In Chicago for work, only have time for 2 *great* meals... where to go?

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SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
Uno, Due, and Lou Malnati's are almost identical pizza, same recipe, same founders, bleh. Butter crust pizza is disgusting. I was never a fan of Giordano's, and Gino's East is horrid. No one has that has ever had it has disagreed with me that Piero's is far and away the best Chicago style pizza in the world. Unfortunately, it's in Highland Park, and they have no dining unless you don't mind sitting with the delivery guys. Sorry I'm not more help, I'm just trying to help you avoid mediocrity.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Uno, Due, and Lou Malnati's are almost identical pizza, same recipe, same founders, bleh. Butter crust pizza is disgusting. I was never a fan of Giordano's, and Gino's East is horrid. No one has that has ever had it has disagreed with me that Piero's is far and away the best Chicago style pizza in the world. Unfortunately, it's in Highland Park, and they have no dining unless you don't mind sitting with the delivery guys. Sorry I'm not more help, I'm just trying to help you avoid mediocrity.

OP went to Big Bowl and Fogo de Chao last time. I don't think mediocrity is a problem.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
Mercadito. Mexican tapas. Best service that I've had in the city and amazing food and drink. Ask for kiki or rafa as a server and say that Bob from Bar Louie sent you.

Found the place by meeting the executive chef at my bar. To make reservations I called the frickin chef direct, awesome establishment from top down.

Why not just Bar Louie? That place is amazing for lunch.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
OP went to Big Bowl and Fogo de Chao last time. I don't think mediocrity is a problem.

Yeah I was just reading back to see who mentioned Big Bowl, and discovered it was the OP. Lettuce Entertain You restaurants are the definition of...
 

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
5,723
325
126
Uno, Due, and Lou Malnati's are almost identical pizza, same recipe, same founders, bleh. Butter crust pizza is disgusting. I was never a fan of Giordano's, and Gino's East is horrid. No one has that has ever had it has disagreed with me that Piero's is far and away the best Chicago style pizza in the world. Unfortunately, it's in Highland Park, and they have no dining unless you don't mind sitting with the delivery guys. Sorry I'm not more help, I'm just trying to help you avoid mediocrity.

I would say that you're not a fan of Chicago style pizza if you think all those are horrible.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,695
31,043
146
Disagree. I know many many folks who are Chicago natives who prefer it. Uno's I would say is the tourist joint that nobody I know actually goes to.

Giordano's or Chicago pizza (probably by virtue of delivering until 4am) is more for locals, imo.

Uno and Gino's downtown are nothing but tourists. I worked a block away form Gino's for about two years...it is nothing but tourists lining up all day long, for shitty shitty food.

Due nearby is much better than the two, imo, and less crowded.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
I would say that you're not a fan of Chicago style pizza if you think all those are horrible.

lol, no, once you've had the best, the rest are just that. I'd say that to someone who hasn't had Chicago pizza before, if they like it, they will either like Malnati's/Due's (Uno's is a third-rate chain) or Giordano's but prefer one or the other. If they like either, they will also prefer to the exclusion of all others, Piero's.

http://www.pieropizza.com/

Order one for yourself.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
I transferred and opened the river north location. Bob.. really tall guy. I never worked days at that store.
 

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
5,723
325
126
lol, no, once you've had the best, the rest are just that. I'd say that to someone who hasn't had Chicago pizza before, if they like it, they will either like Malnati's/Due's (Uno's is a third-rate chain) or Giordano's but prefer one or the other. If they like either, they will also prefer to the exclusion of all others, Piero's.

http://www.pieropizza.com/

Order one for yourself.

If they delivered to me, I'd give it a shot. However given your reviews I'm expecting a bready crust with a soupy stewed tomato sauce. But whatever. Pizza chain preference around here almost seems like a religion. I like the crispier crusts personally.
 

SphinxnihpS

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2005
8,368
25
91
If they delivered to me, I'd give it a shot. However given your reviews I'm expecting a bready crust with a soupy stewed tomato sauce. But whatever. Pizza chain preference around here almost seems like a religion. I like the crispier crusts personally.

Crust is perfectly crispy around the edges, not very thick, not doughy at all. Sauce is perfectly seasoned, just the right amount is used.

In comparison to Malnati's:

Malnati's has 34 locations each employing many cooks. It's hit and miss as to whether the outer crust is properly crispy. Their dough is very oily.

They use straight from the can Hunt's crushed tomatoes for the sauce. There is no seasoning added to the sauce what-so-ever.

They used high-filler sausage that puffs up when cooked making a sausage frisbee. Though it tastes OK, it is overwhelming.

If you want the pizza to taste somewhat spicy, you have to order garlic as a topping. I always do anyway, but...

Piero's:

They had one location, now two, so they probably employ more than a few cooks, but still there are very few people that cook for them, and back when I used to get it, only two who had both been there 10+ years. The owner is on site every day.

Their sauce is sauce made daily, and is not crushed or stewed tomatoes.

All their meat and cheese is grade A Italian specialty stuff.

They do not use too much cheese as both Malnati's and Giordano's imo.

They will deliver you a par-baked frozen pizza anywhere, though you will miss out on the pizza pan and 600 degree slate ferris-wheel oven. You could probably bribe them for a good old seasoned pan, and use a pizza slate in your own oven, but I think initiates should just go get the damn thing if at all possible.

I still get it occasionally when I'm down that way, and it has not changed at all.

I am religious about good food.
 

Jules

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,213
0
0
I had Piero's a few times since my girl lives by the area. Pretty good pizza but nothing special that i can remember.
 

chalmers

Platinum Member
Mar 14, 2008
2,565
1
76
I visited there in September and went to Joe's Stone Crab and had this bone in filet:

20120919_164330_zps4baf7774.jpg


Was wonderful, I think it was like $65.
 

rcpratt

Lifer
Jul 2, 2009
10,433
110
116
Had Giordano's last night. It was good, but not overwhelmingly so. The spinach pizza was great. Didn't try the Chicago one due to a strong mushroom aversion :) It's better than Pizza Papalis (a small Detroit "Chicago style" chain), but not significantly.

And their beer selection is pathetic. I would have enjoyed a nice pitcher of beer with my pizza.

Ended up going to The Clubhouse in Oak Brook on Monday night. Half off wine night resulted in a few rather nice bottles, the flaming spinach/artichoke dip was good (never seen that before), lobster bisque was great, prime rib was great.

I think the group is going to Heaven on Seven tonight, which sounds very intriguing, but I think I may have to bow out due to wanting to see some friends.

That Joe's Stones Crabs looks crazy good. On my list for next time.
 

Ayah

Platinum Member
Jan 1, 2006
2,512
1
81
If your budget is actually free: Charlie Trotter's and Moto come to mind.
Two places where I've wanted to eat but could never justify the price..