Downtown Chicago Restaurant Recommendations? - LotusTalk

Ian · 05-31-2009, 05:54 AM

I'm in Chicago for the next few days for work. Can anyone recommend a "must try" restaurant downtown? I'm staying at the Sheraton by Navy Pier.

By the way, I saw a red Elise with a huge wing, panel delete exhaust and HID headlights down between Navy Pier and Miracle Mile yesterday morning. Looked great.

craracer · 05-31-2009, 09:32 AM

Every time I go to Chicago I've got to make a stop at Noodles in the Pot. I love their Pad Thai!

2453 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614
Telephone: (773) 975-6177 Fax: (773) 975-6190

Business hours:
Sunday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

PhlypSide · 05-31-2009, 09:37 AM

Ian: You saw OriginalBlackCi

Restaurants? Depends upon what kind of food you like.

dasmoofler · 05-31-2009, 09:39 AM

I can't say I've eaten at either of these places, but the stuff he makes on his TV show sure looks good.
FronteraKitchens.com | Restaurants

BTW - the red Elise with the wing has to be Ramsen. (OriginalBlackCi)

edit: too slow again!

qu1Z · 05-31-2009, 11:56 AM

Portillos.

I wish I still lived in Chicago.

banic · 05-31-2009, 12:18 PM

I tried to post this an hour ago... so if you see it twice...

Hot Diggity Dog, 251 E Ohio St (between Fairbanks Ct & St Clair St)
I get the italian beef, dipped with the hot pickled veggies.
for dinner...
Quartinos, Italian, 626 N State St, State and Onterio, loud and busy.
Bistro 110, 110 E Pearson St, up by the Watertower, a Levy Restaurant, been there awhile, serves roasted garlic with the bread/cocktail course...

Terry
95 Dinan SC M3
88 Supercharged MR2
Elise wanabe...

Ian · 05-31-2009, 01:44 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
It looks like we may do Quartinos for dinner tonight and a hot dog joint tomorrow for lunch.

Any last minute suggestions?

dasmoofler · 05-31-2009, 01:55 PM

Wow, first post and Banic wins.

Ian · 05-31-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasmoofler

Wow, first post and Banic wins.

I like all kinds of food, but for some reason italian just sounds good. You were correct about the red elise though. The vanity plate proves you correct.

DPM · 05-31-2009, 02:49 PM

South Water Kitchen. Don't let the name fool you it is very high end food.

If it is on the menu get the homamade butterscotch pudding with toffee or the chocolate fudge cake with pistachio ice cream ( it's all made from scratch).

For breakfast go to Lou Mitchells, a Chicago tradition.

http://www.southwaterkitchen.com/

Lou Mitchell's Restaurant

JoshS · 05-31-2009, 02:54 PM

I'm sorry but the original numero uno or duo just are10 times better then the franchises and are a must.

Bavarian Motorist · 05-31-2009, 03:12 PM

Fogo de Chao - Brazilian

Highly recommended for its salad bar and churrascaria!!!

British_Marques · 05-31-2009, 03:56 PM

Volare's for Awesome Italian food. Always packed and stellar Martini's.

Ian · 05-31-2009, 08:06 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We went to Quartino's and it was awesome.

Any suggestions for tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

evomind · 06-01-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Fogo de Chao - Brazilian

Highly recommended for its salad bar and churrascaria!!!

spend a lot of time in chicago, BM?

Bavarian Motorist · 06-01-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evomind

spend a lot of time in chicago, BM?

Usually once a year... Why? Wanna ask me out? <3

vao4v · 06-01-2009, 02:55 PM

Kinzie Chop House 400 North Wells St
Chicago, IL 60654
Tel: (312) 822-0191

Near the Merchandise Mart, downtown. If you like steaks, try the “Kinzie Cut,” a 16 oz steak...wowee!

OriginalBlackCi · 06-01-2009, 06:23 PM

Hey, that was me! I live by Navy Pier and that's my usual buzzing area.

