Mentioned by Thrillist
The 24 Most Essential Food Experiences in Chicago
"Restaurants American West Loop. Just like there's no need for an alarm on the weekends, there's no reason to be counting calories at brunch. This West Loop institution offers in-person and to-go dining for pigging out on stacked biscuit sandwiches, whitefish-topped bagels and pork schnitzel sandwiches."
"The Publican's focus on bringing a sense of delicacy to farmhouse fare shines through in each of its menus but brunch here is especially charming. You'll find plenty of sausage and other iterations of pork on the menu, but vegetarians will never leave hungry either."
"Traditional Japanese cuisine meets forward-thinking fare at this six-time Bib Gourmand award-winning restaurant, where two kitchens work together to offer eaters a comprehensive dining experience. For a front-row vantage point of the team’s handiwork, grab a seat at the sushi counter. It’s here where guests can watch as their plates are prepped, from tuna tartare with pickled Asian pear and black tobiko, to the beloved trio maki roll, complete with tuna, salmon, hamachi, cilantro, and chili oil."
"Description: Arami, which just reopened after a kitchen fire, is a great spot for both their sushi and hot dishes. Be sure to try the Maguro Spicy Sake under "Speciality Roll," which contains "tuna, torched spicy salmon, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, ikura, fried shallots and yuzu.". #SpoonFunFact: The restaurant has earned Bib Gourmand designations from the Michelin Guide."
"Calumet Fisheries is seafood that offers a barebones approach to serving some of the best-fried seafood platters in town. They are among the few who still use a smoker and the seafood is fresh and smoked on-site with natural wood in their smokehouses. There are no artificial flavors used and the smoked fish has first been marinated in brine overnight then smoked with special oak logs."
"Don't miss this James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the far South Side, in business since 1948. Get a paper bag of salmon, shrimp, or black cod and be prepared to eat in the car or on the sidewalk. View this post on Instagram"
"Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a seafood chain restaurant that is known for being family-friendly while offering a choice of tasty seafood menu items along with American fare. Seafood lovers and those who are not can dine together and both be satisfied at this versatile restaurant. It offers a fishing boat themed setting that appeals to both young and old."
"Great money wise and you get a huge variety of things to eat--not just Chinese food. Their Won Ton Soup is the bomb!"
"Little VillageWhat you’re getting: Fried smelt fishThis family-owned and operated establishment that’s been open since 1917 has been serving medium-breaded and fried shrimp and Great Lakes smelts that can be popped in your mouth with ease, just like French fries. Order with a side of clams and hush puppies..."
"It may surprise folks to learn that Glenn’s Diner is home to some of the finest seafood in town. Of course breakfast is served all-day, and there’s an assortment of cereals, but the real highlights are the fresh catch. Walleye, mahi-mahi, swordfish, striped bass, and more are imported from around the country, and guests can feast on all-you-can-eat crab legs on Tuesdays and endless shrimp on Thursdays as well."
"Glenn’s Diner is known for its fresh fish and American diner fare. This is a no-frills restaurant that takes a straightforward approach to the environment with wood accents in the dining space, and some of the best-tasting fish dishes in the city. One of the things that patrons appreciate about Glenn’s Diner is that the food is delicious and the prices are among the most reasonable in town."
"American , Seafood , Diner"
"Often referred to as a “pioneer” for its role in discovering exceptional and internationally acclaimed “Outsider artists” like Henry Darger, Bill Traylor and Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, the Carl Hammer Gallery is widely known for its unique blend of artists, visions and backgrounds. Carl Hammer Gallery represents both historical and contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Although it is widely recognized for its role in leading to the discovery of significant artists from both “Outsider” and self-taught genres, the gallery’s scope also includes artists from Chicago “Imagist” and modern art traditions."
"Next on my list of top art galleries in Chicago, The Carl Hammer Gallery. The creator original focused on the Outsider Art movement, work created by self-taught artists with no industry connections. But now the gallery is designed to challenge the mind and ideas of identity and the human condition to struggle and grapple with themes of identity and being, now with more well known artist being incorporated its collection to challenge the heart and mind."
"After initially championing the Outsider art movement – work created by self-taught artists with no industry connections – the Carl Hammer Gallery gradually began to incorporate mainstream contemporary pieces into its collection. By engaging with visitors, the gallery staff aims to help them understand and experience art that grapples with issues of national and global identity and the human condition."
"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."
"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"
"Circle back toward the river, making a quick stop inside Macy’s State Street which is designated as a National Historic Landmark thanks to magnificent touches that make it feel more like a museum than a department store. Of note are the Great Clocks which weigh seven tonnes each, granite pillars that are the second-tallest of their type in the world, and the ornate Tiffany Ceiling which was painstakingly designed from 1.6 million pieces of hand-fired iridescent glass."
"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0. One of two Macy’s outlets in Chicago - the other is located on the Magnificent Mile - this world famous department store brand features a range of men’s and women’s clothing alongside kids, juniors, and home selections. A host of big-name designers are represented, including Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, and Calvin Klein."
"3162 North Broadway Street Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 281-6111 www.hisstuffchicago.com. His Stuff offers attire for men who are in touch with their inner fashionisto. The clothing in this boutique can be gaudy, or casual, but they will never be outdated."
"LaSalle St.Architects: Daniel Burnham & John Root/Frank Lloyd Wright. On the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1972, The Rookery is located in Chicago’s downtown Financial District. It was constructed during a transitional period in architectural history, using both load-bearing masonry and a skeletal frame, which are distinguishing elements of the Chicago School of Architecture."
"Source: Photo by user Esther Westerveld used under CC BY 2.0. One of the finest building in the United States, the Rookery Building is an absolute architectural treat. The interior light court maximizes the natural light entering the building."
"This sophisticated cake shop in Chicago claims to be the only company in the city using organic butter & eggs. Their cakes are guaranteed to taste as good as they look!. Choose from a variety of flavors, buttercream, and fillings including Belgium Chocolate, White Chocolate Italian Buttercream, or Creme Brulee."
"Decisions can be difficult when constructing your perfect ice cream cake. Choose from 10 different ice cream flavors, all made with organic milk and cream, and decide if you prefer crumbled brownies, blondies, or cookies as a base. Rachel Kamins launched Bartleby’s in 2018 after working for Ben & Jerry’s and Zingerman’s Bakehouse and calls herself the “caker, baker, and ice cream maker.” Fittingly, she makes everything, from the ice cream to the crushed cookies and brownies to all her sauces, from scratch."