We have friends coming in from the San Fran area and they are interested in eating truly unique food that you can only find in Chicago. No touristy or snooty/pricey places. We most likely would be dining with children, ages 3 & 5 and live on the Northside (Lakeview area), but can drive anywhere not too far Thanks for your suggestions.
I would take them for REAL Italian food in Little Italy. Go to Ro'Sals....AMAZING!! they have highchairs for kids and will make up noodle plates for them. The place is super small (which makes it so quaint) so call ahead for a reservation. They have cheap valet too which is a plus in this weather!
Well you might get better Cuban food in Miami but Cafe LaGuardia on North Ave is a favorite of ours.
Not sure if you can only find food like this here but any trip to M Henry Cafe in Andersonville for breakfast, brunch or lunch is soooo good. The Bliss pancakes are sinfull. No reservations so be prepared to wait on the weekend.
Ranalli's in Andersonville has amazing thin crust pizza, grilled wings, ravioli and the gelato is to die for.
Piece (North & Damen) has great pizza and is an award-winning brewpub. It's mainly families at lunchtime. While there's great bbq all over the country, Smoque has been featured in all major food magazines and the Food Network. Friends from Texas swear the brisket is the best they've ever had. It's BYOB and also open for lunch. Reza's (Wilson & Kedzie) has delicious Persian food. I'd say Hot Doug's but it's always so crowded (only open until 4pm) and could be hard with a group. What about Indian food on Devon?
The following aren't necessarily foods unique to Chicago, but the restaurants are and worth a visit: Mia Francesca on Clark -- if you go early it's very family friendly and the food is great, not expensive. Orange on Clark or The Bongo Room for brunch. Lou Malnati's or Edwardo's for deep dish pizza. People love Potbelly for a quick, cheap lunch as well as Hot Doug's (gourmet hot dogs) or Al's Italian Beef (various locations). Marche or Red Light on Randolph have cool, hip interiors and good food. Le Bouchon on N. Damen is really cute and cozy with great, inexpensive French food. You can Google for menus to view. Neighborhoods make Chicago unique, so I would go to Andersonville - great restaurants, cafes and shops. Also Lincoln Square is cute.
When we have friends visiting from out of town, they often want to go out for Polish food because it can be hard to find in other cities. We like to go to the Czerwone Jabluszko (Red Apple) buffet. They have two locations on Milwaukee. It's definately not fancy but the food is delish and it's totally famiy friendly. You can't beat the free soup & ice cream either! We also like San Soo Gab San for Korean food on Western and Foster. Kids tend to love the millions of condements served with the meal so it keeps them occupied. We go there with our almost 4 year old and our friend's almost 3 year old and they love it.
I would definitely hit a Portillo's restaurant. Chicago style hot dogs, beef sandwiches, and Italian sausage. It's not really fast food, but not a snooty type restaurant either. I bring my daughter there all the time. They have a website and several locations. Hopefully, there's one close to you. I always bring my out of town guests there.
Well, since Rick Bayless just won Top Chef Masters a few month ago...my recommendation would be Frontera Grill for brunch on Saturday because they take reservations. YUM. It's completely loud, and therefore kid friendly (at least for my son:-), but not nearly as busy and minus the wait that can occur in the evening. Plus,it meets your criteria, you can only find it in Chicago and it is definitley not snooty or pricey. (We have been there at least ten times since my son has been born and we are never disappointed.)
Another thought, Chicago Pizza and Ovengrinders on Clark. Really yummy food totally unique pizza pot pie and cool story (started by two lawyers who didn't want to practive law anymore.)
Have fun!
Greek-town Has some really nice and reasonably priced restaurants. Artropolis has really nice greek food and awesome bakery.
Lincoln Square, with its neighborhood feel and German restaurants would be great. It's a fun, relaxed, and very Chicago atmosphere. Not too far away, in Andersonville, don't forget the one and only Ann Sather!
I love Mia Francesca on Clark. It's good Italian and not touristy or snooty. The food is amazing.
