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Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. This is evident in the priority that good eating takes, no matter the occasion. Rain or shine, locals will wait in a line that snakes around the corner for dolled-up doughnuts at Doughnut Vault. They’ll reserve pa
Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. This is evident in the priority that good eating takes, no matter the occasion. Rain or shine, locals will wait in a line that snakes around the corner f
Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. Thi
Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. This is evident in the priority that good eating takes, no matter the occasion. Rain or shine, locals will wait in a line that snakes around the corner for dolled-up doughnuts at Doughnut Vault. They’ll reserve part of their paychecks to dine at inventive Alinea. And they love to talk about their most recent meal—just ask.
It's no wonder that outdoor festivals are often centered on food, from Taste of Chicago in summer, which packs the grounds at Grant Park, to smaller celebrations, like the German-American fest in Lincoln Square, a mini-Oktoberfest in fall.
Although the city has always had options on the extreme ends of the spectrum—from the hole-in-the wall Italian beef sandwich shops to the special-occasion spots—it's now easier to find eateries in the middle that serve seasonal menus with a farm-to-table mantra. For the budget conscious, it's also a great time to dine: some talented chefs aren't bothering to wait for a liquor license, opening BYOB spots turning out polished fare (just try Ruxbin in West Town).
Expect to see more Chicago chefs open casual concepts—Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, and Michael Kornick have a head start with their respective sandwich, taco, and burger spots. Yet the goal remains the same: to feed a populace that knows good food and isn't willing to accept anything less than the best. In the following pages, you'll find our top picks, from quick bites to multicourse meals, in the city's best dining neighborhoods.
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Hyde Park
Near North and River North
Day Trips from Chicago
Lakeview and the Far North Side
Lincoln Park and Wicker Park, with Bucktown and Logan Square
Belovedby vegetarians and vegans, this eatery should also appeal to anyone simply looking for a satisfying, comforting meal. The Chicago Diner offers meat-free variations on favorites from a wide range of cuisine types—American, Mexican, Mediterranean, Thai—it’s all here, and it’s all delicious. You’ll want to save room for a milk shake so good you won’t believe it’s not dairy. Be prepared for a wait during peak dining hours.
3411 N. Halsted St., Chicago, Illinois, 60657, USA
Be prepared to stand in line for the mouthwatering apple cinnamon pancakes, a massive disk loaded with apples, or the German pancake, a puffy oven-baked circle topped with powdered sugar. There are several branches, but the original Wilmette restaurant is where scenes from the 1980 movie Ordinary People were shot.
Behind and a level down from the Wrigley Building is the inspiration for Saturday Night Live's classic "cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger, cheeps, no fries, no Pepsi, Coke" skit. Grab a greasy burger at this no-frills grill, or just have a beer and absorb the comic undertones.
430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60611, USA
Northwestern students and suits line up here for burgers (ground in-house), nine kinds of french fries (try the ones with truffle salt and Parmesan), and spicy Mexican-chocolate shakes.
Opened almost 60 years ago, Medici has served generations of University of Chicago students and faculty, many of whom carved their name on the tables and walls.
Heaping breakfasts, available anytime, make this spot a favorite with the neighborhood's late-night crowd. There are also branches in Old Town, Lakeview, and Edgewater.
2114 N. Halsted St., Chicago, Illinois, 60614, USA
Located at the unassuming intersection of Halsted and Cermak, this dimly lit, cash-only dive bar is off the beaten track but well worth the journey. Locals love its cheap, greasy comfort food—especially the tater tot basket and mac and cheese plate.
This cash-only Hyde Park institution serves big portions of no-frills diner classics cafeteria-style. President Obama ate here often during his University of Chicago days, and the restaurant still posts a “President Obama’s Favorites” menu.
At this favored, no-frills tavern, locals and university students gather for beer, burgers, and Reuben sandwiches. On Sunday nights, jam sessions complement the pub grub.
First-rate home-cooked soul food banners this Far South Side institution. The fried chicken is arguably the city's best, but leave room for outstanding corn bread, chicken gumbo, mustard greens, and sweet-potato pie. The setting is surprisingly genteel for such down-home fare: waiters in bow ties, tables with starched white cloths, and African and Haitian art on the walls. On Sunday, dress up and join the after-church crowds.
Hyde Park is known for it's comfortable neighborhood restaurants, but Park 52 is a bit more sultry than you might expect. The contemporary American menu is at its best with straightforward dishes such as barbecue-braised short ribs, shrimp and grits, and the "samurai" steak—a triple-seared New York strip. It's not exactly the place you'd think to bring your kids, but they do have a children's menu. On the first and third Wednesday of the month there is live music at night. Order a strong cocktail, settle into one of the velvet-covered chairs, and listen to live music floating down from the balcony.
5201 S. Harper Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60615, USA
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