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Consider these local favourites if you’re looking for the quintessential Chicago dining experience.
Breakfast
Bongo Room - Located in trendy Wicker Park, the Bongo Room is known for its sinful pancakes, including the version made with crushed Oreo cookies and warm vanilla bean sauce. Also open for lunch and brunch.
1470 N. Milwaukee
Eleven City Diner - Breakfast is served all day at this traditional delicatessen that features staples like brisket and matzo ball soup and old-fashioned ice cream treats.
1112 S. Wabash
Ina's - Chef Ina Pinkney is the creative force behind this charming American café known for its great breakfasts (lunch and dinner are also served). Don’t miss Ina’s original vegetable hash and tasty pasta frittata.
1235 W. Randolph
Steak, Ribs & Seafood
Carson’s* - Baby back barbecued ribs smoked for hours in a hickory wood-burning pit are the specialty of the house.
612 N. Wells St. – 312.280.9200
David Burke’s Primehouse - Located in the chic James Chicago Hotel, this restaurant puts a modern spin on the classic American steakhouse.
616 N. Rush St. – 312.660.6000
Gene & Georgetti - A Chicago steakhouse tradition since 1941, and an old favourite of Frank Sinatra’s (you’ll find his photos on the walls throughout the restaurant). Besides steaks and chops, the kitchen serves up a number of authentic Italian specialties.
500 N. Franklin
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - This Gold Coast neighbourhood hotspot is a favourite among locals and visiting celebrities alike. Start your evening at the bar with a famous onion-garnished Gibson martini, then dig into one of the best steaks in the city.
1028 N. Rush
Harry Caray's - Named for the late Hall of Fame baseball announcer, this acclaimed Italian steakhouse serves the finest steaks and chops. The combination of mahogany panelling, white tablecloths and a veritable museum of baseball history creates a warm and casual elegance.
33 W. Kinzie
Joe's Seafood Prime Steak and Stone Crab - It may be best known for its cracked stone crab claws, but the prime steaks deserve equal praise. The crisp white tablecloths and dark wood create a classically elegant setting.
60 E. Grand
Keefer's Restaurant - This twist on the classic Chicago steakhouse offers a wide selection of prime
steaks and fresh fish, as well as pasta, chicken and chops. At the helm is chef
John Hogan, widely regarded to be the best in the business.
20 W. Kinzie
McCormick and Schmick's - Known for the freshest seafood available, this Chicago favourite offers everything from Alaska halibut to the New Zealand grouper on a "Fresh List" that includes more than 30 seafood varieties. A knowledgeable wait staff is eager to make your dining experience unforgettable.
41 E. Chestnut and 1 E. Wacker
Mike Ditka's Restaurant - The former coach of Chicago's American football team, the Bears, is the namesake behind this restaurant. Check out the sports memorabilia before digging into the famed pork chops or bone-in rotisserie prime rib. After dinner, enjoy a primo cigar and live music in the restaurant's clubby cigar bar.
100 E. Chestnut
Morton's The Steakhouse - The original Morton’s The Steakhouse in Chicago is housed in a clubby restaurant with crisp white tablecloths, exposed brick walls and a discreet below-street locale in the bustling Rush Street district. In addition to a second downtown Chicago location, Morton’s also has three suburban restaurants, plus other locations around the world.
1050 N. State
N9ne - This modern steakhouse features prime-aged steaks, as well as succulent seafood. See and be seen at the circular granite champagne and caviar bar in the centre of the dining room, or at the groovy upstairs Ghostbar.
440 W. Randolph
RL - Dine amidst Ralph Lauren décor at this stylish restaurant located adjacent to the world’s largest Polo store. Like Lauren’s signature design, the menu is inspired by American classics such as Maine lobster and steak Diane (prepared tableside).
115 E. Chicago
Shaw's - This popular seafood destination prides itself on its famously fresh fish, flown in daily from all coasts. The casual oyster bar offers a menu of regional oysters and cocktails, while the more formal dining room features over 40 fresh seafood entrees.
21 E. Hubbard
Smith & Wollensky - Located along the Chicago
River, this traditional American
steakhouse is known
for its hand-cut steaks and
excellent wine list.
318 N. State St. – 312.670.9900
Tavern at the Park - Enjoy breathtaking views of Millennium Park through the 20-foot windows of this chic, yet casual, eatery. John Hogan, the celebrated chef from Keefer's, offers a wide selection appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees.
130 E. Randolph
Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern - A favourite in the city’s Old Town neighbourhood since 1932, Twin Anchors is known for its lip-smacking barbecued ribs. The music of Frank Sinatra, a long-time customer, often plays on the jukebox.
1655 N. Sedgwick
Wildfire - Wildfire is a sleek steakhouse that recalls a 1940s supper club, complete with a cosy martini lounge. Try the steak, (you'll hear them sizzling in the brick oven), or a seafood dish like the popular cedar-planked salmon.
159 W. Erie
ZED451* - Try unlimited samplings of
ZED451’s seasonal multicultural
offerings and check
out the sexy rooftop deck.
739 N. Clark St. – 312.266.6691
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza
Giordano's - For more than 30 years Giordano's has been serving up its own version of deep-dish pizza, stuffed with loads of cheese and topped with a tangy tomato sauce. The authentic taste comes from the owners' closely guarded family recipe, developed generations ago in Torino, Italy.
730 N. Rush
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - This family-run pizzeria offers a huge variety of pizza concoctions, though it's hard to beat its namesake Lou: a hearty combo of tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and three cheeses layered in a deep, flaky crust.
439 N. Wells
Pizzeria Uno - Pizzeria Uno is the home of Chicago's original deep-dish pizza, invented by owner Ike Sewell back in 1943. Read the entertaining graffiti on the walls while you wait for your freshly made tomato-topped pie, filled with cheese and a choice of veggies and meat.
29 E. Ohio
619 N. Wabash
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs and Other Classics
Billy Goat Tavern - Best known for being featured in a Saturday Night Live skit, the Billy Goat Tavern has been a Chicago legend since 1934. Considered as a Chicago Tourist Landmark, this restaurant is frequented by Chicagoans, presidents and celebrities. Stop in and order a "cheezborger".
430 N. Michigan, lower level
Gold Coast Dogs* - Order your Chicago-style
hot dog here: start with
an all-beef Vienna hot dog,
top it with mustard, pickle
relish, onions, hot peppers,
a tomato slice, a pickle
spear and celery salt and
serve it in a poppyseed bun.
159 N. Wabash Ave. –312.917.1677
Portillo’s - What started as a simple hot dog stand in 1963 is today 42 restaurants serving all the Chicago food favourites, including hot dogs, Italian beef, Polish sausage, pizza and ribs. The downtown Ontario Street location has a fun display of Chicago memorabilia from the '30s and '40s.
100 W. Ontario
Superdawg Drive-In - It's hard to miss this modest stand—just look for the towering boy and girl hot dog mascots winking from the roof. Order a plump Superdawg with french fries and wait for a carhop to bring it out to your car. Don't leave without a milkshake or creamy root beer Blackkow!
6363 N. Milwaukee
Wiener’s Circle - Best known for their char-grilled food, visit the iconic Wiener’s Circle for a signature Chicago-style hot dog. Other customer favourites include the charburger and cheese fries.
2622 N. Clark
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