Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
148
Twin Anchors
BARBECUE Come early (around 5pm—later on, there's more of
a bar scene) and experience this O ld Town landmark; a fixture since the end of Prohibi-
tion, Twin Anchors manages to maintain the flav or of old Chicago. Actually, it also has
a flavor of a supper club in nor thern Wisconsin, which is perhaps why so many trans-
planted small-to wn M idwesterners feel comfor table her e. It's a friendly , family-o wned
pub with Frank Sinatra on the jukebox and on the walls. (H e apparently hung out here
on swings thr ough to wn in the 1960s.) This totally unpr etentious place has a long
mahogany bar up fr ont and a modest dining r oom in back with r ed Formica-topped
tables crowded close. Of course, you don't need anything fancy when the ribs—the fall-
off-the-bone v ariety—come this good. E ven non-meat eaters may be sway ed if they
allow themselves one bite of the enormous slabs of tender bab y back pork ribs. (Go for
the zesty sauce.) H amburgers will keep kids happy . Ribs and other entr ees come with
coleslaw and dark rye bread, plus your choice of baked potato, tasty fries, and the ev en-
better crisp onion rings. For dessert, there's a daily cheesecake selection.
1655 N. Sedgwick St. (1 block nor th of North Ave.).
&
312/266-1616.
www.twinanchorsribs.com. Kids'
menu, highchairs , boost ers. Reser vations not ac cepted. M ain c ourses $9.95-$20; sandwiches $6.75-
$8.75; kids' menu ar ound $5. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 5-11pm; F ri 5pm-midnight; Sat noon-
midnight; Sun noon-10:30pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Sedgwick.
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WRIGLEYVILLE & THE NORTH SIDE
Families visiting the ar ea surrounding Wrigley Field will pr obably be in the neighbor-
hood for that very reason—Wrigley Field. The area, however, has a long history of being
a neighborhood of wor king-class families. Lately, it's gentrified as dev elopers have built
new town houses and apartments, and with that affluence has come a group of new, very
popular restaurants spanning a range of culinary offerings and price ranges. Throughout
the North Side you'll find a wealth of ethnic restaurants that allow diners to embark on
further gastronomic globe-trotting.
MODERATE
Goose Island Brewing Company
AMERICAN Some of the best beer in Chicago
is manufactured at this comfy , award-winning microbrewery, which featur es an enclosed
beer garden that welcomes families (just av oid late nights or C ubs games during the play-
offs!). In the course of a y ear, Goose Island produces about 100 v arieties of lagers, ales,
stouts, Pilsners, and porters that change with the seasons. But why include a beer-oriented
joint in a book for kids? Because the food at the Goose is almost as good as the beer on tap,
and the casual dining area attracts plenty of families, especially on the w eekends.
The cut-above bar food includes burgers (including a killer , dragon-breath-inducing
Stilton burger with r oasted garlic), sandwiches (pulled por k, catfish po ' bo y, chicken
Caesar), and some serious salads. Goose Island is also known for its addictive homemade
potato chips, fr esh-brewed root beer, and orange cr eam soda. The zero-attitude, come-
as-you-are ambience is v ery refreshing for a lazy afternoon pit stop or a casual lunch or
dinner.
3535 N. Clark St.
&
773/832-9040.
www.gooseisland.com. Kids' menu, highchairs, boosters. Reserva-
tions recommended on weekends. Sandwiches $8-$10; main courses $11-$17; kids' menu under $5. AE,
DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Wed 4-11pm; Thurs 4pm-midnight; F ri 4pm-2am; Sat 11am-2am; Sun 11am-
11pm. Subway/El: Red Line to Addison.
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