# Chicago Dopers: Recommend a bus tour and a "nice" Italian place in the Loop **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [January 26, 2024, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677 "2024-01-26T09:37:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/1 "2024-01-26T09:37:18Z")
Last year, I embarked on what was to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Chicago to take in the sights and sounds and tastes and local culture and history. > [@Help me plan 4 nights in Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-4-nights-in-chicago/976193): > > After wanting to do it for 20 years and not being in a financial position to do it, I’ve finally bitten the bullet and booked a long-distance Amtrak trip with a sleeper. I’ll be hopping on the Empire Builder in Seattle for a 2-day ride to Chicago in late April, then staying 4 nights at a decent hotel in the Loop before flying back. This is one of those kind of trips where the trip is as important as the destination, so I haven’t really put much thought yet into what I want to actually do in Chic… Then on my second day in town I came down with a severe case of rotavirus, got so dehydrated I went into shock, and ended up spending a week in the hospital before flying home without having done most of what I went there to do. So this year, I’m doin’ it again! I’ll be flying out in late April for a four-night stay, and I’ve already got most of the trip planned, but there’s one big difference this time - I’m bringing my 62-year-old mother with me. She missed a different family trip last year because of another medical emergency, and since we had an airline credit in her name I decided to invite her along. I mostly have the trip planned, since it’s mostly the same stuff I had planned for last year (though I don’t think we’ll be taking in Wrigley Field since she’s not really interested in baseball). We’ll be seeing the museums and a Second City show, taking a river & lake cruise, and eating at a few of the more famous diners and cafes and restaurants. My mother has two requests - she wants to go on a guided bus tour of the city, and she wants to have dinner at a nice Italian place. By “nice” I don’t mean anything Michelin-starred or with a dress code - just a sit-down place with an old-school vibe and classic Italian-American entrees like lasagna or shrimp alfredo or spaghetti bolognese. Ideally in the Loop or accessible from the L, since we won’t be renting a car. For the bus tour I was thinking something history-themed, whether a general Chicago history tour or one of the mob history tours that I see several of on Google. I’d appreciate any recommendations anyone could offer. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/2 "2024-01-26T12:18:52Z")
No idea about bus tours, but [The Italian Village](https://italianvillage-chicago.com) has been a staple for decades. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/3 "2024-01-26T12:21:48Z")
That’s what I was gonna say. Can’t get more old school than that. Apparently now it’s just the Village plus two other restaurants under the same ownership? I don’t know, but that’s what it seems like—I just remember The Italian Village from my days in the Loop, both figuratively and literally. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/4 "2024-01-26T14:12:17Z")
Sorry, this bus don’t go to the Loop, it goes **Hooonnnnnnnk!** (Running for my very life.) ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/5 "2024-01-26T14:22:46Z")
[Chicago Bus Tours](https://www.viator.com/Chicago-tours/Bus-and-Minivan-Tours/d673-g12-c98) ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/6 "2024-01-26T18:04:26Z")
It’s been years, but I’d enthusiastically recommend the architecture bus/river tour! I’m not particularly an architecture buff, but the city skyline is spectacular from the water, and I learned a lot about the building of Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/7 "2024-01-26T18:15:24Z")
I don’t know if it’s available in April but the architectural tour by boat is wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/8 "2024-01-26T18:18:48Z")
Or you _might_ try the architectural boat tour. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/9 "2024-01-26T18:20:21Z")
I agree with Italian Village. Go to the top floor restaurant which kinda has a Disney vibe in re-creating an Italian village. If you want something a bit nicer consider [Petterinos](https://petterinos.com/menu/). I will say limiting yourself to the Loop is unnecessarily restrictive. West Loop and River North and Mag Mile/Streeterville and Gold Coast have many, many good dining options and they are not far from the Loop (short cab ride). ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/10 "2024-01-26T18:36:10Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Or you _might_ try the architectural boat tour. If the weather is ok (even if cool and you dress warm) the architectural boat tour is always a winner. If the weather is crap (cold and/or rainy) then maybe not so good. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/11 "2024-01-26T18:38:38Z")
Maggiano’s on North Clark Street is excellent. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/12 "2024-01-26T18:43:57Z")
Very good food, and started in Chicago - but a chain w/ 52 locations from Colorado, to Texas, and Philly. ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/13 "2024-01-26T19:14:39Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I don’t know if it’s available in April but the architectural tour by boat is wonderful. Ditto this. Wonderful tour. ---
**Author:** ![Cwturner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Cwturner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cwturner)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/14 "2024-01-26T20:18:42Z")
The hop on - hop off double decker bus is a fun fast way to see the highlights ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/15 "2024-01-26T20:24:25Z")
[https://geneandgeorgetti.com/](https://geneandgeorgetti.com/)an Italian steakhouse. It’s been years but the entire experience was fabulous. The food the service the people watching, it’s a quintessential Chicago experience. Rosebuds too for classic Italian with several locations in the city and suburbs. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/16 "2024-01-26T20:30:30Z")
Gene and Georgetti is great but it ain’t cheap. But, if you want old school Italian it is hard to beat. Also, last I was there, I felt I was in mob central. I had zero problems. Dinner was great. Still…(maybe it helped I was dating the niece of the chef at the time). Rosebuds is a weird mix. There is only one I like…the one in Streeterville. I was told it is different. The company wanted to close it so the staff bought it and kept it open. It is WAY better than all the rest (IMHO). Also, very expensive. So, you will find several in the city but I think only one is worthwhile and it ain’t cheap. Just my $0.02. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/17 "2024-01-26T20:37:09Z")
Gene and Georgetti’s is at least as much a steak house (like if anyone comes to Chicago and specifically wants a steakhouse, that’s where I’d send them, followed maybe by the Chop House and Gibson’s). So if steak is also an interest, this would be a good, if not cheap, bet. I had totally spaced on Petterino’s, and I’m going to be there tomorrow tonight. That’s a decent place. To be honest, I’m not super excited about most of the Italian in the Loop and surrounding area (well, minus the long-gone Spiaggia, which was a bit more contemporary and Northern Italian), but anyone looking for an old school red sauce Italian place vibe should have a good time and the places mentioned here. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/18 "2024-01-26T20:40:11Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Gene and Georgetti’s is at least as much a steak house If you like that check out Erie Cafe for old school and [Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf](https://bavettessteakhouse.com/chicago/about/) for something newer (although they have been around a long time now too…just not as long). Both are expensive. I think Gibson’s is over-rated. It’s not bad at all. Just not worth the price. (I was just at Hugo’s Frog Bar a couple weeks ago…shares the same kitchen). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/19 "2024-01-26T20:45:57Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I think Gibson’s is over-rated. It’s not bad at all. Just not worth the price. I don’t disagree. Last time I was there or Chop House someone else was paying. I’m more likely to buy an expensive steak and make it at home, but I am interested in that Babette’s joint. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-dopers-recommend-a-bus-tour-and-a-nice-italian-place-in-the-loop/996677/20 "2024-01-26T21:50:42Z")
I did the architecture river tour last year and enjoyed it, but my mother wants to do a lake cruise so we’re doing that instead. Italian Village sounds right up her alley, so I think we’ll go with that one.