American restaurants in Chicago
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A
Billy Goat Tavern
Literally beneath the pie-eyed mobs on the Magnificent Mile, the subterranean Billy Goat, which enjoyed the fame of John Belushi’s SNL skit (‘Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries! Cheeps!’), remains a deserving tourist magnet. Skip the franchise locations for the original: a windowless haunt with an entire wall dedicated to former Tribune columnist Mike Royko, famously cantankerous Greeks at the grill and scads of old-Chicago charm. Greasy-spoon fare is the only option, and you’ll have to order a double cheeseburger if you’re interested in tasting meat within the substantial bun. Schlitz on tap helps wash it down.
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B
Hot Chocolate
‘Come for dessert, stay for dinner’ might be the motto at this cocoa-walled Bucktown restaurant. Run by renowned pastry chef Mindy Segal, the cute place feels exactly like the irresistible, upscale chocolate desserts it peddles. With six rich kinds of hot chocolate available (they’re like dipping your mug into Willy Wonka’s chocolate river), along with mini brioche doughnuts, you may forget to order the other food on offer, such as Kobe beef flank steak and beer-soaked mussels.
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Ann Sather
The cinnamon rolls are the marquee item at the flagship of this small, friendly local chain that offers Swedish standards in a pleasant café environment. Filling, familiar Nordic offerings like meatballs and potato sausage join selections of American comfort food on the dinner menu.
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Fox & Obel/Atrium Wine Bar
A short stroll from Navy Pier, this bustling gourmet market has a boon of options for those looking to avoid the area’s uninspired chain food. Early in the day, the cafe serves excellent egg dishes; later, it makes sandwiches ranging from upscale (roast beef and blue Brie) to classic (grilled cheese). The attached wine bar kicks it up a notch with seasonal small plates (perhaps spicy grilled tofu) and large ones (maybe pumpkin and duck risotto) served at candlelit tables overlooking the river. Servers pour loads of reasonably priced reds and whites by the glass. The adjoining store is packed with supplies for an idyllic picnic.
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Signature Room at the 95th
Given that diners spend most of the meal gaping at the soul-stirring views, you’d think the kitchen atop the Hancock wouldn’t trouble itself with the food, but the chef does a fine job with the fish, steak and pasta dishes, many of which have a seasonal twist. The lunch buffet ($20, served Monday to Saturday) is the best deal for the view, since the price isn’t much more than a foodless ticket to the observation deck. Cheapskates should note they can get the same vista for the price of a (costly) beer, one flight up in the Signature Lounge.
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Gage
It’s clear from the formidable Scotch egg – a sausage-encased, deep-fried, hard-boiled beast with the girth of a softball – that this elegant, Irish-tinged gastro pub is serious about its menu. Standards include the Camembert-topped Gage burger ($16, but worth it) and Guinness-battered fish and chips, while more exotic options include roast saddle of elk and barbecue lamb shanks. Ask the knowledgeable servers which beers from the well-curated list best accompany your food. Note the bar stays open later, usually until 2am.
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Fox & Obel’s
A short stroll from Navy Pier, this bustling café has a boon of options for those looking to avoid dodgy, overpriced carnival food. Early in the day, the egg dishes are excellent; later, try sandwich options ranging from upscale (roast beef and blue brie) to classic (grilled cheese), or one of the well-executed comfort-centric large plate options, like the roasted salmon over succotash. If you can’t find anything you like, the adjoining store is packed with supplies for an idyllic picnic on the pier.
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H
Twisted Spoke
Don’t let the motorcycle theme, burly burgers and steel finishing intimidate you: behind the macho facade at this popular brunch spot are artful dishes better calibrated for nesting yuppies than hardscrabble Hell’s Angels. If the smoky-sweet BBQ Kobe Brisket isn’t tough enough for you, order the famous, though unfortunately named, ‘Road Rash’ Bloody Mary extra spicy, and chomp your way through its accompanying array of harpooned veggies.
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Bandera
Looking up at the entry to this 2nd-story restaurant on Michigan Ave, you’d have no idea of the gem that waits inside. The red-bedecked Bandera has the comfortable retro feel of an expensive supper club, without the snooty waiters (and at half the price). American classics – meat loaf, grilled fish and rotisserie chicken – predominate here. When you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, this is the place to come pick yourself back up again.
