soWhere Is Everyone's Favorite Place to Eat?

[Nanisu]

This year I don't have anyone to hang with except my Director--who pretty much just tags along with whatever I want to do....she's a dear but I do wind up babysitting her a lot, if you know what I mean.

We get in Sunday at 1, and don't leave till Thursday night at 6--so we have plenty of time to do stuff this year. Dinner suggestions? I did Weber grill last year--good food but not quite sure it was worth the $$. Cheesecake factory--well, we have a ton of those here in Southern CA. Same thing with Bubba Gumps. Pizza, not, we are having pizza one night with our exec since there is no exec dinner. Help????

We are doing the Gangster tour on Wednesday night, but other than that have no specific plans.

 

[suzipooh]

The Grand Luxe ~ LOVE it!

 

[wadesgirl]

Curious what the gangster tour is?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

My Sr. Exec. director sent an email out with some places that had been recommended to her - here is the list that she sent to us:

1.Grand Lux Cafe - elegant & casual with a broad menu of choices 600 N. MICHIGAN AVE., CHICAGO, IL 312-416-9399

2.Water Tower Place food court--lots of healthy options and shopping of course

3.Potbelly sandwhiches- one a couple blocks off Michigan Ave- excellant sandwhiches for under $10

4.Ed Debevic's Restaurant Review- a fun, crazy, and different dining experience
640 N. Wells St. (Ontario St.) 312-664-1707 The fictitious Ed has done a good job creating a tongue-in-cheek replica of a fifties diner. The blasting rock 'n' roll music may drive you bonkers. The gum-chewing, sassy food-slinger

 

[NooraK]

Nancy, I wish I could be there to keep you company.

 

[pkd09]

Grand Lux, Cheesecake Factory, Boston Blackies

 

[quiverfull7]

If you want to get away from the national chain places a bit

The Rosebud (Italian) in little Italy don't know the phone # or address but
two could eat and be way beyond full from one entree. Fabulous!

Greek Islands: http://www.greekislands.net/index.html

There is an Armeniean Spot that is fabulous but I can't recall
the name right now.

 

[lcucinella]

Uno's Pizza
Weber grille

Yumm..Sorry I can't go this year, but I will be watching the site for announcements!

Lisa

 

[scottcooks]

Food Network did a piece on a "Beef Sandwich" which I had never heard of, as being a regional favorite - hit up Food Network for a search.Ginos or Giordanos or Edwardos or Michelangelos for pizza.Go find a place that sells Gyros - greek lamb "meatloaf" cooked on a vertical spit - served on pita with cucumber/onion/yogurt dill sauce. Yummy!!

 

[gaddischef]

there is another post on this topic -- you can do a search and get tons of information!

 

[DebbieJ]

Grand Luxe is basically Cheesecake Factory.What kind of cuisine do you like, Nancy? How far are you willing to travel? I know in LA you can get almost anything you like, but is there something that you can't get there that you've been craving.Chicago has so much to offer--PLEASE don't go to a chain restaurant!check out Metromix | Your Restaurants, Nightlife & Events Guide or http://www.chicagoreader.com

 

[DebinIA]

We are going to Carnivale... Authentic Nuevo Latino cuisine in Downtown Chicago: Carnivale I haven't ever been, but my friend went last year and loved it so much, she's persuaded a bunch of us to go. The menu looks $$$ but divine!!

 

[bridedream]

This year I don't have anyone to hang with except my Director--who pretty much just tags along with whatever I want to do....she's a dear but I do wind up babysitting her a lot, if you know what I mean.

We get in Sunday at 1, and don't leave till Thursday night at 6--so we have plenty of time to do stuff this year. Dinner suggestions? I did Weber grill last year--good food but not quite sure it was worth the $$. Cheesecake factory--well, we have a ton of those here in Southern CA. Same thing with Bubba Gumps. Pizza, not, we are having pizza one night with our exec since there is no exec dinner. Help????

