, Latin, Steakhouses, etc).

We're pretty much open anywhere within a reasonable distance from downtown Chicago if the experience is worth it.

Okay I'm going to assume that $100 is per night or something?

Steak
In the downtown area there are some decent steakhouses like Gibson's, Smith & Wollensky, David Burke's, etc.

However, my favorite steak is actually not too far from Wrigley Field in a place called Tango Sur. It is an Argentinian Steak House..no reservations but it's great. BYOB too...kind of a popular place.

Tango Sur - Lakeview - Chicago, IL

Italian
Same thing as above pretty much in the sense that there's good options downtown but more outside of it. Downtown for example you might have:
* Volare - Volare - Near North Side - Chicago, IL)
* Coco Pazzo - Coco Pazzo - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Piccolo Sogno - Piccolo Sogno - River West - Chicago, IL

The top one downtown is Spiaggia which has 1 Michellin Star (Spiaggia - Near North Side - Chicago, IL). The dude behind this has a less formal place near there called Bar Toma. Have to make reservations probably a month in advance maybe?

I actually had Volare for the first time recently. Very good food....

Outside of downtown is a small Little Italy still left kind of near Illinois-Chicago University.
* RoSal's - RoSal's - University Village - Chicago, IL
* DaVanti Enoteca - Davanti Enoteca - University Village - Chicago, IL
* Francesca's - Francesca's On Taylor - University Village - Chicago, IL

Latin
Lot of options, but not as many downtown. Rick Bayless of course operates here so he has three restaurants downtown.

* Xoco - Tortas, caldos, etc. Real good and very casual. XOCO - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Frontera - Frontera Grill - Near North Side - Chicago, IL
* Topolobampo - Has 1 Michellin star Topolobampo - Near North Side - Chicago, IL

Others:
* Neuva Leon - Rick Bayless' favorite Mexican restaurant (although there's another in a rougher neighborhood he likes more.same thing though) - http://www.yelp.com/biz/nuevo-leon-restaurant-chicago
* Mexique - West of downtown and has 1 Michellin star Mexique - Noble Square - Chicago, IL
* Carnivale - Carnivale - Near West Side - Chicago, IL
* Vera - Spanish wine and small plates. Vera - Near West Side - Chicago, IL

Good number of Tapas places, tons of Mexican places out of downtown, etc.

Indian
There is a little India/Pakistan in Chicago but it's way north of downtown. There are a few options downtown like Gaylord (Gaylord India Restaurant - Near North Side - Chicago, IL), but by far the best place to get it is at Devon Street -- devon and western chicago, il - Google Maps

Chinese
There is a Chinatown in Chicago right along the Red Line at the Chinatown stop. A few places there have Michellin Bib Gourmand - Lao Sze Chuan and Go 4 Food. I think Go 4 Food is better, but it's further out of the way from the main stuff.

Vietnamese
There is a little Vietnam north in Uptown off the Argyle Red Line stop. Just get out and have stuff. Tank Noodle at the corner of Argyle and Broadway is the most famous (Tank Noodle Restaurant - Uptown - Chicago, IL). I think Nha Hang Viet Nam is better (Nha Hang Viet Nam - Uptown - Chicago, IL). Around there is also Sun Wah BBQ which is a chinese place with great duck (Sun Wah Bar-B-Que - Uptown - Chicago, IL)



There's a ton more. So much good food in this city it's not even funny. Girl & The Goat (Girl & The Goat - Near West Side - Chicago, IL) from a Top Chef winner, Purple Pig (The Purple Pig - Near North Side - Chicago, IL), The Aviary (The Aviary - Fulton Market - Chicago, IL) which is a cutting edge cocktail lounge from the main chef of the #8 restaurant in the world (Alinea).

A ton, ton ton ton more.

[jdiddy]

Here's the full list of Michellin's 'Bib Gourmand' picks:


Chicago 2012 | Michelin Travel & Lifestyle

At some of these you could still easily spend more than 100, especially with a bottle of wine. But if you limit yourself to a glass of wine or beer each, can be done.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by vthok

My wife and I are going to Chicago for the first time this June (12-18th). We are staying on the magnificent mile (and will not have a car with us).

So what activities, sites, events should we look to do for first time Chicago visitors?

Also any recommendations on restaurants/foods that we MUST try?

I already have planned to try a deep dish pizza and a chicago dog of course but also looking for more details on good restaurants (we're open to all cuisines) that really would make our Chicago trip memorable.

Thanks in advance.

Oh good, a question no one has every asked before and that's never been answered before on this forum.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Here's the full list of Michellin's 'Bib Gourmand' picks:


Chicago 2012 | Michelin Travel & Lifestyle

At some of these you could still easily spend more than 100, especially with a bottle of wine. But if you limit yourself to a glass of wine or beer each, can be done.

There's actually many on there that will not cost you $100. Longman & Eagle has 1 Michellin Star. Last time I went there, we had two entrees, an appetizer, and two cocktails and it was around $80 I believe after tax.

Also that's the 2012 edition. Here's 2013
http://www.michelintravel.com/michel...hicago-2013-2/

I have been to Jaipur, Lao Sze Chuan, Opart Thai, Purple Pig, Smoque BBQ, Longman & Eagle, Mexique, etc and spent under $100. I mean you look at something like Lao Sze Chuan, Opart Thai, or Smoque BBQ and you'd have to eat a ton of food to spend $100 there.