Rene’s Consolidated Chicago Recs List



Chicago Dog:

Many will tell you to go to Portillo’s, Devil Dawgs, or some other spot. As long as you avoid Portillo’s you’ll be fine. If you want the best “popular spot”, it’s going to be Clark Street Dog. Although a trip up north for Superdawg won’t hurt. My personal favorite? A little spot tucked away west of the Loop, called “Al’s under the L”. Yes, it’s under the Pink Line.


Pizza:

If you have to do the Deep Dish thing, Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s are the “classics”. I come from a Giordano’s family, but it really doesn’t make a big difference, and regardless, Chicago has much more to offer than Deep Dish. I’m a fan of Roots Pizza on Lawrence, and Spacca Napoli (Neapolitan, oven-fired) in Ravenswood. For any other pizza recs, check out what Steve Dolinksy has to say. He’s a top food critic in Chicago and a family friend. He’s a Pizza fanatic.


Breakfast:

  • Wishbone is a favorite. Great food, great atmosphere, cornbread muffins to die for.

  • For something quick and lowkey, try Cafe Tola. Empanadas with fillings you won’t find anywhere else. Great coffee too!


Fancy Shmancy Dinner:

  • Demera: Great Ethiopian food in uptown

  • Mama Delia: I worked here. Great shit. Sometimes better than their Michelin star Sister restaurant, Porto. Best Scallops I’ve ever had, also try the bone marrow.

  • Sushi San: Awesome Sushi. Also see: Ramen San.

  • Roister: Chef Grant Achats at an affordable price. Really fucking good, some might say better than Next.

  • Avec: So good I blacked out

  • Fulton Market Kitchen: Seasonal, Super fly digs

  • Really anything in West Loop/ off Randolph Street. This is Chicago’s culinary “hotspot” going on almost a decade.


Other Classics:

  • Parsons Chicken (“upscale”, Logan Square), or Harold’s Chicken (dozens of locations, a Chicago staple)

  • Big Star (go to the Wicker Park location, the original). A bit popped off, but they do a great “Walking Taco”

  • Kuma’s Corner: The craziest burgers you’ll ever have in a hard rock/grunge vibes, no frills sit-down.

  • Margie’s Candies: Two locations, mountains of amazing Ice cream in a retro diner setting.

  • Pita Inn: Technically just outside of Chicago, worth it. Very much an IYKYK spot.

  • Green Street Smoked Meats: Uhmmmm, fucking fire.



Drinks:

Chicago has unmatched cocktail bar offerings, and for those seeking a different vibe, more dive bars than you could visit in a lifetime. For the latter, @divebarsofchicago on Instagram is actually a great reference. For the rest, here’s my best:

  • Moneygun: If it’s still open, it’s the overall best speakeasy out there. Enter through a lowkey fried chicken joint. Relatively inexpensive drinks, humble and amazingly talented bartenders. Terrific Vibes.

  • Victor bar: I used to work here. Dim, Parisian Vibes. Obsessively-crafted cocktails.

  • The Office: Speakeasy under The Aviary (also worth a trip). Pricey, but hard to do any better than this.

  • The Darling: Tiny speakeasy. “Mini” Cabaret Shows (on the hour I believe).

  • Dorean’s: Another speakeasy - Inside a record store.

  • 3 dots and a Dash: Tiki Bar downtown. See Also: Lost Lake (Another tiki bar from Paul McGee. Super friendly dude)

  • Cerise: Rooftop bar downtown. Great views.

  • The Up Room @ The Robey: Rooftop bar in Wicker Park. Small Pool, Tallest building west of Ashland.

  • Violet Hour: Wicker Park Speakeasy. Best vibes in that area. Expert Bartenders.

  • CH Distillery (On Randolph Street): Cool spot, Unique Booze for sure. Lowkey owners of classic Chicago drink culture.


Note: You could spend a full month just in West Loop hitting many of these spots and many more.



Nightlife:

It really all depends on what you’re looking for. While Chicago’s “Club” scene doesn’t stack up to NYC or LA, there’s an overabundance of live music, and cheap(er) drinks. Chicago is the birthplace of House music, has a wildly active Punk and DIY rock community. See Subterranean, The Aragon, Smart Bar. The list could go forever. More of a hit me up when you’re ready kind of deal


Sights:

Montrose Beach Bird Sanctuary A.K.A. “Beach Forest”

  • One of the more under appreciated spots in the city, A large swath of forested land, with prairies bordering the lakefront trail. Wander through shaded paths until you reach a clearing with unobstructed views looking south at the Chicago skyline.

Lake Shore Drive

  • If you time it right, taking a drive down LSD is an traffic-free, awe-inspiring, trip. Roughly 30 minutes from one end @ Sheridan rd, down the lakeside, past Millennium and Grant Park, Soldier Field, McCormick Center, and ending around Chicago’s Museum Campus/ University of Chicago, approximately 50th-60th streets. Almost as good in reverse.

Chicago River Architectural Tour

  • 100% a tourist activity. 100% worth it. I’ve done it a few times, and if you told me you had a ticket, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

Wrigley Field

  • See a Cubs Game if you can. Really a blast. Pregame in Wrigleyville. Postgame in Wrigleyville. Wake up in Wrigleyville and do it again the next day.


Of course, there’s a lot more you can do. Museums, Parks, Lots of touristy things, etc. etc. etc.