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Hot Doug’s is a Chicago, Illinois-based restaurant specializing in a variety of hot dogs and sausages. The self-proclaimed “Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium” is in its second location at 3324 North California Avenue in the city’s Avondale neighborhood. Its first location, on Roscoe Street, closed after a 2004 fire. Hot Doug’s is frequently featured in local and national media for its unique menu, and its purveyor and head chef, Doug Sohn, has been noted for his work to create affordable gourmet food.
Their son Peter George, our current owner, was born in 1936 and grew up in the store — literally. His father created a cradle in back of the candy case to hold the young one.
Peter George learned the fine art of candy making from his grandfather and started working at the shop “when I was old enough to be seen.” He has been here for more than 60 years. His teenage son George, “a great fudge maker,” is the fourth generation to learn the intricacies of the business, and the plan is for young George to take over the helm someday
With a history spanning over three decades, Little Bucharest Bistro has opened with a new face in Chicago’s Old Irving Park area. Originally opened in 1970 and closed in 2004, the new Little Bucharest, which translates to “Little Paris of the East”, blends a touch of Romanian heritage with American contemporary fare in a vibrant and modern atmosphere.
“I wanted to bring the signature high-energy vibe of the old Little Bucharest into a new setting,” says owner Branko Podrumedic. “The bistro will present Romanian flavors in an approachable way to appeal to more of a mainstream audience.”
From the moment you walk through the front door, it is Mindy’s goal to provide you with an atmosphere that is comfortable and relaxed with exemplary service and an evolving array of high-quality, seasonal and locally-sourced food, drink and pastry.
They constantly search for new and exciting purveyors, ingredients and presentations. Through their network of artisan farmers and friends, they are able to connect the producer to the consumer and provide a uniquely enjoyable dining adventure.
Whether it is a casual lunch, a leisurely weekend brunch, a delightful dinner or a late night dessert rendezvous, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate continues to be one of Chicago’s most unique dining destinations.
Tavernita, a sexy, spirited, modern restaurant that offers a diverse mix of dishes inspired in Spain and Latin American flavors. Designed to encourage sampling and sharing, the small-plates menu will offer something for every taste.
Pristinely fresh oysters, hand-selected for the restaurant from purveyors with whom the culinary team has formed partnerships over the past year, anchor the fish portion of the menu. From classic Belgian-style mussels to seafood stew to wood-roasted whole fish, the seafood is simple and straightforward yet eclectic in presentation.
Orchestrated ’50s mayhem recalls the diner in the old television series “Happy Days.” Ed’s is jam-packed with action: period decor and memorabilia, deejays spinning gems from the ’50s-’70s (“Tutti Frutti,” “The Twist”) and gum-cracking waitstaff, who shtick it up by dishing out rude comments to all — don’t worry; the sass is all in good fun and part of the joint’s appeal . The “”Route 66″ is available for private parties of up to 35 people, the “Elvis Room” handles groups of up to 40. The bustling corps of valet parkers outside are an amusement in itself. Ed’s is one of the city’s best bets for visiting families.
The Bristol and Boka Restaurant Group have teamed up for this rustic Italian restaurant in the Landmark space in Lincoln Park, where a wood-burning grill and roasting spits work hard to turn out dishes such as cherry and duck bruschetta, whole grilled fish, pizza and panzanella.
Located near the main entrance to Navy Pier, Harry Caray’s Tavern waterfront location, family friendly menu, and Chicago’s premier sports museum combine to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience for guests of all ages. The extensive menu includes flavorful sandwiches and wraps, pastas, fresh salads, and homemade pizzas.
An Earth-friendly vegan approach to contemporary dining. Our diverse menu features classic American dishes reinterpreted with innovative presentations but without the meat, fish, chicken or dairy. Bold flavors and imaginative combinations so satisfying you’ll never know what’s missing.
Trenchermen is headed up by Chef Mike Sheerin, the former Chef de Cuisine of Blackbird, and his brother Patrick Sheerin, the former executive Chef of the Signature Room. They teamed up with designer Kevin Heisner and restaurateur Matt Eisler. On their website, they define “Trencherman” as “a person who enjoys food; a hearty eater and drinker.” You can’t help but be a trencherman when you eat at this establishment.
Epic Burger features a limited menu of fresh chuck, all natural beef Epic Burger, a tasty turkey Burger, all-natural chicken breast sandwich, and the very veggie portabella sandwich, all cooked fresh to order and topped with Epic-sauce-lettuce-tomato-pickle-=grilled or raw onion.
