Self-planned Chicago food tour
Jun 14th, 2008, 08:29 PM
#21
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Exiled princess, your statements were really uncalled for and remind me of why I stopped posting on Fodors a long time ago. There's nothing so bad on a travel forum as an ignorant know-it-all, except perhaps one that likes to throw a little dirt along the way. I don't know what would possess you to imply that the consistently favorable reviews this food tour attracts are not above board. That's pretty smarmy coming from someone who has no personal knowledge whatsoever of it! Do you have an axe to grind that you're not telling us about?
I also find it amusing (and equally ignorant) that you bemoan the supposed lack of academic qualifications of the tour guides, yet heartily recommend the Chicago greeter program. You do know (or maybe you don't) that the greeters are simply enthusiastic volunteers eager to share their love of the city, don't you? They are not professionally trained, not that this in any way shape or form detracts from them. I personally think the greeter program is great. But it is funny that in one situation it's "suspicious" and in another it's fantastic. Try for some consistency and objectivity when offering tourist information, will you?
I also find it amusing (and equally ignorant) that you bemoan the supposed lack of academic qualifications of the tour guides, yet heartily recommend the Chicago greeter program. You do know (or maybe you don't) that the greeters are simply enthusiastic volunteers eager to share their love of the city, don't you? They are not professionally trained, not that this in any way shape or form detracts from them. I personally think the greeter program is great. But it is funny that in one situation it's "suspicious" and in another it's fantastic. Try for some consistency and objectivity when offering tourist information, will you?
Jun 15th, 2008, 06:40 PM
#22
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laurelee,
You mentioned you were looking for bakery recommendations, so here are a few: Bittersweet, just west of the Belmont Avenue blue/brown line stop. It's an excellen Parisien-style bakery in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. They also have a small menu of soups, salads and sandwiches. It's not too far from The Bagel, a pretty good deli on Broadway that serves huge portions.
Another bakery is That Sweet Thang on North Avenue in Bucktown.
Also, if you like chocolate, go to Bittersweet on Michigan Avenue, between Millenium Park and the Tribune/Wrigley buildings. Their chocolate bars are excellent.
You mentioned you were looking for bakery recommendations, so here are a few: Bittersweet, just west of the Belmont Avenue blue/brown line stop. It's an excellen Parisien-style bakery in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. They also have a small menu of soups, salads and sandwiches. It's not too far from The Bagel, a pretty good deli on Broadway that serves huge portions.
Another bakery is That Sweet Thang on North Avenue in Bucktown.
Also, if you like chocolate, go to Bittersweet on Michigan Avenue, between Millenium Park and the Tribune/Wrigley buildings. Their chocolate bars are excellent.
Jun 15th, 2008, 06:46 PM
#23
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Boy! Did I strike a raw nerve here?
Mermaid, thanks for those
comments. I especially like the "ignorant know-it-all" part.
I'm going to take that comment meaning you are saying I am ignorant of the Chicago Food Planet Tour and not of the City of Chicago, especially since I have been posting here on this forum for quite a while on the latter subject. Since I live on the north side of Chicago and regularly visit it, I think that I know a *little* about it.
IMHO, you are missing the big point. The Chicago Food Planet Tour charges $40 a head. What does the Chicago Greeter program charge? (The Chicago Greeter program is provided by the Chicago Department of Tourism.)
Even the Chicago Architecture Foundation, with the trained docents, charges considerably less than the Chicago Food Planet Tour charges.
And any attraction, hotel or restaurant which garners numerous stellar reviews from posters who have EACH only posted one single review on the entire website - for that particular attraction - does make me suspicious. I can understand it if it happens once or twice. But 10-15 (or more) times? What would you think?
But the subject of this thread is for a self-planned Chicago food tour. My comments were to assist the OP in that.
Mermaid, thanks for those
comments. I especially like the "ignorant know-it-all" part.
