Oppo: What should I see/do/eat/drink in Chicago?

"JEM" (jem)
02/07/2014 at 11:59 • Filed to: None

Heading to Chicago for about 48 hours this weekend. We're staying right near downtown, just off the State/Lake loop stop.

Already planning to eat at:

Kuma's

Hot Doug's

Girl & The Goat

Planning on visiting:

That silver bean sculpture.

Anything else you'd suggest? We like good omnivore food, cars, loud rock, and craft beer.

I've never been there but she has a number of times.

DISCUSSION (36)

DatASSun > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:02

Rent a car drive to Texas and call it good .. everythings better in Texas

pdx107 > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:02

Goose Island Brewing
Good Chicago style pizza

William Byrd > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:03

Great city, one of my favorites. I'm in the DC area but have visited several times. I like the Wrigleyville area over by the Cubs stadium. Closed down a bar there one night and then went down a few blocks to another one that just plain didn't close. Rough morning followed. Bottom line, fun city, you'll love it.

BrtStlnd > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:04

You know the auto show is there this weekend, right?

Also Gino's East and the Shedd Aquarium.

William Byrd > DatASSun
02/07/2014 at 12:04

Depends on the city. :)

William Byrd > pdx107
02/07/2014 at 12:04

Yep, these.

JEM > pdx107
02/07/2014 at 12:07

Oh right! Duh. Goose Island is one of my favorite beers.

JEM > BrtStlnd
02/07/2014 at 12:08

Hmm... auto show is a good idea, though if it's just new cars, kind "meh" on that. If it was antique stuff I think we'd definitely go. Are there any auto museums?

StoneCold > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:09

Chicago is 10x better in the summer, but now that you'll be here...

-Chicago Auto Show is going on at McCormick

-Second City is always hilarious, and a 2 mile cab from where you are

-Do you drink? If so, Grand Ave between LaSalle and State have decent bars

-Billy Goat is always fun, to say you've been to the real one :)

-I wouldn't do the museums, as they're pretty costly and time consuming for a stopover

JEM > DatASSun
02/07/2014 at 12:09

I've driven from MA -> TX and back.

Twice.

I'm all set with doing that :-)

StoneCold > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:11

Have you ever been to Auburn, IN?

Brewman15 > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:11

Revolution Brewing is not far from Kuma's (and my old apartment). They have tons of good craft beer and whiskey. I'd recommend that.

Also, check out the Map Room. It is one of the best beer bars I've ever been to. (Cash only!).

My personal favorite Chicago deep dish is Lou Malnati's, but Giordano's and Gino's East are also excellent. Definitely get some deep dish action.

Go up in the John Hancock building, but instead of paying money to go to the observation deck, just go to the skybar one floor below. You'll end up spending about the same on two cocktails as you would've for the observation deck, but I think it's a much better way to take in the skyline. If you go on off-peak hours it shouldn't be too crowded either.

Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry are always great choices too.

Steve Zissou > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:12

I've heard really good things from a friend with good taste about a place called Hopleaf , but haven't personally had a chance to make it there yet.

pdx107 > William Byrd
02/07/2014 at 12:17

I was a fan of this place for pizza in Chicago

tromoly > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:21

Revolution Brewing

Gino's East

Also, you should go to the auto show tomorrow (Saturday). I'll be there with people from school, may need to set up a Jalopnik meet-up if possible.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:21

Paddy Long's for Bacon Bombs (sausage, bacon, pulled pork, BBQ sauce wrapped in a bacon weave shell and smoked)

Where have all the lightweights gone? > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:22

If you have a rental car, take a trip out to the Volo Auto Museum. It's a 2hr or so drive from downtown, but it's worth it. Lots of movie cars from George Barris and some other rarities of all ages.

Where have all the lightweights gone? > tromoly
02/07/2014 at 12:26

Damn...I was originally going tomorrow but going Sunday instead. I'll post something about it in a couple minutes.

quarterlifecrisis > StoneCold
02/07/2014 at 12:27

Auburn is cool (dad lives 15 minutes from the museum) but I definitely would not recommend driving the 5 hour round trip to Auburn and back when there's so much in the city.

quarterlifecrisis > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:28

I want to check out Hot Doug's next time I'm there. I prefer Giordano's as far as pizza goes. See if there's anything going on at Buddy Guy's Legends (I'll be seeing Mr. guy here in NC on Sunday night...).

VicVinegar > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:30

If you are nearby, this dealer usually has some pretty impressive stuff. I was there a few years ago and they had the, at the time, brand new 458 parked on the sidewalk along with a variety of Lamborghini, Bentley and Ferrari models.

