Chicago Bloggers Take On The City pt. II
by freeandflawed - December 09, 2008
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This is another installment of my Chicago Bloggers Take On the City guides. Last week d-blogged shared his favorites, including one of Chicago's best kept secrets. This week I'm mixing it up a bit and including a Chicago blogger, who technically lives in a suburb. Some of us, ahem myself included, live in suburbs and can't easily venture out to some of these Chicago hot spots. This week's blogger shines the spot light on some of her favorite places outside of Chicago.
Meet Rachel.
Rachel is another fabulous Chicago blogger. She writes I’m a mom in real life. She’s a mommy and a blogger, but don’t underestimate her. She’s come to every meet-up and is often the life of the party. I asked her to share her “best of” Chicago picks for a couple of reasons. 1. She’s a mommy so she can give us some insight on kid-friendly places. 2. She lives in the suburbs and can share some new places that often don’t get recommended in Chicago guides. 3. She’s awesome.
I'm a mom in real life
Be sure to check out her blog. She has weekly videos of her daughter, Diana, who is adorable and equally as awesome as her mother. Rachel’s got a quick wit and a way with words that will keep you coming back for more.
Best Breakfast
“Grandma Sally’s in Naperville. It’s your classic Greek, greasy spoon, pancake house.”
Grandma Sally's Waffle House
450 E. Ogden Naperville, IL 60563
Grandma Sally’s is the place to go for some comfort food when in Naperville. The all-day breakfast menu includes omelets, waffles, pancakes, eggs, etc. Early risers will appreciate that Grandma Sally’s opens at the crack of dawn!
Best Hot Dog
“Coming from the Detroit area I fell in love with Portillos. It may be a touristy, but it is the one place I know that I can walk into anyone of their many chains and have a GOOD hot dog.”
Oh Rachel, you sure do know the way to my heart. Portillos is one of my favorite places to get a hot dog. The atmosphere is fun and casual and the cheese fries…oh the cheese fries…
Portillo's Hot Dogs Inc
8832 W Dempster St, Niles, IL 60714
Portillo’s has many locations in and around Chicago. So city-dwellers and suburbanites can enjoy the goodness that is Portillo’s.
Portillo’s has many locations in and around Chicago. So city-dwellers and suburbanites can enjoy the goodness that is Portillo’s.
Best Neighborhood Bar
“The Newark Nook in Norwood Park. It’s the typical Chicago tavern (converted home). The beer always has small ice chips in it.”
I’m not sure what’s so great about the small ice chips, but I’ll go along with it :)
Newark Nook
6443 N Newark Ave Chicago, IL 60631
I couldn’t find any reviews on this bar, but I trust Rachel’s judgment and will have to add it to my list of places to visit.
Best After-Work Bar
“Moretti’s in Shaumburg. Near the hubby’s office and the highway. We are simple drinkers.”
I’ve been there and I love it. The food is great. The atmosphere is great. The location is convenient, especially for us suburbanites.
Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria
1893 Walden Office Square Schaumburg, IL 60173
Moretti’s has a wide variety of items to choose from on its menu. It’s open for lunch and dinner. There are also locations in Edison Park and the West Loop.
Best Salon
“My favorite atmosphere salon is Effigy in downtown Lombard, but the one I trust the most with my hair now is Mario Tricoci’s in Bloomingdale. They are all pros, they are on top of the fashion trends, but they don’t have that snobbish feel that many of the other Mario’s have. I can get the hippest hair cut but debate about Target vs. Walmart with my colorist.”
Best Kept Secret
“The Sushi Bar in Bloomingdale. They are a small strip mall place that has great sushi at great prices. Their chefs have their own specialty roles that always turn out to be a pleasant surprise.”
Best Coffee
“I am new to the coffee world and I thought I loved Starbucks, but one day I ventured over to Dunkin Donuts and I was sold.”
I know some people who can’t function without their Dunks coffee. I especially enjoy their caramel swirl lattes. I like that their coffee isn’t as strong as Starbucks’.
Best Bakery
“Jarosch Bakery in Elk Grove Village. Fantastic pastries made by old Polish ladies. Greatest Brownies in the world.”
Jarosch Bakery
35 Arlington Hts Road Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Established in 1959, Jarosch Bakery is a full-line scratch bakery, creating delicious breads, pastries, cookies, cakes, and coffeecakes by skilled bakers and cake decorators. It is located in one of Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
Best Dessert
“Any Greek Festival in Chicago. You must buy the loukoumades!”
Loukoumades are like Greek donuts. They are made of deep fried dough soaked in sugar syrup or honey and cinnamon, and sometimes sprinkled with sesame.
Greektown Chicago
Get the complete history of Chicago’s very own Greektown here. You can also find a list of Greektown restaurants, clubs/bars, shops and hotels. Greektown is also Rachel’s pick for best first-date location.
Best Pizza
“Again I get a little touristy. Growing up on Little Ceaser’s I can tell you that my first taste of a deep dish Giordano’s was a total pizzagasim. You can’t just go to any though. Many can get quite crowded and if you go to an older one you tend to end up sitting in your neighbor’s lap. The one that I have enjoyed the most is the one in downtown Naperville. It’s large and the pizza has always been good. Plus there are a large number of bars within walking distance for afterwards.”
Giordano's
119 S Main St, Naperville, IL 60540
Giordano’s is in my top 5 pizza places in Chicago. The traditional deep dish pizza is a staple of Chicago. It’s filling and it’s delicious. There are many planted around Chicago and if you haven’t already been to one, you must be living under a rock.
Giordano’s is in my top 5 pizza places in Chicago. The traditional deep dish pizza is a staple of Chicago. It’s filling and it’s delicious. There are many planted around Chicago and if you haven’t already been to one, you must be living under a rock.
Best Wine Bar
“I love Sullivan’s Steakhouse in downtown Naperville. Their bar has a martini feel to it. With the rich colors and sexy curves you feel that you have to have a good red wine, which of course they have plenty of. Sometimes they play jazz music which just makes you feel all the more cool.”
Sullivan's Steakhouse
244 S Main St Naperville, IL 60540
“Sullivan’s Steakhouse is a 1940’s Chicago-style steakhouse offering the finest Certified Angus Beef, select seafood, veal, pork, lamb and chicken entrees, appetizers, soups, salads and side dishes (including Sullivan’s renowned horseradish mashed potatoes)”
Best Gym
“Women’s Workout World in Glendale Heights. It’s simple, affordable, and they don’t hound you if you don’t come in for a couple months…not that I would know anyone that has done that…”
Chicago Neighborhoods & Suburbs
A map of Chicago’s neighborhoods and suburbs, some of which included in this guide.
Chicago Bloggers Take On The City
Here is d-blogged’s Best of Chicago guide. Stay tuned for the next Chicago blogger’s guide.
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El Guapo says muy bueno. I’m going to have to visit some of these places when I get back to Chicago…
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I HATE Jimmy’s Grill! That place is so pretentious!
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Right?! I’m amazed by her dead-on accuracy for awesome places!
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