I'm going to take that comment meaning you are saying I am ignorant of the Chicago Food Planet Tour and not of the City of Chicago, especially since I have been posting here on this forum for quite a while on the latter subject. Since I live on the north side of Chicago and regularly visit it, I think that I know a *little* about it.
IMHO, you are missing the big point. The Chicago Food Planet Tour charges $40 a head. What does the Chicago Greeter program charge? (The Chicago Greeter program is provided by the Chicago Department of Tourism.)
Even the Chicago Architecture Foundation, with the trained docents, charges considerably less than the Chicago Food Planet Tour charges.
And any attraction, hotel or restaurant which garners numerous stellar reviews from posters who have EACH only posted one single review on the entire website - for that particular attraction - does make me suspicious. I can understand it if it happens once or twice. But 10-15 (or more) times? What would you think?
But the subject of this thread is for a self-planned Chicago food tour. My comments were to assist the OP in that.
Jun 15th, 2008, 07:08 PM
#24
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laurelee, sorry, I didn't mean to get OT on that last post, especially since we are here to help you and not to quarrel amongst ourselves.
It's really difficult to give you any particular suggestions without knowing what part of the city would interest you the most.
However, you might consider a neighborhood such as:
Lincoln Square;
Wicker Park/Bucktown; or
Lakeview (and there are several sections of it):
N. Broadway, north from Diversey to Addison ("Boystown" area). There are a couple of Ann Sathers locations in this area, the original location of Bobtail Soda Fountain, the Tea & Coffee Exchange, the original location of Pastoral: Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine*, and the original location of Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. There are boutique shops (several of home decor), bookstores, etc. in this area.
If you go to the south of Diversey (on Clark Street), you could stop in at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder or Riccardo Trattoria. Both are just a couple of blocks from the Lincoln Park Zoo.
***
The N. Southport corridor from Belmont north to Irving Park (even a little northwards for Deleece). If you were looking to tie it in with a visit to another place of historical and architectural significance, Graceland Cemetery is at the corner of Clark & Irving Park, about 4 blocks east of Southport & Irving Park and about 4 blocks north (on Clark St.) from Wrigley Field.
If you are on N. Southport, you are only a quick cab ride away from Hot Doug's or Terragusto, both excellent suggestions mentioned above.
You might also be interested in the Green City Market held in Lincoln Park and which has chef demonstrations. See: www.chicagogreencitymarket.org
*Pastoral: Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine has another location in the Loop on E. Lake Street. And there are two more Intelligentsia locations - one between the Chicago Cultural Center and the other in the historic Monadnock Building on W. Jackson.
Intelligentsia even has public tours of their roasting facilities on West Fulton on the 1st Saturday of each month (10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.). If you look at their website, you can see the details as well as what your $10 will get you.
It's really difficult to give you any particular suggestions without knowing what part of the city would interest you the most.
However, you might consider a neighborhood such as:
Lincoln Square;
Wicker Park/Bucktown; or
Lakeview (and there are several sections of it):
N. Broadway, north from Diversey to Addison ("Boystown" area). There are a couple of Ann Sathers locations in this area, the original location of Bobtail Soda Fountain, the Tea & Coffee Exchange, the original location of Pastoral: Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine*, and the original location of Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. There are boutique shops (several of home decor), bookstores, etc. in this area.
If you go to the south of Diversey (on Clark Street), you could stop in at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder or Riccardo Trattoria. Both are just a couple of blocks from the Lincoln Park Zoo.
***
The N. Southport corridor from Belmont north to Irving Park (even a little northwards for Deleece). If you were looking to tie it in with a visit to another place of historical and architectural significance, Graceland Cemetery is at the corner of Clark & Irving Park, about 4 blocks east of Southport & Irving Park and about 4 blocks north (on Clark St.) from Wrigley Field.
If you are on N. Southport, you are only a quick cab ride away from Hot Doug's or Terragusto, both excellent suggestions mentioned above.
