My #1 favorite: Gino’s East Chicago – Absolutely best Chicago deep-dish pizza around. Everything about it is authentic. My favorite is that they have an entire slab of sausage patty for the pizza. Every single bite is cheese and sausage. Yum!
Ed Debecivs: It’s a 50s style diner started in 1984. The waitstaff acts the part of the 50s diner waitstaff and treats you like you’re an unrulely high school greaser. Best meatloaf I have ever had in my life.
Miller’s Pub: When I am in the Loop downtown, one of my favorite places to stop and eat. Good food, good atmosphere, comfortable.
Rainforest Café / Hard Rock Café: Columbus doesn’t have these themed restaurants anymore.
Chinatown: The atmosphere is amazing, you feel like those few blocks of street actually puts you in China. Food can be hit or miss sometimes. Good place to visit, shop, and grab something light to nibble on.
House of Blues: Never ate there, but someplace you have to visit while in the city. Live music every night of the week.
Second City ECT or Second City Mainstage: The absolute best comedy theatre in Chicago! Again, not much on the food, but you can see tomorrow’s comedy stars today.