RESTAURANT LISTINGS
Epic Burger * Look for a coupon in your swag bag.
517 S. State St.
epicburger
Really good fast food, using the quality ingredients you normally only find in table service restaurants, and often not even then.
Bar Louie * Look for a 15% coupon in your bag.
47 W Polk Street • Chicago, IL 60605
bar louie
This casually cool neighborhood restaurant and bar specializes in oversized signature sandwiches and hand-crafted specialty cocktails in addition to an extensive selection of small and large plates. A unique variety of drafts, bottled beers, microbrews and over 20 wines by the glass are also available. Warm surroundings with an urban feel include contemporary photography, hand-laid mosaic tiling, wood-paneled walls, retro light fixtures, plasma televisions and a variety of seating options from high-top bar tables to plush circular booths.
Eleven City Diner
1112 S. Wabash Ave.
elevencitydiner
In the tradition of classic American diner cuisine. Big sandwiches, matzoh ball soup, and a full breakfast menu served all day.
Bongo Room
1152 S. Wabash Ave.
Creative breakfast, good bet for brunch/lunch.
Buddy Guy's Legends
754 S. Wabash Ave.
/buddyguys
A blues club with decent Louisiana grub. Open for lunch. Blues seven nights a week, and a late kitchen.
Cafecito
26 E. Congress Parkway
Cuban sandwiches. Small place, nice atmosphere, good budget option.
Caffe Baci
332 S. Michigan Ave.
caffebaci
Casual Italian, plus wraps, panini, and breakfast entrees.
Harold's Chicken Shack
636 S. Wabash Ave.
Experience a Southside Chicago chow classic. All chicken fried to order. Bare bones atmosphere, low prices for the calories.
Orange
75 W. Harrison St.
Creative breakfast and fresh juice bar.
Osaka Sushi & Fresh Fruit Smoothies
400 S. Michigan Ave.
osaka
Take-out or dine in. Near Utrecht art supply.
Oysy
888 S. Michigan Ave.
oysysushi
Excellent sushi, decent prices, stylish room.
Pizza-Ria
719 S. State St.
pizza-ria
Big slices sold by the piece, slice and soda < $5.
Tamarind
614 S. Wabash Ave.
.tamarindsushi
A comfortable pan-Asian cafe across the street from Columbia's 623 S. Wabash Building (Anchor Graphics). Lunch specials are reasonable.
Mity Nice Grill
835 N. Michigan Ave.
mity-nice-grill
In the Water Tower shopping center. Solidly conventional American offerings without surprises, in a good way.
Gioco
1312 S. Wabash Ave.
gioco-chicago
Italian, with Tuscan and Umbrian emphasis. Expect to pay around $45/person.
Opera
1301 S. Wabash Ave.
.opera-chicago/
Chinese with Modern Presentations
Ken Kee
2129 S. China Place
Hong Kong-style casual eatery in Chinatown. Great fried noodles, lots of rice dishes, huge menu. Excellent option for a quality, adventurous dinner on the cheap. Lots of other authentic Chinese restaurants nearby, many featuring provincial specialities.
Chef Luciano
49 E. Cermak Rd.
chefluciano
Take-out only. Some people think the food from this easily overlooked carry-out joint is better than 75% of the restaurants in Chicago. Try the jerk chicken.
In the Peninsula Hotel
108 E. Superior St.
peninsula
Blow your earnings on a culinary adventure in the Peninsula Hotel with unbelievable service. Super comfortable dining room.
One-Sixty Blue
1400 W. Randolph St.
onesixtyblue
New American with French influences.
Green Zebra
1460 W. Chicago Ave.
greenzebra
High-end creative vegetarian, the best ingredients.
North Pond Café
2610 N. Cannon Dr
northpondrestaurant
If you find yourself on the North Side with a taste for the seasonal, money to burn, and wanting to dine in a park setting.
Tacos Veloz
1745 W. Chicago Ave.
One of the many taquerias in the city serving into the wee hours.
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W. 18th St.
Good BBQ pulled pork shoulder and ribs.
Red Apple
3121 N. Milwaukee Ave.
redapplebuffet
Chicago is the city with the largest population of Poles outside of Warsaw. The Red Apple serves Polish foods buffet-style.
Cho Sun Ok
4200 N. Lincoln Ave.
chosunokrestaurant
Traditional Korean cuisine. Good for cold weather! Reasonable prices and comfortable.
Lula Café
2537 N. Kedzie Blvd.
.lulacafe
Upscale seasonal food in an informal café restaurant. Lots of locally grown/made foods.
Bite Café
1039 N. Western Ave.
emptybottle
Healthy and cheap, so you can be unhealthy later at the adjacent rock club, the Empty Bottle