You might also be interested in the Green City Market held in Lincoln Park and which has chef demonstrations. See: www.chicagogreencitymarket.org
*Pastoral: Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine has another location in the Loop on E. Lake Street. And there are two more Intelligentsia locations - one between the Chicago Cultural Center and the other in the historic Monadnock Building on W. Jackson.
Intelligentsia even has public tours of their roasting facilities on West Fulton on the 1st Saturday of each month (10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.). If you look at their website, you can see the details as well as what your $10 will get you.
Jun 16th, 2008, 06:35 AM
#25
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It's okay--I know it happens. Those last suggestions were great. I think if we got on a bus or cab to a certain area(Hot Doug's perhaps)we could grab a sandwich..and then if we could walk somewhere from there and have something else unique--that would be a possibility. What is the area like around Hot Doug's..what would be the best way of getting there from the Whitehall Hotel? We may figure this out yet.
One more question..is there an area with a number of great bakeries we could walk and have little bites to eat?
One more question..is there an area with a number of great bakeries we could walk and have little bites to eat?
Jun 16th, 2008, 07:45 AM
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The neighborhood that Hot Doug's is in is residential, but if you walk up to Addison and then over to Roscoe Village, you'll find cool shops and restaurants and bars on Roscoe Street. There are some good places for brunch there, but you'll likely be stuffed after Hot Doug's. It's about a 20-minute walk from Hot Doug's.
I strongly suggest trying a few of the specialty sausages at Hot Doug's.
I strongly suggest trying a few of the specialty sausages at Hot Doug's.
Jun 16th, 2008, 12:33 PM
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I did a little homework on www.chicagoreader.com for "pizza", "ice cream", "barbeque" and "deli" in Bucktown and came up with the following (with all attribution of these reviews to Chicago Reader). They are all quite the "institutions" but would still take you on a great tour of one of Chicago's up and coming (or some would say already here) neighborhoods, a good mix of food, boutiques, and residences.
My Pie/Li'l Guys
2010 N. Damen, Chicago, (773) 394-6900.
Pizza. Lunch, dinner: seven days.
This bustling hybrid deli and pizza parlor offers relatively healthful fast food in a cool little room. Aromatic thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas sit in a glass warmer for ordering by the slice, next to a tall pizza oven where whole pies are cooked to order for delivery and a service counter where the staff quickly create fresh sandwiches with meats that are roasted on the premises. Sides like vinaigrette potato salad and pesto penne are on the menu alongside homemade soups, brownies, and cookies. There's only a short counter with a few seats since most carry out. In the summer the outdoor patio seats about a dozen. While there's a parking lot out front, it's cramped and usually full.
Margie's Candies
1960 N. Western Ave., Chicago, (773) 384-1035.
American, Ice Cream. Breakfast, lunch, dinner: seven days.
Open late: Friday & Saturday till 1, other nights till midnight.
The legendary ice cream parlor at the intersection of Western, Milwaukee, and Armitage dishes up sundaes with enough embellishments to satisfy the most demanding sweet tooth: bananas, cherries, nuts, fluffs of whipped cream, hot fudge in a pitcher on the side. A Chicago institution since 1921, the cozy room stuffed with dolls and other knickknacks has transported more than one Rater right back to grandma's house. And, as one aptly puts it, "Who else but your grandmother would give you such a huge bowl of ice cream?" Margie's also serves a limited menu of diner standards -- burgers, fries, grilled cheese -- but most patrons say skip the real food, have another dessert.
Honey 1 Barbeque
2241 N. Western St., Chicago, (773) 227-5130.
American, Barbecue/Ribs. Lunch, dinner: Sun, Tues-Sat. Closed Monday.
Open late: Friday & Saturday till 11.
