King Tut exhibit is great IMHO. The lighting and music and audio enhance the displays. It isn't limited to the short reign of this boy king.

About the underground exhibit...we did wander through it and I suppose it is OK. Kind of a fantasy journey around huge roots and insects. A bit fakey I thought. Would recommend the Africa exhibit as more authentic.

ozarksbill

Hi Ashley,

I am from Baton Rouge,Louisiana and my husband and I have been going to Chicago to see the cubs for a vacation for the last 15 years, so we have been to many restaurants in Chicago. First don't go to Giordano's it looks just like the frozen pizza you see in the stores. Pizza uno or due both very very good. I am italian so I know my pizza, here we have very thin pizza but up in chicago everything is big and very tasty. I went shopping last year by myself and stayed at the Palmer House and walked to The Villasge everynight for dinner at the bar on the second level, is the most reasonable. It was great even for lunch I went to the bar for soup,bread and a beer I just love my shopping trips. Oh another very good family resturant that serves big portions to share is Bucca's on Grand it is like right underneath Norstroms. I think at the corner of wabash and Grand I think. But the food was so good I wish I had a refrigerator in the room. They had a penne pasta dish with italian sausage. It was delicious. I will look on the map and see how close the hotel is to the L train but I think it is across Michigan Ave.

I will look into more friday.

Liz

Ashley,

The kids would probably like Ed Debevic's, a 50s-style diner near the loop where the waiters and waitresses are like comedians. And if you like ribs or barbecued chicken, try Carson's a block or two from Debevic's. Also, Giordano's is very good, contrary to what the previous poster said -- although New York pizza is better than deep dish.

I always shake my head in disbelief at all of the posters who love Giordano's. It's not even on my list. Lou Malnati's, hands down.

Lou Malnati's is the best! I couldn't agree more.

OMG
Carson's is great. I can still taste the pork chops there and that was years ago that I was there.

I think the Uno's and Due's of the 1960's was better. And it was different than it is now- although that is not bad. But you can not go wrong with Lou Malnati's.

And I have read much of the controversy re meat/no meat. If the pizza is done right, it is not sodden and sausage on it should not make a difference. But underorder. An adult may be able to only eat 2 pieces.

But then again you may have REALLY big eaters like my sons who can eat 4. I can eat two on a good day.

Also someone suggested Chicago Oven Grinders' and that is really a treat. They also have a terrific everything salad. This is NOT deep dish pizza, but entirely unique.

Also it is a total fallacy that Chicago only has deep dish. The pizza on the Southside has always been very thin and very crispy. And I would put it against the best of NYC anyday. It's much more like Roman or Italian pizza. No rubber crust.

And we also have the best Italian beef sandwiches. Order them with natural and peppers- or natural and hot gardinaire if you like hot. Everyone says Portillo's. They are ok, Al's are ok too. But if you can near a Don's or a Rubino's- those are tons better.

I agree about Portillo's - one of my favorite places. But the best beef sandwich I've ever had is in Elmwood Park at Johnnie's on North Ave.

The oven Grinder place is far piece we walked from the l train and got off I think Armatage exit and walked like two miles, anyway the pizza was not tasy at all, no pepperoni it was a red meat sauce with no taste. We tried it because it looked different and it was something that Rachel Ray showed on tv one. Anyway there are tons of pizz places better than that. We will have to try that pizz place Lou Malnati.

Does the CTA visitor's pass work for the EL and the buses?

Which of the restaurants below are walking distance from the theater or the Sofitel? Also, is the theater within walking distance of our hotel?

Ditka
Ed Debevic
R.J. Grunt
Park Grill
Food Life
Due's
Lou Malnati's

Also, any breakfast suggestions close to our hotel or at our hotel? My daughter loves crossants so I am thinking our hotel might be a good choice for at least one breakfast.

Is there a website that has a great map that shows the restaurants, theater, etc?

They're all pretty much within walking distance or short bus/cab/train rides. R.J. Grunt's is the farthest, but it's doable.

The visitors pass works for both.

ttt for a new November visitor. And if you click on tlf18's name you will get an entire other group that include many other day schedule's for Chicago.