japw82

We're staying at The Courtyard on Ontario and would like to eat at Malnati's and Maggiano's. We will have a car but aren't familiar with the city. Is taking the CTA safe or should we take a cab? Are there any comparable restauarants to the two mentioned closer to where we're staying? Thanks.

weimer

Take a cab. Your hotel is not far from either destination but walking would be uncomfortable this time of year.

wantsomesun

You also might try Carson's which is very close to your hotel.

I agree with cabing it. It is COLD with the wind chill.

I used to live in Chicago and my office was across the street from your hotel, so I know the area as well.

Have a great time, lots to see in Chicago!!

Kristi

It's been a long time since I've been to Maggiano's, it used to be one of my favorites but I had a few mediocre experiences there and just haven't been back. There are a lot of good Italian restaurants within a short cab ride, try Carmine's or Rosebud on Rush if you like red sauce pastas

http://www.rosebudrestaurants.com/restaurants.htm

Another Italian place that I really liked is Osteria Via Stato but it's a little different, it's a fixed price meal ($35.95 per person) and they pick the antipasti and pasta, you pick the entree, the portions get smaller as the meal progresses

http://www.leye.com/restaurants/rest_home.jsp?id=36

For pizza, Malnati's is my favorite for deep dish, you could also try Giordano's on Rush for stuffed.

Carson's is a good choice if you like bbq ribs/porkchops/chicken (about 6 blocks from your hotel) or for something completely different, you could try Cafe Iberico on LaSalle for tapas.

Very close to your hotel is Grand Lux (Michigan & Ontario), the food there is very good but there are sometimes long waits.

http://www.grandluxcafe.com/locations.htm

Lawry's Prime Rib is also very close to your hotel but only go there if both of you want to eat prime rib

I too would take a cab, for short distances you will pay about $5.

eroz

Ditch the car. Parking is over $20 a night and you do not want to drive it. It's a very safe city, just don't walk around waving money like any place else.
YOu can walk the few blocks from your hotel to those restaurants, you are right in the middle of everything. great locatio! A cab for a few of you will be less than $5 and may be nice if it's still super cold out.

Lexma90

To answer your question about the CTA, yes it's safe and easy to use. The bus system is pretty self-explanatory; each bus stop gives which bus routes stop at that location and where the route goes. Check out http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares.html for more info; there are 1-, 3- and 5-day visitor passes you can use for unlimited rides. When we visit Chicago, we often ride the bus for only several blocks if one happens to be travelling our way.

Cabs in Chicago are relatively (compared to other cities) cheap, and you can hail them anywhere (as opposed to some cities, where you have to go to a cab stand).

japw82

Thanks for all the great info. It looks like Chicago will be having a heat wave while we're visiting. Happy Holidays!!

patg

Be sure you have substantial shoes or boots. Warmer weather will convert our 8 inches of snow into a soggy mess.