Eating & Drinking, Chicago

  House of Wings - apparently someone told...
by BeatChick
 
  • House of Wings - apparently someone told them!
      House of Wings - apparently someone told...
    by BeatChick
  • House of Wing - Lincoln Park - Clark & Fullerton
      House of Wing - Lincoln Park - Clark &...
    by BeatChick
  • German Foods
      German Foods
    by Marisola
  • German Foods
      German Foods
    by Marisola
  • German Hot Spiced Wine!
      German Hot Spiced Wine!
    by Marisola
 

25 Reviews of Eating & Drinking

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
German Winter Market!
Marisola profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Marisola 172 reviews
German Foods
2 more images

Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, and continuing until Christmas Day, there is an old world outdoor German Winter Market in Daley Plaza. It's so much fun, I go there every year, and am always bringing new friends!

The Christkindlmarket is full of booths of special gifts to buy, and German foods and drinks! There are hot pretzels, German holiday cakes and candies, strudels, schnitzel, bratwurst, sauerkraut, currywurst, potato pancakes, goulash soup, hot chocolate, beer and German hot spiced wine. It's a wonderful traditional holiday market on a cold winter day!

Written May 31, 2010

Website: http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

Related to:
 Festivals
 School Holidays
 Wine Tasting

Was this review helpful?

House of Wing v. House of Wings
BeatChick profile photo
BeatChick 655 reviews
House of Wing - Lincoln Park - Clark & Fullerton
1 more image

So, the first time I was in Lincoln Park was last Autumn and we came across this restaurant with the interesting name of "House of Wing". Thought it was AWESOME! It immediately brought to mind the Asian singer, Wing, from South Park - do you guys remember that episode? You can see that episode here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rswpQziZYSo&feature=related

Naturally, by the time I went back to Chicago in June, the SIGN HAD CHANGED. Somebody must've told them. And that must've been expensive buying a new sign.

Located in Lincoln Park on the corner of Clark & Fullerton across from Arlington Place.

Photos: June 2009 & November 2008

Updated Jul 11, 2009

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Hiking and Walking
 Photography

Was this review helpful?

Tap Water
jo104 profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

jo104 810 reviews
Is the glass half full of half empty?

I was pleasently suprised that in Chicago they always serve water with a meal. In fact in some restaurants it felt like there was a person employed just to keep your glass topped up. My findings were obviously you drink less alcohol, feel better in the morning and on the downside visit the restroom more often!

The tap water is perfectly acceptable in taste & whats more it is less harmfull to the enviroment then ordering bottled water.

Updated Jun 19, 2009

Was this review helpful?

Lighting up
heryanta profile photo
heryanta 353 reviews

In LA I often feels that smokers are the most discriminated people in the county. I'm fine with not lighting up indoors where there are non-smokers present but even outside people will sometime yell at you.

In Chicago, smoking is prohibited indoors and in any place that sells food. I agree with this as non-smokers should not be punished for other people's bad habit.
However, in bars that do not sell food, they can still offer smoking area. Great, isn't it? If you don't smoke go to the lounge/bar-restaurants. If you smoke, you can go to the bars that just offer drinks and feel free to light up!

Written Sep 9, 2007

Was this review helpful?

Hot Dog - Chicago Style
ATXtraveler profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ATXtraveler 2028 reviews

One of the most important things you need to know when you go to Chicago is that they are very passionate about their hot dogs.

The proper way to garnish a hot dog in Chicago is with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup.

As shown in the picture, I did enjoy one of these, although before the picture was taken, I was hungry and ate the pickle. The other Chicago element is that it needs to be on a poppy seed bun.

I would have put this in Things to Do in Chicago, but there are just too many places to try one of these dogs. I also did not want to throw my hat into the ring of debate about who has the best Chicago Style Dog.

Updated Jul 30, 2007

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago-style_hot_dog

Was this review helpful?

80+ Years of Ice Cream and Candy
deecat profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

deecat 2520 reviews
Margie's Famed Turtle Sundae
2 more images

In a cramped space in Chicago's Bucktown area on North Western Avenue, we visited the famed Margie's Candies.

