by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Lakeview, Reviews
The last time I was at the Stretch, I was in pursuit of their award-winning Cortland Street Burger and walked away with a very happy stomach. I made a return trip to the Wrigleyville sports bar and grille to sample their new spring menu—launching March 12—created by...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Sometimes being unrestricted is much needed. The buffets in Chicago aim to lift limitations and let you choose your own boundaries. Buffets do not always have to be traditional style, as you will see, some of the buffets in Chicago are quite exquisite with their...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Chinese restaurants are gems hidden in plain view. Every once in awhile I get a craving so hard that I must go find some fluffy steamed rice, chicken, and soy sauce. When that utter desire hits you next, and only Chinese food can suppress the feeling, these ten...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Gold Coast, Reviews
As I’m sitting here reminiscing about my last visit to L’Appetito, which a friend of mine highly recommended, I find myself mowing down a sandwich that I just just whipped together in my kitchen. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for a simple, yet satisfying...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Chicago Mexican breakfast options are a welcome change to the traditional fifteen stack of pancakes and twelve-egg omelets that are large enough that you could wrap yourself in it. The primary reason to crave south of the border before noon is chilaquiles. ‘What are...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Chicago is known for its famous pizza creations; because of this there are extensive amounts of options. There really is no time to give to eating bad pizza when there are some many taste bud exploding options out there! Follow this list and you will experience some...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Lincoln Park, Reviews
While fun in concept, build-your-own burger places like Meatheads or Five Guys have always left me feeling a little let down. Either the toppings are good but the meat hovers around McDonald’s quality, or the toppings are pretty basic. Lincoln Park’s Butcher &...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
As with many things in Chicago– people have very strong opinions about their favorite teams, music and food. Italian beef has become a staple in Chicago. I still remember my first– it was homemade and completely soaked through the bun with all of the hot goodness...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
It seems like, more often than not, when I go out for the night with a group, we end up starting dinner with a heaping plate of nachos. They really are the perfect way to feed a small army if you aren’t counting your calories. That is why we set out to find the best...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Events, Holiday Specials
Holidays in the city are nothing short of pure entertainment’ that of course includes a Chicago 4th of July weekend! Celebrate this grand country’s independence at any (or all) of these locations around Chicago. Whether you are looking to eat and drink inside or...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Sandwiches are the quintessential lunch food. They were designed to be eaten on the go, and while that still may be the case, there are some sandwich shoppes in Chicago’s Loop that will make you want to sit down and indulge in each and every bite. There are varieties...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
The lifestyle choice of eating vegan is not always the easiest to commit to, especially if you find yourself eating out a lot. Fortunately, Chicago is a very vegan-promoting city, even amidst the sidewalk vendors and pizza parlors. There is an extensive list of...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Entertainment, Events, General Information
While eating out and exploring the extensive amounts of phenomenal restaurants in Chicago is insanely enjoyable– there is perhaps a better way to try new cuisine; cook it for yourself. There are a good amount of options for cooking classes in Chicago. They range from...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
This is a sign– a sign of everything great to come the next handful of months. Sitting outside on a patio just makes food taste better and beer more refreshing. While a few locations are still a few weeks out from opening, others have embraced the weather and opened...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Holiday Specials
Easter in Chicago is a phenomenal time of the year. Not only is the weather warming, but there are also an abundant amount of restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding area offering food and drink specials to warm you on the inside. Have a relaxing brunch with...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Naperville, Reviews, Suburbs
Whenever I find myself in Naperville, Jackson Avenue Pub seems to be my go to spot (followed by Quigley’s Irish Pub). The atmosphere is pretty low-key and their food is spot on– especially if you have burgers on your mind. Atmosphere The interior of Jackson Avenue Pub...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Restaurants, Reviews, West Town
As if Restaurant Row wasn’t already a foodies dream come true, the West Loop’s dining scene continues to grow and expand beyond the confines of Randolph. Head just a little bit south of Randolph to 1045 W. Madison Street and you’ll find the Mad Boiler, a Cajun seafood...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Going out to eat should be an experience, something that you can make a night of. Small plates of gourmet dishes eaten amongst friends is the perfect reason to check out these tapas Chicago venues. Tapas Valencia Tapas Valencia is an award winning Spanish tapas venue...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Chicago Eats, Reviews, River North
