give me a burger, a beer, and some random junk on the wall

Last year I came up with a couple of posts of my favorite places I have been to eat and favorite places I would want to go to to eat. Well, it’s been a year, and both lists have changed a little bit. I’ve updated where I would like to go by adding a few restaurants that I have heard about in the last year and deleting a few that just shouldn’t have been on last time. I don’t know how much longer I will be in the city so I have titled it: “The restaurants I would like to go to before I leave Chicago.” For the restaurants that I have listed as my favorites they represent some of the best food I have had in this city. Many of the places are hole-in-the-wall hot dog and hamburger joints others are bustling tourist traps, but all of them are unique places that serve excellent food.


The restaurants I would like to go to before I leave Chicago:

Five Guys
2140 N Clybourn
Why: Although a chain they do serve up some of the best burger and fries you can find

Monk’s Pub
205 W Lake St
Why: It was rated as having one of the best burgers. Plus, it just looks like a great place to hang out

Julius Meinl
4363 N Lincoln Ave
Why: My sources say this place is great. And my sources don’t lie.

Chief O’Neill’s Pub
3471 N Elston
Why: Two words: Irish Pub

Paradise Pup
1724 S River Rd, Des Plaines
Why: Because 1) they serve hot dogs 2) It’s a hole in the wall 3) It’s close

Kuma’s Corner
2900 W Belmont
Why: They seem to have good burgers

Huey’s Hot Dogs
1507 W Balmoral
Why: Because 1) they serve hot dogs 2) It’s a hole in the wall 3) It’s close

Jury’s
4337 N Lincoln Ave
Why: They always seem to be rated as having one of the best burgers. Plus, I pass it every time I go to the grocery store

Boca di Beppo
521 N Rush St
Why: I said I would go here with someone

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.
2121 N Clark St
Why: Because they have pizza and grinders. The sign says so

Abbey Pub
3420 W Grace
Why: Music and food

Costello Sandwich and Sides
4647 N Lincoln Ave
Why: They just look like they have great sandwiches

La Creperie
2845 N Clark
Why: Crepes

Milk & Honey Café
1543 N Damen
Why: They just look like they have great sandwiches

Anything Indian
Why: Because I love Indian and I haven’t had it in the city yet

Good Cuban food
Why: Because I have been craving good Cuban food ever since my trip to FL

Honorable mentions:
Bobtail Soda Fountain
Café Bernard
Heaven on Seven
Park Grill
Rosebud on Rush

I would go back to in a heart beat:
404 Wine Bar
Why: The have great food and a great atmosphere
Boston Blackie’s
Why: The best burger in town
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Why: Tapas, Tapas, Tapas!
Calo
Why: Great Italian food surrounded by a great atmosphere
Celtic Crown
Why: Great hang out spot. Plus $2 burgers on Mondays
Cyrano’s Bistro
Why: Because some of my greatest memories are here. Plus their French food is killer
Elphant Castle
Why: Because the English know how to run a pub
Garcia’s Restaurant
Why: Because the burritos are big and the drinks go down easy
Geja’s Café
Why: Best fondue ever!
Gino’s East
Why: Even though it is touristy, there is writing on everything and they make great pizza
Giordano’s
Why: Because it is hard to pass up Giordano’s
Hot Doug’s
Why: It’s a fun place to be. Plus they are cheap and give you a huge amount of fries
Jimmy’s Red Hots
Why: They have the best hot dog in town
Lou Malnati’s
Why: The epitomize what is Chicago
Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli
Why: It’s got history, it’s got great Jewish food, and they make the best corned beef sandwich
Moody’s Pub
Why: A great burger
Noon O’Kabob
Why: They make great Persian food
Pizza DOC
Why: Awesome pizza
Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill
Why: Great family friendly bar that is off the main street that carries a great burger
Superdawg
Why: They are an icon of Chicago hot dogs. Plus, you can’t pass up their chocolate shake
Tre Kronor
Why: Because I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else for a brunch
The Weiner Circle
Why: It’s one of a kind
Yes Thai
Why: Yes Thai