Chicago Questions

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Bavette's on Wednesday

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Didn't quote Girl & The Goat, as that is already a great choice, but I did want to acknowledge Bavette's. This, Swift & Sons, and Kinzie are my three favorite steakhouses in the city. Good choice.

If you're looking for a cocktail beforehand, I recommend going next door to Gilt Bar and grabbing a drink at the bar or heading downstairs to The Library.

Also in proximity to Bavette's is The Drifter, located underneath Green Door Tavern. Would also recommend looking at Arbella and Broken Shaker, which are within walking distance of Bavette's.

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My questions are: pizza. Do we go to Pequod's, or just stick with someplace closer to where we are staying (Magnificent Mile), and which? I've had two people, one a local, the other a frequent visitor, suggest Due's.

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It's really not too far by train or Uber if you would like to do Pequods. You can take the Red Line to Fullerton and walk from there or take an Uber/Lyft. The great thing about Pequods is their lunch special, which is $4.95 for a 7" pan pizza. Get two for you and your husband and you'll leave satisfied.

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Italian beef: Planning on Al's. Is this really worth it, or should we skip? Ditto for a Chicago hot dog. Is this something we really need to try?

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Go to Portillo's in River North. Easy walk from Magnificent Mile / Michigan Ave.

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Are there any great Indian restaurants worth checking out, or Thai? Sushi?

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You can take the Red Line further north and walk over to Devon. A lot of Indian restaurants up there.

For sushi, you can go to Momotaro or sushiDOKKU in West Loop. There are subterranean lounges at each spot with cocktails and street bites. Both are located near Girl & The Goat, for your own reference.

ETA: If you like Malaysian food, the only spot in the city that dishes it up, to my knowledge, is Serai, which is on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square.

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Finally, we have to go to the McCormick Center on Saturday. Was thinking of lunch in Chinatown. Any other options nearby, or should we just do what we need to do and head elsewhere in the city for lunch?

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You can easily walk between Chinatown and McCormick Place. I cannot recommend Go 4 Food in Chinatown enough.

If you want something good, close to the Mag Mile, I'd suggest Giordano's, or one of Uno/Due (they're right next to each other.) They're all quite good.

Italian beef: Again, if you want to stay close to the Mag Mile, I'd suggest either Al's or Portillo's. If you went Portillo's make sure to get the chocolate cake shake.

Hot Dog's: Not sure, since Hot Doug's closed and that was the epitome of hot dog awesomess. Though portillo's also apparently does good chicago style hot dogs.

Ethnic food: This one is tough because there are so many options. Do you consider Mexican ethnic? How fancy do you want it? I'd suggest you also try and find opportunities to get outside downtown, as there are awesome neighborhoods and restaurants very close. Old Town is great...cool, bustling vibe. Wicker Park (west of Ashland on Division) is great...Smoke Daddy has great BBQ and tons of bars around there. If you like Cuban food, I strongly suggest 90 Miles (BYOB!), and then after dinner you could check out the Milwaukee/North/Damen area. Tons happening around there.

(Disclaimer: Those areas will be a little less bustling during the week, but there will be people out every night...just moreso on the weekend)

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Are there any great Indian restaurants worth checking out, or Thai? Sushi?

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Or, in addition to Hoops suggestion and closer to downtown is Coast Sushi, in Wicker Park. BYOB, and in a great neighborhood.

I wasn't even thinking of outdoor options. If out and about near Wicker Park, and the weather is nice, Big Star is worth a visit for some good strong drinks, great tacos, and good people watching.

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lunch at Blackbird on Friday before our flight back

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Ballin. My favorite place last time I went

Fwiw, dress nice. The place was no joke, even for lunch

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Was thinking of lunch in Chinatown.

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Three Happiness

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Hot Dog's: Not sure, since Hot Doug's closed and that was the epitome of hot dog awesomess.

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I was hungry for wieners a couple months ago on Sunday & drove down to Chicago.

Two former Hot Doug's employees opened this place which was one my stops and it was good.
Hot G Dog

I also went to
Jimmy's Red Hots which was fantastic.
and
Felony Franks in Oak Park
and
Gene & Jude's in River Grove.

I ended up at Ba Le where I bought 8 banh mis.

Also, Burt's Place in Morton Grove is open again. Burt, who recently died was the original owner of Pequod's. Fantastic pizza.

Not really an itinerary conducive to the OP's trip but some good suggestions in case anyone else is interested.

A good website to check out where to eat in Chicagoland is the LTH Forum

I didn't try pequods but everyone raves about it.

Lou malnatis is the best Chicago pizza I've had, and they have locations all over. Giardanos is good, but I didn't like geno's too much.

Portillos is awesome, although I was somewhat disappointed in the beef sandwich. The hot dogs and shake were delicious.

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Italian beef

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Johnnie's Beef

Yeah, Johnnie's is almost 15 miles from the Mag Mile. I'd do it but that's because most of my trips revolve around food.