Crave. I'm just not a fan, I've been there a few times and every time the food has been mediocre. But people seem to love it there!

We had a birthday party for my mom's 60th at the Medina Ballroom a few years back. The food was fantastic, and they have rooms that aren't quite so big.. More suited for smaller parties. It may be worth a try.

A pickle dog is a pickle spear wrapped in pastrami with a seasoned cream cheese - I had one again today at the fair. TO DIE FOR. They're right in front of Andy's Grill by the entrance to the Midway.
I also tried a fudge puppy for the first time today. Yow! I'll be having one of them again next year! Now I have three "can't miss" things at the fair along with Cinnie Smith's.

There are two "can't miss" foods in my opinion:
Start your day at Cinnie Smith's cinnamon rolls. Hands down, the best caramel / cinnamon rolls EVER.
Then later on have a pickle dog. You won't be disappointed.
Sure, the foot longs and cheese curds are great, but you can get them anywhere. These two things are things you go to the fair to eat because you can't find them anywhere else!
Enjoy!

Zakia Deli has the best gyros. It's in Northeast off Stinson and Kennedy. It's a family owned deli, there's room to sit and it's very clean and inviting. Their other food is fantastic as well!

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Zakia Deli
2412 Kennedy St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Thank you all so much for your input! We have come to Chicago for the lights festival weekend a few times before, and are so excited to do it again in the wonderful windy city!!!
We're gonna do a pizza for sure - probably at Pizano's - just because of the close location to Millineum Park. Dinner is still uncertain, but I am leaning towards Brassierie Jo or Quartino.

Thanks again!!!

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Quartino
626 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60654

My husband and I are getting away for the weekend. We're staying near the river and Michigan Ave. and would like to have dinner somewhere close to our hotel or within walking distance. We don't want to break the bank for dinner, but want to spend somewhere in the $20-$30 range per person. I know I need a reservation so I'm hoping to find a place now, rather than "winging-it" while we're there. I'm not as particular about the type of cuisine, just as long as it's good!

Places I've thought about are:

Bandera
Catch 35
Fogo de Chao
Quartino

I'd love to go to a quaint smallish place that isn't a chain, however it seems like they're all more like in the $60-$100 per person range and I'm just not willing to spend that on dinner.

Any suggestions?

Also, we're going to the Millenium Park area on Sunday and need a good place for lunch. I'd love suggestions for that as well.

Thanks a bunch!

I know it's a chain restaurant, but I think Redstone's Rotisserie Chicken Chopped Salad is the best! I just had it again the other night - YUM!

Uncle Franky's - I've driven by this place a hundred times, but haven't stopped in yet. They have three locations, so maybe there is one close to you! Let us know if you try it out.

http://unclefrankys.com/

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Uncle Franky's
728 Broadway St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Brix Bistro on Excelsior Blvd in St Louis Park has a nice back room - I'm not sure how many it seats but it's a separate room with its own music controls and a large rectangle table. I want to say that it seats maybe 15-20. The food is pretty good, and drinks are excellent. I had dinner in that room about a year ago and thought it was ideal for a group.

I was going to say Keng's Chow Mein in New Hope (although I just saw somebody already did). My mom worked there when she was in high school (in the 60's) and still goes there when she wants "old school" Chinese food. Although I haven't been there in years, I remember going there as a child and thinking it was the only Chinese restaurant on Earth because it's the only place we went!

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Keng's Chow Mein
New Hope, MN, New Hope, MN