In a just world Robert Adams wouldn't have needed to move Honey 1, his celebrated west-side barbecue joint. Pilgrims would have traveled from distant lands, pitching tents on his sidewalk and chanting its name in the same breath as Black's, Arthur Bryant's, Moonlite, and McClard's. Businesses would have multiplied all around him, catering to the masses his restaurant attracted and employing hardworking people from the Austin community, and Robert Adams would have been a millionaire and a hero. Instead, after a few years of feast or famine, in 2005 Adams moved his operation to the north side. The current place has a seating area, which ought to preserve countless engine hoods from sauce stains, and smoked chicken on the menu, but otherwise he and his son Robert Jr. proffer the same ribs, tips, and links they did in Austin. Adams, who learned his craft from his grandfather growing up in Arkansas, smokes superslow in a gleaming eight-foot glass-and-steel aquarium-style pit, using a mixture of red oak, cherrywood, and only a bit of hickory, which in excess "poisons" the meat. Unlike most barbecue cooks, who think fat is necessary to keep the meat from drying out, Adams favors it lean: "A lot of people can't cook lean meat and make it real juicy," he says. "And I can. I guess that's my gift."
Riverside Cafe and Deli
1656 W. Cortland, Chicago, (773) 278-3354.
Kosher/Jewish/Deli. Breakfast, Lunch: Mon-Sat. Sunday brunch.
Casual cafe in Bucktown serving deli food seven days a week.
My Pie/Li'l Guys
2010 N. Damen, Chicago, (773) 394-6900.
Pizza. Lunch, dinner: seven days.
This bustling hybrid deli and pizza parlor offers relatively healthful fast food in a cool little room. Aromatic thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas sit in a glass warmer for ordering by the slice, next to a tall pizza oven where whole pies are cooked to order for delivery and a service counter where the staff quickly create fresh sandwiches with meats that are roasted on the premises. Sides like vinaigrette potato salad and pesto penne are on the menu alongside homemade soups, brownies, and cookies. There's only a short counter with a few seats since most carry out. In the summer the outdoor patio seats about a dozen. While there's a parking lot out front, it's cramped and usually full.
Margie's Candies
1960 N. Western Ave., Chicago, (773) 384-1035.
American, Ice Cream. Breakfast, lunch, dinner: seven days.
Open late: Friday & Saturday till 1, other nights till midnight.
The legendary ice cream parlor at the intersection of Western, Milwaukee, and Armitage dishes up sundaes with enough embellishments to satisfy the most demanding sweet tooth: bananas, cherries, nuts, fluffs of whipped cream, hot fudge in a pitcher on the side. A Chicago institution since 1921, the cozy room stuffed with dolls and other knickknacks has transported more than one Rater right back to grandma's house. And, as one aptly puts it, "Who else but your grandmother would give you such a huge bowl of ice cream?" Margie's also serves a limited menu of diner standards -- burgers, fries, grilled cheese -- but most patrons say skip the real food, have another dessert.
Honey 1 Barbeque
2241 N. Western St., Chicago, (773) 227-5130.
American, Barbecue/Ribs. Lunch, dinner: Sun, Tues-Sat. Closed Monday.
Open late: Friday & Saturday till 11.
In a just world Robert Adams wouldn't have needed to move Honey 1, his celebrated west-side barbecue joint. Pilgrims would have traveled from distant lands, pitching tents on his sidewalk and chanting its name in the same breath as Black's, Arthur Bryant's, Moonlite, and McClard's. Businesses would have multiplied all around him, catering to the masses his restaurant attracted and employing hardworking people from the Austin community, and Robert Adams would have been a millionaire and a hero. Instead, after a few years of feast or famine, in 2005 Adams moved his operation to the north side. The current place has a seating area, which ought to preserve countless engine hoods from sauce stains, and smoked chicken on the menu, but otherwise he and his son Robert Jr. proffer the same ribs, tips, and links they did in Austin. Adams, who learned his craft from his grandfather growing up in Arkansas, smokes superslow in a gleaming eight-foot glass-and-steel aquarium-style pit, using a mixture of red oak, cherrywood, and only a bit of hickory, which in excess "poisons" the meat. Unlike most barbecue cooks, who think fat is necessary to keep the meat from drying out, Adams favors it lean: "A lot of people can't cook lean meat and make it real juicy," he says. "And I can. I guess that's my gift."
