Superlatives:
-
Chicago Symphony Orchestra is hands-down the best US orchestra, and easily one of the best in the world
-
Chicago Lyric Opera is second-only to the Met Opera, and is a world-class opera company and theatre
-
Hot dogs: one thing that Chicago does far better than anywhere else. My favourite place (Murphys Red Hots) is gone, but there are lots of other places. Fatso's Last Stand is nice. Chicago hot dogs have a special history. I prefer char dogs, but that's not the default. I don't love Portillos (the default recommendation)
-
Birria: Birrieria Zaragoza is amazing, I've not tried other birrierias and would like to
-
Paletas: Lots of good paletas, most of them have Michoacán in the name. One called El sabor de México. There's one near Birrieria Zaragoza, and a few in Pilsen.
-
Cigar bar: Iwan Ries is the best cigar bar I've ever been to. Private club, but you can pay $10 to get in. Three rooms, bring-your-own-booze, and one room has a big window that the L goes right past
-
Deep Dish:
- Uno's - very traditional and I really like it. The deepest of the ones I've been to
- Lou Malnati's - the least deep and the cheesiest one I've had, very tasty
- Pequod's - generally my favourite, but it's very controversial with the chewy caramelised crust
-
Burgers: Kuma Corner is probably the best burger I've had. They have a second location, not quite as nice
-
Ribs: Lem's Bar-B-Q has amazing old-school working-class ribs. Takeaway only, IIRC. Honky Tonk was nice too (loved the fried green tomatoes).
-
Coffee:
- Sawada Coffee is my favourite (love the camo latte)
- Loba is great and worth seeking out
- Intelligentsia is legendary and a critical part of third-wave coffee history, but I don't love going there
- Bow Truss was great, but I think it's gone now :'(
- honorable mentions, all great: Gaslight, Ipsento, Osmium, Groundswell
-
Donuts: Do-rite is an experience
Art:
- Chicago Printmakers Collaborative - a working studio, but they have a nice gallery in front
- National Museum of Mexican Art - a modest, but deeply interesting local museum in Pilsen. Would love to go back
- MOCA - would recommend
Nice cocktail bars:
- Bordel (speakeasy)
- Library Bar - nice and quiet speakeasy that I would go back to
- Aviary - molecular gastronomy cocktails. A worthwhile experience, and amazing to watch, but would never be a regular spot for me
Nice atmosphere/neighbourhood bars:
- Skylark (pub / dive bar)
- Lone Wolf (dive bar) - why not?
Beer:
- Moody Tongue Brewery - really lovely microbrew
- Revolution - a decent microbrew, but not that special. Quite well-known
- Haymarket - a thoroughly mediocre microbrew
Good food options:
- Mott Street (nice fusion and cocktails)
- Girl and the Goat (good, but a bit overrated)
- Bad Hunter - veggie-forward. Good brunch place, would go back
Yarn:
- Sister ARTS - really lovely, worth a trip to
- Close Knit - really lovely neighbourhood spot
- Knit1: a bit fancy and austere, but it's good