Chicago Restaurant Tips by grkboiler

Emilio's Tapas: Emilio's Tapas

Emilio's Tapas is a Spanish restaurant with locations in Lincoln Park and Streeterville (we visited the Lincoln Park location). It has a very relaxed atmosphere with friendly service and great food. I went with a group of 8 and we had a great time sharing many of the dishes on the menu. To be honest, everything was great, no complaints, but it doesn't have the same feel or taste as Cafe Iberico.

Hours are:
Monday - Thursday: 5pm - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11:30am - 12am
Sunday: 11:30am - 10pm

Dress is casual. Valet parking is available.

Favorite Dish: If you haven't done tapas before, 2 dishes should be enough for 1 person.

Definitely try the stuffed mushrooms, patatas con alioli, octopus, caprichos de pato (duck ravioli), and queso de cabra (goat cheese).

Dessert is also a must. We ordered flan, profiteroles, and platanos con helado (fried bananas with ice cream). Those were better than the meal.

Also try the sangria.

Address: 444 W. Fullerton

Comparison: about average

Directions: Clark & Fullerton. The Streeterville location is near Navy Pier east of Michigan Ave. at 215 E. Ohio St. It is called Sol y Nieve.

Phone: (773) 327-5100

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

Lou Malnati's: Lou Malnati's Lou Malnati's Review

Lou Malnati's is one of the best original Chicago deep dish pizza places you can eat at. It is a favorite among out-of-towners and locals alike. The first Lou's opened in the suburbs in 1971, and the River North location opened in 1986. There are currently over 20 locations around Chicagoland. And if you can't visit Chicago in person, you can have one delivered to your doorstep anywhere in the US! Just check the website!

Expect a wait (especially on weekends) of a minimum half hour on weekends (the longest I have been told is 2 hours). Its a pizza place, so dress however you feel.

Hours are:
Mon - Thurs 11am - 11pm
Friday & Saturday 11am - midnight
Sunday Noon - 10pm

Local delivery is also available.

Favorite Dish: Obviously the deep dish pizza! They also have decent soups.

Address: 439 North Wells Street

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Wells & Hubbard. It is a short walk from the Merchandise Mart. If driving, there is a parking garage across the street on Hubbard if you can't find street parking.

Phone: (312) 828.9800

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Pizza

Buca di Beppo: Buca di Beppo Buca di Beppo Review

Buca di Beppo is a chain restaurant with good Italian food. I got a free gift card in the mail so I decided to try it out. All dining is meant to be done family style with huge portions. Small portions serve 2-3 people and large portions serve 4-6. This is a good place if you are going out with a big group of people.

The dining rooms are festive and decorated with all kinds of interesting photos and Italian things. Service is good but not the quickest. Food is reasonably priced - you get a ton of food for your money, but remember it is also meant to be family style.

Overall, it is good but there is much much better truly authentic Italian food in this city than Buca di Beppo. As far as upscale Italian chain restaurants I still prefer Maggiano's Little Italy.

Valet parking is available. Hours are:
Lunch
Mon - Fri 11:30am - 2:00pm
Sat & Sun 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Dinner
Mon - Thur 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Fri 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Sat 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Sun 4:00pm - 9:00pm

Favorite Dish: We split the Chicken Parmigiana (with prosciutto) and the Linguine Frutti di Mare. The chicken was very good - I really liked the marinara sauce. The linguine was also good. It had mussels, clams, shrimp, and calamari with a red sauce.

We were too stuffed for dessert but whatever the next table was having looked great.

Address: 521 North Rush Street

Comparison: about average

Directions: Rush & Grand

There is another location at 2941 North Clark Street. (773) 348-7673

Phone: (312) 396-0001

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Coco Pazzo Cafe: Coco Pazzo Cafe Coco Pazzo Review

Coco Pazzo Cafe is an Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere and colorful interior. It is a more casual version of the also-popular Coco Pazzo, one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago. In summer, it is a nice place to eat outdoors with its sidewalk seating.

Prices are very reasonable and a Sunday brunch is offered with different dishes every week. Service is very good and dishes are filling.

Dress is casual. Reservations are not required but are accepted.

Hours are:
Mon-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm
Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:00pm
Sun 11:30am-10:00pm

Favorite Dish: For an appetizer, try the Octopus dish. Don't bother with the calamari - I've had better.