Street food is the great equalizer—no glamour required. Yakitori, when well-executed, is about the simple flavors of authentic street food. A hot grill provides intense flavors from seasonal proteins and vegetables, grilled to order over a chattering, hissing fire.
Beer, wine and sake selections compliment the fresh-grilled flavors. Craft cocktails, wines and spirits are chosen for customized meal pairings. Experiment and discover!
Dutch food is uncommon enough that most people won’t have a frame of reference for it (the possible exception being frites), and the names of some of these dishes may not inspire experimentation. Where it not …
Enter Sepia and you feel like you’re stepping on set for some design show on TLC. This place is impeccably designed to perfection. As its name implies, sepia tones alight the ambiance with a sexy and …
To get a reservation in the famed Stephanie Izard restaurant, Girl and the Goat, it’s true: you’ll need to call ahead by at least four months. Even for an outdoor alfresco table. But, the wait is …
The decor is both urban and southern at the same time (no easy feat). The tables have bottles of sauces already on them ranging from smoky, hot smoky, one called carolina and one called ivory. …
Housed in the W Chicago City Center, IPO offers Chef’s signature small plates and captures the elegant energy of the hotel’s 1928 beaux-arts architecture. With the bustle of the financial district, millennium park and theatre district …
No, N9ne Steakhouse doesn’t have Marion Cotillard singing or Penelope Cruz sexily sliding across the floor in cabaret numbers — that’s the movie. Even so, N9ne Steakhouse & Ghostbar in Chicago, like some of its counterparts …
After a long week of wise cracks and improvised jokes, Second City star Lauren Ash hits up the sinfully delicious brunch at Bongo Room. Lauren’s must-have is the Nestle Crunch Pancakes, with bananas and crumbled Nestle …
You only have to climb, or take the elevator to the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange building and once there, the view of the cuisine, and yeah the skyline too, is amazing.
Everest, like its …
Locals thought they had it made when they discovered the skills of chef Rick Bayless and felt lucky to have his delish restaurant, Frontera Grill. Well, like all good things, they come to an end and …
Bin 36, it’s as simple as that, hell their very own Brian Duncan was voted “Wine Director of the Year” by Gourmet Magazine. Here’s a place where flights of wine take up table tops, their wide …
Inspired by the lavishness of European cafes, the Grand Lux Cafe has something for everyone. Influences range from Thai and Malaysian to American and European. Dishes include: Austrian-style Wiener schnitzel and Indochina shrimp and chicken, fused …
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Enter Sepia and you feel like you’re stepping on set for some design show on TLC. This place is impeccably designed to perfection. As its name implies, sepia tones alight the ambiance with a sexy and …
Rick Bayless long ago set a precedent for quality, gourmet Mexican food in Chicago. And with its top of the line ingredients and flair for the traditional mixed with modern, Mixteco Grill impresses. Proportions for both appetizers and entrees are sizeable too, so no one will go hungry, whether you try the delicious guacamole (with cucumbers) for starters or the spicy camarones glaseados for your meal.
Who says gourmet dining is limited to the city? Paul Virant’s Vie restaurant in Western Springs, Illinois proves that quality food knows no bounds. In fact, there’s nothing the chef won’t try. While his menu always offers local food in innovative, beautiful, and delicious dishes, Vie also offers special dinner and weeks.
Fork is the kind of place to go when you want gourmet food, but you also want to be in a relaxed, casual environment. While those dining in Fork will be seated in chairs, there’s …
Situated on the corner of Milwaukee, Grand, and Halsted, you don’t expect to find a beautiful Italian restaurant. But that’s what you’ll get — along with outstanding service, meals, and wine — at Piccolo Sogno. While …
Seasons 52 may be a chain of restaurants, but that doesn’t mean it’s like all the other chains out there. As the restaurant’s name implies, it specializes in seasonal fare so the menu changes as the …
Is it a bar? Or is it a restaurant? Old Town Social, headed by Chef Jared Van Camp, prides itself on being both, all the while maintaining a casual but refined ambiance. The menu reflects this …
It’s Oktoberfest all year round in Mirabell Restaurant. From large beer steins decorating the shelves to murals spanning the walls, this lounge and bar is about more than just the atmosphere. The traditional not overly-sour sauerkraut …
When a bar needs an overhaul, there’s only one place to turn to: John Taffer and his new SpikeTV show “Bar Rescue.” Blue Frog 22 received the Taffer touch in April 2011, when it got an …
The low-lighting in Maude’s Liquor Bar may make this French-inspired restaurant feel a bit cozy, but the smashes–cocktail drinks–are what will warm you up. The smokey violet is a top-seller and for good reason; the bizarre …
Hipsters must enter through the back, or so the sign says right outside Kuma’s Corner front door. Be prepared; those taunts aren’t the only thing patrons will face. Heavy metal blasts through the speakers as diners …
With five locations–three of which are on Ashland Avenue–what’s not to love about these Mexican joints? La Pasadita defines quality, cheap Mexican food in Chicago, whether during lunch break or for those late-night booze-colored hours. Despite …
A big reason for the latest trend in the encased meat world, gourmet hot dogs, is Lincoln Park’s Franks ‘N’ Dawgs and its chef, Joe Doren. Many of the menu items are house-made, including the …
Hidden away in Andersonville, Great Lake is worth finding. With only 11 seats, the intimate BYOB pizzeria offers a limited menu, serving just three kinds of pizzas, on limited nights. It’s only open Wednesday through Saturday.