Open since 2012, Municipal Bar + Dining Co is a sports bar and restaurant located in Chicago’s River North, not far from Merchandise Mart. While the area already has its share of sports bars, Municipal is a bit more upscale than its rivals, quite spacious, and does...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Reviews, Wrigleyville
The idea of going to a Wrigleyville bar could either be the greatest or worst thing every depending on who you are. If that is your scene, there’s certainly no shortage of places to choose from to watch the game, grab some lunch, or have a boozy weekend. Located just...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Reviews, Wicker Park
During a recent trip to New York City, I walked by multiple meatball-focused restaurants and now Mondo Meatball has come to Chicago’s Wicker Park. Are we in the midst of a meatball revolution? These are not just your classic Italian meatballs, either. Mondo...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, General Information
I most certainly would not consider myself to be a master when it comes to grilling– but I do know a thing or two about cooking in the kitchen. This easily translates to cooking on the grill. Essentially everything that you can fry or bake can also be grilled– even...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
This is a city of fierce competition. For a Chicago new restaurant to stand out above other new venues, as well as match or surpass well-established names, is a feat of its own. There were many openings last year, but these 15 restaurants have broken through the mold...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Reviews, Suburbs
I found myself in Naperville on perhaps the most sacred day of the week– Taco Tuesday. With no lunch plans, my own two feet for transportation, a craving for tacos and wide eyes– I spotted the On The Border Naperville location just down the road. This Tex-Mex...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Wings are a sacred meal. They are messy, delicious, mainly eaten with friends and beer, and taste even better when sports are streaming across the screen. If you are going to support your favorite teams, then also support your tastebuds by letting them indulge in the...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Events
The Roscoe Village Burger Fest is just one more reason to love summer in Chicago. Not only does it give you a reason to hangout in this eclectic neighborhood– but you are able to indulge in some of the best burgers in town prepared by some of the best restaurants in...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Reviews
Earlier this summer, the Chicago Traveler visited CHOP just before it opened to serve shoppers and residents of the Roosevelt Collection. This time around we visited CHOP owner Jovanis Bouargoub’s original restaurant concept: Porkchop. Porkchop serves a variety of...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Grilled Cheese has come a long way since I was flipping them in a pan, or even worse, a microwave in my younger years. The big question may be, is grilled cheese really grilled cheese once you add vegetables and meat to it? The answer to that is yes, yes it is. The...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Restaurants, Reviews, The Loop
Chicago’s the Fifty/50 Group has so far been known for their eclecticism with restaurants ranging from the namesake sports bar to Roots Handmade Pizza to craft cocktail lounges like the Berkshire Room. With the recent opening of Steadfast in the Loop’s business...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Seeking out the best burger in Chicago can be an overwhelming task. You can scrounge through Yelp, ask your neighborhood shop keeper or start with these recommendations and see if you learn of anywhere else on your travels. The neighborhoods of Chicago that have the...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
Sometimes in the morning nothing is more satisfying than a simple, quintessential breakfast. Nothing tends to fit the bill more perfectly than a plate of some of the best pancakes in Chicago– especially after an aggressive night. Yes– French toast is bomb and it...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Drinks, Chicago Eats, Events
Super Bowl is always a bittersweet event. The entirety of a season’s battles, trash talking and celebrations come down to this very day. It can be joyous, even if your team isn’t in the running for World Champions. It’s the perfect day for camaraderie. On the flip...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, General Information, Top 10 Shopping
I hate the feeling of being absolutely clueless when it comes to gift shopping for someone. Whether the person has everything, or nothing– finding gifts is not always an easy task. Judging from personal experience, receiving amazing food- especially sweets- or some...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Reviews, Wicker Park
A few years ago, most Chicagoans probably thought of ramen as the cheap microwave noodles they ate in college, but now the city is obsessed with the Japanese noodle-soup dish. The latest contender for best ramen bowl in the city is Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in...
by Chicago Traveler | Chicago Eats, Top 10 Restaurants
I’ve written about quite a few pizza places here in Chicago, but you can’t talk about deep-dish pizza without giving homage to the original: Uno Chicago Grill, better known as Pizzeria Uno. (The new name evolved from the new menu, which includes ‘hip...