We are doing the Gangster tour on Wednesday night, but other than that have no specific plans.

Aw, Nancy... you can hang with me!

The last time I was in Chicago was in 2001. There was a huge festival "Taste of Chicago" so we really had some great eats there. I don't remember much about restaurants other than the Cheesecake Factory (which we now have in Philly) and eating at the Omni hotel. And the only reason I remember that is my hubby met Dick Butkus in the lobby.

 

[PamperedChefLayla]

Food Network did a piece on a "Beef Sandwich" which I had never heard of, as being a regional favorite - hit up Food Network for a search.

Ginos or Giordanos or Edwardos or Michelangelos for pizza.

Go find a place that sells Gyros - greek lamb "meatloaf" cooked on a vertical spit - served on pita with cucumber/onion/yogurt dill sauce. Yummy!!

It is the italian beef sandwich. Giordinos has an italian beef pizza too. I think

 

[deanna_g]

Smoque BBQ. AMAZING. Gino's. Rhapsody.

 

[PamperedChefLayla]

Carson's the place for ribs. Only one location left and it is downtown. We are going there Monday night Yum I cant wait. I LOVE Potbelly but I can get there here so I will skip it in Chi town. There is so much good food but so little time. Which I guess is good for my waistline LOL

 

[pampered1224]

About three years back, DebPC, two other ladies in our group and I just started walking south on the street behind the Hilton on Michigan. We ran into this little Italian Restaurant. Sort of out of the way and very nice. Have no idea if it is still there or what it was but the point was that if you have the umph, go for a walk. See what little out of the way place you can find. Most post menus outside so you can see what they offer. These are usually very good as they are not down town. There was also a good but somewhat pricey Italian Place next to the Hotel 71, walking toward Michigan Avenue. Again not sure it is there anymore but it was good. and never discount a Chicago style Hot Dog with florescent green relish! Here is why the Grand Lux is like the Cheesecake Factory "The idea for Grand Lux Cafe came to life when The Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas asked David Overton, Founder of The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, to create an upscale casual restaurant concept for their property."
This one is for Scott - Luke's Italian Beef (312) 939-4204 215 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606

 

[Nanisu]

thanks everyone! Barb, I just may take you up on it! We are at the Hotel 71.

 

[pampered1224]

Taza Cafe (312) 201-9885
176 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606 AND HERE ARE THE GYROS!!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

I live where we have no Bubba gumps, so I associate this with my annual trip to Chicago. We're eating there Monday night.

 

[workingmaof3]

You have to go to the Billy Goat under Michigan Ave. There is also one by Lukes on Jackson. The cheeseburger skit from Saturday Night Live is based on the Billy Goat.

 

[bridedream]

thanks everyone! Barb, I just may take you up on it! We are at the Hotel 71.

I know, silly girl! I'm your other roommate! LOL

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I know, silly girl! I'm your other roommate! LOL

Okay - that gave me my first belly laugh of the day!

 

[NooraK]

I know, silly girl! I'm your other roommate! LOL

Were you a bit tired last night Nancy?

 

[cookn' katie]

We are doing a cooking class in Chicago on Tuesday night. We get to cook with a professional chef and prepare Mexican. I am so excited, plus it is BYOB, so I am bringing a jug of Margs!! Yipee!!

 

[pampered1224]

That is gonna rock Katie! Let us know how it goes.

 

[cookn' katie]

If you are interested in the cooking class, we are going to the Wooden Spoon, it is about 5 miles from Navy Pier. Google it, they have classes every night of the week, plus I think it can be a tax deduction!!

 

[pchefmel]

We were recommended to a place inside the Water Tower called Mity Nice. We went last year for lunch and LOVED IT, went back for dinner and LOVED IT. We are planning on going again on tues evening.

 

[KaryCam]

We were recommended to a place inside the Water Tower called Mity Nice. We went last year for lunch and LOVED IT, went back for dinner and LOVED IT. We are planning on going again on tues evening.

are reservations needed there?