Moderate, fun Chicago restaurants?
 

Since we're on a limited budget, can you suggest fun but moderate-inexpensive restaurants in downtown Chicago? Like a Fridays type atmosphere and price range? That of course are NOT Fridays but more unique to the Chicago area? Any old-fashioned diners? Great hot dog stands? You get the idea. Thanks guys.

jack: Ed Debevicks - I think I'm spelling it wrong, sorry.

Thanks man, anyone else with ideas?

1. Billy Goat INN (made famous by Ackroid and Belushi on SNL- chips, cheeseburger, Pepsi).<BR>2. Rock-N-Roll McDonalds (truly a must see - not kidding) <BR>3. I can't remember the name but there's a very famous German restraunt downtown that's over 100 yrs old - good and relatively inexpensive).

Gino's East Pizza, Billy Goat Tavern ("cheez-buggah, cheez-buggah cheeps-no fires!),Maggiano's, ESPNZone,Chicago Style Hot Dogs, Cheescake Factory, Redfish, Rock Bottom and a BBQ place on Navy Pier whose name slips my mind...to name a few. <BR><BR>Man! When's lunch?<BR>Kal

The Berghoff?

dcp..Bergoff's?

Kal, you slipped in there while I was trying to guess the name of the german restaurant posted above. You are very quick today. I love the Rock Bottom - great food.

Alex...Suuuuz tell you to beat me to the buzzer? hahahaha<BR>Kal

Hula gal,<BR>The carrot cake at Rock Bottom is KILLER!!!!

Have you had the carrot cake at Gibson's - the best I have ever had!!!!! Better than chocolate!!!!

Hula, Something better than CHOC????<BR> <BR>Hey, chicago person. Where IS a good Chicago hot dawg place downtown? <BR>We hit the Chicago Style place late one night and I recall it was good but it's like saying a "Lucky Dog" in New Orlean's Fr Qtr is good...after a few Hurricanes, Monsoons and Abita Turbo Dog Ales!<BR><BR>In 72 more days maybe you can show us? ha!<BR><BR>Oh.....for jack (if someone hasn't beat me to it)...Harry Carey's in the bar. Good dogs and other ball park food fare...Chili was good too.<BR>Kal

Manny's Deli<BR><BR>Gino's - Pizza<BR><BR>Cafe BaBaReBa - tapas bar- on Halstead, I think<BR><BR>

Well, I am a Superdawg gal myself, with living up on the northwest side, but some people really like Gold Coast dogs. And Fluky's which is in the Nordstrom's building up on the Mag Mile.

I like Cafe Iberico (739 N. LaSalle) for tapas. Great sangria.

I THINK Mrs Kal MAY know where Nordie's is in Chicago! ;-) She seems to be on a first name basis with Nordie shoe people nationwide!<BR>But, whodda thunk to look in there for a dawg!?

As I sit here waiting for a delivery from nordstrom.com.....

jack: Check out the restaurants in Greek Town! Fun and cheap! Parthenon and Roditys are just two. OPA!

Just though I'd throw my two cents in.<BR>I went to both Bergoff and the Cheescake factory last summer.<BR><BR>Bergoff is relatively inexpensive, but I don't know that I'd call it fun. (And since we were staying on the Mag. mile it was a bit of a walk)<BR>Although the Cheesecake factory was fun; I thought it was really rather expensive for the food/atmosphere (Its also a chain, as is Rock Bottom).<BR>The most fun we had was at Bubba Gump Shrimp (sorry another chain) but that was out on the Pier.<BR><BR>

I'd pick the Berghoff over Bubba Gump any day of the week! On Friday afternoons, enter at the bar, stand in line & get the best fish sandwich you've ever eaten. Belly up to the bar for either an icy beer (their own brand) or a frosty root beer. MMM MMM Good!

Wow you guys are great! I stepped out for a bit and came back to this! Thanks a bunch, and keep the ideas coming! <BR><BR>And now I'm getting hungry again, only two hours to dinner! haha

Just for the record<BR>The food at Bergoff was better than Bubba Gump, but I didn't really find it "fun". It was definately nothing like a Fridays type place.

Check out Miller's Pub on Wabash downtown in the loop.

cl9: You have to stand at the bar at Berghoffs - not sit at a table. The menu is limited there, but much more relaxed & laid back. Start schmoozing with the people on either side of you. I guarantee you won't want to go back to work on a Friday afternoon.

I did not realize Rock Bottom was a chain. I guess you learn something new every day. I would have recommended Goose Island but no locations downtown. <BR><BR>I also like Greektown - I work pretty close to Halsetd and lunches are very reasonable. I like Athena for the outdoor patio but there are tons of good places.<BR><BR>

Sorry - Halsted.

We went to an Uncle Julio's Hacienda up off W. North Ave? Good Mexican and funky restaurant. Feista/Party atmosphere.

Hey, Kal & Hula Girl: In today's Chicago Tribune, they have a list of meals (mainly fast food) that are good and bad. The carrot cake at the Cheesecake Factory (listed under "Restaurant Hall of Shame") has 1,560 calories and 84 grams of fat!!!!

Pat - I saw that article in Tempo! I have never had Cheesecake Factory's carrot cake so I can still fool myself into thinking that Gibson's is good for you : ) (How could something with vegetables in it possibly have fat???)<BR><BR>

Good morning and aloooohaaaa!<BR><BR>Pat and Hula,<BR>When we travel, we apply a rule that a flight attendant told us years ago:<BR>"There are no calories on vacation"!<BR><BR>Of course, she forgot to tell us that once you hit the ramp at the end of the vacation they all seem to suddenly materialize! Like Prof Klump!<BR>kal

Kal,<BR><BR>Aloha! I definitely follow that theory but also apply it to birthday dinners, anniversary dinners, etc...

Exchequer's on South Wabash, a few blocks south of the Marshall Field's on State St., has what I consider to be the best deep dish pizza in town. And no tourists or lines, and cheap too.<BR><BR>Cambridge House on east Ohio (a few blocks east of Michigan Ave.) is a good diner; I think it's open all night. Good for cheap but good diner food.<BR><BR>For something a litte more expensive but very nice, the Ritz hotel (1 block east of Watertower Place) has a great lunch buffet in the atrium every day except Saturday. All you can eat for about $17 per person, I think - the food is delicious and the atmosphere is very relaxing.

many places to check out:<BR>here's my list<BR>"food life" in watertower - tons of choices nothing to write home about.<BR><BR>"weiner's circle" on clark and wrightwood is an absolute must. great late nite<BR> <BR>"Gino's East" for great great pizza<BR><BR>"Buca De Beppo" family style Italian (nothing great)<BR><BR>"Rose Angeli's" top drawer pasta in lincoln park. it's on wrightwood<BR>

also for diners,<BR>try the origional "Lou Michelle's"<BR><BR>or "The Bagel" - great jewish deli on broadway in lakeview

Jack: I thought of another one: Twin Anchors for ribs. It's on Sedgwick in the Old Town area. Delish!

I think bb is referring to Lou Mitchell's on Jackson (565 West Jackson). It is cheap and it is diner food but I don't know how far out of my way I would go to go there. Maybe if you were over by the Sears Tower, it would be worth it. They serve good breakfast food (omelets, etc...).

Alex: Oh, yeah, Lou Mitchell's is just a breakfast place - but I loves it! Can't get enough of those free milk duds.

Hey Pat - will they give the Milk Duds to Jack though? I thought they only gave them to the ladies... ha ha. They do serve a mean grilled cheese. I love Monk's (on Lake Street) burgers, grilled cheese, and cajun fries.<BR><BR>