Road Trip Chicago

[BG318]

I'm thinking about heading to Chicago for a few days, to take in a ball game, have a smoke or two, and eat in a few of the many iconic places in town. I was hoping that there might be some FOHers in Chicagoland who could have a suggestion about where to go. I have been to the city, most recently about 7 years ago, but my knowledge of the area is generally weak. Appreciate any insight at all. Thanks in advance!

[barrygoodvibes]

Best steakhouse is Bavette's Steakhouse. Simple steak frites is excellent. If you are going to a ball game, it better be a Cubs game or we can't be friends.

[BG318]

14 hours ago, barrygoodvibes said:

Best steakhouse is Bavette's Steakhouse. Simple steak frites is excellent. If you are going to a ball game, it better be a Cubs game or we can't be friends.

We can be friends because they're playing the Sox this weekend!

[joeypots]

5 minutes ago, barrygoodvibes said:

Best steakhouse is Bavette's Steakhouse. Simple steak frites is excellent. If you are going to a ball game, it better be a Cubs game or we can't be friends.

Good luck getting a table there. Never had much luck at the bar as well. 

[BG318]

3 hours ago, barrygoodvibes said:

Best steakhouse is Bavette's Steakhouse. Simple steak frites is excellent. If you are going to a ball game, it better be a Cubs game or we can't be friends.

Already filled up on the days I will be there, so it must be popular. It looks like a great spot. I'll keep trying because it looks like it will be worth it.

I'm looking for some of the typical places people who live there would go to. I have a list and was hoping to add to it. 

[hawkeye5050]

Here are your cigar options but I skip these for non-cigar things, Chicago is not cigar friendly. No cigar bars, etc.

1. Iwan Ries
2. Up Down
3. Biggs

I'd check out Eater for any theme lists of where to eat or what to eat. Bavettes is certainly a great choice but there are many, if you want steak frities,https://www.bistromonadnock.com/ is good too and way easier to get into...lots of options.

[HP2]

I love Smith and Wollenskys for steak. It’s right on the river in the River North neighborhood. Go to Club Lago for old school Italian. Enjoy your trip. Chicago is a great town. Been there dozens and dozens of times. Best US city in my opinion. 

[sv_ontour]

I was a fan of Asador Bastian in River North when I was living there last year. Bit on the pricier side but what isn’t in Chicago these days. Obelix in the same area is also not bad. 

Wandered through The Clayton Cigar shop a few times in West Loop but never stopped for a smoke. They always seemed pretty friendly. 

[BG318]

Thanks for all the suggestions.I know that Chicago has a great culinary reputation. I aim to scratch the surface in a short visit. I won't concentrate on the higher end - Michelin stuff this trip. I'm looking at the stuff that gives Chicago it's rep. Could be a deli, donut shop, any ethnic cuisine, etc.

So far I have been to:-

• Lou Malnati for deep dish. I'm down to try another pizza spot. Uniquely Chicago.
• Johnnie's Beef - fantastic and uniquely Chicago.
• Topolobampo- real good.

That's about it.

 

 

[Chibearsv]

Meli Cafe in Greektown for breakfast. Tapas at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! in Lincoln Park for late lunch or early dinner. Hugo’s Frog Bar on Rush Street for dinner. Nothing plated with tweezers at these places. If you’re looking for Michelin stars, I’m not your guide. Don’t leave Chicago without trying an Italian Beef sandwich with giardiniara at Johnnys or Portillos.  

[Chibearsv]

Ha! I started to reply and didn’t see your post until I hit submit.  

[BG318]

23 hours ago, hawkeye5050 said:

Here are your cigar options but I skip these for non-cigar things, Chicago is not cigar friendly. No cigar bars, etc.

1. Iwan Ries
2. Up Down
3. Biggs

I'd check out Eater for any theme lists of where to eat or what to eat. Bavettes is certainly a great choice but there are many, if you want steak frities,https://www.bistromonadnock.com/ is good too and way easier to get into...lots of options.

Thanks again. I'm going to check out Iwan Ries.

[chasy]

Chicago!!! Wrigley is awesome, so I'm glad you're going. I would break it down by neighborhood.

West Loop: trendiest part of town, high end culinary restaurants and newer, trendier spots. Definitely good people watching and will feel like the most vibrant part of town. Think of it as Chicago's answer to Soho in New York. Girl and the Goat is the most well known restaurant in this neighborhood (but there a loads of good options). Momotaro is my favorite sushi in the city and is in West Loop. At a minimum, spend and afternoon / early evening walking around, popping into bars. Try to get a burger at Au Cheval.

