Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
120
Lou M itchell's
Finds
BREAKF AST/DINER Lou M itchell's is the genuine
article and a Loop br eakfast institution, located acr oss the south branch of the Chicago
River from the Loop, a block farther west than Union Station. A French food critic pass-
ing through Chicago rated Lou M itchell's the number-one br eakfast spot in America,
home of the “ five-star breakfast.” Quirky touches bound to amuse kids ar e everywhere:
If the waiter discovers you're from out of town, don't be surprised if a table flag of y our
home state or country is plopped down on your table.
Don't worry about the line to get in; female patrons get boxes of Milk Duds, and every-
one gets fr ee donut holes while waiting. Turnover is continuous and ser vice efficiently
attentive. If your kids are old enough, y ou might shorten the wait for a table b y grabbing
a counter seat. One specialty here is the airy omelets served in sizzling skillets; you'll double
your pleasure (and cholesterol) with Mitchell's use of double-yolk eggs. Orders arrive with
thick slabs of toasted Greek bread and homemade marmalade. You might also have the best
bowl of oatmeal y ou've ever eaten—deliciously cr eamy. Orange juice and grapefr uit juice
are freshly squeezed. At the end of y our meal, a small paper cup of v anilla soft-serve ice
cream will be offer ed up, gratis. I f you eat br eakfast here, you'll likely be full enough to
make it practically to dinner without ev en noticing that you missed a meal.
565 W. Jackson Blvd. (at Jefferson St.).
&
312/939-3111.
Highchairs, boosters. Reservations accepted for
groups of 8 or more. Breakfast items $1.95-$6.95. No credit cards. Mon-Sat 5:30am-3pm; Sun 7am-3pm.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Clinton.
Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli
Value
DINER If your itinerar y includes a trip
back in time, make sur e y ou visit M anny's, a S outh S ide institution since 1942. Kid
highlights include spaghetti, beef ste w, rice pudding, G erman chocolate cake, and the
occasional special, from franks and beans to chop suey. Adults can grab a tray and navi-
gate the fast-moving line. Even if they go for more standard fare, kids will be awed by the
carving station kno wn for its enormous corned-beef sandwiches (about half a pound),
Reubens, world-class hot pastrami, and steamship r ounds the size of VW Beetles. Gruff
yet friendly staff in paper hats take their métier seriously, and the effect—and the food—
is absolutely reassuring. Seat yourself and snarf down knishes, borscht, liver and onions,
meatloaf, tongue, and ste wed prunes. Introduce your kids to the old-fashioned jo ys of
cream soda and Green River.
1141 S. Jeff erson St.
&
312/939-2855.
w ww.mannysdeli.com. H ighchairs, boost ers. Reser vations not
accepted. Main courses $4.95-$8.95. No credit cards. Mon-Sat 5am-4pm. Subway/El: Red Line to Roosevelt.
5
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Value
SANDWICHES Ask a Chicagoan wher e to go
for a great sandwich, and she'll invariably point the way to Potbelly. Yes, there's a potbel-
lied stove inside, as well as a player piano and other Old West saloon-type memorabilia,
but go here for the mouthwatering made-to-order sandwiches. (That's basically the entire
menu.) Prepared on homemade sub rolls stuffed with turkey, Italian meats, veggies, pizza
ingredients, and more, and layered with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and I talian sea-
sonings, they're warmed in a counter top toaster o ven. Even with all the fixin 's, each is
around $6. Tempting milkshakes keep the blender mighty busy, and a guitarist entertains
over the lunch hour. Potbelly has nearly 20 other locations throughout the city, including
one in The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. M ichigan Ave. (
&
312/527-5550
), that is
convenient for Loop and Magnificent Mile sightseers and shoppers.
190 N. State St. (at Lake St.).
&
312/683-1234.
Highchairs, boosters. Reservations not accepted. Main
courses under $9. No credit cards. Mon-Fri 10am-9pm; Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 11am-6pm. Subway/El: Red
Line to State.
