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Foodies in Chicago: what's new, what's still worth checking out?

EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
So up until last year, I was in Chicago 3-4 times a year. I've been out of the loop in terms of the culinary scene and will be in town for 10 days starting this Friday.

What are some of the new places worth checking out? I'll be staying in the Loop but don't mind venturing out. Doesn't have to be high end...anything good is worth it.

That said...places like Next, Aviary - can I even get into them or should I not even bother? Are Avec/Blackbird still good? I've heard good things about Publican.

Also, any noteworthy new bars are welcome. (Untitled on Kedzie?)
 
Publican is good and pretty easy to get into, I wouldn't bother with Blackbird but Avec was also good. He has a new one Trenchermen on the west side which was definitely worth checking out.

You should also look up "El Ideas," kind of spendy but its definitely getting a ton of attention.

You won't get into NEXT, they do a ticketing system and it takes a while from what I hear. I'm not too into places like that but my friends are.

If you want more fine dining spots: graham elliot (GE), moto (homaru kantu) are always pretty good and not impossible to get into as say next or alinea.
 
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Awesome, thanks. I've been to GE before, but not moto.

As for Next, I'll be stalking them on Facebook/Twitter and hope for a next-day table. If not, no big deal...I'm there for work but I'll have enough time to stuff my face so I want to make the most of it.

Between working, finding time to hit up a Crossfit gym, seeing my old friends, and eating/drinking...I'm not sure I'm going to need the hotel room, LOL!
 
if you want any other specific recs for food or drink let me know, shoot me a PM or whatever. have fun and be safe
 
If you're in the loop, Purple Pig is a great joint but has a long wait and they don't take reservations. For bars, I've always liked the Gage (michigan and Jackson), but it can get loud and the crowd is slightly older. It's a gastro pub so the food is good and they have a good beer selection.

If you go to the west loop, girl and the goat and avec are terrific but a bit spendy ($70~ a meal easily). Blackbird is right next to Avec and is also good; Avec, Publican and Blackbird are all sister restaurants so if you go to one and its packed, they can try to find you seating in the other restaurants as well which is nice and convenient. Right around the area is Maude's Liquor bar, and they have some great drinks as well and their mussels are terrific.

If you're willing to go up north a bit, Tru is good but its a fine dining establishment with a prix fixe. For some dive-y joints that still serve good food, you can check out Big and Little's. Bad happy poutine is a block away from big and little's and they have a great burger and a poutine that has "Pork Belly, Truffle Mayo, Foie Gras Mousse & Gravy, Frites, Curd, Sunny Egg". It's so bad but so good.

For stuff that's not in the loop, you can try Longman and Eagles in logan square (take the blue line), their dinner has always amazed me. Kuma's corner and hot doug's are a staple but they're nowhere near the loop, but they're worth a trek out and easy to get to if you have a car.
 
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Ah, I forgot about Purple Pig, thanks. I'm planning on Maude's for their roasted chicken. 🙂

L&E is one of my favorites as my friend used to live right down the street in Logan Square. I doubt I'll be able to hit up Hot Doug's due to his hours but Kuma's is also on my list...gotta have a burger while I'm in town.

The Poutine sounds kinda awesome...thanks for all the recommendations. 🙂
 
EvilYoda said:
That would be interesting too...haven't really read much about Chicago's scene.
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You'll be disappointed if you're looking for food trucks. Most of them are gone until spring, I think. None of them are very good either, the city doesn't allow them to cook openly so they just have pre-cooked stuff shoved in a container that keeps them warm. I've only seen 1 truck since november, and that was my lunch today. 😛

I've recently discovered a good donut place: they seem to have a lot of locations so should be easy to find one near you.

http://www.goglazed.com/
 
EvilYoda said:
Ah, I forgot about Purple Pig, thanks. I'm planning on Maude's for their roasted chicken. 🙂

L&E is one of my favorites as my friend used to live right down the street in Logan Square. I doubt I'll be able to hit up Hot Doug's due to his hours but Kuma's is also on my list...gotta have a burger while I'm in town.

The Poutine sounds kinda awesome...thanks for all the recommendations. 🙂
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I've heard great things about purple pig but never went. Mercadito is a fantastic Mexican place. Probably some of the best service staff that I've had and wonderful tapas style food.
 