Although Margie has passed, her tradition lives on. Peter Poulos Jr., the current owner, is the third generation to own Margie's. Not much has changed in the decades of this family-owned business. In 1921 Greek immigrant Peter George Poulos opened Margies where classic ice cream was served & candy was made by hand by George's wife, Margie. 18% butterfat ice cream is still served here, & the hot fudge, butterscotch, & carmel are still made.

If you want spotless, fake retro, DON'T visit here. This place is the REAL deal. It's crowded, rather "musty" smelling, and jam-packed with Beatle mementos [from their visit in 1964], dolls, hundreds of boxes of candy, & lots of old newspaper clippings on the wall.

I've heard that the service is poor; however, we did not experience that. It was not speedy, but I am not enamored with speedy.

It's difficult to make decisions because of all the choices of ice cream treats. We all 3 had an ice cream sundae [we should have shared!] The sundae comes in a huge clam-shell dish, & the topping comes in a metal pouring dish. Jill & I each ordered The Turtle Sundae with 2 scoops of ice cream, carmel topping & hot fudge in the pouring dish. It has tons of whipped cream [which I scraped off & gave to Allan]. Each sundae comes with a vanilla waffer cookie.
Since Allan loves REAL butterscotch, which he can never find, he was thrilled when he found
a real homemade butterscotch sundae.

There are only booths for seating, & each booth has its own coin-operated jukebox.

We did not try any candy, but from what I've heard, it is really good, especially the chocolate-carmel pecan tarrapins.

As we were leaving, I noticed a sign announcing that for children who make an "a" on a report card, a free cone is given. I find that quite refreshing & oh so Real Retro!

Written Jan 16, 2007

Phone: 773-384-1035

Related to:
 Food and Dining
 Historical Travel
 Road Trip

Was this review helpful?

Maxwell Street Polish Sausages
meteorologist1 profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

meteorologist1 789 reviews

The best Polish sausages you'll ever eat can be found in Chicago's Maxwell Street area (Maxwell Street marketplace). The grilled sausages are big and juicy, plus you'll get a big scoop of grilled onions on top. If you are driving and passing by, Jim's Original and Express Grill are located just off I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) at the Roosevelt Rd. exit on Union Ave. Jim's Original is located near the intersection of Roosevelt and Union and it is open 24 hours a day.

Polish sausage and fries for only $2.60!

Updated Apr 17, 2006

Website: http://www.lowpro708.com/40/maxwell/

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Food and Dining
 Budget Travel

Was this review helpful?

Chicagoans are fanatical about...
bruingirl profile photo

0.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

bruingirl 497 reviews

Chicagoans are fanatical about their pizza. They think they are the best things since sliced bread! Also, they pride themselves on being very 'real' and 'down-to-earth.' Chicagoans are also obsessed with a particular sub sandwich chain called Jimmy John's Gourmet Subs. They are pretty much a glorified Subway and comparable to Togo's. If you want to feel like a Chicagoan, try their pizzas and their Jimmy John subs. Good pizza can be had at Giordano's. They are pretty much all over the city.

Updated Feb 11, 2006

Was this review helpful?

First 2006 VT Meeting in Chicago
deecat profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

deecat 2520 reviews
Kristi [Dabs] eating a cheeseburger at Billy Goats
4 more images

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
Second Photo: Erik [Erik707]
Third Photo: Ron [RonDace] and wife Kathy
Fourth Photo: Martin [MJB123]
Fifth Photo: Roy [Imaniac]

Because Roy [Imaniac] from the Netherlands was visiting Chicago before flying to Springfield, Missouri, to attend school for a few months, we set up a VT Lunch date at the famous Bill Goat Tavern and Grill.

Ron Dace [RonDace] and his wife, Kathy from Wadsworth; Kristi [Dabs] from Hammond, Indiana; Erik [Erik707]' Martin [MJB123]; and I [deecat] attended the meeting to meet Roy.
It was Martin who did the organizing.

Although I personally am not crazy about Billy Goat's as a great place to eat, it is a Chicago happening and was a fun [but difficult to find] place to meet. We all had either cheeseburger or double cheeseburger plus some chips with our Cokes. We moved tables together, making it easy to hear everyone. It was quite an interesting conversation with travel dominating the subject at hand [naturally!]

