Chicago’s Best…
Posted by BakeandDestroy on March 2nd, 2012. Filed under: Chicago's Best.
Taken in Miami. Ha ha... sorry!
I just spent a week in Miami covering the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and would you believe I nearly starved? The lines are long, portions are tiny and surprise, surprise – America’s top chefs are not concerned with being veggie-friendly. I did manage to find a pretty killer grilled cheese joint called MLT that sustained my life for my last two days in Miami with their truffle fries and over-the-top sandwiches, but other than that, I was a bit lost. (Full disclosure: I was so tired one night I ate French fries in the bathtub to save time so I could go to bed as quickly as possible.)
Thanks to my Florida-based friends I did find up one or two places that hit the spot, and I also spent a lot of time telling Miami vegetarians I ran into where they should eat when they come to Chicago. In fact, I have an email saved that I update and send to people whenever they ask me about things to do when visiting my fair city. After a quick poll of my Facebook fans, I decided to run some “Best of Chicago” posts here to hopefully make your visit to Chicago less hungry and crabby than my visit to Miami was. You’ll find them all categorized as Chicago’s Best on the right hand side of the site once I start posting them.
Here’s what I have planned so far – Chicago’s best:
- Veggie Eats
- Sweets & Snacks
- Stuff to Do
What else do you guys want to see? Leave your suggestions in the comments and I’ll randomly choose one of you (with a US address) to win a care package containing my Internet-famous whoopie pies! I’m choosing a winner 3/6 so think fast!
March 2nd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
I’m pretty sure I can get you to make whoopie pies anyway, but I have a couple of ideas: best coffee spots (not really snacks, right?), best stores to find something strange/unique/fun.
March 2nd, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Pizza, coffee shops, food specialty stores (or unique food stores), pop culture related dining establishments/dishes
March 2nd, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Chicago’s best “cooking misc” – like the best places for spices, pots/pans, etc. All the things that help make cooking happen!
March 2nd, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Best pizza, best breakfast joint, best place to get ink. Please!
March 2nd, 2012 at 3:29 pm
I’ve spent zero time in Chicago, and I’d love to give it another shot at some point. Best museums? I’m kind of a nerd. Bookshops (and I suppose miscellaneous indie shops, as well!)?
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Best alleyways, best architecture, best sites of historical interest (the more corrupt/haunted, the better).
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
I would love to Chicago’s Best Museums. Chicago’s Best Bookstores. Chicago’s Best Comic Book Shops, Chicago’s Best Indie Shops.
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Best tattoo shops
I always like to get a little something when I am somewhere new.
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Comic book shops, record stores, and coffee are always great too. My favorite things in Chicago are Pick Me Up Cafe, the Chicago Diner, and Quimby’s! Native Foods also ranks highly on the list.
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Best coffee (and just coffee, not fancy ones). Best bookstores and best place to shop with a teenage girl and your favorite place to enjoy in your city!
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Any good thrift shops? I love finding unique things, and sometimes “remaking” clothes into something special of my own. AND I love a bargain!
March 3rd, 2012 at 1:46 am
nooo! I am coming to Chicago tomorrow, it’s going to heartbreaking to see all this awesome info published *after* my trip!
March 3rd, 2012 at 4:05 am
Please not best thrift store– I have enough people to fight!! How about locally sourced shops/groceries. As a vegetarian I always visit the grocery when I travel and it’s great to try things that are locally produced. City Provisions comes to mind, but I will keep an eye on your list. Also, I agree with the bookstore/comic shop suggestion. A list of the diy festivals would be cool too.
March 3rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Seeing where the best place is to get a good cup of jo and the fun places to find unique clothes!
March 4th, 2012 at 9:28 am
Venues!
For small shows and stuff, are there neat hole in the wall places where bands play? If I ever visit Chicago that would want to be something I know.
March 4th, 2012 at 10:12 am
The Chicago Diner on Halsted. Vegetarian food.
Fritz Pastry- they have vegan doughnuts
miko’s italian ice on Damen
Gorilla Tango Theater
American Science and Surplus. lots of fun just to shop in here.
March 4th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
How about good drinks (coffee or tea house, wine, or spirits)?
March 5th, 2012 at 5:51 am
best cheesey tourist destinations that are actually worth seeing.
March 5th, 2012 at 9:15 am
a few ideas:
best falafel/middle eastern food
grilled cheese/ salty snacks
diners/dives
budget friendly
not budget friendly
March 5th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Best falafel
Best tiki bar
Best film noir venue
Best indie comedy club
March 5th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Best things to do/places to go for free
Best fairtrade/”ethnic” outlets
Best European (esp. English… :3) food
Best outdoor pursuits (climbing, walking etc) areas/outlets
Best place for virgin cocktails? If you have them over there, heh.
PS I’m not in the US (surprise!) so I can’t be in the running for the prize, so I did this out of… The kindness of my heart :3 x
March 5th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
I’d say split the “Stuff To Do” into Under 21 and Over 21 (or kids and adults, whatever, yknow?). Things I was up to while I grew up near Chicago and things that my cool single mom did were entirely different!
March 5th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Two places I really like in my neighborhood are Logan Hardware and Quesadilla La Reyna del Sur. Logan Hardware is a very cool record shop with a very cool arcade museum in back, you can play all these old arcade games. Quesadilla La Reyna del Sur offers a lot of veggie/vegan options and they offer burritos literally the size of your head.
March 5th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Oh and the best craft shops and haberdasheries!
March 5th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Best places to party hard.
March 5th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Chicago’s best tattoo spots! Or places to get your arts n crafts on. Or maybe festivals (Taste of Chicago type stuff).
March 5th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Best ice cream shops, antique shops, smoothie joints, best places to see a view of the city.
Coming to Chicago in a couple of weeks for the first time, I look forward to hearing your suggestions!
March 6th, 2012 at 6:06 am
How about the best places for teens to learn to bake!! I have a 14yr old daughter Reanna who loves to bake and has taken cooking classes around town but they are all geared toward real young kids or for adults, and they are mainly for cooking not baking. I would love to help her in her love for baking and get her some real hands on experience. I know she could turn her passion for baking into a great career if she could get a early start now. Soo please if anyone knows of any feel free to e-mail me. kim29d@sbcglobal.net Thanks!
March 7th, 2012 at 9:23 am
Record shops/comic shops/bookstores/theaters. Just some cool hang out spots I guess
March 7th, 2012 at 9:31 am
Ooh! How about “Best Places To Get In Trouble”!!!
March 7th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Best Jazz Lounge
Best Off The Beaten Path
Best Coffee Shop (definitely!)
Best Thrift Store (favorite idea)
March 7th, 2012 at 10:48 am
I’d love to see the best tourist traps–the places the guide books tell you to go that are actually worth visiting.
March 7th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Best…
Park bench, comfort food spot, place to people watch, baked item/where to find it, culturally authentic dish. The list could go on.
March 7th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Best restaurant that no longer exists