Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the kind of place that's got dishes so addictive, I dare you to only go once during
your visit. Start with a glass of the signature fresh ginger ale or a fresh-brewed
fruit-flavored iced tea; either will wake up your taste buds. The menu covers a
range of Asian specialties, including Chinese pot stickers, Thai curries, and Viet-
namese spring rolls. The indecisive can go with one of several combinations, each
offering a mix of soup, salad, appetizers, or noodles. The straightforward crunchy
sesame chicken is a reliable standby, mixing crispy chicken pieces with fresh Asian
vegetables in a light soy sauce. Other good bets are the teriyaki beef and spicy flat
noodles with tofu and veggies. You can also put together your own mix of flavors
at the large stir-fry bar. If you're looking for delivery, Big Bowl will rush pot stick-
ers to your hotel, no problem. Big Bowl has another Chicago location, which re-
creates the same upscale diner decor, at 60 E. Ohio St., just off the Magnificent
Mile and near kid-frequented spots such as ESPN Zone (
&
312/951-1888
).
6 E. Cedar St. (at Rush St.).
&
312/640-8888.
www.bigbowl.com. Kids' menu, high chairs, boosters. Reserva-
tions not accepted. Main courses $8-$15; kids' menu $5-$8. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm;
Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm. Subway/El: Red Line to Clark/Division.
Billy Goat Tavern
BURGERS/BREAKFAST “Cheezeborger, Cheeze-
borger—No Coke . . . Pepsi.” Viewers of the original
Saturday Night Live
will cer-
tainly remember the classic John Belushi routine, a moment in the life of a crabby
Greek short-order cook. The comic got his material from the Billy Goat Tavern,
located under North Michigan Avenue near the bridge that crosses to the Loop
(you'll find it by walking down the steps across the street from the Chicago Tribune
building). Just BUTT IN ANYTIME says the sign on the red door with the pic-
ture of the billy goat on it. The tavern has traditionally been a hangout for the
newspaper workers and writers who occupy the nearby Tribune Tower and Sun-
Times Building, but its
Saturday Night Live
fame attracts droves of tourists, a la the
Cheers
bar in Boston. The tavern offers beer and greasy food (including, of course,
“cheezeborgers”). Families will feel most at home during lunchtime, when tourists
and office workers pop in for a quick burger.
430 N. Michigan Ave.
&
312/222-1525.
Kids' menu. Reservations not accepted. Menu items $4-$8; kids'
menu $2-$4. No credit cards. Mon-Fri 7am-2am; Sat 10am-2am; Sun 11am-2am. Subway/El: Red Line to
Chicago/State.
California Pizza Kitchen
PIZZA Way, way back in the early 1990s, “CPK”
was plying its new concept of exotic toppings made on individual-size pies. The
concept is a bit stale, but kids still get a kick out of creating and swapping pieces
of their individual pizzas. Names like tandoori chicken, Hawaiian, BLT, Peking
duck, and grilled burrito might cause an “Ewwwww!” reaction from your kids, but
you'll likely be safe with tamer options such as barbecued chicken. Traditional
meat-and-cheese pizzas are also available, as are soups, salads, pasta dishes, and
desserts. If all else fails, there's a children's menu with pepperoni pizza; Caesar salad
topped with cheddar goldfish crackers; buttered noodles; and brownies. There are
three additional Chicago locations, at 52 E. Ohio St. (
&
312/787-6075
), in the
Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Ave. (
&
312/327-2300
), and 939 W.
North Ave. (
&
312/337-1281
).
835 N. Michigan Ave. (Water Tower Place, 7th floor).
&
312/787-7300.
Kids' menu, high chairs, boosters.
Reservations not accepted. Menu items $7-$10; kids' menu items $5. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat
11am-10pm; Sun noon-9pm. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago/State.
Charlie's Ale House on Navy Pier
AMERICAN One of several outdoor
dining options along Navy Pier, this outpost of the Lincoln Park restaurant wins for
lip-smacking pub fare and a great location on the southern promenade overlooking
Value