All …
Don’t let ‘grocery’ in the name deceive. Using some of the items it also retails, Southport Grocery & Cafe creates homemade-like brunch every weekend. The also sell-out spots to their monthly secret supper that takes over …
Forget Chicago’s famous deep-dish stuffed pizza. Ravenswood’s Spacca Napoli Pizzeria is all about Neapolitan pizza perfectly toasted in a wood-fire oven.
While Spacca is known for its super-thin crust pizza–forget a fork and just roll it …
Shop for seafood where Chicago restaurants shop. Isaacson and Stein Fish Market sits inside the West Loop food corridor and resembles an open-air market.
All shoppers need to do is slip on some plastic gloves and they …
When you think Chicago and pizza, the image of a 100 pound deep dish usually conjures. Not the case at Piece Pizzeria and Brewery in Wicker Park. Nope. Here slices of just about anything you want …
New to the Chicago dining scene and perfectly placed on S. Michgian Avenue, Henri fills a void for the need of more upscale dining near Millennium Park and for nearby workers of S. Michigan and environs. …
Rocking Hubbard Street, Epic has made a splash on the Chicago scene and for good reason – the service is ridiculously good. On a street and in a ‘hood where new restaurants come and go as …
Want to dine to the likes of Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel & Fergie? Then Hub 51 is your place. While filming Transformers 3 in the Windy City, the stars (and spouse in Josh’s case) frequented Hub …
It has been said that Spiaggia has the best Italian food in all of America by notables for Travel & Leisure and Esquire. Yep, read it and weep Northeast coasters who think you’re the only people …
Rockin’ comfort food since 1990 back when it was nothing more than a few stools and 23 seats, Wishbone Restaurant is clearly doing something right since they’ve now evolved to three locations.
Back before Wicker Park was …
Millennium Park bustles with tourists and locals in the summer gawking at art installations, music concerts and taking summer strolls while the winter hosts bundled up cuties of all ages circling the ice rink with their …
/>Running, biking, boating, soccer, nannies chasing bratty kids – you name it, Lincoln Park is full of people working it and building up hungry appetites.
The place to go for good grub has been R.J. Grunts …
Rockin’ the sidewalk like a true Italian eatery, Quartino offers upscale but everyday dining for River North dwellers and tourists daily. You see the thing is, pass by the outdoor seating area and take one look …
Micro-breweries are so hot right now. Chicagoans said they want a revolution (from dull beer) and they got one with Revolution Brewery.
Managing Partner, Josh Deth is just the man to bring on the revolution as his …
Rockin’ since 1968, mention Kingston Mines to most Windy City residents and they’ll most likely have a story for you, a memory or simply just a smile. This is why Chicago is known for the blues. …
There are two types of pizza in this world. New York thin slice and Chicago deep dish. Sorry, Italy – your pizza doesn’t really even register anymore. If you ask the DJs Deep Dish, their answer …
If you aren’t familiar with Lettuce Entertain You, the big wigs and ingenious company behind so many staple Chicago bistros and top notch eateries, than either you’re not in the biz or not from the Windy …
When the Modern Wing of the AIC unveiled in 2009, it gave the already gigantic museum an additional whopping 65,000 square feet of modern galleries designed by Renzo Piano. Thankfully, Chicago also got a restaurant out …
If there is one iconic restaurant in Chicago, it may just be Gibsons Steakhouse. This is Chicago at its best: mouth watering steaks, a bar that never runs dry and serves nothing but premium liquors and …
In the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast and two blocks of the Magnificent Mile, Devon Seafood is the MidWest’s answer to the freshest daily catches, delicate flavors and all the wine you could want. With over …
You know you’re a success when you’re rocking 16 locations in Chicagoland. Such is the story of Mia Francesca, not your average run of the mill Italiano eatery.
