Going to Chicago, need some suggestions

[jhansman]

My wife and I are flying into O'Hare in May, getting in in the early afternoon. Would like to stay in the Loop area; will only be in town that afternoon and evening, driving to Madison in the morning. So, hotel recommendations, restaurants, etc., and any areas or sites along the route from the city to Madison would be much appreciated. Never been to this area, so I have no idea what it offers. Many thanks.

 

[cubby1223]

The obligatory Lou Malnati's recommendation

 

[cubby1223]

Going to Madison you'll be taking I-90... not really anything special between the two cities, unfortunately.

 

[cubby1223]

you could eat at the top of the Hancock Building.

 

[GT1999]

Lou Malnati's Deep Dish is the best. There's lots of good bars along the Gold Coast, and too many great hotels along the Magnificent Mile if you check hotels.com - it all depends on how much you want to spend. Right now the Trump Tower is pretty much the best of the best.

 

[Mixolydian]

The obligatory Lou Malnati's recommendation

This.

 

[whattaguy]

Lou Malnati's at night.
Hot Doug's at 10:30am on the way out of the city to Madison the next morning.

 

[Saint Nick]

If you can get into the Hyatt Regency on Wacker ,it's pretty nice. So is the Park Hyatt, but a lot more money. Just off of the "Miracle Mile" or whatever it's called. Regency is probably my favorite place to stay in the Loop. Walking distance to anything good. Parking is expensive.

 

[swanysto]

Gino's East is better, unless you enjoy biting into a mouthful of sauce. Second, take a walk over to Millennium park or Navy Pier. And even though it is expensive, the signature room at the top of the Hancock has an amazing brunch for $50/person.

cubby is right though, not much on I-90 outside of the airport and Medieval times.

 

[Matthiasa]

If it's the weekend there is a place along the way to that even complete idiots can get rid of stolen goods.

 

[Born2bwire]

The obligatory Lou Malnati's recommendation

Lou Malnati's is my favorite too. Also, Hot Doug's.

 

[PowerYoga]

Lou Malnati's is my favorite too. Also, Hot Doug's.

This.

Squeeze in Kuma's Corner if you can. Delicious burgers.

 

[Twista]

If you wanna see fire works. Come to 25th and Ashland in Chicago at around 2am on Friday.

You'll see a lot of nice muzzle flashes and hear big explosions.

 

[ss284]

you could eat at the top of the Hancock Building.

Do not go to the top floor bar of the Hancock building. It's a badly maintained, overpriced, tourist trap.

The restaurant however has nice views and so-so food.

 

[Twista]

Do not go to the top floor bar of the Hancock building. It's a badly maintained, overpriced, tourist trap.

The restaurant however has nice views and so-so food.

Hey, dont tell him not to go there. We need to stimulate Chicago's shitty money problems somehow.

 

[jhansman]

Thanks, guys. Sounds like a few standards are showing up for food. Hmmm, muzzle flashes? Sounds exciting. If it's a "nothing to see here, move along, move along" drive to Madison, then so be it. Typically, we roll the dice with Hotwire for lodging and wheels, and have done pretty well in the past. Just thought I'd tap into the bottomless pit of knowledge that is ATOT. Thanks.

 

[ss284]

Hey, dont tell him not to go there. We need to stimulate Chicago's shitty money problems somehow.

Park in garages at all cost. Do not use the parking meters. :biggrin:

 

[momeNt]

Gino's East is better, unless you enjoy biting into a mouthful of sauce. Second, take a walk over to Millennium park or Navy Pier. And even though it is expensive, the signature room at the top of the Hancock has an amazing brunch for $50/person.

cubby is right though, not much on I-90 outside of the airport and Medieval times.

Also Lou Malnatti's cheese I just find completely tasteless. I don't know how all that mozzarella flavor be lost when cooked, but they manage to do it.

 

[thegimp03]

I've stayed at the downtown Embassy Suites a few times. It seems to be reasonably priced and they have an evening "manager's reception" with cocktails and snacks and a buffet breakfast the next morning. It's a couple blocks off of Michigan Ave - which your wife will like if she likes shopping/looking at expensive goods.

Tried Lou Malnati's a couple weeks ago when I was there. It was OK, but in my opinion there's a deep dish place where I live that has tastier pizza. For nicer dinners I've been to and recommend Gibson's for steak, Signature Room in the Hancock Building for a view, Rosebud on Rush if you want Italian food.

 

[jhansman]

I don't know how all that mozzarella flavor be lost when cooked, but they manage to do it.

Easy. Just don't use real mozzarella. Anyone who has used fresh mozzarella in a dish or on their own pizza knows the difference immediately. It's that skim milk crap that has no flavor. But, we digress.

For nicer dinners I've been to and recommend Gibson's for steak, Signature Room in the Hancock Building for a view, Rosebud on Rush if you want Italian food.

Cool, thanks.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I'd say go to Greektown, it's just a couple of blocks west of the main loop center area... nice walk if we have nice weather...

I'd also recommend walking along Michigan ave

Lou Malnati's is my favorite pizza, but Gino's, Eduardo's, Uno's, and about 50 others are awesome too... I pretty much like every deep dish/chicago style place except for Giordino's, I hate their pizza, I can't explain why other than it tastes nasty to me.

 

[jhansman]

Duly noted, and thanks.

 

[boochi]

Turn around and go home.

 

[jhansman]

Now, now...

I haven't seen my grandsons in over a year. I have no desire to get on a plane, but a
man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

 

[zinfamous]

Going to Madison you'll be taking I-90... not really anything special between Chicago and anywhere else, unfortunately.

ftfy.