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Jason1743

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Oct 20, 2021
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Hi Guys. I’m spending 4 days in Chicago this August. I have tickets for Springsteen at Wrigley Field and Madonna (I’m married) at the United Center. I’ve only been to Chicago once and we stayed downtown, which seems to me to be the easy choice. Any suggestions for other neighborhoods? Suggested activities? Our only visit we took in The Art Institute, The Loop, The magnificent mile, Architecture River cruise, the Navy Pier, Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, Sears Tower and Grant Park.
Thinking about Alinea for dinner, but I’m not sure I want to spend a thousand bucks on dinner for two. Twenty years ago we went to Charlie Trotters (RIP) and it was great and memorable.
Thanks in advance.
 
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s1uggo72

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Oct 12, 2021
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Jason1743 said:
Hi Guys. I’m spending 4 days in Chicago this August. I have tickets for Springsteen at Wrigley Field and Madonna (I’m married) at the United Center. I’ve only been to Chicago once and we stayed downtown, which seems to me to be the easy choice. Any suggestions for other neighborhoods? Suggested activities? Our only visit we visited The Art Institute, The Loop, The magnificent mile, Architecture River cruise, the Navy Pier, Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, Sears Tower and Grant Park.
Thinking about Alinea for dinner, but I’m not sure I want to spend a thousand bucks on dinner for two. Twenty years ago we went to Charlie Trotters (RIP) and it was great and memorable.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Gibson's for dinner, for me I would redo a River Cruise.

Gibsons Chicago Steakhouse | Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Gibsons is THE Chicago Steakhouse. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse has been a Chicago Restaurant icon since partners Hugo Ralli and Steve Lombardo opened its doors in May of 1989.
www.gibsonssteakhouse.com www.gibsonssteakhouse.com
 
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LionJim

LionJim

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Oct 12, 2021
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Jason1743 said:
Hi Guys. I’m spending 4 days in Chicago this August. I have tickets for Springsteen at Wrigley Field and Madonna (I’m married) at the United Center. I’ve only been to Chicago once and we stayed downtown, which seems to me to be the easy choice. Any suggestions for other neighborhoods? Suggested activities? Our only visit we took in The Art Institute, The Loop, The magnificent mile, Architecture River cruise, the Navy Pier, Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, Sears Tower and Grant Park.
Thinking about Alinea for dinner, but I’m not sure I want to spend a thousand bucks on dinner for two. Twenty years ago we went to Charlie Trotters (RIP) and it was great and memorable.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Do NOT skip the Art Institute or the Field Museum. I’ve seen just about all the old-school world-class art museums except the Prado and the Hermitage and in my experience the two best are MOMA and Art Institute of Chicago.
 
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BobPSU92

BobPSU92

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Oct 12, 2021
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As a fan of Chicago P.D., it seems that Englewood and Canaryville are musts.
 
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Midnighter

Midnighter

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Oct 7, 2021
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Jason1743 said:
Hi Guys. I’m spending 4 days in Chicago this August. I have tickets for Springsteen at Wrigley Field and Madonna (I’m married) at the United Center. I’ve only been to Chicago once and we stayed downtown, which seems to me to be the easy choice. Any suggestions for other neighborhoods? Suggested activities? Our only visit we took in The Art Institute, The Loop, The magnificent mile, Architecture River cruise, the Navy Pier, Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, Sears Tower and Grant Park.
Thinking about Alinea for dinner, but I’m not sure I want to spend a thousand bucks on dinner for two. Twenty years ago we went to Charlie Trotters (RIP) and it was great and memorable.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Do Alinea if you can swing it.
 
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Tgar

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Oct 13, 2021
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Tgar will second Gibsons. Last time he dined there they had live jazz in the bar. The meal was exceptional as far as Steak House dining goes.

Go on sidewalkfoidtours.com and line up a three hour midday neighborhood food tour. The one we took around some neighborhood was exceptional, full of history which you dig.

Also, find time to swing by Portillo‘s at lunch and grab an Italian roast beef. Killer.

Are the White Sox in town?

Sounds like a great getaway for you guys, have a great time!
 
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s1uggo72

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Oct 12, 2021
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Tgar said:
Tgar will second Gibsons. Last time he dined there they had live jazz in the bar. The meal was exceptional as far as Steak House dining goes.

Go on sidewalkfoidtours.com and line up a three hour midday neighborhood food tour. The one we took around some neighborhood was exceptional, full of history which you dig.

Also, find time to swing by Portillo‘s at lunch and grab an Italian roast beef. Killer.

Are the White Sox in town?