I would also recommend Frontera if you like mexican food. Chicago is one of the best mexican food cities in the nation and Frontera is one of the best here. They don't usually take reservations but open at 5pm. I just go about a quarter to 5 and wait in line and get a table fine. If you show up at 5, it's an hour wait. If you show up at 7, it's two hours. Try some Chicago deep dish while you're here. My personal favorite is Gino's East with the sausage patty (1/4" sausage layer across whole pizza). Most people prefer Lou Malnati's but you can't go wrong either way.

biscoradio · 06-01-2009, 11:27 PM

if you want some non-traditional pie, check out chicago pizza and oven grinder. They make their pizzas upside down in a bowl, tasty. Gotta get the house salad and flatbread appetizers. Chicago Pizza And Oven Grinder Co.

Also, don't miss out on hot doug's for lunch. best sausage in the world. Be prepared to wait a bit in line though.
Hot Doug's
just read today's specials :

Quote:

The Game of the Week
Antelope Sausage with Blackberry Creme Fraiche and Cranberry-White Cheddar Cheese
$8.00

The Tyler Houston (Today's Celebrity Sausage)
Jamaican Jerk Pork Sausage with Spicy Passion Fruit Mayonnaise and Smoked Gouda Cheese
$7.50

Other Specials
Curry Lamb Sausage with Spinach Raita and Kasseri Cheese
$7.50

Smoked Apple Chicken Sausage with Spicy Citrus-Apple Salsa and Sartori Raspberry Cheese
$7.50

Brown Ale and Chipotle Buffalo Sausage with Chili-Garlic Mustard and Vintage Farmhouse Cheese
$8.00

Smoked Mole Chicken Sausage with Jalapeno Mayonnaise and Habanero-Jack Cheese
$7.50

Bell Pepper, Mozzarella and Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Sausage with Spicy Marinara and Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
$7.50

Portuguese Linguica with Saffron Rouille and 1-Year Manchego Cheese
$7.50

Mandarin Orange and Teriyaki Chicken Sausage with Sweet Chili Sauce and Crispy Fried Onions
$7.00

Bacon and Jalapeno Duck Sausage with Blood Orange Mustard and Shaft's Blue Cheese
$8.00

Veal and Parsley Weisswurst with Goose Island Pere Jacques Beer Mustard and Caerphilly Cheese
$6.00

evomind · 06-02-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

Usually once a year... Why? Wanna ask me out? <3

not interested in the least bit to ask you out.
just wondering what you are doing in the midwest thread suggesting chain restaurants in chicagoland when you are here once a year at most...
just feel the need to comment in every thread?
quit pissing in every corner of the site, you dont have to leave your mark EVERYWHERE.

05-31-2009, 05:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ian Certified Fun Stopper Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio TX/Daytona Beach FL Posts: 4,050	Downtown Chicago Restaurant Recommendations? I'm in Chicago for the next few days for work. Can anyone recommend a "must try" restaurant downtown? I'm staying at the Sheraton by Navy Pier. By the way, I saw a red Elise with a huge wing, panel delete exhaust and HID headlights down between Navy Pier and Miracle Mile yesterday morning. Looked great. __________________ '06 Exige; Polar Blue; Track/Touring/Stage II/LSD-TC '05 Elise; Arctic Silver/Ruby Red (R.I.P)

05-31-2009, 11:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
qu1Z ub3r s3xy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 424	Portillos. I wish I still lived in Chicago. __________________ 2005 Lotus Elise (Chrome Orange) - RIP 2006 Lotus Exige (Aspen White) - Larini SE Exhaust/Decat & Naked.

05-31-2009, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ian Certified Fun Stopper Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio TX/Daytona Beach FL Posts: 4,050	Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It looks like we may do Quartinos for dinner tonight and a hot dog joint tomorrow for lunch. Any last minute suggestions? __________________ '06 Exige; Polar Blue; Track/Touring/Stage II/LSD-TC '05 Elise; Arctic Silver/Ruby Red (R.I.P)

