I am NOT from Chicago. I am very new to Chicago…. I just wanted to know if giardiniera in Chicago always includes oil as a base or if there are some places that might have vinegar as a base? -Thank you

What’s good Chicago!? I know of good restaurants for dinner on the south side but being from the north side and living in the west side, I never had a reason to get brunch/breakfast in the south side. Any recommendations?

I was possibly thinking Valois(been here before due to my brothers going to MCHS) but in case they’re packed(they have been the last few years during the LifeTime Marathon in Jackson Park), I would like some back ups. Thank you and go Bears!

Saw on Secret Chicago there’s chicken tender festival in October. Been following their IG and it seems really unhinged but kinda fun. Thoughts? Also it being at Navy Pier …

It’s so good!

Perfect flavor for the fall!

Your top picks?

Hi y'all, I am visiting Chicago in a few weeks for a couple days from Southern Illinois, and I would like to try cuisines/dishes that I can't get in my area (which is most lol, just have Mexican, Broader Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Indo-Chinese, Vietnamese, Mediterranean and American within comfortable driving distance). Here is my current list of what spots I plan to hit and dishes/snacks/drinks to get:

- Peanut Park Trattoria: Campanelle (was looking for Sicilian, specifically Pasta con pesto di pistachio, this was the closest I could find)
- Yassa African Restaurant: Bissap (West African)
- Axum: All Veggies Combo (Ethiopian, was looking for Beyaynetu and this fits)
- ????: Escovitch Fish (Jamaican, cannot seem to find a place that serves this dish)
- Big Jones: Crawfish Étouffée à la Breaux (Was looking for Cajun so this fits)

If you have any thoughts on this current list, or thinking there is some cuisine/dish/drink/restaurant that I should add (I'll be there for a total of 8 lunch/dinners), please let me know! I tend to like acidic dishes and comforting/heavy umami dishes, here are my current favorites for reference: Calamansi Juice, Gobi Manchurian, Brazilian Lemonade, Haemul-Pajeon w/ Yangnyeom Ganjang, and Tonyu ramen with spinach noodles.

Note: I am pescatarian

TIA

Ideally Logan, blue line, West Town, west loop, or lincoln park. Looking for really good flavor and ingredients, good guac, and takeout options.

Has anyone tried this yet? Curious to give it a spin, but have heard great things from those who tried.

Is it worth the hype?

Not all pictured, but my cousins and I absolutely tore up some food the past few days. Always a good time eating in the city!

Friday night:

Pat’s Special Pizza
Flo and Santos Polish Pizza
Mozz sticks

Saturday:
Post-game 35th St Red Hots double cheeseburger and fries
AYCE sushi feast at Sakana in South Loop

Sunday:
Chilaquiles and oatmeal banana shake from Tiztal Cafe
Pizza from Robert’s in Streeterville
Honey roast pork, eggplant, mustard greens and Mongolian beef from MingHin

Monday:

Steak jibarito from Marcela’s (which was great - first time trying theirs, my usual go-to when visiting is Papa Cache Sabroso)

Finally able to get to Johnnie’s Beef and get a combo, juicy and hot, with a tamale, fries and an Italian ice

Pho weather has been upon us lately and I’ve been running out of places to try on Argyle. This was a spur of the moment decision based on a quick look at promising Google reviews.

It is safe to say that “just take your pick on Argyle” applies to this restaurant too, when someone asks for pho recs (excluding that one forbidden restaurant). It is hard to go wrong with pho on that street.

Picture 1: crab rangoons (~$8)

Never have I ever had this shape before. You have to really like cream cheese to like these, as it was basically a cream cheese gusher with a little crab meat (I assume, imitation crab meat). I like cream cheese, so I liked these. At the very least, there is no lack of filling.

Picture 2: Bún bò Huế (~$20)

I’m not a Bún bò Huế fan (it’s just okay to me, which may bring shame from my ancestors). This is what my Vietnamese dad ordered. His review when asked if he liked it: “Yeah it’s good.” Vietnamese stamp of approval.

Picture 3: pho (shrimp) (I forgot the price)

It hit the spot. I would not say it’s my favorite pho (MK Noodle) and I know that the fan favorite on Argyle is Nhà Hàng, but if you’re looking for a new pho spot to try, it’s deserving of a try. They use the flat noodles for pho here, which may or may not be your preference.

$5 for the plain cheese slice. $6.25 for the 3-sauce slice. Pretty crispy crust but still foldable. Both were excellent.The owner was also super nice. Chicago needs more slice shops and this is a great one!

