So I'll be having a long layover in Chicago pretty soon.Best pizza place I should check out in Downtown Chicago? Record store worth checking out?

There is a great new sushi place at Irving Park Rd & Sacramento - Raisu. I've been a couple of times and the sashimi and nigiri are pretty special. The last time I went there was a Saturday at 8pm and it was only half full. Go now before either A) it gets wider press and fills up, or B) it closes.

if by downtown you mean the Loop, its pretty much the worst neighborhood in the entire city for good pizza joints. cant think of anything worth recommending unless youre really gung ho to try deep dish/stuffed, in which case theres some Giordanos/Lou Malnatis scattered about. for record shops, also not a great area for that, but theres a small Reckless outpost downtown (the Wicker Park/Lakeview locations are far larger).assuming youre coming from OHare, you could always get off the blue line in Wicker Park (Damen) which would have better food and record store options. theres also Dusty Groove off the Division stop (assuming youre into jazz/world music, consistently rated one of the best record stores in the world).

cerebralheadtrip wrote:if by "downtown" you mean the Loop, its pretty much the worst neighborhood in the entire city for good pizza joints. cant think of anything worth recommending unless youre really gung ho to try deep dish/stuffed, in which case theres some Giordanos/Lou Malnatis scattered about. for record shops, also not a great area for that, but theres a small Reckless outpost downtown (the Wicker Park/Lakeview locations are far larger).assuming youre coming from OHare, you could always get off the blue line in Wicker Park (Damen) which would have better food and record store options. theres also Dusty Groove off the Division stop (assuming youre into jazz/world music, consistently rated one of the best record stores in the world).Yes, I'm coming from Ohare. Excellent! Thanks for the tips, will get off in Wicker Park and walk around.

noise&light wrote:cerebralheadtrip wrote:if by "downtown" you mean the Loop, its pretty much the worst neighborhood in the entire city for good pizza joints. cant think of anything worth recommending unless youre really gung ho to try deep dish/stuffed, in which case theres some Giordanos/Lou Malnatis scattered about. for record shops, also not a great area for that, but theres a small Reckless outpost downtown (the Wicker Park/Lakeview locations are far larger).assuming youre coming from OHare, you could always get off the blue line in Wicker Park (Damen) which would have better food and record store options. theres also Dusty Groove off the Division stop (assuming youre into jazz/world music, consistently rated one of the best record stores in the world).Seconding everything that you said here. However, I'm a fan of the downtown Pizano's location (for pizza). Their non-deep dish personal pizza is great for a meal that isn't going to be just a block of cheese! But Damen stop or Division stop would work for the best record stores in walking area and lots of food options. I love the grilled shrimp and avocado taco at Antique Taco.Pizano's pizza is def underrated.

Major wrote:I also have an upcoming layover in Chicago on Friday night, 02 November. Staying downtown. Right now I'll be a party of one, so I imagine it won't be too difficult for me to sneak in somewhere. I'm right near Purple Pig, which I love, but I've been there tons of times, so I'd like to mix it up a bit.Trattoria no. 10 was always a downtown favorite of ours. Maybe a bit more 'date vibe' than Purple Pig, which can be chaotic (excellent food though).http://www.trattoriaten.com/

Nothing revolutionary, but you will never have a bad experience at Bar Roma in Andersonville. Everything I've had has been great. Very reasonable prices too. They have a happy hour every day from 5-6:30 where all apps are half price (and there's enough variety there to make a meal out of it) and an 8oz carafe of wine is $6. It's definitely my favorite restaurant on that strip.

I also have an upcoming layover in Chicago on Friday night, 02 November. Staying downtown. Right now I'll be a party of one, so I imagine it won't be too difficult for me to sneak in somewhere. I'm right near Purple Pig, which I love, but I've been there tons of times, so I'd like to mix it up a bit.

My boss is going to be in Chicago for a couple of nights and was asking for some food recommendations.I ve suggested Pequods, L Patron and Girl and Goat so far, any other tips on what s good at the moment?