Chicagofoodguy's Profile
Breakfast Near Wrigley Field?
If you are interested in a 50s style diner, go to Salt & Pepper, less than a block from Wrigley (Beer/Wine avail.). This is a nice diner, not a greasy spoon.If you want interesting and different, go to the original location of Orange (No alcohol/BYO), located about four blocks South of Wrigley. If you want great cinnamon rolls to coat the stomach and Swedish pancakes, head to Ann Sather, about four blocks South of Wrigley.
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Orange
3231 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
Salt & Pepper Diner
3537 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
Ann Sather's Restaurant
909 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Best downtown views restaurant?
A few other options...Soundings is the restaurant at the Shedd Aquarium--great view of downtown. You may also want to consider a boat cruise, where you will have great view of the skyline.
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/dining_at_shedd.html
http://www.spiritofchicago.com/ch/index.jsp?
http://www.odysseycruises.com/chicago/special_offers/indy.cfm?
http://www.mysticbluecruises.com/?
Family friendly near Lincoln Park Zoo?
I agree that Stanley's and RJ Grunts are probably your two most convenient choices. You'll see the strollers lined up outside RJ Grunts.
Family friendly near Lincoln Park Zoo?
There is a Cosi at the corner of Clark and Webster.
Lunch near Lincoln Park Zoo
Pasta Bowl is decent, inexpensive, and quick Italian. If you'd like a nicer atmosphere, a step up in quality, and still Italian, go to Basil Leaf Cafe. It is walking distance (8-10 minutes at most) from the zoo--1 1/2 blocks North of Fullerton on Clark Street. I have taken people here for casual business lunches.
There is also an Indian restaurant at Clark and Belden (I forget the name right now.), which is across the street from Ranalli's. Simply Ti, a thai restaurant, is good too. On Lincoln just South of Belden.
Lincoln Park - new every week?
Welcome to Chicago! I live in the area, so I'll chime in with just a few of the many places to visit in East Lincoln Park (and maybe a bit of Old Town, just South of Lincoln Park). None of these are "fine dining," or necessarily outstanding food, but all are suitable for weekday/night dining, won't require a reservation, and fit the bill when you don't want to cook dinner.
Baccino's on Lincoln--Stuffed pizza--try the stuffed spinach
Galway Arms--Irish bar/restaurant with outdoor seating--on Clark North of Fullerton--Live Irish Music on Sunday nights--menu is more upscale than normal "bar food"
Geja's--one of the original and longstanding fondue restaurants--also known for its romantic atmosphere-- a lot of wedding proposals take place here-- a bit cellar like
Frances'--one of Lincoln Park's oldest restaurants known for breakfast
Weiner's Circle--classic Chicago Hot Dog stand--serves Chicago dogs (steamed) as well as grilled dogs--great place to go at 1AM on a Saturday night when things really start to get going--on Clark North of Wrightwood
R. J. Grunts--The original Lettuce Entertain You (LEYE) restaurant--If you don't know who Rich Mellman is, or about Lettuce Entertain You, it's time for you to do a little research--1 block West of Clark on Dickens--www.rjgruntschicago.com
Le Creperie--technically in Lakeview (vs. Lincoln Park), but still a short walk for you--on Clark just North of Broadway--Parisian atmosphere--outdoor patio in back
Basil Leaf Cafe--popular, tasty casual Italian--1 block North of Fullerton on Clark
Green Tea--small, popular sushi place on Clark just North of Webster
Minnie's--on Halsted, South of Armitage--everything is "minnie," order 3 minnie sandwiches, get a Coke or a Beer in a mini bottle
Half Shell--old classic neighborhood seafood place--at the corner of Orchard and Diversey
Four Farthings--a bar and restaurant--nice dining room with American cuisine--has some outdoor seating (street side) during the summer
You're also walking distance from Charlie Trotter's.
There are many more, just take a walk around!
If you need more info on Lincoln Park, just ask.
Chicago with Spouse
Stop by and take a look at Millennium Park. See the "bean," the Pavilion, the Gardens, and the Water sculptures. You could eat lunch or dinner or grab a drink outside or inside at the Park Grill, located at Mil. Pk.This is right across the street from the Cultural Center where you can go to the tourist office. Then walk down to the Art Institute, just South of Millennium Park, see some art, and eat lunch, or maybe even dinner (need to check the schedule) in the Art Institute's Garden restaurant. This is a secluded restaurant, in the center of the Art Institute with outdoor seating--great summer restaurant.
Take the Chicago Architecture Foundation's architecture river cruise. This is a great tour for visitors and residents alike. The boat tour goes up and down the Chicago river. You might also look at some of the other tours or boat rides that go out onto the Lake so you can see the view of the skyline, especially at night.
For wine bars/restaurants, if you are staying downtown, check out Bin 36, Juicy Wine Company, or The Tasting Room. Also, there are quite a few BYOB restaurants in Chicago, so you could choose your own wine and take it with you to dine.
www.architecture.org --Chicago Architecture Foundation
Lincoln Park with a toddler?
Lincoln Park restaurants that are kid-friendly:
www.minnies.com
www.charliesonwebster.com
www.johnsplace.com
www.rjgruntschicago.com
Those are a few "kid-friendly" restaurants to get you started. There are many many restaurants that are probably easy to go to with an 18 month old (because your niece may not be running around and asking, "When can we leave?") that would be fine for all of you at this point, but might be a bit more challenging once your niece gets a little older. If I think of some others, I'll add to this post. Enjoy your visit.
Made in Chicago
Here's a list of the usual suspects with a few of the lesser known thrown in as well.
Chicago is known for "inventing" and creating many foods. Unfortunately, many foods that were "created" in Chicago or for which Chicago is known for are not easily transportable.
Hard to Ship:
Italian Beef/Sausage
Saganaki from The Parthenon in Greek Town
Maxwell Street Polish (Sausage)
Gyros
There are a lot of great bakeries (e.g. cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B's, bread from Red Hen) including ethnic bakeries for pita, tortillas, and other bread products, but due to the lack of preservatives, these won't ship easily--unless you use overnight shipping.
May require overnight shipment/dry ice/etc.:
Italian Beef/Sausage
Vienna Beef Hot Dogs
Steak
Eli's Cheesecake
Deep Dish Pizza--I believe you can send parbaked frozen pizzas from Lou Malnati's and other pizza places--Note, the pizza you get at a Pizzeria Uno outside of Chicago is a different recipe (and company) then the original location.
Ribs from Twin Anchors
Easiest to Ship:
Chocolate and Candy and Gum--Fannie May is still based in Chicago, Frangos (formerly made by Marshall Fields, now Macy's) are being made in Chicago again. Bloomer Chocolate (www.bloomer.com) (You may smell the sweet scent of Chocolate in the air if you are walking in the West loop.) is also based in Chicago. Tootsie Roll is based here as is Wrigley. And, of course, Lemonheads, Atomic Fireballs, Boston Baked Beans, and Red Hots from Ferra Pan Candy (www.ferrapan.com).
Chicago Spice blends from the Spice House (www.thespicehouse.com)
El Milagro Tortilla Chips
You can go to Trotters to Go (on Fullerton) to send something with Charlie Trotter's name on it. Frontera Grill products (from Rick Bayless) have national distribution, I believe.
Goose Island Beer
