Wanderlusting Mama: Some Chicago eats: Must try and other dining options

Friday, October 24, 2014

Some Chicago eats: Must try and other dining options

Chicago

With so little time and always being on the go, we did not have much time to explore a lot of dining options in Chicago. I do have below must try dishes and then some:

1. Deep dish pizza—Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s, Uno: take your pick. Each one has line ups and will be 1-2 hour wait times. Cheesy-tomato goodness with the crust up to three inches tall at the edge. Each dripping slice has huge amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce. Yummmmm. We were only able to try Giordano’s. I’ve heard some good reviews about Pizzeria Uno but that was not recommended by our hotel concierge. Stuffed pizza is another option if you want something different from deep-dish.

Giordano's pizza

2. Garrett’s popcorn—must try! Chicago mix/Garrett mix: mix of crème brûlée caramel popcorn and cheese popcorn with freshly-melted, sharp cheddar. Greasy, cheesy fingers are evidence of its yumminess. Expensive, though, at $30+ per tin of 1 gallon

Chicago mix: Garrett's

Off of Michigan Ave: Garrett's

3. Portillo’s--Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches in retro 2-storey structure! Antiques and neon signs along with a vintage car adorn the interiors. I loved the chili cheese dog and actually prefer it over the Chicago dog which has pickles. They offer pastas as well from Barnelli’s in the same building. The Fetuccine Carbonara was so good, we had our leftover for breakfast! Hubby said the Italian beef was great as well!

Portillo's Chicago

Three other dining options

1. Foodease/Foodlife-- Like Marche, once you are seated, you can go around the different kitchens, order and hand over your foodlife card to the server. Everything gets charged to the card and you pay at the exit. They have sushi, pizza, Mexican, Chinese, pasta among other cuisines.

2. American Girl Café—pricey and the menu was not so exciting. You pay for the experience, though