05-31-2009, 02:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
DPM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 702	South Water Kitchen. Don't let the name fool you it is very high end food. If it is on the menu get the homamade butterscotch pudding with toffee or the chocolate fudge cake with pistachio ice cream ( it's all made from scratch). For breakfast go to Lou Mitchells, a Chicago tradition. http://www.southwaterkitchen.com/ Lou Mitchell's Restaurant __________________ 2006 Diasio D962R Arancio Borealis SOLD: 05 Elise, Benetec Carbon Fiber full body & rear wing, FF 275 turbo kit , Ikeya sequential shifter, Ohlins coilovers, Porterfield R-4, Sector 111 RTD brace & HNT pad, Yokohama A048, Caterham seats, Simpson 5 point belts, Moroso oil pan, Sector 111 Boomerang, AutoMeter CF Oil Pres-Boost-Vac gauges. No AC, heat, airbags. 1619 pounds "wet"

05-31-2009, 02:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
JoshS Come on down Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,970	I'm sorry but the original numero uno or duo just are10 times better then the franchises and are a must. __________________ '06 Elise Phantom Black, Touring, Starshield, Powder Coated Black Wheels, Bobble head IMUS

05-31-2009, 09:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
craracer eTard Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 282	Every time I go to Chicago I've got to make a stop at Noodles in the Pot. I love their Pad Thai! 2453 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614 Telephone: (773) 975-6177 Fax: (773) 975-6190 Business hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

05-31-2009, 09:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
dasmoofler Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE WI Posts: 3,088	I can't say I've eaten at either of these places, but the stuff he makes on his TV show sure looks good. FronteraKitchens.com \| Restaurants BTW - the red Elise with the wing has to be Ramsen. (OriginalBlackCi) edit: too slow again!

05-31-2009, 12:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
banic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	I tried to post this an hour ago... so if you see it twice... Hot Diggity Dog, 251 E Ohio St (between Fairbanks Ct & St Clair St) I get the italian beef, dipped with the hot pickled veggies. for dinner... Quartinos, Italian, 626 N State St, State and Onterio, loud and busy. Bistro 110, 110 E Pearson St, up by the Watertower, a Levy Restaurant, been there awhile, serves roasted garlic with the bread/cocktail course... Terry 95 Dinan SC M3 88 Supercharged MR2 Elise wanabe...

05-31-2009, 01:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
dasmoofler Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE WI Posts: 3,088	Wow, first post and Banic wins.

05-31-2009, 03:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC/Westchester, NY Posts: 10,852	Fogo de Chao - Brazilian Highly recommended for its salad bar and churrascaria!!! __________________ Be an alpha male. Drive a Lotus.

05-31-2009, 03:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
British_Marques Elise...Best Daily Driver Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 496	Volare's for Awesome Italian food. Always packed and stellar Martini's. __________________ 2005 Elise, Starlight Black/Red, Modified tilting clam, driving lamps, LED Tail lamp set, hybrid longtail/ and hardtop, Exige rear wing, radio delete, air bag delete, Custom Leather & Alcantra binacle, UK steering wheel, HVAC controller relocated, UK ECU, Carbon mirrors side mirrors, Zoom carbon rear view mirror, and Cup Wheels & Tires.

05-31-2009, 08:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ian Certified Fun Stopper Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio TX/Daytona Beach FL Posts: 4,050	Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We went to Quartino's and it was awesome. Any suggestions for tomorrow would be greatly appreciated. __________________ '06 Exige; Polar Blue; Track/Touring/Stage II/LSD-TC '05 Elise; Arctic Silver/Ruby Red (R.I.P)

06-01-2009, 02:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
vao4v Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 80	Kinzie Chop House 400 North Wells St Chicago, IL 60654 Tel: (312) 822-0191 Near the Merchandise Mart, downtown. If you like steaks, try the “Kinzie Cut,” a 16 oz steak...wowee!

06-01-2009, 06:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
OriginalBlackCi Red Alert Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 973	Hey, that was me! I live by Navy Pier and that's my usual buzzing area. I would also recommend Frontera if you like mexican food. Chicago is one of the best mexican food cities in the nation and Frontera is one of the best here. They don't usually take reservations but open at 5pm. I just go about a quarter to 5 and wait in line and get a table fine. If you show up at 5, it's an hour wait. If you show up at 7, it's two hours. Try some Chicago deep dish while you're here. My personal favorite is Gino's East with the sausage patty (1/4" sausage layer across whole pizza). Most people prefer Lou Malnati's but you can't go wrong either way. __________________ --Ramsen www.euroteknik.com-- Chicago's Premier Euro Community

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