OH! Billy Goat Tavern..I cant remember exactly where it is, but its a fun hamburger joint that was made famous by the early skit from Saturday night live with "cheezboiger, cheezboiger, no fries, cheeps..

ha!

Most of the pizza places mentioned have individual pan pizzas.

It's been a few years since I've lived there so forgive me if any of these places don't exist anymore.Gino's Pizza, just off Michigan (Huron?), also Billie Goat, and the Bergoff. If you're looking for something more upscale, Zinfindel has a great menu with a focus on local ingredients. North Pond Cafe -- just take a cab -- and Printer's Row are two restaurants you won't find in New York.

Gino's pizza has moved to Wells street but is still good. Zinfadel closed awhile ago.

Billie Goat can be accessed from the stairs on Michigan Ave. across from the Tribune building, just north (barely) of the Wrigley bldg. Go down and its right there (there is a sign pointing the way). North Pond is another good one I forgot-great setting especially on a nice night.

Thanks to everyone, this is really great. I will definitely be printing out these suggestions and taking them with me this weekend. (Though if I do go to that rougher Taylor Street area, I'll be sure to keep the printout in my pocket so I don't look like a tourist!)

Thanks again.

Weiner Circle for a late night drunken hot dog!!! What about some of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants? They are all terrific. Also check out Randolph Street-Vivo, Marche, Sushi Wabi-I wouldn't call these uniquely Chicagoan but they're excellent.

mattydale, I assume you will be taking a cab to Taylor Street so I wouldn't worry about being alone. Have the cab drop you off right in front and ask the host to call one to pick you up - you should be fine. My first choice would be Francesca's, then Tuscany and Rosebud last.

On Taylor, La Vita is great too, smaller and more quaint that the others. I agree that Rosebud should be your last choice on Taylor.

Just have to ditto the poster who loved Hotel Burnham. I stayed there the last weekend in November 2002 and absolutely loved it. I tried to get in again for a weekend in Sept. and it's booked solid. My room had a great view down State Street of the flagship Marshall Field's and the big neon "Chicago: sign for the Chicago Theatre.

Only complaint was that a kid was drumming on plastic pails for money outside Marshall Field's until 10:00 p.m. and it drove me nuts. Still, that's not the hotel's fault.

There's also a train stop for the line that goes right into O'Hare about a block from the hotel. Very convenient. I walked everywhere else, including the museum.

For pizza both Giordano's and Lou Malnati's are great, but I prefer the butter crust deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's slightly more.

Enjoy!!

The quintessential Chicago restaurant is Gene and Georgetti's. An Italian steakhouse (that has fabulous Chicken Vesuvio)it's what Harry Carey's and Iron Mike's wannabee.

Definitely go to the Berghoff, which is about a 3 block walk south to Adams, right down State Street. Plus, the Italian Village is also a short walk south, but it's on Monroe. Lou Mitchell's is a great breakfast place - it's on Van Buren, on the west side of the Chicago River. It's a good 10 block walk from the Burnham but worth the hike. Lou himself use to hand out milk duds to those standing in line. Lastly, for lunch any of the hot dog places -- Gold Coast Hot Dogs comes to mind and there's one on Wabash just north of Lake. Enjoy!!!

OOPS -- I had to laugh at myself after I just posted a message to this thread. I realized the initial question concerned a trip over Labor Day weekend. I'm a little late in replying but perhaps someone else can use my thoughts.....

Deep dish pizza = Giordano's on Rush Street

Carey's
Billy Goat Tavern

Both scream CHICAGO!