My GF and I along with another couple are heading to Chicago next weekend. We’ve been there a handful of times in the last few years, but we’re generally eating pizza for dinner. Since we are staying two nights this time, we figured we should get some steak one night. I’m looking for a casual place to get a good steak that’s not overly expensive. Let’s say not more than $50/person before drinks (less is fine too! lol!). We are staying along the river near Wacker Dr and Michigan Ave. It would be nice if it was in walking distance, but we’re willing to take the train too. Our car will be staying parked.
Any suggestions? Please include an idea of entree prices. Thanks!
Chicago Chop House - Haven’t eaten there in years, but hear the food is still good. 50 per person should hook you up. Of course, if you’d like fish/seafood, head to Bob Chinn’s in Wheeling.
Gibson’s on Rush is the quintessential Chicago steakhouse. You’ll be staying right near a Morton’s, but it’s a chain (even though it started here) so I wouldn’t waste your time there.
I lived in Chicago for over a decade, and went to that restaurant twice, both times I had a bad cut of meat (not “marbled”, just fatty and the other was tougher than shoe leather) that was overcooked, the service was bad (not just “gruff” like their humorous reputation, but just plain bad), and it was overpriced. Also, the first person to mention Ruth Cris’s gets a beating.
The Palm was outstanding, but is way pricey. Gibson’s is the go to place, good steak, good service, good drinks, and a fun place to be.
The second best steak meal I’ve had was at Wildfire. Yes, it’s a chain, but both times I had gone, the steaks were excellent (their “crusts” were outstanding), the other stuff (salads and sides) were excellent, the service was great, and it wasn’t too horribly expensive.
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve heard of the Chicago Chop House and had considered it. My GF has mentioned Gene and Georgetti’s. It sounds like we had the right idea (edit: or not considering Hamlet’s recent post).
Are these all pretty much the same comparing price and quality? It’s my GF’s birthday next weekend, so I don’t mind dropping a bit on our dinner, but I’m trying to take it somewhat easy on the other couple.
My other selections for the weekend are economical. They include a dog and duck fat fries at Hot Doug’s on the way into town, pizza at Lou Malnati’s, and a burger at the Billy Goat Tavern. My GF and I have eaten at these places and enjoy them, but I’m open for new things. Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Edit: Also regarding Hamlet’s post, my GF did mention Ruth’s Chris. From all that I’ve heard, we could get a decent steak there, but it’s not worth the money. I had already vetoed that one.
True. To be honest, I’ve never been that impressed with any of the Chicago steakhouses, but I’m not a big steakhouse person. For me, I’ve been puzzled by Gibson’s reputation–the steak was cooked correctly, but it wasn’t a particularly exemplary piece of meat. I do better going to Fox and Obel or Zier’s in Wilmette and cooking it at home. I personally found Gene and Georgetti’s slighltly better, but still, not something I’d revisit.
Good choices, just be prepared for a wait at Hot Doug’s - though if it’s chilly out it might not be bad.
Downtown, you should check out one of Rick Bayless’s places. Frontera is his most famous place, and it’s amazing but can be a wait to get in and it’s not cheap (not terribly expensive either).
The nice thing is that he has another place right next door called Xocothat’s a quick-service torta stand. The tortas are incredibly good. They also do really tasty churros to order and make their own hot chocolate so it’s a good spot for breakfast as well as lunch.
I’ve experienced the line at Doug’s. It can be a long wait. I guess that’s to be expected considering the low price versus good quality of the food. I plan to get there around opening time. That worked pretty well the last time we went there.
The first time my GF and I were in the area, I waited at Kuma’s Corner while she waited at Doug’s. After 90 minutes, we got a table at Kuma’s and she came over. She was just getting in the door at Doug’s (there’s still a wait to get to the counter). It’s a popular place.
I was at Hot Doug’s on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., and the line was maybe 8 or 9 deep. Took five minutes to place an order, and there was a table available. On a weekday, before or after lunch, it’s usually not that bad. Now, weekends are another story. It’s possible that I’m just lucky, too. I had gone to Hot Doug’s about a half dozen times before I finally came across one of the legendary lines–I literally had no idea what people were talking about, as I had never been deeper than 5th or 6th in line before I finally visited on a Saturday.
Quick question for those reading… at these kind of restaurants (the steak houses, not Doug’s), is there any tipping that’s customary besides tipping the wait staff when you pay your bill?
Another vote for Gibsons or the Chop House, both are excellent.
Oh, and if chains are out, so is The Palm. That said, chains SHOULDN’T be out, except on vacations (I refuse to eat at a chain restaurant on vacation, I want the local color, with the sole exception that I’ll eat at chains I can’t get at home, i.e. when I visit Chicago I’ll definitely stop in at White Castle’s!).
However, in chain restaurant’s defense, I’ve eaten at probably 2/3rds of the best steakhouses in the country and I still happily prefer Morton’s to almost all of them. I’ve never had anything less than superb meal and excellent service from them, I frankly find it insulting to lump in The Palm and (gag) Ruths in with Morton’s.
