Chicago Trip (End of September 2018)

Make a reservation as soon as possible at Girl and the Goat, if they still have any.

I was there for work the last two days. I've been many times and have had all of the big name pizza places...but this time I finally tried Pequods and oh my God did it blow away the competition.

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2. LSU v Ole Miss Game (Anyone know the Chicago Area LSU Bar?

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Standard. Eat at Big & Little's at some point that day.

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We are looking for recommendations on (a) things to do and (b) places to eat.

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- Breweries / Brewpubs: Half Acre (Balmoral or Lincoln), Forbidden Root, Spiteful, Maplewood, Corridor and DryHop (same owners; brewpubs), On Tour, Begyle, Dovetail, Hopewell, Moody Tongue Revolution, Goose Island, Lagunitas, Off Color, Old Irving (brewpub), Band of Bohemia (brewpub; excellent food), Ballast Point (recently-opened their taproom here). Couple others outside the city are Une Annee, More, Noon Whistle, Mikerphone, and FFF.

- Things to do: Lakeshore Path, Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile, Northerly Island, 606 in Wicker Park/Bucktown, LP Zoo, CityPASS for museums and Willis, Millennium / Grant Park, North Pond and South Pond, Montrose Beach, Ohio St Beach, Wrigley Field tour.

- Best steak I've had is Bavette's, Swift and Sons, and Kinzie.

- Best Italian I've had is La Scarola, Piccolo Sogno, Formento's, Rosebud, Monteverde, Club Lucky, and Sabatino's (went at the recommendation of someone here).

- Favorite pizza is Pequod's, Lou Malnati, Art of Pizza, Pat's, Coalfire, and Vito & Nick's (pretty far).

- Best burgers are Maillard's, Au Cheval, Mott Street, Small Cheval, Bad Apple, and DryHop (they have a great Monday deal).

- Favorite sushi is Kai Zan, sushiDOKKU (go to Booze Box in the basement), and Momotaro

- Wicker Park is lively. Some weird people as you walk up/down Milwaukee between Division/Milwaukee/Ashland and Damen/Milwaukee/North, but plenty of boutique clothing stores and bars along the way. Links for beer, Jeni's for ice cream, Oiistar for Ramen, Bongo Room for brunch, and Public Anker for brunch, lunch of dinner. Would also recommend Big Star patio (if weather cooperates) for tacos and margaritas, Violet Hour across the street for cocktails, etta for dinner, and Small Cheval for a burger and shake. If you walk along Division between Ashland and Hoyne, also plenty of bars and restaurant. Bangers & Lace for beer, Pub Royale for Indian pub fare, Black Bull for dinner, and Parlor for solid pizza and expansive patio.

- North of Wicker Park is Logan Square, which is becoming a hotbed for quality restaurants and cocktail bars. Go to Irazu or 90 Miles for Latin American eats and Serai or Fat Rice for Asian. Other spots to eat are Longman and Eagle, Owen and Engine, Giant, and Lula Cafe. Few cocktail bars are Scofflaw, Todos Santos, Spilt Milk, The Whistler, Estereo, Heavy Feather (above Slippery Slope), Lost Lake (tiki), Billy Sunday, Best Intentions, and bar below Lonesome Rose (not sure if it has a name).

- My favorite part of Lakeview is the Southport Corridor. A lot of local shops, bars and restaurants. Wicker Park is in Lakeview, obviously, but sounds like you'd like to avoid it.

- Lincoln Park is expansiv and difficult to navigate its entirety on foot. However, Armitage corridor has a number of boutique shops, J. Parker has a great rooftop / views, and you can visit Lincoln Park zoo.

- Number of high-end restaurants and bars in West Loop. Girl and the Goat is most-popular with this board, but other great options are: Oriole, Blackbird, Publican, Fulton Market Kitchen, Elkse, Cold Storage Roister, Duck Duck Goat, Beatrix (other locations in River North and West Town), Green Street, avec, El Che, Maude's, Grange Hall, and Bonci for a slice.

Gibson’s while an iconic Chicago steakhouse is not really a place i would go to with just the wife on a vacation trip. Bavettes is a much better rec although I see you said its booked. I’d look for another place to eat unless you are really committed to steak. How old are you?

In the places to eat category, we were there this summer and loved The Purple Pig