Sounds like a great getaway for you guys, have a great time!
Click to expand...
and Sluggo will second Portillo's, what Chicago is all about.
 
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nittanyfan333

nittanyfan333

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Oct 6, 2021
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Wife did her residency and lived in Milwaukee for 6 years. got down to Chicago a few times.

Smoque for good BBQ
smoquebbq.com

Home - Smoque

Smoque (smōk) BBQ is a neighborhood kind of place that cooks up BBQ good enough to make it a true destination. Smoque was created by five regular guys who happen to be passionate about food in general and BBQ in particular.
smoquebbq.com smoquebbq.com

We preferred Lou Malnati's for good deep dish pizza (the Lou with sausage)

We also went to Frontera Grill (Rick Bayless's restaurant) once and it was pretty good.

Frontera Grill | Nationwide Shipping

Frontera Grill now ships our golden carnitas & Oaxacan black mole meals nationwide on Goldbelly—straight from Chicago to your door.
www.rickbayless.com www.rickbayless.com

we stayed at the Wit most times, on state street just on the S side of the river, then wondered over to Michigan Ave and just walked. lots to do on Michigan Ave. That was when we were looking at rings for a potential engagement, so of course she went right to Tiffany, but thank god didn't like anything.
 
Woodpecker

Woodpecker

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Oct 7, 2021
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Chez Quis
 
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Monty2007

Monty2007

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Oct 12, 2021
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nittanyfan333 said:
Wife did her residency and lived in Milwaukee for 6 years. got down to Chicago a few times.

Smoque for good BBQ
smoquebbq.com

Home - Smoque

Smoque (smōk) BBQ is a neighborhood kind of place that cooks up BBQ good enough to make it a true destination. Smoque was created by five regular guys who happen to be passionate about food in general and BBQ in particular.
smoquebbq.com smoquebbq.com

We preferred Lou Malnati's for good deep dish pizza (the Lou with sausage)

We also went to Frontera Grill (Rick Bayless's restaurant) once and it was pretty good.

Frontera Grill | Nationwide Shipping

Frontera Grill now ships our golden carnitas & Oaxacan black mole meals nationwide on Goldbelly—straight from Chicago to your door.
www.rickbayless.com www.rickbayless.com

we stayed at the Wit most times, on state street just on the S side of the river, then wondered over to Michigan Ave and just walked. lots to do on Michigan Ave. That was when we were looking at rings for a potential engagement, so of course she went right to Tiffany, but thank god didn't like anything.
Click to expand...
Been to Chicago several times, We were there last June when it had a tornado warning and was in the high 90's everyday. Took care of our casual walking the city. Still had a great time. Second on Lou Malnati's and the Frontera Grill. Also did Rosebud Steakhouse right by our Hilton and Shaw's Crab House. For something different, we did Tanta for Peruvian food one night. We did one of the Architecture River cruises and the Field and Art Institute. They're are always great. Probably would pass again on the Shedd. It seemed there was 50 buses with school trips there that day with lots of whiny kids.
Have a great time.
 
LionJim

LionJim

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Oct 12, 2021
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Monty2007 said:
Been to Chicago several times, We were there last June when it had a tornado warning and was in the high 90's everyday. Took care of our casual walking the city. Still had a great time. Second on Lou Malnati's and the Frontera Grill. Also did Rosebud Steakhouse right by our Hilton and Shaw's Crab House. For something different, we did Tanta for Peruvian food one night. We did one of the Architecture River cruises and the Field and Art Institute. They're are always great. Probably would pass again on the Shedd. It seemed there was 50 buses with school trips there that day with lots of whiny kids.
Have a great time.
Click to expand...
Field Museum has Free Tuesdays for Illinois residents. Skip going on a Tuesday.
 
Midnighter

Midnighter

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Oct 7, 2021
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Also, the Alinea episode on Netflix's 'The Chef's Table' is remarkable; Grant Achatz gets diagnosed with tongue/mouth cancer at about 30, and the first doctor he sees says he wants to remove most of his mouth and neck and with that, gives him about a 30% chance to survive. Grant decides he'd rather die with dignity and passes. His restaurant partner decides to put an ad in the paper notifying people of Grant's issue and that things might change at the restaurant. University of Chicago doctors read this and reach out - they tell Grant they think they can remove his cancer without surgery and that he has about a 70% chance to survive. So, he does it, and is now cancer free. The way he thinks is unlike any chef I've ever seen. Truly remarkable; again - go if you can.

