Last weekend, I had the wonderful pleasure of taking my little sister to Chicago for a trip to celebrate her high school graduation. We had a great time and while I’d been to Chicago a number of times on business, I’d never been as a tourist. It was so much fun! From the visit to Lincoln Park’s conservatory and zoo (both FREE) to walking the Magnificent Mile to visiting Navy Pier, each venue we visited was like visiting to a new place. The best part, of course, is that we were there with the locals celebrating the Cubs’ World Series victory. Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park were swamped with revelers who were singing and shouting and having so. much. fun!
Of course, one of the most fun things about travel is the food, right? Chicago is known for incredible food and is home to some of my favorite chefs (Rick Bayless!). However, on this trip, we didn’t want to have reservations to limit us and…we were traveling on the cheap. For fun, I thought I’d share some of what we noshed on while in the Windy City.
Giordano’s is a Chicago pizza chain specializing in the tradition of deep dish pizza. Definitely a “sometimes” (as opposed to an everyday) food!
Loved my pumpkin overload donut and coffee from Do-Rite Donuts!
Pieced together from Chicago’s Lincoln Park, this meal of fresh baguette, local cheese, apple, breakfast radishes, figs, and ground cherries was fantastic! Total cost was less than $10/pp.
I’d never heard of Freshii, but I’m glad we stumbled upon the place. I enjoyed a peanut butter protein shake and Energii bites (PB, oats, honey and chocolate chips). Yum!
Eataly is a foodies fantasy with fantastic options including pasta, pizza, and antipasti and small bites, plus wine, confections, coffee and dessert! This meal of bucatini with mussels was pasta perfection.
Had to have a Chicago hot dog while in town – this one was a chicken dog topped with relish, onions, mustard, tomato, pickled cucumber and pickle. Is that really a Chicago dog? It was super tasty!
Have you been to Chicago? What’s your favorite Chicago eat?
