Hey Sam. If you're so inclined, could you recommend a few 'must eat' places in Downtown Chicago? My hotel will be near the Red Line (Grand station) and I'm fine walking a good 10 minutes for awesome food. I'm planning my trip and trying to put together a few food places for lunch and dinner and such. Pizza, burgers, bbq, donuts, steak, sushi..., I'm flexible!

You know, honestly, I don't eat out much anymore so I'm not sure where the best places to get a bite are. I'm going to make some recommendations but they're about to be a mixture of "If you come to Chicago this is somewhere everyone goes" and "This is somewhere Sam personally likes to eat but which you may not go for." :D

So, if you're at Grand, you are pretty much on top of the Weber Kettle Grill. Weber Kettle Grill does GREAT grill food and my parents always want to eat there when they come into town. If you ask to sit at the chef's table, you'll be seated at what looks like a bar, but it also looks all the way down the row of giant indoor grills the chefs use to cook the food. If you want something quieter and less busy they also have a fairly large dining room.

If you want a real Chicago experience, there's a Portillo's pretty close to you (that one's called "Portillo's & Barnelli's"); Portillo's is a local chain that does burgers, dogs, and crucially Italian Beef. Italian Beef is my go-to Chicago food for people who (like me) don't want to eat Deep Dish Pizza. It's a crusty roll filled with shredded braised beef; you can get it with sweet peppers, hot peppers, or no peppers (they might call it "giardinera" which is the local term for the pepper relish they use). If you get it "dipped", once the sandwich is made it's dunked in a flavorful jus before being wrapped up; if you don't like wet bread I'd skip this, but I love it. If you REALLY don't like wet bread, maybe get a Chicago Style hot dog instead. Portillo's is also famous for being The Place Where they make you a milkshake with an entire slice of chocolate cake in it. You can also just get a slice of cake, which is fantastic.

There's also an Al's Italian Beef near you if you want a more local experience. Locals absolutely can and will eat at Portillo's, the food's not better at Al's, it's just a bit more tourist-friendly than Al's tends to be.

If you want that true authentic Chicago deep dish experience (pie crust filled with cheese and then topped with sauce) Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due are very close by; they vie for the dubious honor of having invented the deep dish pizza. I can't recommend it, but if you want it, hit one of those.

If you're not from the midwest and would like to sample a decent approximation of Detroit style deep dish (thick bready crust topped with cheese and then sauce) Jet's Pizza likely delivers to your hotel. I can't recommend going to a Jet's, many of them don't have anywhere to sit and eat, and for a pizza joint they're a bit costly, but it's very good pizza. My Detroit friends say it's a perfectly acceptable pie by their standards.

Volare Ristorante is a nearby hidden gem if you're in the mood for upscale Italian; I really like their pasta, but they are on the pricier end. If you're walking east on Grand to get there, you do have to go under Michigan, and you will likely fear that you will be stabbed and left for dead in this weird underground cavern, but I promise you, it's smelly but safe.

Goddess And The Baker and Beatrix are both good places to pick up breakfast. If you wish to glimpse Hell, the Starbucks Roastery at Michigan and Erie is one of the largest buxes in the country (possibly the world?) and is a FUCKING NIGHTMARE to navigate, but it's certainly an experience.

If you're venturing into the Loop, Russian Tea Time is a fun place to have afternoon tea and the a la carte food is also quite good; they're very close to the Art Institute. There's not much to eat if you're going to the museum campus, and my favorite Greek place closed down, but Minghin Cuisine is a good Chinese place (I've eaten there) and AO Hawaiian Hideout is supposedly some of the best Chinese in the city (I have not eaten there).

