I will be in Chicago by myself over Labor Day weekend, and I would love to check out a restaurant that is uniquely Chicagoan. I am from New York, so I'm not looking for the sort of thing I can find here--i.e., Italian, French, sushi, etc. I'm pretty sure Chicago is famous for steaks, hot dogs and deep-dish pizza. Any recommendations along those lines (or other cuisines)? Also, I will be staying downtown (one night at Westing Michigan Avenue, two nights at Hotel Burnham) and I won't have a car (and don't really know my way around the city), so I'd like to stay fairly local.

Thanks very much!


Matt

Try Harry Carey's for uniquely Chicago. It's steak house, but is also known for it's chicken vesuvio. Lou Malnati's is good for pizza. Also, Pizzeria Uno or Due. All of these restaurants are close to Michigan and a short walk north from Hotel Burnham. The whole Rush/Division/ Dearborn triangle, just west of Michigan Ave. is chock full of restuarants and watering holes and is quite the "scene". Demon Dogs is great for hotdogs but you'd have to take the El which is very easy from both your hotels.

Gibsons Steakhouse is a great place for steaks ... I believe it's on Rush St (a great location for people watching). We also loved the atmosphere and food at Wildfire ... more of a 40s dinner club restaurant (but not pretentious).

Al's Beef on Taylor Street would be the way to go for me, they have the best beef in the city! Just be careful in that area, Taylor street is.... kind of the "mob" area but the surrounding areas are not so nice.

I love Berghoff's in Downtown. It is a German restaurant with great food and efficient if somewhat reserved service. I wouldn't think of a stop in Chicago without stopping by Berghoff's at least once.

These are great suggestions--thank you. If you have any more, keep 'em coming!

Is Mike Ditka's restaurant still on Chestnut just off Michigan? You can't get much more "Chicago" than Ditka.

I second the Berghoff - great food and great service, in a historical building to boot. I don't know where it is in relation to your hotels, but any cab can take you there. An EL train runs right by it too.

Happy eating!

Good call Gekko, forgot about Iron Mikes!

If you like German food, Bergoff's is a great suggestion. Another Chicago institution is Italian Village. My personal favorite choices would be Frontera Grill for Mexican or Francesca's for Italian. However, Francesca's is not downtown. Their is one on Taylor Street and one on Clark so you would need to take a cab to either location. My favorite Chicago pizza is Lou Malnati's but Due's is good also and is closer to your hotel.

Does Giordano's have a deep dish? I know we always went there for stuffed pizza so I am not sure.

Giordanos does have deep dish but it isn't the best you'll find in Chicago. It's a chain that's hit or miss at best.

You're gonna love the Burnham! We stayed there Christmas a year ago and had a great time. They handed us a glass of wine at check in. Rehab of bldg is lovely. Nice restaurant there too, blanking on its name.

Will be going again in September -- but couldn't find any good Burnham deals -- guess it's become popular. Opted for Monaco instead this time.

I would recommend Pizzeria Due's or Uno's for deep dish pizza, with Lou
Malnati's as second choice. As mentioned,The Berghoff is a tradition in
Chicago. There are several good steakhouses downtown. Your concierge could probably suggest some.

Uno's or Due; Ditka's, Berghoff are definites. Harry Carey's is OK. If you want to splurge, go to the 95th at the top of the Hancock for dinner or just a drink - great views. If you're willing to get adventurous, take a cab to Taylor street near the UIC campus and check out the restaurants in Little Italy - Rosebud, Tuscany are both great.

I loved Giordano's deep dish pizza. Can't wait to go back the next time I am in Chicago.

Here's another vote for Giordano's. My favorite is the stuffed spinach pizza. (Basically, stuffed pizza is a variation of deep-dish pizza). This is probably the food that's most known as uniquely Chicagoan. As you've noticed, there a lot of argument about the best place for deep-dish pizza. I've never really liked Uno's or Due's, because lots of tourists go there.

For hot dogs, we used to go to Gold Coast Dogs. I think there's one location still open, but I couldn't tell you where it is. More important than which hot dog place is the kind of hot dog toppings. You could probably buy a Chicago-style hot dog at most places in Chicago. As I recall (personally, I don't like hot dogs), it's mustard, onions and no catsup. I'm sure someone will correct me if I got that wrong!

Chicago, like NYC, is easy to get around in without a car. The El is safe, there is a good bus systems, and taxis are relatively cheap.

Have a good time!

Not sure if you are male or female. If
female, wouldn't recommend you go down to Taylor street by yourself at night.
As you can see, people do have definite
opinions about the best Chicago pizza.
For a little history, Ike Sewell, who was an owner of Uno's (Due's is their second venture) is credited with inventing deep dish pizza. Due's, Uno's, Lou Malnati's and Giordanos are all good. Have a great time.

Uh, I think we Chicagoans have overlooked the obvious in our discussion of the best deep-dish pizza. Mattydale, if you are eating by yourself, a deep-dish is going to deep-six you. No single person can finish one of those things. How about some suggestions for the best pizza by the slice?

The Billy Goat?