Yum Yum -Tell me where??!! - Chicago
Jul 29th, 2013, 07:50 AM
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Yum Yum -Tell me where??!! - Chicago
My parents, myself and my 16 year old daughter will be in Chicago from August 1-4th. We are staying by the Airport. Can you give suggestions of not only Great places to eat but also unique places that we would enjoy near O'Hare airport and average priced or less? I want to make this fun weekend not only for my parents but also for my 16 year old who isn't thinking she will have much. 
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jul 29th, 2013, 08:06 AM
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Near the airport can be in any of eight cities and average price means different things to different people and in different locations. The average price of a meal in Chicago isn't the same as Fort Wayne or Springfield. It would help if you gave a few more specifics.
Giordano's has a location in Rosemont and Lou Malnati's is in Elk Grove Village.
You can search for other restaurants on www.chicagoreader.com or www.chicagomag.com by cuisine, price or location.
Giordano's has a location in Rosemont and Lou Malnati's is in Elk Grove Village.
You can search for other restaurants on www.chicagoreader.com or www.chicagomag.com by cuisine, price or location.
Jul 29th, 2013, 09:29 AM
#3
Stay somewhere within walking distance of the MTA blue line.
http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/
There are quite a few inexpensive places to eat in Chicago even inside the "loop". My wife and I ate at a little hole in the wall place called Pierogi Heaven on north Wells underneath the "el". We also had great beef sandwiches at Mr. Beef on Orleans.
http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/
There are quite a few inexpensive places to eat in Chicago even inside the "loop". My wife and I ate at a little hole in the wall place called Pierogi Heaven on north Wells underneath the "el". We also had great beef sandwiches at Mr. Beef on Orleans.
Jul 29th, 2013, 10:00 AM
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If you'd like to look at my trip report, I mentioned several places we ate. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
Lee Ann
Lee Ann
Jul 30th, 2013, 10:35 AM
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smilies, you'll be spending around an hour each way commuting to and from the airport to the Loop. Maybe you'd like to eat in Chicago proper so as to maximize your actual time there?
Keeping in mind that Chicago IS one of the most expensive cities in the nation and the "downtown" area is the high rent district...What are you planning on doing?
My first suggestion is to have a larger breakfast or lunch - and economize at dinner. A lot of the restaurants do have similar menus between the luncheon and dinner hours but you save some $. The problem is this: If you come on a weekend, then these "inexpensively" priced places are packed, with people such as yourself. So try to get to the one which is the most popular on Thursday (the 1st).
You'll get better "bang for your buck" if you eat outside of these areas: the Loop, River North, Magnificent Mile, but I can suggest a few.
If you go on THURSDAY, then consider XOCO. This is one of Rick Bayless's restaurants. Especially try to go at an "off-hours" time - maybe the middle of the afternoon, if you have an early morning arrival - because this is a very popular place.
If you are going to a free Millennium Park concert, then I recommend Pastoral (on E. Lake Street). Although their picnic baskets are on the pricey side, you can pick up salads and sandwiches which are very nice for a reasonable price.
If you are on N. Michigan Avenue (the Magnificent Mile), close to Water Tower Place, if you walk west one block, you would be at N. Rush Street. You can get a Chicago-style hotdog at Downtown Dogs.
I mentioned taking the river water taxi to Chinatown (Ping Tom Memorial Park) and you could all dine there.
Now, please remember that you have the entire 'L system at your disposal as well. The Loop is a central hub and you can pick up any of the other lines (you'll be on the Blue Line coming into Chicago) to go out to one of the restaurants a little further away. I would hesitate to suggest any out of hand, because I'm not sure what you plan on doing.
But, just as an example, if your family is visiting Wrigley Field (even for photos), the Chicago Diner (vegetarian/vegan) is within easy walking distance from the Red Line's Addison station, just 1 block from Wrigley Field. It would take about a 15 minute ride (non-rush) each way from the Loop.
Or, since you are coming in on the Blue Line, you could look into one of the restaurants in the Wicker Park neighborhood - Damen stop on the Blue Line. Maybe the Bongo Room, Native Foods Café, or Sultan's Market. And then continue into the downtown area - or vice versa if you are going back out to the airport. You'll have to take a look at their websites for pricing to see if this is in your budget range.
Keeping in mind that Chicago IS one of the most expensive cities in the nation and the "downtown" area is the high rent district...What are you planning on doing?
My first suggestion is to have a larger breakfast or lunch - and economize at dinner. A lot of the restaurants do have similar menus between the luncheon and dinner hours but you save some $. The problem is this: If you come on a weekend, then these "inexpensively" priced places are packed, with people such as yourself. So try to get to the one which is the most popular on Thursday (the 1st).
You'll get better "bang for your buck" if you eat outside of these areas: the Loop, River North, Magnificent Mile, but I can suggest a few.
If you go on THURSDAY, then consider XOCO. This is one of Rick Bayless's restaurants. Especially try to go at an "off-hours" time - maybe the middle of the afternoon, if you have an early morning arrival - because this is a very popular place.
If you are going to a free Millennium Park concert, then I recommend Pastoral (on E. Lake Street). Although their picnic baskets are on the pricey side, you can pick up salads and sandwiches which are very nice for a reasonable price.
If you are on N. Michigan Avenue (the Magnificent Mile), close to Water Tower Place, if you walk west one block, you would be at N. Rush Street. You can get a Chicago-style hotdog at Downtown Dogs.
I mentioned taking the river water taxi to Chinatown (Ping Tom Memorial Park) and you could all dine there.
Now, please remember that you have the entire 'L system at your disposal as well. The Loop is a central hub and you can pick up any of the other lines (you'll be on the Blue Line coming into Chicago) to go out to one of the restaurants a little further away. I would hesitate to suggest any out of hand, because I'm not sure what you plan on doing.
But, just as an example, if your family is visiting Wrigley Field (even for photos), the Chicago Diner (vegetarian/vegan) is within easy walking distance from the Red Line's Addison station, just 1 block from Wrigley Field. It would take about a 15 minute ride (non-rush) each way from the Loop.
Or, since you are coming in on the Blue Line, you could look into one of the restaurants in the Wicker Park neighborhood - Damen stop on the Blue Line. Maybe the Bongo Room, Native Foods Café, or Sultan's Market. And then continue into the downtown area - or vice versa if you are going back out to the airport. You'll have to take a look at their websites for pricing to see if this is in your budget range.
