Restaurant Recommendations in Downtown Chicago?

March 23, 2009 8:46 AM

Please recommend a restaurant in downtown Chicago.

A friend and I would like to get dinner together; the problem being that he lives in Hyde Park and I live in Rogers Park. I'm looking for a restaurant that splits the distance between our two neighborhoods, but neither of us knows the downtown area too well. I'm aware of Rush Street; any particular restaurants to check out? I would especially like a restaurant that isn't very expensive, is not the typical tourist-trap fare, and is the sort of place where one can have a conversation without have to shout to be heard. All sorts of cuisine recommendations are welcome. Bonus points for easy walking distance from/to the Red Line.

posted by andeles to food & drink (12 comments total)

There is so much to choose from that I won't even venture a suggestion.

My advice is to pick a L stop and then search nearby via Google Maps. The map search links directly to reviews.

Lately I've been going to Hackney's in Printer's Row for good food and beer.
posted by wfrgms at 8:52 AM on March 23

Goose Island's Wrigleyville brewpub location is pretty much what you'd expect. It's a brewpub. In Wrigleyville. Slightly fancy pub grub, but not too expensive, and of course lots of beer. And it's just off the Red Line.
posted by katemonster at 8:56 AM on March 23

Well, it sort of fails on the "not having to shout" metric, and also draws some tourists, but Frontera Grill really is very good. Near Clark and Grand, I think? You'll need to be there well before the opening to get a table without a reservation (people start lining up at 4:30 or so), but (imho) it's actually worth it. (If you've never heard of it: high-end Mexican, but at a fairly reasonable price. We're talking maybe $35/person with minimal drinking, rapidly escalating if you partake in their oh-so-tasty cocktails.)

Topolobampo (also a Rick Bayless place, in the same building as Frontera) is much quieter -- and also excellent -- but is also appreciably more expensive. Alas.
posted by chalkbored at 8:57 AM on March 23

Seconding Hackney's. Also, the Printer's Row area is pretty convenient for friends of mine who are coming from Hyde Park -- the 6 or 2 busses stop nearby, the red line Harrison stop is nearby (less than 1 block for Hackney's, if you use the south entrance), and the Metra Electric stops not too far away too. Depending on what style of food you're interested in, there are lots of good choices right around here.
posted by sldownard at 9:55 AM on March 23

Hackney's is a comfortable spot for conversation and has a pretty good beer selection, but the food is only so-so. I wouldn't go to Frontera for a conversation. My top recommendation is The Gage, though it's a little expensive (but only a little). Some other options: Eleven City Diner, Oysy, Chicago Curry House.
posted by Xalf at 10:13 AM on March 23

Seconding 'The Gage'. Had lunch there yesterday (Sunday). The service was great and the food was solid.
posted by reddot at 10:27 AM on March 23

Seconding Oysy; the S. Michigan location, in my experience, is quieter than the Grand Ave. location. Avec has brilliant food and is pretty conversation-friendly unless it's after about 8 PM on a weekend; it is a little pricey, though.
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:28 AM on March 23

The Gage is good.

If you want fancy tapas, there's Mercat a la Planxa, which is really good. Right on Michigan and Harrison. Very nice atmosphere:

http://www.mercatchicago.com/

Warning: site has music.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 10:50 AM on March 23

Russian tea time is good if you want to mix it up a little.
posted by craven_morhead at 10:58 AM on March 23

Reza's. 432 W. Ontario.

Get the dolmeh as an appetizer, and the fillet and chicken combo, split it and you'll still have more to take home as leftovers.
posted by Reverend John at 11:54 AM on March 23

There's always Wishbone, just west of the loop, decent cheap eats.

The hackney's in Printers Row just doesn't taste like the Hackney's of my youth.

Theres a whole slew of new restaurants on Randolph just west of the Dan Ryan.
posted by Max Power at 2:06 PM on March 23

Try Meetways — it's a website designed for your exact need, finding stuff like restaurants near a midpoint between two addresses.
posted by WCityMike at 4:57 PM on March 26