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Chicago ladies- where to eat around Mag Mile area that is affordable?
Heading to Chicago in mid-April for 1 night and staying at the Hyatt near Mag Mile. Can you recommend some good and affordable places to eat while we are there? The people I'm going with are on a tight budget, and we'd like to be able to walk from our hotel to any eateries...
a) Lunch
b) Dinner
c) Snacks- I have Garrett popcorn (love!) marked down....
Re: Chicago ladies- where to eat around Mag Mile area that is affordable?
Lou Malnati's!
Corner Bakery is cheap and easy for lunch (and they do dinner too, which is okay). (average $10/meal; it's chain) There's one around the corner near Wacker and Michigan. There's a Houlihans close by too, as well as Noodles and Subway if you want quick chain restaurants.
I prefer Giordano's over Lou's for pizza. There's one on Lake St about 2 blocks south of Hyatt.
Park Grill in Millenium Park has great burgers. Sweetwater is an upscale type bar that has a variety of items and is pretty good. Most entrees are around $12ish?
What price do you want to spend on lunch and dinner per person?
eta: from poster below, Potbelly is a good option! My sister always makes us go when she comes to visit.
Wow Bao is good too for lunch or a snack. They're kind of like little asian dumplings. There's one at State and Lake.
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I loved Pot Belly down there. I didn't realize what a huge chain it was but that was my first place having it.
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Ha- I totally had that written down (b/w that or Giardano's) but forgot to include. Thanks for reminding me
Thanks for everyone's input.
HZ- I'm thinking around $10pp for lunch and $15pp for dinner?
I'm a fan of Gino's East for pizza, but there are so many options. Skip Pizzeria Uno/Due - typically long wait times.
Billy Goat Tavern (lower level of Michigan Ave) is good for cheap burgers. Made famous by SNL.
India House on Grand & Dearborn.
Quartino - Italian tapas/small plates
Cafe Iberico - Spanish tapas
Xoco - Rick Bayless Mexican
Heaven on Seven - Creole/Cajun
Portillo's - Kinda like an indoor fancier food court. Hot dogs, salads, etc.
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Lou Malnati's, Quartino, Xoco, Cafe Iberico and Portillo's are all good suggestions!
Ditto some of the other suggestions for something "Chicago" and cheap:
Portillo's
Al's Beef
Lou Malanati's
Billy Goat Tavern
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Other Suggestions in the area:
M Burger
Big & Littles (It's supposed to be featured on The Food Network, don't know if it aired yet) It's like a "fish shack" with fancier options
Big Bowl (there's a few locations in the Chicago area; Good for my friends who want "pan-asian" in a more "comfort" way)
Cafe Iberico (Gets very packed, I think these tapas are pretty authetic to what I would eat at my friends' houses in Spain)
Xoco (Rick Bayless "quick lunch") I've seen him there a bunch of times and it's usually packed. Oh man though, his sandwiches are so good)
Hannah's Bretzel--organic sandwiches that can get a little pricier compared to most delis/cafes. However, they are so good! They also have a huge chocolate bar selection. I can't remember which location is open on the weekends though...
Quartino
Nacional 27 (mmm love their drinks and ceviche there) They are only open for dinner though
Also, Argo Tea and Bacci are chains found throughout the Chicago area.
Also, Roti is somewhat like a Chipotle of Mediterranean food.
Sorry I just remembered "snacks". Besides popcorn, there's Magnolia Bakery on State St. (I had their cupcakes in NYC and was a little underwhelmed) but my friends love their other pastries and puddings.
Pinkberry (frozen yogurt that has been famous in LA for a few years now) has now opened a location on State St, near the Quartino's rec. There's also Grahamwich (Billy Graham's "snack shop" a few doors down. However, it's either a love or hate on opionions.
I think you said you're going with your friend's daughter, so she may like those places. Plus, Water Tower Place shopping "mall" has Wao Bao. Have fun!