Riverside Cafe and Deli
1656 W. Cortland, Chicago, (773) 278-3354.
Kosher/Jewish/Deli. Breakfast, Lunch: Mon-Sat. Sunday brunch.
Casual cafe in Bucktown serving deli food seven days a week.
Jun 16th, 2008, 01:02 PM
#30
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Thank you so much! Everyone is working so hard for me!! I'll give this all a closer look! My thought would be that we would order maybe just one thing and share it at each place--that would be easier at a deli, take out or bakery, of course, than a sit down restaurant...just a day of little bites and walking, I guess.
Jun 18th, 2008, 03:14 PM
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Let me put in a plug for my 'hood, Andersonville. Great little neighborhood restaurants and shops, tightly packed within a few blocks. Try Huey's for hot dogs (not the best in the City, but a good example of a typical, quality Chicago dog), Swedish Bakery and Taste of Heaven for sweet stuff, Calo's for typical Chicago "red sauce" Italian (big bar area to sit in and split a few plates), Jin Jiu for Korean, Reza's for kabobs(a branch of the place mentioned above), Middle Eastern Bakery for dips and savory pies ... I could go on. You won't find deep dish, and each restaurant isn't necessarily the best in the City if time and location were no object, but the proximity and cute neighborhood make for a really fun day.
Jun 19th, 2008, 05:56 AM
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Laurelee, after your return any feedback on your experience would be appreciated. I've posted several times regarding The Whitehall and Chicago in general without any responses. - Hope it was memorable for you.
Jun 19th, 2008, 07:14 AM
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I'm sure I could look this up..but do you know how easy it is to get to Andersonville without a car? This sounds like a great spot too.
About Whitehall...we have stayed there before and thought it was quite nice...good location,clean and comfortable. Fairly new in updating/
Jun 19th, 2008, 07:20 AM
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Sure - Take the red line north to the Berwyn stop, and then it's a 10-15 minute walk west (stay on Berwyn to walk through a pretty neighborhood of old homes). It's a $20 cab ride to downtown if you get lazy on the way back 
Jun 19th, 2008, 10:02 AM
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There are also bus options for Andersonville: the no. 22 northbound on Dearborn will go through lots of interesting locales and would take about 45 minutes, or the 147 Michigan express would go along the lake and you could then transfer or walk from Broadway and Sheridan.
I love Andersonville, which has many more restaurants, bakeries, delis, and interesting stores than the OP mentioned. You also might consider Hopleaf (5100 block of Clark) for beer (over 300 choices) and/or dinner (unfortunately not open for lunch)--they have the world's best frites, among other things.
I love Andersonville, which has many more restaurants, bakeries, delis, and interesting stores than the OP mentioned. You also might consider Hopleaf (5100 block of Clark) for beer (over 300 choices) and/or dinner (unfortunately not open for lunch)--they have the world's best frites, among other things.
Jun 20th, 2008, 05:24 PM
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You might like Lincoln Square, which has a bunch of good restaurants and shops. If you like German food, there are several places, along with Italian, Greek, American, French, a high-end delicatessen and several coffee shops. Take the Brown line to Western. It's not too far from Andersonville.
Jun 21st, 2008, 08:57 AM
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"we are here to help you and not to quarrel amongst ourselves."
I agree and am sorry to take this OT again. But I feel an obligation to say what a valuable poster we have in exiledprincess. Over the years my husband and I have spent many wonderful afternoons in Chicago enjoying places she's recommended on Fodor's. She knows Chicago well and she's generous in sharing that knowledge.
I agree and am sorry to take this OT again. But I feel an obligation to say what a valuable poster we have in exiledprincess. Over the years my husband and I have spent many wonderful afternoons in Chicago enjoying places she's recommended on Fodor's. She knows Chicago well and she's generous in sharing that knowledge.
