The restaurants compiled here have stood the test of time and reflect the values of the city of Chicago. We have included moderately priced restaurants as well as a few splurges for those who enjoy high-end dining. This list was compiled based on the recommendations of local residents to provide an interesting slice of Chicago dining.
Walking Distance from the Annual Meeting
West Egg Café (breakfast). Good omelettes, creative eggs benedict combinations, tasty rotisserie chicken. Cost: inexpensive, address: 620 N. Fairbanks Ct. (between Ohio St. & Ontario St.), phone: 312-280-8366.
Yolk (breakfast). American, breakfast. Excellent frittatas and pancakes; take out available. Cost: inexpensive; address: 355 E. Ohio St. between Fairbanks Ct. & McClurg Ct.); phone: 312-822-9655.
India Garden (Indian). Buffet and a la carte. Cost: moderate; address: 247 E. Ontario St., 2nd floor (between Fairbanks Ct. & McClurg Ct.); phone: 312-280-4910.
Sayat Nova (Armenian). Cost: moderate; address: 157 E. Ohio St. (between Michigan Ave. & St. Clair St.); phone: 312-644-9159.
Bandera (American). Delicious roasted chicken, burgers. Cost: moderate; address; 535 N. Michigan Ave.; phone: 312- 644-3524.
Kamehachi (sushi). Cost: moderate; address: 320 N. Dearborn (Westin River North); phone: 312-744-1900.
Oysy (sushi). Cost: moderate; address: 50 E. Grand Ave.; phone: 312-670-6750.
Les Nomades (French). Not cheap, but nice French restaurant in walking distance. Jacket required. Cost: very expensive; address: 222 E. Ontario St. (between Fairbanks Ct. & McClurg Ct.); phone: 312-649-9010.
Grape Street (piano bar). Martinis, open 5:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. Cost: moderate; transit: walking distance; address: 226 E. Ontario St. between Fairbanks Ct. & McClurg Ct.); phone: 312-202-1933.
Famous Restaurants and Adjacent Economical Alternatives within Walking Distance
Spiaggia/Café Spiaggia (Italian). Michelin rated Italian (the Obamas dined here on a date night), jacket required (Spiaggia). Cost: very expensive/expensive; address: 980 N. Michigan Ave., Level Two (corner of Oak St. & Michigan Ave.); phone: 312-280-2750.
Topolobampo/Frontera Grill/XOCO (Mexican fusion). Unfortunately, three famous Chicago restaurants created by Rick Bayless are closed January 1 through 9 for an annual vacation.
Further Afield: Neighborhood Food and Ethnic Food (Organized by Cuisine).
Inspiration Kitchens (American). Eat well while doing good: staffed by graduates of an Uptown job training program. Cost: Inexpensive; transit: Red Line, Lawrence; address: 4715 N. Sheridan Rd (between Leland Ave. & Lakeside Ave.); phone: 773-275-0626.
Heartland Café (American). Original hippie hangout. Cost: moderate; transit: Red Line, Morse or Jarvis: address: 7000 N. Glenwood Ave.; phone: 773-465-8005.
Ann Sather (breakfast). Swedish food; amazing cinnamon buns. Breakfast and lunch. Several locations. Cost: moderate; transit: Red Line/Brown Line, Belmont; address: 909 W. Belmont Ave. (between Wilton Ave. & Clark St.); phone: 773-348-2378.
Moon Palace Restaurant (Chinese). Cost: moderate; transit: Red Line, Cermak-Chinatown; aaddress: 216 W. Cermak Rd. (between Indiana Ave. & Cottage Grove Ave.); phone: 312-225-4081.
Phoenix Restaurant (Chinese). Cost: moderate; transit: Red Line, Cermak-Chinatown; address: 2131 S. Archer Ave. (between Wentworth Ave. & 21st St.) ; phone: 312-328-0848.
Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant (Ethiopian). Cost: moderate; transit: Red Line, Granville; address 6120 N. Broadway St. (between Glenlake Ave. & Hood Ave.); phone: 773-338-6100.
Kiki’s Bistro (French). Cost: Expensive; transit: Red Line, Clark/Division; address: 900 N. Franklin St. (between Locust St. & Walton St.); phone: 312-335-5454.
Chicago Brauhaus (German). Cost: moderate; transit: Brown Line, Western; address: 4732 N. Lincoln Ave. (between Giddings St. & Leland Ave.) ; phone: 773-784-4444.
Udupi Palace Restaurant (Indian, largely vegetarian). Cost: moderate; transit: long taxi ride; address: 2543 W. Devon Ave.(between Maplewood Ave. & Rockwell St.); phone: 773-338-2152.
Ginza (Japanese). Cost: moderate; transit: Walking distance; address: 19 E. Ohio St.; phone: 312-222-0600.
Chosun OK (Korean).Traditional homestyle; Cost: moderate; transit: Brown Line, Montrose; address: 4200 N. Lincoln Ave.(between Berteau Ave. & Hutchinson St.)’ phone: 773-549-5555.
Zapatista (Mexican); Cost: moderate; transit: Green line (Roosevelt); address: 1307 S. Wabash Ave; phone: 312-435-1307.
Nuevo Leon (Mexican). Cost: inexpensive; transit: Pink line (18th St.); address: 1515 W. 18th St.; phone: 312-421-1517.
Reza’s Restaurant (Persian). Cost: moderate/expensive; transit: Brown Line, Chicago or Merchandise Mart; address: 432 W. Ontario St. (between Kingsbury St. & Orleans St.) ; phone: 312-664-4500.
Giordano’s (Pizza). Cost: moderate; transit: Red Line, Grand (Walking distance); address: 730 N. Rush St. (between Superior St. & Chicago Ave.); phone: 312-951-0747.
Szalas (Polish). Authentic Polish Highlands food. Cost: moderate; transit: Orange Line, Pulaski, then a one-mile walk; address: 5214 S. Archer Ave. (between Kenneth Ave. & Kilbourn Ave.) ; phone: 773-582-0300.
Twin Anchors (ribs). According to Frank Sinatra, the best baby back ribs in the city. We think he’s right. A neighborhood institution since 1932. Cost: moderate; transit: Brown Line, Sedgwick; address: 1655 N. Sedgwick St. (between Concord Pl. & Eugenie St.) ; phone: 312-266-1616.
Valois Cafeteria “See Your Food” (soul food). Made famous by the sociologist Mitchell Duneier’s book, Slim’s Table: Race, Respectability, and Masculinity. Also an Obama haunt. Cost: inexpensive; transit: Hyde Park METRA from Randolph Station; address: 1518 E. 53rd St. (between Harper Ave. & Lake Park Ave.); phone: 773-667-0647.
Gene & Georgetti (steak house). Aged steaks, prime rib, another classic Chicago restaurant. Cost: expensive; transit: Red Line, Grand; address: 500 N. Franklin St. (between Grand Ave. & Illinois St.); phone 312-527-3718.
Opart Thai House (Thai). Cost: inexpensive; transit: Brown Line, Western; address: 4658 N. Western Ave. (at Leland Ave.); phone 773-989-8517.
Chicago Diner (vegetarian). Cost: Moderate; transit: Red Line, Addison; address: 3411 N. Halsted St. (between Roscoe St. & Newport Ave.).
Green Zebra (vegetarian). Cost: Expensive; transit: Blue Line, Division or Chicago; address: 1460 W. Chicago Ave.; phone: 312-243-7100.
Le Colonial (Vietnamese). Cost: expensive; transit: Red Line, Clark/Division or Chicago; address: 937 N. Rush St. (between Walton St. & Oak St.); phone: 312-255-0088.
Raymond Clemens (Illinois State Univ.) and Patrice Olsen (Illinois State Univ.) are members of the Local Arrangements Committee.