 
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PSU12046

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Oct 18, 2021
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Jason1743 said:
Hi Guys. I’m spending 4 days in Chicago this August. I have tickets for Springsteen at Wrigley Field and Madonna (I’m married) at the United Center. I’ve only been to Chicago once and we stayed downtown, which seems to me to be the easy choice. Any suggestions for other neighborhoods? Suggested activities? Our only visit we took in The Art Institute, The Loop, The magnificent mile, Architecture River cruise, the Navy Pier, Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, Sears Tower and Grant Park.
Thinking about Alinea for dinner, but I’m not sure I want to spend a thousand bucks on dinner for two. Twenty years ago we went to Charlie Trotters (RIP) and it was great and memorable.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
1677285323860.png
 
laKavosiey-st lion

laKavosiey-st lion

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Oct 30, 2021
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Unpopular opinion but this s sucks, save your money for ice cream
www.chefdenise.com

Best Deep-Dish Pizza in Chicago: Local's Guide, 2024 — Chef Denise

A local's guide to the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago! The best Chicago pizzerias for Chicago-style deep dish pizza, thin crust pizza, and deep-dish stuffed pizza. Every pizza lover vising Chicago needs this list of Chicago pizza restaurants and which Chicago-style pizzas to order in them! Don't mi
www.chefdenise.com www.chefdenise.com
 
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PSUFANinVA

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Oct 11, 2022
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It’s been several years since I’ve visited, but Second City was a blast. I plan to go in May when I travel there.
 
P

PAstr

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Oct 30, 2021
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The Museum of Science and Industry has a B727-100 on display inside. The interesting part of the display is the video of the aircraft being landed at old Meigs field. When you see the jet and realize they landed it on a 3900’ runway, it’s hard not to be impressed.

it was later put on a barge and moved to the museum.
 
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IrishHerb

IrishHerb

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Oct 13, 2021
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laKavosiey-st lion said:
We lived in Glenview for 5 years. It was a fun adventure but it’s nice to be back with family
we lived next to here, ever play it?
www.theglenclub.com

Welcome to the Glen Club - The Glen Club

Come Experience our Club
www.theglenclub.com www.theglenclub.com
Click to expand...
No, never played The Glen. Grew up about 35 miles west of Chicago in Geneva. Grandparents were farmers who originally lived in Downers Grove ... one of their farms is now the site of the Yorktown Shopping Center. After I became deaf, family moved to Jacksonville, IL so I could attend the school for the deaf down there. And that's where I became addicted to golf.
 
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ILLINOISLION

ILLINOISLION

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Oct 12, 2021
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kgilbert78 said:
Graeters is actually Cincy based. It's good, but a hair below the Creamery.
Click to expand...

I got introduced to Graeter’s in Columbus about 15 years ago and it’s my favorite.

Fortunately grocery stores in Chicagoland carry it.

I live in Barrington, my country club is in Glencoe. The Graeter’s store in Northbrook is only a few blocks off my direct route so the help in the store know me by sight if not always by name. Good stuff!
 
Lion84

Lion84

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Oct 7, 2021
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laKavosiey-st lion said:
This is the best ice cream I’ve ever eaten

Graeter's Shermer Rd Location - Northbrook, IL

Stop in at the Graeter's Northbrook location and try our ice cream today! We have over 50 locations offering candy, dessert catering and ice cream!
www.graeters.com www.graeters.com
Click to expand...
I grew up in Northbrook and yes this place is great. The Palmer House Hilton is a cool place to stay - has an awesome lobby. It's very old and historic and as such not all the rooms are the same - I have been in small rooms and ones with 2 bathroom in it - I always ask for a large room when checking in. Visctory Tap on Michigan ave is a preety cool old world type Italian Restaurant - dark wood inside and good food.
 
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BrucePa

BrucePa

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Oct 12, 2021
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Got you covered on the food -- Order one of those deep dish Chicago pizzas, eat the toppings, and throw away the unnecessary bedding of dough. Also, order one of those Chicago dogs that they "drag through the garden" and throw away all the crap they pile on top of it. There, you're all set.

On a slightly more serious note, the Italian Hot Beef sandwich in Chicago ranks with the Philly Cheese Steak, the Baltimore Pit Beef, the Los Angeles French Dip, and a few others as a great American beef sandwich. The good ones sound like they could be from Philly -- Tony's, Luke's, Nana's, Johnnie's, Al's -- but they're awfully good.

And on a slightly less obvious note, thin-crust pizza is actually a thing in Chicago, and it's good. Michael's, Renaldi's, Candlelite, Pizano's, Pat's -- all are very good, and a heck of a lot better than the deep-dish monstrosities.

And yes, a Cubs game would be a real taste of Chicago, in more ways than one. Wear a Mets or Cardinals hat just for fun.
 
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