The salads are excellent. You can't go wrong with any of them.

For dinner, every person at our table had a pasta dish. I had a taste of a few and the spinach ravioli was my favorite. A risotto of the day is also available.

To finish off your dinner, try a capuccino. They make a good one here.

Address: 636 N Saint Clair St

Comparison: about average

Directions: 1 block east of Michigan Ave. at Ontario and St. Clair. Across the street from the Marriott.

Phone: (312) 664-2777

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Bice: Bice

Bice (BEE-chay) is technically a chain restaurant with locations in major cities all over the world, but I had such a great meal here I had to write a tip about it.

The interior is very inviting and comfortable. The service is good. As far as the price, it can get expensive depending on what you order.

Dress is nicer than casual. Reservations are recommended. I came on a Thursday night close to 9 PM and had about a 40 minute wait.

Hours are:
Mon - Thurs 11:30 AM - 10 PM
Fri - Sat 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Sun 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM

Favorite Dish: Start off with a choice of the following appetizers: Grilled Wild Boar Sausage, Sauteed Mussels, Crab Cakes, Salmon Bruschetta, or Calamari.

The Zuppa di Aragosta e Granchio (Lobster & Crabmeat Soup) is very good.

For dinner, I had the Grilled Tuna Steak and it was excellent. I tasted the Cheese-filled Tortelli and that was also good.

The desserts look amazing but I was too stuffed to eat anything. Try a capuccino if you can't eat dessert.

Address: 158 E. Ontario

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Across from the Marriott, about a block east of Michigan Ave. on Ontario.

Phone: (312) 664-1474

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Mike Ditka's: Ditka's

Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka's restaurant is a steakhouse with a sports atmosphere. Pictures and items mostly from Chicago sports past line the walls, and there are a few TV's in the bar area. With good food and service, a cigar bar, and a good overall atmosphere, this is an enjoyable place to have a meal.

If you are a fan of Mike, this is a good place to meet him. He is there on many nights making sure his fans and customers are enjoying the restaurant.

Ditka's dining room is open from lunch to 10 PM on Sunday - Thursday, and unil 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. The bar is open late. Valet parking is available. Reservations are a good idea.

The steaks can be expensive, but lunch is reasonable at about $15 per person.

Favorite Dish: To start, the Corn Chowder is good.

For lunch, my favorite meal is the Loaded Burger, which is a 1/2 pound burger with lettuce, tomato, cheese, mayo, sauteed onions, mustard, pickles, mushrooms, and bacon. This is one of the best burgers anywhere.

If you don't want all the topping, the Fridge Burger is the Loaded Burger without the mushrooms and bacon, and plain instead of sauteed onions.

On the dinner menu, there is a good selection of steaks and seafood.

Address: 100 East Chestnut

Directions: Just west of Michigan Ave. at the Tremont Hotel

Phone: (312) 587-8989

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Artopolis: Artopolis Artopolis Review

I wouldn't be able to complete my Chicago page without mentioning my favorite European cafe/restaurant, which is located in Chicago's Greektown - Artopolis. I am a regular here and love it every time I go in there. Everything is good here - food, coffee, desserts, wine, atmosphere, and hospitality.

When you walk in the door, you are greeted by the very friendly owner and taken to your seat. The atmosphere and decorations are great, and it is usually packed with all kinds of people. The latest music from Greece is playing while people young and old enjoy a good meal or coffee and dessert. There is no feeling of being rushed to leave. They let you enjoy yourself, and you can sit and talk as long as you want. It is very laid back.

Friday and Saturday nights are the best nights to go, but be prepared to wait up to a half hour for a table. Most people are dressed to go out to the nearby clubs in Greektown. In the summer, the large doors at the front of the cafe are opened up and it quickly becomes an open air cafe. I can feel like I am back in Greece when I come here in the summer.

If you come during the week for breakfast or lunch, it will be cafeteria style. There are usually lunch specials available.

There is also a store where you can purchase fresh Greek pastries and other desserts, wines, and breads to take home.

Hours are:
Monday - Thursday 9 am - 12 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am - 1 am
Sunday 10 am - 11 pm

Favorite Dish: The pizzas are excellent. They are made in a wood-burning oven. Salads are very fresh.

The sandwiches are amazing - I like the Turkey Melinzana, Tequila Pollo (chicken), and Portobello Chevre. Artopitas are also very good - they are a flaky dough stuffed with different ingredients and baked. Try the Kotopita (chicken & cheese).