River North: I think you can skip it. Used to be what West Loop is now, unfortunately now it doesn't have the same energy that it used to. Worth walking around if you want to see the big building on the Loop. I would recommend doing with River Walk and exploring River North by foot.

Gold Coast: (where I live) I think it's the prettiest neighborhood. Plan a walk down Astor St, between Division and North Ave, prettiest brownstones in the city. On the south end of Gold Coast is Viagra Triangle. This is a must visit for a drink and or dinner. Gibsons, Hugo's, Lux Bar, Maple and Ash. A martini at Gibsons is a rite of passage. Small park in the middle of the 'triangle' that you can smoke in. Biggs in just one block west. I would also say get a Guiness at Butch McGuires (a great bar, with good food and a fun late night spot if you're looking for it).

Lincoln Park: more of a family neighborhood, but spending some time walking up and down Armitage is worth it. Some great restaurants here too. Boka is super high end and worth it. Summer House Santa Monica is a favorite with women. I would point you towards Riccardo Trattoria for a local only, excellent Italian meal. Gemini Bistro is a great, casual restaurant that's been a staple of Lincoln Park for ages.

I agree that you need to get an Italian Beef - I like Mr Beef on Orleans and Superior. You should also think about hitting up an old school Italian grocery for amazing subs. Bari in West Town (not West Loop) of JP Graziano in West Loop (probably easier if you're spending time there).

Other great Chicago Staples:
- Gene and Georgetti (very close to Bavettes)
- Gilt Bar (next to Bavettes and same owner)
- Twin Anchors (ribs in Lincoln Park)
- La Scarola (old school Italian for dinner)
- Monteverde (West Loop, elevated Italian)
- Galit (Israeli in Lincoln Park, phenomenal)
- Asador Bastian (Spanish steak house in River North, unreal and expensive)
- HopLeaf in uptown (north of Wrigley)
 - Lots of options in China Town (on the south side).

[BG318]

5 hours ago, chasy said:

Chicago!!! Wrigley is awesome, so I'm glad you're going. I would break it down by neighborhood.

West Loop: trendiest part of town, high end culinary restaurants and newer, trendier spots. Definitely good people watching and will feel like the most vibrant part of town. Think of it as Chicago's answer to Soho in New York. Girl and the Goat is the most well known restaurant in this neighborhood (but there a loads of good options). Momotaro is my favorite sushi in the city and is in West Loop. At a minimum, spend and afternoon / early evening walking around, popping into bars. Try to get a burger at Au Cheval.

River North: I think you can skip it. Used to be what West Loop is now, unfortunately now it doesn't have the same energy that it used to. Worth walking around if you want to see the big building on the Loop. I would recommend doing with River Walk and exploring River North by foot.

Gold Coast: (where I live) I think it's the prettiest neighborhood. Plan a walk down Astor St, between Division and North Ave, prettiest brownstones in the city. On the south end of Gold Coast is Viagra Triangle. This is a must visit for a drink and or dinner. Gibsons, Hugo's, Lux Bar, Maple and Ash. A martini at Gibsons is a rite of passage. Small park in the middle of the 'triangle' that you can smoke in. Biggs in just one block west. I would also say get a Guiness at Butch McGuires (a great bar, with good food and a fun late night spot if you're looking for it).

Lincoln Park: more of a family neighborhood, but spending some time walking up and down Armitage is worth it. Some great restaurants here too. Boka is super high end and worth it. Summer House Santa Monica is a favorite with women. I would point you towards Riccardo Trattoria for a local only, excellent Italian meal. Gemini Bistro is a great, casual restaurant that's been a staple of Lincoln Park for ages.

I agree that you need to get an Italian Beef - I like Mr Beef on Orleans and Superior. You should also think about hitting up an old school Italian grocery for amazing subs. Bari in West Town (not West Loop) of JP Graziano in West Loop (probably easier if you're spending time there).

Other great Chicago Staples:
- Gene and Georgetti (very close to Bavettes)
- Gilt Bar (next to Bavettes and same owner)
- Twin Anchors (ribs in Lincoln Park)
- La Scarola (old school Italian for dinner)
- Monteverde (West Loop, elevated Italian)
- Galit (Israeli in Lincoln Park, phenomenal)
- Asador Bastian (Spanish steak house in River North, unreal and expensive)
- HopLeaf in uptown (north of Wrigley)
 - Lots of options in China Town (on the south side).

