OK, I have a 5 1/2 hour layover in Chicago on a Sunday before a flight to Paris. I get into Chicago at 12:00 taking no issues. I have taken the Metro into the city several times so I know the process but I was thinking I might take the Metro (bags will be checked outside of a backpack) into the city and eat lunch and get back on the Metro and eat away some time.

First, what are your views on this? What is the minimal time I could make this?

Any suggestions on a good restaurant near a Metro stop/in the city?

Is there anyplace that is near a Metro stop maybe halfway between?

Just some questions.

You must be flying through ORD, yes?

It's taking over an hour to get to the airport via the El these days. Construction is causing delays on the tracks, I wouldn't chance it.

If you wanted to get out of the airport, here are some recs:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/358466

Yes, I am flying out of ORD.

So you get in at noon and your Paris flight leaves at 5.30? If that's the case, then it reduces your free time by a couple of hours, because you'll want to get back early to go through the anal probe security.

Getting lunch in town not something I would chance. I would just sit in the airport, read, get something to eat, grab a few drinks, etc. 5.5 hours isn't a very long time.

I just read the bit about getting lunch at a place on the El between ORD and the city. I think there was a thread about that very topic a couple of weeks ago.

The EL or the Blue Line which runs between ORD and downtown is being rehabilated on weekends and nights and often a bus shuttle runs betweens certain outlying stations which can turn this trip into a torturous 1.5 hour trip each way certainly not advisable to do.
There are numerous fine restaurants in and around O'Hare that can be reached via a short taxi ride. You may wnat to check "Rosemont" or Des Plaines" in the on line restaurant search to come up with a list.

You really have about 3.5 hours of free time since you need about 1.5 hours fto check back in. You would wast about 90-120 minutes on the train from Ohare to the heart of the City. There are several good restaurants close to the airport which are worthwhile. If you just want a good lunch then just take a cab to them.

For example: Harry Carey's is about 10 minutes from the airport (very good)

http://www.harrycarays.com/restaurants_rosemont.html

Short answer - NO

ORD ( I live there) is one of the worst at on time arrivals. Sorry but you should stay in the region of the airport and NOT venture downtown.