Afterwards, Martin gave Roy, Erik, and I a tour to the north of the Tribune Building. We walked as far north as the Water Tower and west to Old Town. Along the way, we were able to see some great residential areas [some of the wealthiest in the city]. We stopped for a Starbuck's coffee and talked for at least an hour before we walked to the Elevated red line station at Clark/Division so that I could hop on to return to Andersonville where I had parked my car.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful afternoon with great VT members, and we were all fortunate enough to meet Roy [Imaniac}.

Updated Jan 7, 2006

Phone: (312) 222-1525

Related to:
 Study Abroad
 Arts and Culture
 Food and Dining

Was this review helpful?

Most Chicagoans Wouldn't be caught dead...
Lihhin profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Lihhin 2 reviews

Most Chicagoans wouldn't be caught dead at most of the restaurants that are listed in popular travel books (and even many of the ones listed here on this site). The mag mile is generally considered a tourist trap (for out of towners and suburbanites alike). If you want to experience Chicago you need to get out into the neighborhoods, because in my opinion, that's what Chicago is really all about.

I will say that there are a few trendy restaurants that are located within walking distance of touristy areas that I can actually recommend. Among them is Wildfire on Erie and Lasalle (www.wildfirerestaurant.com). The filet mignot medallion trio (you get to pick among six type of crusted filets) are a steal for around $26 and their wine list is awesome. Another favorite is Lalos Mexican at 500 N. Lasalle (www.lalos.com)...their margaritas are the bomb as is the fish soup and of course their standard mexican fare is excellent.

Have a great time!

Written Oct 27, 2005

Related to:
 Business Travel
 Wine Tasting
 Food and Dining

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Chicago

The Peninsula Chicago  Chicago

 4 Reviews and 305 Opinions  The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago is an absolutely wonderful hotel! Every detail is thought through and... 

 Hotels in Chicago

Hotel Monaco Chicago - a Kimpton Boutique Hotel  Chicago

 4 Reviews and 705 Opinions  Had a great time at the Monaco. We've stayed at the SF version and it was pretty much the same... 

 Hotels in Chicago

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower  Chicago

 5 Reviews and 1033 Opinions  One of the prettiest, sleekest, nicely designed hotels i've been in. 

 Hotels in Chicago

The Place

Eating & Drinking

Eating & Drinking tips and photos posted by real travelers and Chicago locals.

  Write a Review  
Experience Chicago
 

The People

4,559 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 Most Chicagoans wouldn't be caught dead at most of the restaurants that are listed in popular travel books (and even many of the ones listed here on this site).... 

4,559 members live in Chicago

 

Questions and Answers

CordyM profile photo

Q:  My family is driving from WI to Chicago (Hwy 90) the night before an early morning flight. Any suggestions for a clean hotel that... 

bocmaxima profile photo

A: I got this through Hotwire the last time I was in the area, and they do offer Park-Sleep-Fly for up to seven days (more than seven days for a fee). Nice place, good free... 

Read 3 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Chicago Writers

1

The place I call home

Dabs profile photo

 I'm having fun in my hometown of Chicago. Summer is my favorite time of the year in Chicago, the city really comes to life from Memorial Day until Labor Day with a multitude of festivals every... 

2

Captivating City of "The Big Shoulders": Chicago

deecat profile photo

 "I have struck a city--a real city. And they call it Chicago. The other places do not count." Rudyard Kipling I recently took this photograph (July, 2006) on a beautiful day in the city when my... 

3

Never A Lovely So Real

yooperprof profile photo

 I've been updating my Chicago pages (i.e. as of September 2007) - you have to stay on your feet in order to keep up with the ever-changing Windy City! You'll find lots of new architectural tips on the... 

4

Chicago!

shrimp56 profile photo

  STOP THE PRESSES!! A Chicago institution will close its doors on February 28. It's the family-owned Berghoff Restaurant [see my restaurant tips] -- parts will remain open, but the old main dining... 

5

Chicago - My Favorite City in the United States!

rmdw profile photo

 My connection with Chicago goes back to February 1994 when I visited there for the first time. Though a much too long story to mention here, I became best friends with a wonderful grandmother named...... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Chicago page

Travel Editors for Chicago

Dabs profile photo