We will be in chicago late july and have been there before and love chicago style pizza but don't remember where we got it from. would like any input on great pizza places in town, also would like input on great chicago restuarants that are not the trendy, yuppie places. we are looking for the little known but fantastic places. not interested in the fancy, high priced, overrated places. also we are staying at the Chicago Hilton on michigan ave., so looking for places that are not too far of cab ride. any comments from anybody about Chicago Hilton while I'm here?

Nothing is near the Hilton (it's only a few blocks south of the main area, but hotel is pretty much an "island".

Pizza Uno's or Due's.

Small casual restaurants: La Scarola (old style Italian), Coco Pazzo Cafe (little yuppified Italian, great outdoor seating), boston blackies (burgers).

Actually the Hilton is very close to the museums and orchestra hall. Also It is in an area that is also much less congested than that to the north. But I too would rather be near the shopping and restaurants of the Gold Coast. I'm guessing most tourists would also.

The Hilton is close (walking distance, no problem) to what I consider to be the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago - the Exchequer Pub. It's on South Wabash, a couple of blocks south of Caron Pirie Scott. It's nothing fancy, but the pizza can't be beat - much better than Uno's, in my opinion.

You are also close to the original, non-touristy version of Heaven on Seven, which is also on South Wabash. Good Cajun food and a Chicago institution.

Todd -

You may have sacrificed a lot of good advice with your yuppie bashing comments. Yuppies who live AND work in the city often know where some of the best kept secrets are. While Exchequer is an excellent recommendation, Uno and Due, while fine, are about as touristy as restaurants get. Is that what you had in mind?

P.S. Any yuppie could tell you to steer clear of the original Heaven on Seven for dinner and on weekends - while it's great, it's generally only open for weekday lunch.

Last year, we ate at Harry Carey's, which was around the corner from our House of Blue's Hotel. I believe that is a Chicago institution. I enjoyed the food, it's listed as an Italian Steakhouse. Here is the link, if you are interested: http://www.harrycarays.com/in_chica.htm

My vote for best Chicago-style pizza has always been Giordano's (spinach, please).

Heaven on Seven is worth it if you can be there early (on a weekday lunchtime), to avoid the crowds. The more touristy one north of the river is good too.

Little known to tourists, but fantastic for locals: Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, on Clark just north of the intersection of Clark and Armitage. A tiny hole-in-the-wall basement-level pizza place. It's packed in the evening, and they don't take reservations. The pizza bread (take a pizza crust, cook it, then load it with oil, salt, lots of parmesan and oregano) is the most fantastic part, then have a salad for the table, then one of their (large) pizza pot pies.

And don't forget the best burger in town Billy Goat Tavern.

I would dispute the last reply, "the best burger in town". We visit Billy Goat's for the novelty, but certainly not for the burgers. Just a step above White Castle, I think! But it's interesting to go there once if you were a fan of "cheesebugga, cheesebugga".

These two need someone who's been there recently to offer an opinion: Manny's Deli on S. Jefferson....and Twin Anchors (on Sedgwick in Old Town). TA used to have a very reasonable menu (and 30 years ago was known for the ribs that "The Chairman of the Board" sent out for); also a great burger (tho you'd want to avoid the crowds in the evening)...but certainly fits "neighborhoodly.." Also, for a good burger and a spot with a definite 'neighborhood' feel - (tho the neighborhood is one of the priciest in the nation) - drop into the Coq d'Or on the lower level of The Drake hotel about 830-9 p.m....

I'm not sure what authentic means when you speak of chicago except big sausages but we love Rosebuds, italian food. Vodka Penne - yummy

I'd try HOMERUN INN for the pizza

We had great deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno (it's not the same pizza as the chain); or try Pizzeria Due (same owners as Pizzeria Uno ... just a few blocks away). I thought the pizza at Giordano's was a bit medicore. Have heard that Gino's has good pizza, but didn't get a chance to try theirs.

Restaurants we tried that you may like: Wildfire, Brasserie Joe, Gibson's Steakhouse, Frontera Grill.

Chicago Hilton is my favorite Chicago hotel. It's especially great if you have a Hhonors gold card because you get free breakfast ect. We love to eat at the CheeseCake factory in the John Hancock building there however at night there is usually a long wait. Yes it's touristy but very good.

I lived in Chicago for 25 years and now sit in Los Angeles longing for pizza from Bacinos or Giordanos.

DO NOT got to Uno's or Due. You will be disappointed.

Another good choice is Eduardo's.

Have fun!

One thing I haven't seen here is a mention of authentic Chicago hot dogs. Best in the US. Try Patrillo's (sp?), a chain or a place called Mr. J's (possibly Mr. T's or Mr. JT's)--also famous.
Then, probably the best place in town (or at least one of them) is Charlie Trotters. Probably one of the best and most beautifully presented meals I've ever had.
Any of the Rick Bayless "Lettuce Entertain You" joints would also be good: Peterino's, Frontera Grill or the quintissential diner, Ed Debevic's.
Check out the restaurant guides in Chicago Magazine. It's our bible for when we go there.
Enjoy. We'll be there in October ourselves.

First on pizza, I really like Lou Malnati's. While Giordano's is good, I think of thick crust not stuffed pizza as real Chicago pizza. I would say that Harry Carey's is far from a Chicago Institution. It hasn't been around that long (10-15 yrs) and I think it is overpriced and not that good. Portillo's is the hot dog place that the above poster is referring to. There is also Fluky's which is very popular. Frontera (the Rick Bayless restaurant) is a very good restaurant but it is trendy. It is not a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant either which also are all pretty trendy. A good place for a burger is Boston Blackies. It is usually very crowded during the week for lunch but not so bad on the weekends. I am surprised that the above poster mentions Charlie Trotter's because it is not what you are looking for. I would check out www.metromix.com for restaurants. There are personal reviews instead of just reading what the paid reviewers think in Chicago Magazine.

For something different, try going to a greektown restaurant. It is a short cab ride away and the restaurants there are very festive. Some of them have outdoor seating and it is a lively time on a summer night.

The original rosebud on Taylor Street is a Chicago institution. Very famous people have eaten there. It is Italian and you will need to take a cab there and back. The Neighborhood next to Taylor Street is a little dicey. Make sure the restaurant calls you a cab. You might not be able to hail one on the stret and you don't want to walk in that neighborhood.
Try the berhoff for a beer. It is an old Chicago institution not too far from you.

Tom: It's The Berghoff Restaurant at 17 W. Adams Street. Great beer.

Pat's Pizza on Sheffield just south of Belmont for the best pizza. Buona Beef for a really good beef sandwich. Cafe Iberico for Spanish tapas. Leona's (Sheffield & Belmont) for great Italian. Wrigleyfield for hot dog and a cold beer!