exiledprincess

With all due respect to the previous posters, there is a budget of $20-30 pp (all inclusive, it seems). Ditka's will be above that budget by a considerable amount.

singermom4

I will second the suggestions for Banderas and Grand Luxe Cafe (though this may be considered a chain since it is owned by the Cheesecake Factory people but there are not many of this type) and I will add Heaven on Seven (Michigan and Ohio location).

scarboroughmom

I don't know anything about Chicago restaurants, but $20-30 is a tight budget in most larger cities. Sometimes going out for a great lunch can help keep the cost down, and let you eat in a better place.

universitylad

Thanks for help and suggestions.

We ended up eating at the Weber Grill Restaurant, which turned out to be an excellent fit (even though it might be part of a chain). We enjoyed an excellent artichoke and spinache dip with grilled pita bread. Entrees were good: I had an excellent slab of BBQ ribs with coleslaw; others in the party had excellent grilled fish.

We made reservations, so we ate in one of the dining rooms off to the side. Those eating in the bar area seemed to be walk ins and they were more crowded.

While "foodie" types might not enjoy it, it seems to be a good place for families or those out looking for a moderately priced place to eat. Our entrees were about 16-19 dollars and the two spinanch artichoke dips were about 6-7 dollars a piece.

It was within walking distance from the Hyatt (though we were walking through a wintery mix on the way back!!--like a real Chicagoans)

universitylad

Hi..I'm heading to Chicago again this coming weekend for a convention again this year. What do people think about these places? Again looking for 25-30 dollars without drinks per person. We'll be staying at the W Lakeshore this year.

Wildfire
159 W Erie St
http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/

Prices aren't listed but I think it will be less than Mortons? Would it fall within my budget?

What about these other places..does anyone have first hand knowledge?
BrasserieJo
http://www.brasseriejo.com/second_level/menu.htm
59 W. Hubbard Street

Brazzaz Brazilian SteakHouse
http://www.brazzaz.com
539 N. Dearborn St.


Bin36 Wine Bar and Restaurant
http://www.bin36.com/

Billy Goat Tavern Navy Pier
http://www.billygoattavern.com/locations.html


Coco Pazzo Café
636 N St Clair
Cross Street: Ontario
http://www.cocopazzocafe.com


Scoozi
410 West Huron
http://www.leye.com/restaurants/menus/scoozi_2.htm


Any ideas on something for us to do after dinner? I was looking into Second City comedy but they are sold out for the nights we will be there. Is there anything similar?

singermom4

Wildfire is a Chicago-area chain by Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. The food is quite good - mostly grilled items but more upscale than Weber Grill.

Brasserie Jo is excellent. Run by the same chef of Everest Room - one of Chicago's best French restaurants.

Haven't been to the others but have heard mostly good things about them Brazzaz is fine but not as good as Fogo de Chao for Argentinian barbecue (latter being more upscale).

Lots of good restaurants in Chicago.