Top Best American Restaurants in Chicago

"Yasmin Gutierrez, executive pastry chef and partner at the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, created the cookies, with dough now available in six packs ($10.95) to take home and bake. Choose from chocolate chunk, butterscotch oatmeal, Nutella,, gluten-free raspberry filled coconut macaron and a house flavor called Magic (chocolate, toffee, marshmallow and cornflakes)."

"You’ll struggle to find a more reliable brunch spot than Beatrix. With multiple locations around the city, the friendly chain of cozy cafés offers fresh-squeezed juices, brunch cocktails, and an outstanding breakfast menu. The all-day eatery focuses on healthy and affordable options with anything from light & fluffy lemon pancakes to steak chimichurri & eggs."

"Make one large or four minis from the cookie dough balls ($3 each) in chocolate chip, peanut butter or funfetti flavors. The Lettuce Entertain You beach house concept restaurant in Lincoln Park never seemed to make much sense to me as a former Southern California resident, but we can all use a virtual escape right now."

"Normally this place will make you feel like you’re in California, but now they are only offering breakfast delivery options near you on the weekends. You can get drink kits to make Bloody Marys and also their silver dollar pancake party, which is basically a charcuterie board for pancakes."

"How important are cookies to the ethos of this Lettuce Entertain You Lincoln Park favorite?. The huge display case is the first thing you see when you walk in the door. That is no accident, my friends."

"The only indication Au Cheval is a diner is the bologna sandwich and root beer float on the menu. The space itself, however, looks more like Hemingway’s favorite watering hole. With dim lighting and dark leather booths, it’s a place well suited for cocktails called Horse’s Neck and Bee’s Knees."

"A menu packed with burgers, fries, and chopped liver might sound like your classic dive, but Au Cheval is no greasy spoon. Exposed brick, dim...Read More"

"American , Bar Food ,  Burgers ,  Gastropub"

"This brewery, which opened in 2010, appeals to the younger, more bohemian denizens of Chicago. Revolution produces about 50 varieties of beer each year and is located in Logan Square. They offer a selection of specialty beers, deep-wood beer, and year-round staples."

"Earning two Michelin stars in less than two years, the combo tasting menu restaurant (Smyth) and downstairs tavern (The Loyalist) make up a fever dream for which Chicagoans want no cure. Executive Chef John B. Shields, a veteran of Charlie Trotter's and Alinea, and his Executive Pastry Chef wife, Karen Urie Shields (TRU and Charlie Trotters) have created some genuine magic with their seasonally driven multi-course menus at Smyth. This is the place where farm-to-table really lives as the couple sources directly from The Farm, located an hour south of Chicago, that grows ingredients exclusively for the restaurant."

"Restaurants American creative West Loop. Husband-and-wife team John Shields and Karen Urie Shields own two dreamy restaurants at the same address: Smyth and the Loyalist. The latter, a dark, subterranean dining den, is suitable for midweek dinner and tipples."

"This local chain of Nashville-style fried chicken almost always has a long line at Revival Food Hall, and it's easy to see why. The exterior of the chicken is crackly and genuinely spicy, while the interior stays juicy. Even the sides are top quality, including the intricately flavored collard greens."

"A lil’ southern comfort from the comfort of your own home, nothing says takeout food quite like a giant batch of fried chicken. And let’s be honest, this spicy/sweet Nashville style bird is pretty impossible to eat politely in public anyway."

"The Budlong Hot Chicken Kitchen prides itself on serving always local, anti-biotic and hormone free meat. MAKE IT AT HOME: Nashville Hot Fried Chicken. Your slice of hot delight is served on top of classic Texas Toast."

"This ’40s-style steakhouse has something for everyone, with menu choices ranging from chopped salads to filets on the adult side. As for the kids, they can choose a rack of ribs, their own filet, spaghetti and meatballs or classic chicken tenders, and they can even start with a kids’ dinner salad. There’s a hot fudge sundae for dessert."

"Let me start with the best part: I ordered the filet medallions oscar and I COULD CUT IT WITH A BUTTER KNIFE!. I have had meat that tender only…"

"It is difficult to visualize the Chicago skyline without the famous supertall, formerly named John Hancock Center, now known by its address. Sharing many similarities with the Willis Tower, the SOM-designed skyscraper is perhaps the best example of structural expressionism. Rising 1,128 feet to the roof and nearly 1,500 feet to the tip of its twin antennas, the building was one of the tallest buildings in the world when it was completed in 1969."

"Description: At the time of its completion, John Hancock Center became the world’s second-tallest structure. This tower was so relevant for SOM because it meant the beginning of a skyscraper career. After then, they went on to design Sears Tower (1973, tallest in the world for over twenty years) and the Burj khalifa (2010, currently the world's tallest building)."

"Named for a former first lady of the city who passed away in 2011, Maggie Daley Park is one of Grant Park’s newest treasures. Laid out by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, the park opened in the northeast corner of Grant Park 2014 and shines for its recreation and family facilities. The whimsical Play Garden, for kids up to 12, is a playground like you’ve never seen, with six different zones like the Watering Hole which has a giant breaching whale, and the Enchanted Forest where you’ll walk under upside down trees ."

"Maggie Daley Park is THE park I take my toddler to when we have a good block of time for some serious fun. The 20-acre park really is a spectacular playground for toddlers. With plenty of green space to run around on, the best part of this park is the play garden."

"Set in the heart of downtown Chicago, Maggie Daley Park is newly-renovated and full of adventure. From climbing facilities to a massive skating ribbon, there’s no shortage of things to try. The park is beautifully landscaped, too."

"Put together your typical diner fare, Chicago-style hot dogs, and spaghetti and meatballs and you’ll get the Pittsfield Cafe’s huge menu. This place has it all, from “The Best of the Best Breakfasts” to chicken parmesan. Bring your picky eater or a group with diverse tastes here and everyone is likely to find something they love."

"Eat This, You’ll Like It: Le Croissant Sandwich – Sausage, Gouda Cheese, Eggs, and Caramelized Jam stuffed Croissant ($5.99). If you’re like me, you don’t want a frilly breakfast. You’re this close to skipping breakfast anyway, but you need fuel."

"The striking English Gothic clock tower that sits along the lakefront at Waveland is home to the Clock Tower Café. The casual spot is popular with those playing on the nearby tennis courts and golf course, but all are welcome to enjoy cold drinks and a casual menu. Choose from burgers, salads, sandwiches, and hot dogs, plus your choice of seating on two different patios."

"This Euro-inspired cafe features a full assortment of coffee drinks. It's a collaboration between Kevin Heisner (Heisler Hospitality) and former Little Branch partner Soo Choi. There's also a great outdoor space next to the Robie House."

"Continue supporting startup brewers by ordering cans and crowlers of beer and hard kombucha from Pilot Project’s website. Embrace the warmer weather and dine outdoors on the patio or in one of Pilot Project's private patio cabanas. The taproom is also now open."

"Pilot Project is a brewery incubator that supports fledging breweries. Enjoy the resulting assortment of offerings on the outdoor patio. (Pilot Project Brewing)"