If you are craving Chinese, you can also catch the Red Line directly to the Chinatown stop and browse, I've never had a bad meal in Chinatown. When you get off the train, if you go north to the station exit with only stairs, you can exit, look left, and see the "new" Chinatown that's basically an outdoor mall; if you go south to the escalator exit, once you leave turn right and you'll see the big pagoda entrance to "old" Chinatown, which is more shops than restaurants. New Chinatown has some excellent bakeries, and also a Korean fried chicken place, Bonchon, that's extremely good. Usually when I take friends we go to Joy Yee which has a huge menu and also bubble tea.

As a final plug I'll list The Berghoff, which is in the loop (off the Jackson Red Line stop); it's pretty hefty German cuisine, all excellent food, and also is a top notch place to take anyone with gluten issues -- the owners have a kid with a gluten intolerance and the restaurant has an exceptional gluten-free menu with unusually strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen.

And if you want to get a little baked first, you are pretty close to Sunnyside dispensary, which is a very nice dispensary with super friendly people. If you take the Red Line to Roosevelt or are in the area, Grasshopper Club is less expensive, just as friendly, and Black-owned, and they've been my go-to for a couple of months now. At either one you can walk-in to speak to a budtender about what you'd like, or you can preorder online, but be aware that there are limitations on what out-of-staters can purchase. Having sampled most of the gummies out there, I'd recommend Mindy's (any flavor is good but the black cherry is my preferred). Do bring ID, you will be carded.

I hope you enjoy Chicago! If you have more questions feel free to hit me up here or at [email protected] if you'd like to have more of like, a dialogue :) Have fun and eat well!

🔥🥹🤤

my contribution to the food polls going around - choose with your heart and also your stomach!!! enjoy the yummy food!!! come visit chicago some time if u haven’t already we’ve got so much to eat!!! :-)

Dessert is always trending… Dessert everything all the time 🍭

My Chicago-Style Hot Dog Life

My first attempt at a flat lay.

I'm halfway through The Bear, and in honor of starting it, I decided to eat at the Chicago classic drive-in Superdawg. (Not an Italian beef joint because I just don't love them.) Naturally it was raining and a bit chilly, perfect drive-in and ice cream weather. 🙄

First, everyone needs to see the impeccable packaging. These are the Superdawg mascots, Maury and Flaurie.

I ordered a Whoopskidawg, aka a Polish sausage. It was fucking delicious and I'm two seconds from going back for another for dinner.

@gardenerian peep this (blurry) pickled green tomato, Superdawg's signature. I would eat way more tomatoes if they were naturally like this.

Original Rainbow Cone, a Chicago staple I rarely get because it's not convenient to me, had its ice cream truck at the restaurant, so even though it was cold and I already had a pineapple ice cream soda (think root beer float but with syrupy pineapple soda instead), I got this and regretted nothing. Remember, always splurge for a waffle cone. From the top: orange, pistachio, Palmer House, strawberry, chocolate.

Also The Bear is great, and I will be murdering Richie and Tina, more thoughts later.

So I learned two things this weekend:

One, when you use an industrial slicer to thin-slice beef that cooked in a Malort-based broth, the demon Meaty Wormwood returns to torment you. Literally the beef was fine until I started slicing it and then The Odor arrived.

Two, when you add enough hawaj to a beef jus to counterbalance the Malort in it, the turmeric in the hawaj turns the fat in the jus neon green. It's hard to see in the image but basically you get a deep gold-brown jus with bright green edges. It should make for interesting-looking sandwiches...

I will say, every time I look at the deli slicer I bought I think "Was this really necessary? It doesn't slice as thin as a good ceramic knife and it still takes significant physical effort" and then I slice the beef with it and it takes 10 minutes instead of several hours, and I go "Oh yeah, worth the $70."

[ID: Two images; on the left, a large tupperware container full of thinly-sliced beef, looking delicious with marbled fat and browned edges. On the right, a small dish of liquid, the jus from the beef, shows a layer of deep brown richer gravy, edged in a thin layer of yellow-green oil.]

