Going to Chicago (Downers Grove to be exact)...any restaurant recommendations?

[USCTrojanMan29]

I'm heading out to Downers Grove, IL (suburb of Chicago) for business trip for 3 days the week of Aug 19th...do you guys have any recommendations for good restaurants for dinner?

[mPlasticDesign]

This place is the best thin crust Chicago pizza(square slices!). It's about 20 miles from where you are maybe 30min drive but totally worth it.

BARNABY'S PIZZA

http://www.barnabys1.com/history.htm

BEST HOT DOGS/Chicago experience. This is further away in downtown. Best between 12am-3am Fri/Sat.

http://www.wienercircle.net/

Want Italian Beef? Portillo's is good and they have expanded like crazy, I'm sure there is a location in Downers.

http://www.portillos.com/

Of course, you said restaurant, so if you want something fancy, these are not the place for you, but good food nonethe less..... Hope this helps.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

This place is the best thin crust Chicago pizza(square slices!). It's about 20 miles from where you are maybe 30min drive but totally worth it.

BARNABY'S PIZZA

http://www.barnabys1.com/history.htm

BEST HOT DOGS/Chicago experience. This is further away in downtown. Best between 12am-3am Fri/Sat.

http://www.wienercircle.net/

Want Italian Beef? Portillo's is good and they have expanded like crazy, I'm sure there is a location in Downers.

http://www.portillos.com/

Of course, you said restaurant, so if you want something fancy, these are not the place for you, but good food nonethe less..... Hope this helps.

Thanks for recommendations. I'm not looking for anything super fancy since I do have a bit of a meal allowance max.

[Jaymax85]

Rezas- Its a pretty awesome Persian food joint.

[Jaymax85]

Giordanos Pizza is unrivaled in my opinion.. theres is one in oakbrook terace (suburb next to Downers grove)... Get the deep dish!

[mkPOTO]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

Rezas- Its a pretty awesome Persian food joint.

+1 on that and Gibson in Oakbrook

[g222leav]

Originally Posted by jawwadh

Rezas- Its a pretty awesome Persian food joint.

I'll also add to the mix:

Labriola - They make awesome homemade chips and have an fabulous bakery
Uncle Julio's - Great Mexican food, get the chile con queso
The Patio - Along the lines of Portillos in terms of semi-fast food dining
Buca di Beppo - Family style Italian dinner (be hungry)

[iamcpap]

Don't go to Buca do Beppo for Italian. Lots of other great Italian nearby. Even Maggianos is better and I never recommend Maggianos. Volare is excellent for Italian and yes the Patio is good for Ribs. DMK burger has interesting burgers and fries. Pretty much anything off of Butterfield or 22nd and you'll be fine.

[Jaymax85]

If u have time go downtown to the bongo room for breakfast .. Their red velvet pancakes are like crack

[Arben72]

Greek Isles, Portillos, if you want something with a view and can head downtown foods not that great though, reserve a table on the John Hancock building at 7:45 for the signature room. You'll be eating on the 96th floor and you can see everything for miles.

[VK///M3]

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - 440 75th Street Downer's Grove, IL - If you want to taste some authentic mafia cuisine..

[Griz]

Wiener Circle is good for the entertainment value, but it is by no means good food. Don't bother telling them how you want the food cooked or what toppings you want on it. If you are going with friends (and not co-workers), and you want to take in the full experience, ask for the chocolate shake.

Portillo's is awful. It is only slightly better than McDonald's.

I'm not big on deep dish pizza, but I think it's worth the purchase for someone visiting. I'd second the suggestion of Lou Malnati's, The Art of Pizza is also good. Giordano's is decent, but it's so overloaded with cheese that you won't want to eat pizza for months. And do not order anything on their menu other than the pizza.

But as for some modest-to-moderately priced places (cheap is difficult to do in Chicago) that are close to the highway...

Revolution - Recently opened by Revolution Brewing; pretty darn good beer, and the food is fantastic

90 Miles Cuban Cafe (on Armitage) - Great food but BYOB

Filippo's Ristorante - People will argue nonstop about Italian food, but this is one of my favorite places in Chicago; go to Sapori Trattoria is also very good, but the drive through Lincoln Park will add another 20-25 minutes from the highway

Kuma's Corner - I'll warn you up front that they play heavy metal and the wait is often over an hour (unless you snag a spot at the bar), but they have some of the best burgers I've ever had; they recently opened Kuma's Too in Lincoln Park, but it won't be as easy to get to and hipsters have overrun the place

Parson's Chicken & Fish - I haven't had a chance to go there yet, but have heard good reviews

What type of food are you looking for?

[USCTrojanMan29]

Thanks for recommendations guys. I'm looking for non-chain restaurants...italian, mexican, etc...basically try restaurants that I can't in So Cal.

[mkPOTO]

What days will you be here exactly? you should try to make it close to the weekend so you can come to Big Meat lol

[Griz]

Originally Posted by USCTrojanMan29

Thanks for recommendations guys. I'm looking for non-chain restaurants...italian, mexican, etc...basically try restaurants that I can't in So Cal.

Hmm, I'm sure you can find some pretty good Mexican in So Cal, but there's still some decent places in Chicago. Generally when you go to a Mexican restaurant here, the place can't manage to do margaritas and food really well. If you're only here for a few days, I'd skip the basic Mexican places. Big Star and Taco Joint are both known for their tacos and draw a good crowd. If you go to Big Star, it also has one of the better known speakeasy-style bars across the street - Violet Hour.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

What days will you be here exactly? you should try to make it close to the weekend so you can come to Big Meat lol

Unfortunately I'll be there Monday and flying out Thursday morning so 3 dinners.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by Griz

Hmm, I'm sure you can find some pretty good Mexican in So Cal, but there's still some decent places in Chicago. Generally when you go to a Mexican restaurant here, the place can't manage to do margaritas and food really well. If you're only here for a few days, I'd skip the basic Mexican places. Big Star and Taco Joint are both known for their tacos and draw a good crowd. If you go to Big Star, it also has one of the better known speakeasy-style bars across the street - Violet Hour.

Yeah, maybe I'll stick to some authentic stuff....definitely want to go to a deep dish pizza place for a chicago style pizza.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Went to Greek Isles for dinner...had the chargrilled sea bass...good stuff. Tomorrow I'm gonna head out to Reza's for dinner and DMK Burger Bar for lunch.

Is the Egg Harbor Cafe and/or The Baked Apple Breakfast Company good for breakfast? The Patio Restaurant and Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse look promising too....any opinions?

[Arben72]

Originally Posted by USCTrojanMan29

Went to Greek Isles for dinner...had the chargrilled sea bass...good stuff. Tomorrow I'm gonna head out to Reza's for dinner and DMK Burger Bar for lunch.

Is the Egg Harbor Cafe and/or The Baked Apple Breakfast Company good for breakfast? The Patio Restaurant and Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse look promising too....any opinions?

If you can find a way to downtown Chicago and want the best Brazilian steakhouse, look up Fogo De Chão. It's worth every dollar.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by Arben72

If you can find a way to downtown Chicago and want the best Brazilian steakhouse, look up Fogo De Chão. It's worth every dollar.

Unfortunately I won't be able to meet it out to downtown on this trip. I hit up The Apple Baked Company for breakfast, DMK Burger Bar for lunch, and Rezas for dinner today. All good eats...