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Gold Coast Dogs
A good place in the Loop to sample the classic ‘Chicago dog, ’ this humble café serves the handheld tubed pork with the city’s elaborate dressing: onions, relish, mustard, hot peppers, celery salt and a pickle spear. The atmosphere is unsightly – it shares a space with a fast-food chain – but when the weather permits, better environs are a short walk away at Millennium Park.
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Vienna Beef Factory Store & Deli
After eating them all over town, it’s worth a trip to the source. The Vienna Beef Factory makes the majority of hot dogs sold in Chicago, and the factory’s workers’ deli is one of the freshest places to try the famous creations. Hot-dog haters can nosh on corned-beef sandwiches or potato pancakes. And Vienna diehards can pick up a case of the dogs at the on-site store to bring back home.
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L
Wildfire
A rotisserie and wood-burning oven roast shrimp, prime rib, steak and ribs at this haven for barbecuers. Prices for the generous portions average about $19 – not bad for this comfortable and welcoming place. In the best tradition of Chicago’s smoke-filled rooms (where dubious political deals are cut), you’ll emerge smelling of smoke, but at least it’s barbecue rather than cigar.
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Fireplace Inn
This local legend has been serving up Chicago-style baby-back ribs and perfect steak fries for over 35 years. The two-level dining room is heavy with wood – almost as much as the namesake fireplace burns up in a night. When the snow is blowing off the lake and the sidewalks are piling up with drifts, you can warm your cockles here –or you can air them out in the summer at the garden tables.
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Rhapsody
Adjacent to Symphony Center, Rhapsody’s dining room opens to a lovely garden – perfect for regaining your strength after a visit to the Art Institute, or dining early before some Mahler. Menu highlights include the herb-crusted halibut and succulent beef tenderloin, with chocolate tart or a flight of five ice cream flavors for dessert. You can always just pop in for a drink and a snack in the lounge.
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Medici
The menu of thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches and salads draws U of C students to this colorful cafe and bakery. For breakfast, try the ‘eggs espresso,’ made by steaming eggs in an espresso machine. After your meal, check the vast bulletin board out front. It’s the perfect place to size up the character of the community and possibly find the complete works of John Maynard Keynes for sale, cheap.
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Milk & Honey
A bright, stylish cafe, Milk & Honey has become the hangout du jour for discerning neighborhood socialites. The orange brioche French toast rocks the breakfast menu, while the thick-cut bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich and crab-cake baguette please the lunch crowd. The fireplace and small list of beer and wine soothe when the weather blows.
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Mike Ditka’s Restaurant
When it’s too cold for a tailgate party, come to this spot in the Tremont Hotel owned by the famously cantankerous former coach of the Chicago Bears. The menu is as meaty as you’d expect (the Fridge burger could feed a family for weeks), and fans will love the memorabilia-filled display cases.
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R
Tempo Cafe
Bright and cheery, this upscale diner brings most of its meals to the table the way they’re meant to be served – in a skillet. Its omelet-centric menu includes all manner of fresh veggies and meat, as well as sandwiches, soups and salads. After the bars close the scene here is chaotic and fun.
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Chicago Bagel Authority
This plucky little spot has managed to fight off the commercial developments which surround them, catering to DePaul students who drop in for fast breakfast bagels and sandwiches at lunch. There’s free wi-fi, a staff of friendly neighborhood experts, and quality tunes on the stereo.
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Chicago Firehouse
Situated in a carefully restored turn-of-the-century firehouse, this place offers traditional American cuisine in the South Loop. Ribs and steaks headline the show here, although they’re pushed out of the spotlight when local resident Mayor Richard M Daley drops in.
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O’famé
This sit-down restaurant serves thin-crust pizza and ribs that are popular with the neighborhood diners and Steppenwolf theatergoers. You can get picnic versions of everything from the gleaming white-tile takeout area to enjoy in Oz Park, across the street.
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PJ Clarke’s
Chicago’s straight, 30-something singles come to eyeball one another at this upscale restaurant-pub. Classy and cozy, PJ Clarke’s specializes in comfort foods with high-end twists, like the béarnaise burger and the teriyaki skirt-steak sandwich.
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Eggsperience
It’s 4am and you’re starving? This bright, clean, sprawling 24-hour diner will fix the problem with its big portions of pancakes, omelets, club sandwiches and other staples, plus your very own pot of coffee.
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