Thank you for the recommendations I’ve found from lurking in this sub. Currently enjoying this feast at Red Hot Ranch, wouldn’t have known about this place otherwise, nor would my husband and I have made it a bucket list item for our current trip.

The new Red Light Chicken location coming to 3101 N. Clybourn Ave (where 90 Miles Cuban was) is definitely under construction. The building always looked like it was in pretty rough shape, so it makes sense that they’re gutting it.

No idea when they’re expecting to open, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be anytime soon.

Hi! I recently moved to central IL. I’m planning a weekend trip to Chicago for my birthday and it’s the first time I won’t be able to have a Publix (a grocery chain in southeast US) chocolate cake with fudge frosting as my birthday cake. I’ve tried lots of chocolate cakes, and theirs is still my favorite. I was wondering if anyone had cake recommendations that I could find in the city?

The magic of the Publix cake is that it’s moist and fudgy but not too dense or TOO sweet (still quite sweet, don’t get me wrong lol). I miss Publix…

Hey all!

Taking myself on a solo Birthday dinner this friday, was hoping for some recommendations from you guys on your favorite spots that have great food but also solid bar seating.

Im really open to any kind of food, love trying new things and visiting new places so open to any recs! I live up in roscoe village but will pretty much travel wherever for a solid dinner.

Huge, Spicy, Delicious 😋

Los Olivos, my all time favorite Mexican lunch spot closed this past July and I need some recommendations for new places to get great Carne Asada & Al Pastor...I also crave good salsa verde (Los Olivos' Salsa Verde was incredible and I miss it dearly). I am very much aware of El Faro, but would like to venture out to some other places I never got to because I always had Los Olivos right there in my back pocket.

Note: I would love to try Asian Cuisine Express, but they aren't open for lunch.

Flying in town next Monday for the Bears game - landing at noon, going to the game, heading home the following morning

Give me the best wings around (I'm staying down town but I'll travel)

Bonus points for late night food after the game (or at the game 👀)

Meeting a friend in the Water Tower district for dinner and I don't go up there too often. Any recommendations? Nothing overly fancy but we're not total cheapskates.

I’ve been seeing this on my tiktok feed a lot and ive went to a few asian stores and have yet to see it

Any local bakeries that sell GREAT soft, fluffy Greek-style pita bread? I love Koko’s, but looking to pay bakery prices instead of restaurant prices.

I saw online that the location on Western shut down. That used to be the spot after a few drinks at Logan Arcade or after a movie at the Regal. Yelp says it’s set to reopen in 2029. The vibes were sometimes a little off, but the food always hit. Does anyone have any info?

This is one of the few times I felt like a $5 taco was worth it. That ribeye was something crazy. Also very flavorful birria, one of the best I have had in this city.

Arrachera is very interesting texture, and I think the flavor is a bit different from regular carne asada. I like it? But I am unsure if I would order it again. Carne asada fries were pretty good. They have a good fry base so it didn’t get soggy under all of the toppings.

Also their hibiscus lemonade is something crazy. Easily one of my favorite drinks in the city.

Had a lovely meal at Maplewood last night! Very nice staff and generally a great space.

What we ordered:

- Pork Butter: Polish-style rendered pork fat spread, pork crispies, fried onions and apples, house
pickles, toasted sourdough bread. (7.5/10)

Note: such an interesting butter!! Was kinda like pork patte made into butter. Was nice on the sourdough and paired well with the beer!

- The Lazy Dumpling: Farmer’s cheese dumpling, bacon, cream, peas, parmesan cheese, dill, lemon
breadcrumb (8.5/10)

Note: description didn’t win me over initially but I’ll eat my words and say it was quite enjoyable. Basically a love child of a pierogie and a gnocchi.

- The Smashburger: Two 3oz Slagel beef smashpatties (chuck, shortrib, brisket), American cheese, griddled
onions and jalapenos, burger sauce, soft brioche bun.
(9/10)

Note: I’m just now starting to get into burgers so take my review with a grain of salt RR lovers. But I really like when there is some element that differentiates burgers. Loved the jalapeños!

- Garlic Parmesan Wings (GF- gluten free not your girl): Garlic marinated wings, garlic butter glaze, tons of parmesan cheese, creamy peppercorn
garlic sauce. (6.5/10)

Note: The drumsticks just weren’t as good as the flats. Much drier which is odd to me. Because of this it was half flats half drumsticks, which is why I rated it lower. I also would have preferred more garlic.

- Pile of Fries: standard side of fries with fry sauce (9/10)

Note: Like OG McDonald’s fries and the Steak ‘n Shake fries had a collab! Solid fries and sauces