With name recognition by all Chicagoans, one would think …
Dig if you will, a picture: hot valet drivers busy themselves parking Ferraris and Jags; inside chic, heavy doors open to a beautiful hostess who awaits your arrival with a smile; a full 360 degrees around …
Ask a Frenchie in Chicago where he or she loves to go for la cuisine francaise authentique and you’re most likely to hear “Les Nomades.” Pourquoi? It’s simple, with amazing array of plats premiers like herb …
Chicago is known for its restaurants, but some stand out far above others, and one of them is Rosebud. For 30 years, this landmark restaurant has attracted famous Chicagoans and the visiting elite for its dreamy …
Try to meet a soul who has come to Chicago and not taken time to indulge in the Windy City’s famous deep dish pizza, a pizza so unique that hometown celebrities like Vince Vaughn have it …
Chicago’s Gold Coast is a mecca of fine dining and celeb sightings. Where Rush Street turns into State Street- what Chicagoans call the Viagra Triangle for its reputation of older men with arm candy dates- is …
Making a toast is oh-so-easy at Chicago’s chic River North Gallery district’s restaurant, Prosecco. After all, they have the largest selection of sparkling wines in the whole city. White linen tables, authentic seasonal Italian cuisine with …
Yes, it’s true that there are several Smith & Wollensky Steakhouses throughout the US, but only one can claim fame for hosting Jennifer Aniston and hometown Chi-guy Vince Vaughn in the mega-hit The Break-up in 2006 …
What’s evolving, sedating, juicy and red all over? Wine of course! Admittedly there are plenty of posh places to take in this elixir of life, but only few and far between do Chicagoland bars serve up …
Wondering where the elite echelon of sports stars hang out while in the Windy City? Without a doubt it’s at the Fifty / 50, a bar which brings the sexy back to the Ukrainian Village ‘hood …
Nestled in a perfect Gold Coast locale, the Sofitel Hotel is a hubbub of activity: business people staying, cool locals hanging, and enough gorgeous French people to star in a Sophia Coppola film. Within the hotel …
Meryl Streep mastered the role of Julia Child in Julie & Julia. Suddenly, Mastering the Art of French Cooking was flying off of America’s shelves with the renaissance of interest. But the book can only take …
Oftentimes brunch is a euphemism for hangover cure and a time when people aren’t exactly looking their most chic. Au contraire at Fred’s at Barneys New York on a Sunday, the hottest place for brunch in …
Even though restaurateur Billy Dec’s Rockit Bar & Grill may make the best burger in town, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have cravings for some good, hearty Italian food. Whenever he’s in need of some pasta …
Oh. My. God. Almost always the three words uttered by anyone trying their first White Dragon roll at Coast Sushi in Wicker Park or now, it’s newer location in the South Loop. The roll is so …
Ooh la la! At the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Lake Street, you’re sure to hear plenty of French speaking voices coming from the France tourism office. Perhaps it’s no coincidence then that the best cheese …
Channeling the gauchos of Rio Grande do Sul of Brazil, the land where the real churrasco (barbecue) was born and thus, the churrascaria, or art of grilling juicy, delectable meats and cheeses to present a king-worthy …
Executive chef Rodelio Aglibot brings a tasty twist to traditional dishes from Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian islands. Sunda is a creation of Billy Dec, Brad Young, and Arturo Gomez: the trio behind Chicago hot …
They say Mediterranean and Greek food is the healthiest cuisine there is – thank goodness! Because that allows one to gorge oneself at Taxim guilt-free, no? The thing is, Taxim in Chi-town’s hipper than hip ‘hood, …
Executive Chef James Gottwald has taken the traditional bar and grill concept and given it a contemporary culinary twist. The Rockit Burger has won major acclaim, including Good Morning America calling it the top in the …
Upscale Latin fusion has found its casa at Nacional 27. The high-end restaurant and bar mixes cuisine from 27 different Latin American nations! The menu is perfect for sharing – this is a great place to …
This neighborhood bar serves up simple, every-day eats in a casual-chic setting. The cuisine is artfully prepared with the freshest organic ingredients, and the delicious specialty cocktails boast a similar caliber. Luxbar, you will love!
Strolling down Wells Street in Chicago’s Old Town, you’ll pass dozens of charming restaurants emitting delicious smells, but only one will stick out as appearing classic French: C’est Bistrot Margot! Its charming outdoor seating is filled …
A trendy sushi spot where the crowd is fresh and the fish, flown in daily, is fresher. The upstairs sake lounge is always buzzing with guests downing fruity cocktails like the signature Red One Martini. From …