Thanks for the info! Being relatively uninitiated makes it hard to get my bearings.

I'm staying in Lincoln Park because I wanted to be close to taking the Red Line to Wrigley, which was the original reason I wanted to visit Chicago. I'm trying to get to all of the baseball parks. It looks like a good location for lots of walking as well as being able to get back via train or bus. Gibson s was on my radar, and is now a must go on account of a certain favorite cocktail of mine. Hope I light up in the right park in the Triangle! I may try Biggs but wasn't sure if they allowed guests.

[chasy]

Biggs allows you to smoke in the shop if you buy a cigar. They also have an outdoor patio.

I typically take my own and buy one as my admission.

[BG318]

1 minute ago, chasy said:

Biggs allows you to smoke in the shop if you buy a cigar. They also have an outdoor patio.

I typically take my own and buy one as my admission.

Yeah, buying cigars that way is pretty much the entire source of my NC collection. 

[sv_ontour]

6 hours ago, chasy said:

Chicago!!! Wrigley is awesome, so I'm glad you're going. I would break it down by…

Back there on the 9th for a week and you’ve just added a few must visits to my list. Thanks!

Out of interest when was the last time you went to Galit? I didn’t really rate it the day I went but could’ve been an off day. 

[chasy]

Within the last year. If you don’t like Israeli cuisine skip it. I think it benefits from being good and very unique.

[BlueWS]

I'm going to be there as well, in mid-July. We're staying at the London House and won't have a car. No home games for the Cubs that week. 😰 We're going to walk everywhere. I just want one of those Polish lemon donuts, Italian Beef sammies, and plenty of iced coffee. No pizza soup for me either.

[sv_ontour]

2 hours ago, chasy said:

Within the last year. If you don’t like Israeli cuisine skip it. I think it benefits from being good and very unique.

I enjoy most Mediterranean food but it’s far from being the most regular type of food I eat and I have no doubt I missed a lot of the nuance. Will give it another shot!

[BG318]

10 hours ago, BlueWS said:

I'm going to be there as well, in mid July. We're staying at the London House and won't have a car. No home games for the Cubs that week. 😰 We're going to walk everywhere. I just want one of those Polish lemon donuts, Italian Beef sammies, and plenty of iced coffee. No pizza soup for me either.

Wait. Polish lemon donuts? Do tell.

[Chibearsv]

I don’t know if they’re Polish, but Stan’s Donuts are very good with shops in the city.

For snacking, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend Garrett’s. The Chicago mix of cheese and caramel popcorn is wonderful albeit a bit messy on the fingers. Don’t think it’s just another bag of popcorn. Garrett’s is the pinnacle. 

[BG318]

2 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

I don’t know if they’re Polish, but Stan’s Donuts are very good with shops in the city.

For snacking, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend Garrett’s. The Chicago mix of cheese and caramel popcorn is wonderful albeit a bit messy on the fingers. Don’t think it’s just another bag of popcorn. Garrett’s is the pinnacle. 

So, a day filled with Wrigley Field, steak, donuts, hot dogs, Italian Beef sandwiches, Guinness, martinis, and caramel cheese popcorn to top it off. That's like 135000 steps. Bring it on.

[barrygoodvibes]

On 5/13/2025 at 7:25 AM, BG318 said:

Already filled up on the days I will be there, so it must be popular. It looks like a great spot. I'll keep trying because it looks like it will be worth it.

I'm looking for some of the typical places people who live there would go to. I have a list and was hoping to add to it. 

Set an alert for dinner, they also have first come first serve at the bar, you can hang out and stare at people until they leave and then fight other people for their table Prime and Provisions is a good steakhouse, and they have a wonderful cigar bar attached, so that might be a win win.

Best Donuts in Chicago - DO-RITE Donuts - old fashioned or chocolate old fashioned.

[BigGuns]

On 5/13/2025 at 3:33 AM, barrygoodvibes said:

Best steakhouse is Bavette's Steakhouse. Simple steak frites is excellent. If you are going to a ball game, it better be a Cubs game or we can't be friends.

Strong endorsement for Bavette’s. Haven’t been to the OG, but for us west coasters, the Las Vegas spot is incredible. I can only imagine what the Chinatown hq has to offer. Located at Park MGM, it is a must visit with my cousins every time I’m in town.