16 answers

Looking for Restaurant in Chicago to Take Out-of-town Guest

I have a friend from California coming to Chicago for the week and I am going to drive into the city to take her out to dinner Monday night. The last two times she has come in I took her to Ed Debevic's and then Wildfire. Now I'm stumped. Can anyone recommend a place to go? She will be staying at a hotel near Superior and Michigan Ave., and I don't want to drive too far from there. Any ideas?

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Wow Mamas!! Thanks!!! I ended up going to Bistro 110 -- because two of you said to go and because it was just a block from my friend's hotel. I also found parking right nearby (by accident, which is always fun) for just $15. And we ate and walked around the area for awhile. Great time! Now I have all these other restaurants I want to try because of your recommendations. I am going to make a list so I have something ready for next time. Thanks again!

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Chicago Pizza Oven Grinder is AWESOME. http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/ Trust me, I bring all out of towners there and NOBODY has ever complained. You'll have to eat the salad, the bread and the pizza and the ice cream.

J.

If you want a menu with everything on it, Cheescake Factory! It is in the Hancock building on the 1st floor I think. Make reservations if possible! But you will love it!! The portions are unreal so be prepared for leftovers, oh and don't forget to try one of the 40 cheesecakes! Yummy!!

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Check out the restaurant section of www.metromix.com. It allows you to search by neighborhood, cuisine type, and price. Any of the neighborhoods under "Near North" or even "Downtown" will be relatively close to your friend's hotel. Have fun!

1 mom found this helpful

Chicago Pizza Oven Grinder is AWESOME. http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/ Trust me, I bring all out of towners there and NOBODY has ever complained. You'll have to eat the salad, the bread and the pizza and the ice cream.

J.

for the view yes hancock restaurant is good but the bar is also good, although a bit more expensive for both.
We love Cafe Babareeba, on halstead and near Armitage, and also Cafe Iberico-- both spanish tapas places very reasonable prices and you pick number of small dishes that you share with the table and the best sangria. also pizzeria due is the best pizza, you can take left overs home and they are still sooooooo good day or two after.

i love showing the city to my guests. what about a river boat tour, or the tour that informs of the architecture of chicago, we have great buildings and the tour is very relaxing overall.
I also drive with my guests in the lower wacker drive b.c it´s so cool, depending on a person of course.

good luck!

A restaurant that we take people to that always impresses them is the Fireplace Inn on N. Wells..it's just a block or two south of North Ave. The food is fantastic and reasonably priced..Their BBQ sauce is outstanding and you can buy a jar to take home. The cottage fries are recommended. When you enter, it's an outside bar type location that is unbelievably loud..don't go there! Eat inside where it's cool and quiet.

Just north of the restaurant is The Fudge Pot which also a people pleaser..Chocolate in zillions of shapes. Then just across North avenue (north) is Second City which everyone has heard about. Good luck and enjoy the food if you go there!

If you want a menu with everything on it, Cheescake Factory! It is in the Hancock building on the 1st floor I think. Make reservations if possible! But you will love it!! The portions are unreal so be prepared for leftovers, oh and don't forget to try one of the 40 cheesecakes! Yummy!!

I saw another post suggested Bistro 110 which was what I was going to suggest! I used to eat there all the time when I went to Loyola (it's across the street). It's not cheap but not terribly expensive either. The wood roasted veggies are really good. It's on Pearson just West of Michigan. Very easy walk from where your friend will be staying. plus, ghiradelli is next door! Bistro110restaurant.com

Ranalli's on Clark (pizza)
2301 N. Clark Street

Harry Caray's Restaurant (Steakhouse)
33 W Kinzie St

Depending on your budget, you could go to Hugo's Frog Bar on Rush, or pretty much anything in the Rush Street area.

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