The Chicago Traveler

The Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company brings together two things Chicago is famous for: pizza and Capone.
The Company is located across the street from where the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929 occurred, and rumor has it that the three-story brownstone served as a lookout point for Capone’s gangsters.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, created by the pine paneling and wooden booths packed with tourists and locals alike. Despite the eatery’s name, you won’t find “Chicago pizza” here. Instead, the kitchen doles out a “pizza pot pie.” The creative dish includes a blend of cheeses, huge fresh mushrooms, homemade …read more

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There was a bit of dispute over my last Best Pizzas list, as I expected there would be. It is a Chicagoan debate that has gone on for generations and will continue probably forever. So, just to add more fuel to the fire, here is another list of Chicago’s ten best ‘pies’ (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).
Honorable Mention: Gino’s East. If you enjoy reading, the walls here provide plenty of material.

10. Pizzeria Uno. The one, the only, the original. Loosen your belts now.
9. Piece. These very non-Chicago-style slices are simply delicious.
8. Home Run Inn. This old neighborhood tavern offers the …read more

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• The 44th Annual Chicago International Film Festival begins this weekend, featuring over 100 films from 46 countries. (ends Oct 29)
• More than five dozen vendors from Chicago will sell art, antiques, jewelry, and more at the Fall French Market. The fair also includes French cooking demonstrations and kids’ activities. (Oct 17-19)
• Sixty local and national chefs are featured at the 20th annual Celebrity Chef Ball, including Top Chef: Chicago winner Stephanie Izard, contestant Valerie Bonan, and Top Chef: New York contender Radhika Desai. (Oct 17)
• Oracle Productions holds their third installment of terrifying entertainment, Disturbed III. The audience stands …read more

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I am and always will be a deep-dish pizza fan, but I can admit that the pieces of Piece can win me over.
No, this isn’t Chicago pizza by any definition; thin and hand-padded, these ‘pies’ are made with minimal toppings. Here, the crust and sauce are the primary ingredients. Slip into a booth and order up one of the award-winning brews while waiting for your red, white, or “plain” pizza.
Down the street from Zen Noodles, red pizzas begin with traditional tomato sauce and mozzarella. Whites are brushed with olive oil, diced garlic, and mozzarella cheese. “Plain” offers a plentiful amount …read more

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Can you name the seven key ingredients for a Chicago-style hot dog? Here are ten great places to conduct your research (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. The Wiener’s Circle. Love it or hate it, this greasy spoon has got a “charm” all its own.
9. Gold Coast Dogs. All ten locations follow the Chicago-style recipe to the ‘T’.
8. Superdawg Drive-In. The winking hot dogs on the roof will be a sight you won’t soon forget.
7. Huey’s Hot Dogs. While serving up great dogs and burgers, this eatery is also well-known for its vegetarian-friendly dishes.

6. Portillo’s Hot Dogs. Both the nostalgia and …read more

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When it comes to Chicago-style deep dish pizza, there are a handful of famous names that are tried and true. Many of them (including Uno, Gino’s, and Malnati’s) are well-known far beyond the city limits. Another powerhouse in the Chicago pizza scene is Giordano’s.
There are 13 locations in the city and twice as many in the suburbs. Each of them look a little bit different from the rest, but you can usually expect to find red-and-white checkered tablecloths, wood-backed chairs, silver-topped red-pepper and parmesan shakers, and exposed brick. The Rush Street location (just off Michigan Avenue) has two floors and …read more

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As we’ve learned well by now, great food doesn’t just come from swanky digs. Restaurants like Taste of Peru and La Gondola overcome their strip-mall surroundings with big flavors. Another popular spot that could be easily overlooked (but you’d be severely missing out if you did) is Lakeview’s Art of Pizza.
Here, pizza truly is an art—a masterpiece, in fact—in which every detail is enjoyed and appreciated. The canvas is your choice of crust: thin, pan, or (my recommendation) stuffed. The Art’s sauce does more than just hold your preferred ingredients in place; its seasonings actually contribute incredibly to the overall …read more

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It has been some time since I last visited Pequod’s Pizza, but it was an experience I won’t soon forget. I actually used to work near the restaurant, and I’m surprised (and saddened) that I didn’t dine here sooner.
T-shirt-and-jeans types (many of them students at nearby DePaul University) enter beneath the blue awning and enjoy a contemporary setting with exposed brick and a casual atmosphere. Your mouth will water instantly upon arrival, as the smells of delicious pizza fill the room. You can tide yourself over with appetizers like chicken wings, breaded mushrooms, and jalapeño poppers.
Pequod’s makes both thin …read more

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Romance shouldn’t be reserved for just Valentine’s Day. As the temperatures begin to cool down, you can keep your relationship hot by visiting one or more of the ten best romantic date spots (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. Shanghai Terrace. With elegant art and a beautiful view, this Asian restaurant offers delicious sophistication.
9. Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar. The River North eatery serves French basics amidst casual, rustic surroundings.
8. Le Bouchon. Authentic and delicious French dishes at remarkable prices make this bistro one of Bucktown’s best.
7. Angelina Ristorante. In Lakeview, the popular date spot provides authentic Italian in a comfortable …read more

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• In Roscoe Village, the Harvest Fest celebrates the 100th anniversary of Jahn World Language School with live music, carnival rides, and food vendors. (Sept 12-14)
• The 19th annual Festival de La Villita features carnival rides, live music, lots of food, and arts and crafts vendors, commemorating Mexican independence from Spanish rule. The fair is also the end location of the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade (with floats, mariachi bands, and folk dancers) on Sunday. (Sept 12-14)
• A new art festival has arrived in Bucktown and Wicker Park. The smARTshow showcases the works of 75 artists inside the Flat …read more

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