If you are there when Gemista are the special, order them! They are tomatoes and bell peppers stuffed with rice, spices, and feta cheese.

Desserts and Greek pastries are great - take something home. When I go, I usually like to have bougatsa, rice pudding, or carrot cake with my coffee.

For coffee and tea, everything is good, but I like either a Greek coffee or a frappe (iced nescafe). If ordering a frappe, try it "glyko me gala" (sweet with milk), or with Bailey's.

For a good Greek white wine, try Boutari Kretikos. For red, I like the Katogi Averoff.

Please note the kitchen closes 1 hour before the restaurant does.

Address: 306 S. Halsted

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Located in Greektown.
From the Loop, go west on Adams, then turn left on Halsted. If driving, park in the lot on Halsted & Adams for $6. Walk south, cross Jackson, and the cafe is on the right side of the street.

Phone: (312) 559-9000

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.artopolischicago.com/

Pizano's: Pizano's

Pizano's is another pizza joint owned by a member of the Malnati family. You can expect the same quality pizza as at the other places. Other specialties on the menu include pasta, Italian beef & sausage, chicken, soups, salads, and sandwiches. It is set in a sports bar type atmosphere. I would say it is a good place to stop for lunch if you are in the Loop or if you are out late at night and looking for a place that is open.

Hours are 11am-2am daily (3am Saturday). Dress is casual. Prices are reasonable. Service is fast and very friendly. No complaints.

The location I described is at Madison & Michigan. There are 2 other locations:
1. 3466 Clark St. in Wrigleyville (a couple blocks south of Wrigley Field) (773) 244-1766
2. 864 N. State (State & Chestnut) (312) 751-1756
They are both open late but on Monday - Thursday open at 4pm.

Favorite Dish: The Italian Beef is great. The Chicken Caesar Salad is a little salty. The pizza is good.

Address: 61 E. Madison

Comparison: about average

Directions: Madison & Michigan

Phone: (312) 236-1777

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Pizza

Website: http://pizanoschicago.com/loop.html

Five Faces Ice Cream Shop: Five Faces

If you really want ice cream, then Five Faces is a bit deceiving. In fact, they only serve 2 types of ice cream - chocolate and vanilla.

But if you are looking for something fast to hold you over before or after a long night out at the bars near Rush or Division, or a quick, greasy meal, this is the place for you.

Five Faces is a favorite of Chicago's Chris O'Donnell who is said to visit there frequently when he is in town. You can also see plenty of newspaper clippings on the wall proclaiming O'Donnell's love of the place.

This is not a sit down place, with only a few stools at a cramped counter. My advice, get out of there as quickly as possible or you will end up smelling like gyros or a deep fryer.

Hours are 10:30am - 5am 7 days a week.

Favorite Dish: Gyros, burgers, hot dogs, fries, Italian beef, tacos, and burritos are all popular here, along with some vegetarian foods, but the gyros is the most popular (and tastiest) treat.

Address: 10 W. Division

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Walk just west on Division from State St.

Phone: (312) 642-7837

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Fast Food

Erie Cafe: Erie Cafe

Erie Cafe is a steakhouse with some Italian and seafood dishes on the menu. The interior is very comfortable, with brick walls, wooden floors and paneling, and a fireplace. Service is excellent. There is also a full bar. You can sit outdoors right on the Chicago River from May 1st to November 1st for a unique experience.

Valet parking is available, but street parking is easy to find on Erie just a block or 2 away for the price of a parking meter (or free after 6pm). Cigar smoking is allowed.

Hours are:
11am-11pm Monday - Thursday
11am-12pm Friday and Saturday
3pm-10pm Sunday

Favorite Dish: In my 2 visits to Erie Cafe, I have had the Linguine Calamari, which was very good and had a perfect amount of lemon in the taste, although the calamari was a little on the chewy side, and a Filet Mignon, which was great.

Honestly, in my opinion, the food is great but overpriced for the quality. If you want to pay $35-$45 for a steak, you can get a better one elsewhere in the city, and for less money at some places. If you check out the website, please note that prices have not been updated for the steaks and are a few dollars higher.

Address: 536 W. Erie

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Very west end of Erie St.

Phone: (312) 266-2300

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://eriecafe.com/