Favorite Places in Chicago

The Bean

Once again, I hear that a friend is going someplace, and that triggers a new post! This time, I can blame Kevin Heinonen, General Manager/Owner of Tinderbox Kitchen, the Annex Cocktail Lounge, and Tourist Home Urban Market. He's off to Chicago, so here are my favorites.

Topolobampo
445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/topolobampo/
Rick Bayless' fine dining restaurant, this place serves Mexican food as we Americans never imagined it. Incredibly refined, subtle flavors and gorgeous presentation. I loved every course.

Gino's pizza

Gino's East
162 E Superior St
Chicago, IL 60611
http://www.ginoseast.com/
Iconic Chicago style pizza. There are many deep dish places to choose from, but this is my favorite. This was one of three stops for the GoalBusters Pizza Crawl, where we rented a stretch Hummer for 20 of our closest AFP friends and toured Gino's, the Signature Lounge at the top of the Hancock, and Lou Malnati's. Tons of fun.

View from the Lounge

Signature Lounge at the 96th
John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
https://www.signatureroom.com/lounge/
Beautiful views from the 96th floor of the Hancock Center. Keep this in mind when you gripe about the drink prices. Strangely enough, the ladies' room has one of the best panoramas of the city.

Like they said.

Billy Goat Tavern
430 N. Michigan Ave at Lower Level
Chicago, IL 60611
http://www.billygoattavern.com/
This is the original location. It's below street level, and not refined at all. That's why you go. Yes, you get a cheezborger and a beer. And chips.

Al's Italian Beef

Al's Italian Beef
Multiple locations throughout the Chicago area
http://www.alsbeef.com/
It's another fast food icon in the Chicago area, and has been on many travel shows. It really is a great sandwich.

Alinea
1723 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
https://www.alinearestaurant.com/

One of the many creative courses at Alinea, pre-reboot 

Bucket list experience. Truly. Totally worth the hype. I went prior to the big reboot of the concept, so I can't directly testify to the experience now, but I'm sure it's still top notch. Make sure you've made a payment recently on your credit card so you can load it back up here.

Still haven't found my favorite hot dog place. Time to visit again.

Dessert at Alinea