We are heading to Chicago and staying a couple blocks from the Pier - we would like some suggestions for affordable places to eat - we are going as a family with our 2 boys ( 9 & 6)
Thanks

my son went to chicago last year w/ some buddies, and they said NP was great to go to for the View and to walk around, but as for the Res. There they all said it was very much over rated. They said for good food, to go to Greek town...
have fun ;-D

Judy, next time I talk with him i will ask him exactly wich rest. he liked and what the prices were.. I know there was one pizza place that he loved the food soo much that they actually took a picutre of the pizza.. He STILL says it was the best pizza he EVER had !!!!!!!

try the stuffed pizza at giordinos.

Before we start throwing recommendations out, I suggest that we get clarification from the OP what "affordable places" means in dollars - and, if you could please specify if you mean a total price or entree price.

There's really no use suggesting places far beyond the OP's budget.

judyaherbert, you should note that Chicago's tax is the highest in the country. When you add on the tip and drink, you are looking at least 25% more than the entree prices.

Thanks for the tax information, I had no idea. When I say affordable I was thinking in the price range of $20 give or take per meal
Judy

$20 pp is pretty difficult in Chicago, but still can be done.

Suggest that if you are going for deep-dish pizza, do it in the evening. Not only will it fit in with your budget, but that heavy of a meal during the hottest part of a summer day...ugh!

There are Corner Bakeries all around town which have nice options at a lower cost.

There's Coco Pazzo Cafe on N. St. Clair (in the Red Roof Inn building). They have 1/2-orders at $8 pp, too, which might be good for younger ones. Nice outdoor cafe area.

Fox & Obel Cafe is a very nice place. Not cheap but of a very good quality. They are open 6 a.m. to midnight 7 days a week.

Portillos for Italian Beef and/or Chicago-style hot dogs.

Boston Blackies on Grand, just off Michigan.

Heaven on Seven at Ohio/Rush (1 block west of N. Michigan Ave.) - upper floor. Just the gumbo (recommended) and a jalapeno cheese muffin make a pretty substantial lunch.

Where else are you going around town?

I second the recommendation for Corner Bakery. If you don't have them in your area but are familiar with Panera, they have a similar type of soup/sandwich/salad kind of menu. My husband really likes them for a quick breakfast, especially their Swiss Oatmeal. It's definitely a kid friendly place.

Another somewhat similar option would be Potbelly.

For something local, I agree with exiledprincess's recommendation of Portillo's. Both of my kids go/went to school out of state. Portillo's is one of those places they always want to go when they're home!

When they were younger and we went downtown, they always wanted to have lunch at the Berghoff. It's not near Navy Pier but isn't far from Millenium Park (which I hope you plan to visit). However, we haven't been there since they reopened so can't say how their lunches are now. My kids loved their root beer.

They've also always been fans of Miller's Pub (also in that part of the Loop). It's more of a diner type
menu. More expensive than diners out in the suburbs. But not bad for downtown.