PowerYoga said:
You'll be disappointed if you're looking for food trucks. Most of them are gone until spring, I think. None of them are very good either, the city doesn't allow them to cook openly so they just have pre-cooked stuff shoved in a container that keeps them warm. I've only seen 1 truck since november, and that was my lunch today. 😛

I've recently discovered a good donut place: they seem to have a lot of locations so should be easy to find one near you.

http://www.goglazed.com/
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That's too bad, but makes sense I guess. Chicago's got plenty to offer, I'm not too sad about that.

TallBill - thanks for Mercadito. Name looks familiar, but I'm not sure. Only tapas place I remember is Iberico and that place was great.
 
Hot Doug's is great, the food network / guy fieri basically destroyed kumas. It used to be one of my favorites and their food is still good but they started catering to the dockers/new family with stroller crowd ever since they exploded and now it's a shitshow. They're moving to a bigger kitchen last I heard, but it kills the vibe of a metal bar a bit when you're dodging crying babies and strollers and rich white men in khakis. Good burger sure, but not worth the hassle anymore.
 
I would weigh 400lbs if I lived in Chicago. I would eat, leave, go next door, eat, leave... that city has my favorite food in the world 🙂
 
Former executive chef of Aviary is now head mixologist at Drum Bar, a speakeasy-type bar in the Gold Coast. Don't believe they serve food, though.

You also might want to check out Billy Sunday up in Logan Square. Opened by owner of Yusho restaurant, who is also ex-Charlie Trotter. Was there opening night and it was packed, possibly due to Details magazine voting it "One of the Best Bars in America" before it was even open. Drinks are fantastic and eats are supposed to be good as well.
 
Au Cheval
Bavette's Bar and Boeuf
Trencherman
Little Goat
Publican Quality Meats
Aviary

for bars I'd say the below are my personal favorites :

the "Parlor" at Bavette's
Violet Hour
Barrelhouse Flat (drinks good, food meh at best)
Curio (in the basement at Gilt Bar)
Double A

Edit: it's also worth swinging thru the French market in the West Loop during lunchtime. some pretty good vendors these days with Pastoral there among others
 
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Not high brow, but I always recommend Hot Doug's and a few other hole in the walls. Just realized the other day, I haven't had Pat's Pizza in god knows how long.
 
That's too bad about Kuma's, I had no idea.

As for the other recommendations...keep them coming! I can't hit them all, but the more to choose from, the better. I'm going to Mord Fustang Saturday night and then Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears the last Saturday so I'll definitely want some pre-show eats.
 
arrfep said:
Former executive chef of Aviary is now head mixologist at Drum Bar, a speakeasy-type bar in the Gold Coast. Don't believe they serve food, though.
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Just perused their menu.....

Hm...an Old Fashioned made with Eagle Rare 10 year. Might have to check this one out in the near future.
 
Born2bwire said:
Not high brow, but I always recommend Hot Doug's and a few other hole in the walls. Just realized the other day, I haven't had Pat's Pizza in god knows how long.
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Go to Hot Doug's on Fridays and try the duck fat fries. They're fantastic (and expect a line, because everyone else knows they're fantastic).
 
I don't think you'll have a huge problem getting into The Aviary but maybe I've just been lucky. I definitely would recommend going there if you haven't yet been there. Really fun place. The small bites are usually outstanding too, though pricey if you do the math.

I have been hearing good things about Goosefoot though can't confirm any of them.
 
torpid said:
I don't think you'll have a huge problem getting into The Aviary but maybe I've just been lucky. I definitely would recommend going there if you haven't yet been there. Really fun place. The small bites are usually outstanding too, though pricey if you do the math.

I have been hearing good things about Goosefoot though can't confirm any of them.
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Goosefoot is good but not that memorable imo.
 
PowerYoga said:
You'll be disappointed if you're looking for food trucks. Most of them are gone until spring, I think. None of them are very good either, the city doesn't allow them to cook openly so they just have pre-cooked stuff shoved in a container that keeps them warm. I've only seen 1 truck since november, and that was my lunch today. 😛

I've recently discovered a good donut place: they seem to have a lot of locations so should be easy to find one near you.

http://www.goglazed.com/
Click to expand...

I think chicago just changed their stance and is now allowing them to cook once they get a permit.
 
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