Taco Omakase: Where Street Food Meets Chef's Table

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photo: megan.michaela.xo

Sipping Elegance: Ryan Bluestone on Chicago's Top 5 High Tea Havens

In the midst of the bustling cityscape of Chicago, Ryan Bluestone notes a timeless tradition finds its place: the art of High Tea. A symphony of delicate flavors, refined settings, and exquisite teas, these top 5 establishments have mastered the alchemy of providing an unparalleled experience in the heart of the Windy City. From historic tea rooms to modern chic spaces, each venue has a story to tell, and each cup is a journey in sophistication. Join us as we explore the best of the best in Chicago's High Tea scene.

1. The Drake Hotel - Palm Court (Gold Coast)

Welcoming tea enthusiasts since 1920, Ryan Bluestone notes The Drake Hotel's Palm Court stands as a symbol of elegance in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Offering a quintessential Afternoon Tea experience, this iconic venue boasts a menu featuring classic finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and an extensive selection of teas. The tradition continues under the guidance of Chef Baasim Zafar, who ensures each detail aligns with The Drake's legacy, making it a cherished destination for those seeking the epitome of refined dining.

2. Langham Chicago - Pavilion (River North)

The Langham, with its global reputation for luxury, brought its signature High Tea experience to Chicago in 2013. The Pavilion, under the culinary expertise of Executive Chef Damion Henry, presents a modern and artful approach to traditional Afternoon Tea. Opened in a city with a rich architectural history, Langham Chicago has quickly become famous for seamlessly blending opulence, innovation, and timeless charm in its High Tea offerings. Ryan Bluestone can’t recommend this location enough.

3. Russian Tea Time (The Loop)

Transporting guests to the cultural richness of Russia, Russian Tea Time in The Loop has been a haven for High Tea enthusiasts since 1993. Founded by the talented Klara Muchnik, this restaurant offers a unique twist to the traditional English High Tea. Ryan Bluestone notes guests can relish delights such as blini with caviar and Russian pastries, making it a distinctive and celebrated establishment in Chicago's culinary landscape.

4. The Allis at Soho House (West Loop)

Nestled in the trendy West Loop, The Allis at Soho House adds a touch of modern chic to the High Tea experience. Opened in 2014, this stylish space, led by Executive Chef Aaron Lirette, offers a menu that balances classic tea traditions with contemporary flair. From smoked salmon tartines to matcha-infused sweets, The Allis has gained fame for its ability to redefine sophistication in a vibrant and contemporary setting.

5. The Ritz Carlton (Gold Coast)

The Ritz has mastered afternoon tea with beautiful decor, exquisite service, and the delicious creations of Pastry Chef Toni Roberts. Even the tea selection process is special at the Ritz with the opportunity to read about and experience the aromas of each tea selection before ordering. The tea sandwiches are innovative and plentiful, the scones are warm, and each dessert is a work of art, according to Ryan Bluestone. The intimate setting and dedication to presenting an exquisite tea experience have made The Ritz Carlton a standout destination, contributing to the diversity of Chicago's High Tea scene.

Chicago's High Tea landscape of elegance, tradition, and culinary artistry. Whether you find yourself immersed in the classic luxury of The Drake Hotel or embracing the modern chic vibes at The Allis, each venue promises a journey into the world of refined flavors and timeless charm. In this city where tradition meets innovation, Ryan Bluestone believes these top 5 High Tea havens are not merely places to sip tea; they are experiences to savor, creating memories as rich and enduring as the tea they serve.

Welcome to my corner of the internet!

I'm thrilled to dive into the Tumblrsphere! I'm Tumpale, your virtual stylish foodie bestie 👋 I love exploring restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment. Malort & Moet is your ticket to Chicago's hidden gems, and I'm your trusty guide! Whether you're a local or a visitor, get ready for food recommendations and insider tips. Plus, expect lifestyle, music, and pop culture content. Thanks for joining me on this adventure – stay tuned for more! 🌆🎥