Chicago - Need help with budget restaurants
 

We are coming in for Mary Poppins this weekend on the train with a somewhat limited budget. We are staying at the Four Points Sheraton - Mag Mile (free points) and would like to get some suggestions for meals; lunch, dinner and breakfast somewhere between the 2 if possible (at least for dinner). Does trendy and budget fit in the same sentence? Believe it or not I am traveling with my 22 yr old son and he is a big fan of micro brews or good tap beer. I know there is a black bottom but maybe something different. I am open to any kind of food. Enjoy fun or unique......just something different.

You know that these are two of the most expensive areas of town, but I think we can still make some suggestions for you.

With respect to your question on microbrews: At the corner of State & Lake, The Wit (boutique hotel) has a newly opened ground-floor restaurant/bar, cleverly called "State & Lake". They have a number of brews on tap available, including some from the Chicagoland area (i.e., Three Floyds, Goose Island, etc.). Take a look at their website and you can see information on the choices and prices. The food isn't too terribly overpriced, either.

But...if you really wanted to see something, you might just be tempted to go up to the 27th floor to The Roof (indoor/outdoor lounge). They have a table in the Living Room area (which seats 8) that is contained in a glass enclosure jutting from the side of the building, so it appears it is hanging in mid-air - and the diners can look down 27 stories in between bites.

Not in between your hotel and the Cadillac, but not too terribly far away, over by the Merchandise Mart, is Kinzie Chophouse. If you don't mind dining a little early, perhaps you'd be interested in the $2.95 bar menu there (specific hours and minimum alcohol purchase - see their website for details) or go there for lunch.

A little closer in between is Brasserie Jo ("brasserie" being French for brewery) on W. Hubbard. Not only do they have dinner specials, but - by golly! - a beer menu to boot. Take a look at their website, including the special upcoming events section.

For a good hearty breakfast or lunch (although brunch is probably what you'd do), you might consider Yolk's second location on N. Wells - a little out of the way for you, but they do have lovely food and great, big portions. Not the cheapest place, mind you; but again, if you are combining breakfast and lunch - with these huge portions, you are looking at a pretty good deal.

Of course, you could always go to a Corner Bakery if you were really wanting to get by cheaply - or even order a hotdog from Down Town Dogs and eat it at Pippin's (on Rush) while enjoying a beverage.

Just a little food for thought.

Chicago tradition - Al's #1 Italian Beef - Little Italy or River North locations are the best - great for inexpensive lunch
www.alsbeef.com

Another Chicago institution - Berghoff - downtown - German/Continental menu, great beer selection
www.berghoff.com

Smoke Daddy - BBQ and live blues every evening - Wicker park
www.thesmokedaddy.com

and (pick one) Chicago pizza
Everybody has their favorite - so many to chose from
www.metromix.com

Have a great trip!

Berghoff's downtown is closed.

The Bergoff is open, I ate there last Thursday.

Thank you so much for all your replies. Princess, I will check out your suggestions, I may have a hard time choosing which one, they all sound good. AA - I am so glad you mentioned the Italian Beef. I have been craving it for years as (I used to live in the NW suburbs) I cannot get anything that resembles good IB where I live. I too had thought that Berghoffs was closed. Again thanks to all of you. I should certainly be able to find what we want. I love Orange for breakfast, but we are just not staying in the right location for that this time.

Billy Goat Tavern is always one of my favorites! Go to the original. It is either under the Wrigly Building or The Tribune Building.

<i>I cannot get anything that resembles good IB where I live.</i>,

you and I both. Fortunately I get up to the city on somewhat regular basis. I also make my own here in Florida. It's not that difficult, just takes patience. The bread was the hard part of the deal as it is almost as important as the beef, spices, juice and hot giardiniera, but I finally found a great bakery so I'm all set :-D. In fact I'm ready to slice some beef for this afternoon's lunch... I cooked a 3 lb chunk over the weekend.

</i> I too had thought that Berghoffs was closed.</i>

It did when grandpa and grandma decided to retire few years ago. The kids and grandkids had some different ideas at first, forming a catering company and closing the restaurant, but within a year or 2 they decided to reopen the restaurant and the beautiful bar. I have not eaten there since the old days and I hear it's not as good, but it could still be fun. From what I hear, the beer selection is still great.

If you haven't been to Yolk before, I think you'd compare it favorably with Orange, although you don't have the juice combinations, pancake flights, etc.

Well, Orange on Harrison has closed but a new location opened on Fullerton, in case you are going up that way for whatever reason.

However, you *are* pretty close to the Chicago Avenue Red Line station and the original location of Orange is located just 1.5 blocks from the Belmont Red Line on Clark. Problem is, on the weekend no matter wherever you go, you'll have a wait wherever you go if you don't get there first thing at opening.

For example, I just took a guest to Yolk on S. Michigan this past Saturday. We arrived there about 8:30 a.m. (couldn't get them to move any earlier because they live on PST). There was already a 1/2 hour wait but we got in in only 15 minutes because we ate at the counter. When we left (and we didn't dally), there were 3-4 times as many people waiting outside.

Thanks again all. I had forgotten about Billy Goat Tavern. Have never been there, but sure remember the schtick. :)

AA - do you have a specific recipe? I have tried several from the internet and just not the same. if you care to share you can email me at campingdream at hotmail dot com.

Princess - I didn't know that Orange on Harrison had closed. So glad you mentioned that. I think we are going to try Yolk. It looks interesting. Will greatly miss the orange coffee though :(

For Loop, River North, Near North area:

Al's #1 Beef is indeed very good. Also very much liked Mr. Beef for this.

Also consider Chicago style hot dogs. In this area, there's Portillo's or Gold Coast Dogs.

Lots of good deep dish pizza: Gino's East, Giordano's, Lou Malnatti's, and Pizzeria Uno/Pizzeria Due are worthy area options.

And yes, Berghoff's is open.