Just a Good Burger

Sometimes all you are looking for is a decent hamburger. Here, in no particular order, are some suggestions:

Near the Hyatt Regency
A bar and grill consistantly mentioned on top burger lists is Boston Blackies located at 164 E Grand Ave.

Near the Hilton
Home to the Hackney Burger Hackeys is a casual full service restaurant. Also check out the onion loaf. You will find Hackneys at 733 S. Dearborn.

Near the Palmer House
Patty Burger a fast food joint with an old school feel is located at 72 E Adams

Near Mccormick Place
Jonesing for a Slider? Get your "whitey-one-bite fix at White Castle 2140 S Wabash.

Some othe spots
Billy Goat - A Chicago tradition with a unique atmosphere 430 N Michigan Av (lower level)
Park Grille- Kind of pricey but is suppose to have a killer burgr Under the "Bean" in Millenium Park 11 N Michigan.

OPA not Oprah

Looking for a fun and tasty ding experience? Then head west to Chicagos Greektown.

Greektown, which is located west of Downtown on Halsted between Adams Street and Congress Parkway, is populated with many excellent traditional Greek restuarants and bars.

A couple of popluar places include Greek Islands, Parthenon, and Athena.

Find your Own Nighlife

Looking for what is hip and happening around the city then you might want to check out these resources.

The Metromix website runs a full listing of reviews and information on everything from dining and bars, to shows and concerts, movies and special events going on in Chicago.

The Chicago Reader is a free newspaper that comes out every Thurdays highlighting what is happening for the coming weekend/week, ussually with a bend toward the alternative. You will find the Reader available free in news boxes on the street corner and at various dining and retail establishments all over the city. Dont let the pandler sell you one :)

MAX Attendees Guide to Chicago

Therre is another blog with great information on things to do and see in Chicago.

Check out MAX Attendees Guide to Chicago

No Fries, Chips

Cheezborger, Cheezborger! No Coke, Pepsi.

Early episodes of Saturday Night Live had a reoccurring skitfeaturung John Belushi, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd paying homage to the Billy Goat Tavern.

This little hole in the wall located under Michigan Avenue on in Front of the Wrigley building has been serving it's limited menu since 1934. Because of it's location Billy Goat has a colorful history as being a hangout to newspaper columnists and reporters.

Billy Goat is located near Tribune Towers and Wrigley Building at 430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level

Hoods: River North

Because of it's location and abundance of restaurants and clubs, River North is sort of a Mecca for out of town visitors.

River North is aptly named; it lies north of the Loop, west of famed Michigan Avenue and south of Chicago Avenue, with the Chicago River as its boundary on the south and the west.

River North is home to one of the country’s largest collection of gallerie. You will fid many of these along Franklin Avenue, underneath the train tracks.

River North is filled with all genres of food, including American, Brazilian, Chinese, French, Indian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Spanish, Thai and even Vegetarian.

Rockbottom Brewery
-1 W. Grand Avenue

Ben Pao
-52 W Illinois

Klay Oven (a South Indian restaurant)
-414 N Orleans

Harry Caray’s (Italian)
- 33 W. Kinzie

House of Blues
-329 N Dearborn

Ed Debevic’s (50's Dinner)
-640 N Wells

Hard Rock Café
-63 W Ontario

Rainforest Café.
- 605 N Clark

There are several bars and clubs in the area as well, including

Blue Frog Bar and Grill
-676 N La Sall

Excalibur Night Club
-632 N Dearborn

Red Head Piano Bar
-16 W. Ontario

Andy's Jazz Club
-11 E Hubbard St # 1

Fado's Irish Pub
-100 W Grand

Chicago Style: Garretts Popcorn

When was the last time you saw a block long line of people waiting to buy popcorn? Along Michigan Avenure it is a regular occurrence at Garrets Popcorn.

Garretts has been popping up their famous cheese and caramel popcorn since 1949, and is a favorite stp for people traveling downtown. You can choose between freshly made caramel and cheese popcorn or go for the "Mini Mix" where cheese and caramel corn are combined in one bag.

Oprah has included it on her listed of "favorite things", and if it is goo enough for Oprah...

Tip; Don't waste time waiting in line at the Michigan Ave store, instead head to one of their other locations and avoid the crowds.


670 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611


26 West Randolph
Chicago, IL 60601

4 East Madison
Chicago, IL 60602
Map

2 West Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604

Hoods: South Loop

McCormick Place, the home of MAX 2007, is located in an area of the city known as the South Loop.

It was not too long ago that the South Loop was a Less than desirable areas. But currently the South Loop is one of the hottest and fastest growing neighborhoods in the nation. Old warehouses are being replace by condos. And with the migration of urban professionals has come a good collection of trendy and acclaimed restaurants.

If you are looking for a good meal you might try one of these restaurants:

Chicago Firehouse Restaurant
1401 S. Michigan Ave.
312-786-1401
A 1905 firehouse converted into Dining hotspot.

Gioco
1312 S. Wabash Ave.
312-939-3870
Named one of Chicago Magazines 'Best New Restaurants' Gioco is a hip, Italian eatery.

Cuatro
2030 S. Wabash
312-842-8856
www.cuatro-chicago.com
Latin American and Caribbean cuisines in a modern, yet down-to-earth fashion.

Opera
1301 S. Wabash (on the corner of 13th and Wabash)
Chicago, IL 60605
312.461.0161
Chinese with Modern Presentations
Voted 'Best Chinese in Chicago'
-AOL CITYGUIDE, 2007

Zapatista
1307 S. Wabash Ave.
Nouvo Mexican Food

Chicago Style: Italian Beef

To my surprise, most people I have talked to who have not grown up in Chicagoland are not familiar with the Italian Beef sandwich.

The Italian Beef sandwich consists of thinly sliced roast beef that is soaked in a a beef broth along with Italian spices. Italian beef is served on crusty bread, usually Gonnella Italian Bread.

Getting your sandwich "Dipped" refers to having it submerged, bread and all, in to the au jus sauce. This is definitely the way to go although it will make your dining a tad messier.

You will also be asked if you would like hot ( giardiniera) or sweet (roasted green) pepper.

If you are feeling extremely gluttonous, go for the Combo Beef which which is your traditional Italian Beef plus Italian sausage in one sandwich.

You'll find Italian beef at most hot-dog stands. Jay Leno swears by Mr Beef at 666 N Orleans St. Other favorites include Al's #1 Beef 169 W Ontario and Portillos 100 W. Ontario.

Chicago Style: Hot Dog

It seems pretty simple, but the Chicago Style Hot Dog, is a delicacy to all that grew up here?

What makes a Hot Dog Chicago Style? Created in 1898, the Chicago Dog is a steamed/boiled Vienna Beef hot dog with a natural casing that gives a "snap" to the bite. Chicago Dogs are served on a steamed poppy seed bun.

In this town a dog with "everything" topped with yellow mustard, onion, sweet relish, tomato wedges, pickle slice, celery salt and sport peppers. NO KETCHUP!

Some places will refuse to add ketchup to your dog, even upon request. Those that will, most definitely look at you funny. But you are in Chicago, save the ketchup for the fries and go for the true Chicago Dog.

Forum for Foodies

If it is food you like then Chicago is your kind of town. Check out the LTH Forum to get information on all types of dining options in the city.