Page 148 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

146  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Chicago is a big city and many establishments, world, from Greek and Italian dishes to
from coffee shops to four-star restaurants, Vietnamese and Korean specialties. For those
ask big-city prices. However, with thousands visiting Chicago during the annual Taste of
of places to eat and drink in the city, Chicago festival (see p35), there will be the
competition between restaurants is fierce, opportunity to sample cuisine from dozens
and visitors can find great food at reasonable of Chicago’s restaurants. Those in our listings
prices. The city’s immigrant roots mean that that follow (pages 148–57), have been
tourists can sample dishes from around the selected as among the best Chicago offers.
Chicago’s Restaurants Alcohol
restaurants serve bread and
The plethora of places to eat butter it is always at no charge. The legal drinking age in
in Chicago represent the many Water glasses are filled with Chicago is 21 and is strictly
cultures that make up the city. (free) tap water, but bottled enforced. Alcohol is served
Some ethnic restaurants are water is also usually available. until 2am on most days of the
clustered together, such as Most Italian menus list pasta week. Some bars have late-
those in Chinatown (see p96) or as a first course before a main night licenses and are open
on Greek Town’s Halsted Street. course of meat or fish, but until 4am or 5am on Saturdays.
Italian eateries abound on Taylor many restaurants also treat On Sunday, alcohol is not
Street between Halsted and pasta as an entrée. served before 11am.
Western Avenues, and many Coffee and dessert conclude
authentic Mexican spots line the meal. It is common to have
18th Street in Pilsen. your coffee mug refilled until Hours and Prices
However, restaurants on the the servers are asked otherwise. The city opens early: coffee
city’s major streets offer a broad shops and diners as early
range of cuisines. Those in the as 6am. Coffee and a roll
Loop tend to cater to office Other Places to Eat costs about $3.50. A breakfast
workers, though many stay Delicatessens offering soups, of bacon and eggs costs
open till much later due to the salads, and sandwiches are about $5 in neighborhood
area’s theater district, while River mostly found in the Downtown diners and twice that much
North and Lincoln Park are area. Hot-dog stands and lunch in hotel restaurants.
home to many of the city’s counters are an inexpensive Lunch is offered between
premier restaurants. alternative to restaurants. 11am and 2pm. Most
Generally speaking, most Most malls have food courts restaurants open for dinner
establishments in Chicago selling a variety of dishes. Some at 5.30pm. Kitchens close
are wheelchair accessible (see don’t rise above fast-food fare, once business tapers, around
p173). However, it is best to but a few are excellent, notably 10pm on weekdays, later on
check beforehand. Foodlife at Water Tower Place, weekends. The most difficult
and Frontera Fresca at Macy’s. time to secure a table is from
Brewpubs are popular in 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Restaurant Menus
Chicago. They serve beer Salads and appetizers
Most menus offer three courses: brewed on site, as well as pub generally cost between $5 and
appetizer (starter), entrée (main grub such as hamburgers or $9 each, entrées between $12
course), and dessert. When fish ‘n’ chips. and $30. Many restaurants offer
superb wines by the glass for
between $6 and $10.
Ethnic restaurants offer
good value for the money.
Mexican and Thai restaurants
are always a good bet, as
are the pizzerias and fast food
joints across the city. Indian
and Greek eateries are also
a good bargain.
Some restaurants let you
bring your own bottle (BYOB)
of wine, but may charge a
corkage fee to serve it.
Valet parking, a facility offered
by many restaurants these days,
Handsomely furnished bar at North Pond (see p156) costs between $6 and $12.

146-147_EW_Chicago.indd 146 13/07/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm