Overnight Chicago trip

[novelist_wannabe]

Had amazing luck when I asked for NYC advice last year, so I'm back.

It's worked out that I'm taking a quick trip to Chicago next week. Won't even be there 24 hours, but I think I'll have time to take the train from my hotel to Wrigley. I know, Wrigley in February. Empty of people, snowbound. Just wanna see it. Anyway, My question: Does the cuisine cognoscenti on here have any recommendations for food other than Chicago-style pizza? And, failing that, recommendations on where to go for Chicago-style pizza? I'm staying on E. Wacker across the street from the riverwalk.

Thanks guys.

 

[Batman]

Not sure how the food is, other than expensive, but the Signature Lounge in the Hancock Tower is a cool place to go for drinks. It's on the 95th and 96th floors, so if you make a reservation you can get all of the amazing views without waiting in a long line.

The Signature Lounge® at the 96th – Specialty Cocktails

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Lucky's Sandwich Company is good:

Lucky's Sandwich Company - Chicago's Best Sandwich Shop

Orange Restaurant has a really good (but not cheap) breakfast:

Breakfast or Lunch at Orange Restaurant Chicago

 

[justgladtobehere]

Harold's Chicken on the South Side.

 

[Vombatus]

Visit **** and YF - sj headquarters.

 

[Fly]

Pequod's

 

[Dyno]

YF and **** would be better resources, but these two are among my Chicago favorites:

bellyQ
Home - Girl and the Goat

 

[Riptide]

Home - Girl and the Goat

I looked at the menu, and now I can't unsee this: Oven Roasted Pig Face.

Goat legs available by pre-order.

 

[Riptide]

Oven Roasted Pig Face is the name of my new band.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Fried Chicken: roost
BBQ: Green Street Smoked Meats
If you're looking for a giant grilled cheese that's only a half mile from Wrigley: Cheesie's Pub & Grub

 

[cranberry]

Billy Goat Tavern too touristy these days? I haven't been there in 25 years but it was good enough for Mike Royko.

 

[Dyno]

I looked at the menu, and now I can't unsee this: Oven Roasted Pig Face.

Goat legs available by pre-order.

I didn't have anything pig or goat-related there.

 

[User 1019]

Twin Anchors

 

[I Should Coco]

Billy Goat Tavern too touristy these days? I haven't been there in 25 years but it was good enough for Mike Royko.

No, it's still a dive ... but a dive whose walls are filled with great examples of Chicago journalism and journalists, including Royko. There's also a fine tribute to former Bears coach Abe Gibron on the walls ... the big man put on quite the eating display at the Goat in the 1970s.

Stopped in with my teenage son last summer, while the ladies wandered Michigan Avenue, and it was well worth it. Just across/under Michigan Avenue from the Tribune Tower.

Burgers are good, but the patties aren't too big, so get at least a double — "triple much better."

 

[Lil_Nip]

Assuming you can squeeze 15 meals into 20 hours:

-Cemitas Puebla (I can only vouch for the Humbolt Park location): Get the al pastor or atomica (the only sandwich in America that's better is the "No. 8" at Paseo in Seattle).

-Papa's Cache Sabroso: Get the jibarito.

-Fat Willy's: Get the baked four cheese macaroni, and the brisket sandwich.

-Pequod's: Get a pan pizza (not "traditional" Chicago deep dish, but it's better), and an appetizer (the pan pizza takes forever).

-Kuma's Corner: Get a metal-band-named burger (hard to name one that tastes bad).

-90 Miles Cuban Café: Get various empanadas, and fried plantains. Add ropa veija, if hungry.

-Saucy Porka: Get various bacos (short rib, pork carnitas, etc.) and chorizo eggrolls.

-Hopleaf; Get beer, and mussels/fries, or duck Reuben.

-Publican Quality Meats: Get the Porchetta (weekends only) or pretty much any sandwich, and dip into the kitchen en route to the bathroom.

 

[justgladtobehere]

Skip Bayless' brother is supposed to be a pretty good chef. And he is not an jerk.

Try Goose Island. It is still brewing its own stuff.

 

[BDC99]

Authentic Chicago beef sandwich!

 

[cranberry]

Try Goose Island. It is still brewing its own stuff.

Lost its charm when AB-InBev took over but it tastes pretty good.

 

[YankeeFan]

Lost its charm when AB-InBev took over but it tastes pretty good.

The brew pub was not part of the sale to InBev. They still brew on site.

The Fulton Street brewery, right outside my window, has added a Tap Room.

Brew Pub: Home - Clybourn

Brewery Tap Room: Goose Island Beer Company

 

[YankeeFan]

Eat: The 38 Essential Chicago Restaurants, Winter 2016

Drink: The Eater Chicago Cocktail Heatmap: Where to Drink Right Now, December 2015

Breweries: Tours of Chicago breweries

Tours: Tours