Edit: I was just looking through their current inventory... and among the Veyrons, SLRs, and other exotic machinery, they have a... wait for it... Lexus SC 430. The worst car in the history of the world, or so Top Gear says.

Kailand09 > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:30

I've been to Kuma's, pretty good but long wait, so know that that will happen. If you go to Kuma's, there is a craft type beer store right down the street that is cool to check out while waiting.

As I tell everyone in Chicago posts, go to Lou Malnati's, best pizza around.

I will second StoneCold and say check out Second City. A lot of SNL type folks start there.

If you have a lady friend with you, you could check out the magnificent mile for shopping.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:30

Go here.

StoneCold > quarterlifecrisis
02/07/2014 at 12:34

I was trying to inquire whether he had been there in the past to suggest doing so in the future because it seems from that post he likes older cars. I wasn't going to suggest to go this time. XD

D > JEM
02/07/2014 at 12:34

I'd stop and eat at Portilos. Nothing special for some people, but they don't have them where I live.

horspowr1001 > Brewman15
02/07/2014 at 12:38

I was just about to suggest going to Revolution over Goose Island, though you beat me to the punch!

JEM > StoneCold
02/07/2014 at 12:39

Yeah this is my first time to Chicago, definitely going to be staying in the city area but thanks for the heads up!

horspowr1001 > Kailand09
02/07/2014 at 12:39

Ditto. Get to Kuma's about 1-1.5h before you are actually hungry. I know it sounds crazy but it's really worth the wait.

Kailand09 > horspowr1001
02/07/2014 at 12:52

I also noticed they under cook based on how you ask for the meat to be cooked. I asked for medium and got rare, which was quite disappointing. So I'd almost ask for it cooked more than you usually ask for it.

Could have been a single time thing too though.

horspowr1001 > JEM
02/07/2014 at 13:05

It's going to be snowy and cold this weekend so I'd avoid outdoor activities outside of the Bean & Millennium Park Ice Skating (right next to eachother). State/Lake is a good stop to be at, you can get on pretty much any of the EL lines without much of a walk. Are you staying at the Wit?

Elephant & Castle is a block away from you if you're looking to stay nearby the hotel. Around the corner is Pastoral, an artisan cheese, bread & wine shop, but they also have awesome sandwiches worth a try.

If you're in the mood for some great tacos go to Big Star off the Blue Line Damen Ave. stop. Right across the street there is an unlabeled speakeasy Violet Hour. You will identify it by a single yellow light bulb hanging over a nondescript wall. You may see a line of people standing here and suddenly part of the wall will open and they'll let folks in. Some of the best cocktails you will ever have in your life.

If you're in the mood for Pizza that isn't deep dish (gasp!), head over to Piece Pizza, also off the Damen stop on the blue line. Also great craft beers here. Make sure to make reservations here as it's usually a 45min-1hr wait. Dave Grohl has been known to make random appearances while in Chicago.

If you're in the mood for sushi, 3 blocks south of the Chicago stop on the Brown line will be Union Sushi.

Download the Uber app for your phone, and use UberX in lieu of a taxi, it is significantly cheaper. CTA (transit authority) and the RedEye (free newspaper aimed at younger folks) both have good bus/train tracker apps so you don't stand outside on cold, windy platforms for too long.

StoneCold > horspowr1001
02/07/2014 at 13:13

Ohhh yeeessssssss, Violet Hour is a great place! Sitting at the bar though is much better than being at a table. The bartenders are amazing at what they do and are always fun to watch!

qqwweerrttyy > JEM
02/07/2014 at 13:29

Hub 51 is a great restaurant fairly close to where you'll be.

The wife and I are seeing a show near there tomorrow afternoon at the Oriental Theater featuring Alton Brown of the Food Network.

If you're open to different types of shows, check out http://www.hottix.org/ - which are half price or less show tickets for Chicago shows.

If it were warmer, I'd have a lot better suggestions, but it is pretty cold here right now.

quarterlifecrisis > StoneCold
02/07/2014 at 13:33

Fair enough on that one.

livedeliberatelychic1 > JEM
02/07/2014 at 16:27

Kuma's is great! I'd swap Girl & the Goat for Publican, but either are a great experience. I desperately want to go to the Bedford—take a look and see if it's your thing! :)

JEM > livedeliberatelychic1
02/07/2014 at 17:00

Definitely will check it out. We already have reservations for the G&G though, my gf has that as her #1 place she wants to go. Thanks!

ZachL > JEM
02/07/2014 at 20:43

Go to Au Cheval, across from Girl and the Goat, and get a cheeseburger with a fried egg on it. Full stop. Do NOT leave Chicago without doing this. Most other things are optional.