John's Quick Guide to Chicago

John Boyer, VP and General Manager of Traders' Library, and Windy City native, gives his tips on some of his favorite spots in town. To get a full list of all the great things to do in Chicago, visit www.CityofChicago.org

Must-Eats

You can't go to Chicago and not have an Italian beef sandwich. It is a thinly sliced beef (like a Philly or a French dip, but marinated in Italian spices) on Italian bread. If you like spicy stuff, ask for jardinière peppers. You can also ask for it wet, and they'll dip the whole sandwich in the juice. I like mine with mozzarella and hot peppers.

Portillos - portillos.com
Multiple Locations

If pizza is what you want - Go for the deep dish. It'sthe best. There are a few places that have good deep dish, each one a little different, but they will all give you an idea of Chicago pizza.

Uno's or Due - unos.com
Multiple Locations

Giordanos - giordanos.com
Multiple Locations

GinosEast - ginoseast.com
They let you write on the wall there, so bring a couple of markers.
Multiple Locations

My Favorites

Heaven on Seven - heavenonseven.com
The best Cajun food I have ever had. One of my favorite restaurants in the world.
Wabash (312) 263-6443 | Rush Street (312) 280-7774 | Naperville (630) 717-0777

Weber Grill Restaurant - webergrillrestaurant.com
Classic outdoor grilling done indoors- they actually cook on Weber grills!
539 N. State Street | (312) 467-9696

Gibson's Steakhouse - gibsonssteakhouse.com
Great steakhouse, a bit pricey, but cool for celebrity sightings
1028 North Rush Street | (312) 266-8999

Nick's Fishmarket - nicksfishmarketchicago.com
A Chicago landmark, great seafood and wines
51 South Clark | (312) 621-0200

Cool and Casual Places

Goose Island Pub - gooseisland.com
Micro Brewery
3535 N Clark St | (773) 832-9040

El Famous Burrito - efb-no-ip.com
"Home of the football sized Burrito"--Need I say more?
7047 N. Clark St | (773) 465-0377

Buddy Guys Legends - buddyguys.com
Great blues bar. Call before you head out here as they are in the process of moving.
754 S. Wabash | (312) 427-1190

Wild Hare Reggae - wildharemusic.com
3530 N Clark St | (773) 327-4273

The Gingerman Tavern
Great jukebox, pool table, overall a cool bar
3740 N Clark St | (773) 549-2050

Green Mill - greenmilljazz.com
An old speak easy now jazz club. Sunday nights is the Uptown Poetry Slam.
4808 N Broadway Ave | (773) 878-5552

Rosa's Lounge - rosaslounge.com
Great blues bar
3420 W Armitage Ave | (773) 342-0452

Fitzgerald's - fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
Cool place, great music and League of Their Own (Madonna, Tom Hanks), and Color of Money (Tom Cruise, Paul Newman) were shot in this bar.
6615 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn (suburb in Chicago) | (708) 788-2118

Cork and Kerry - corkandkerrychicago.com
Irish Bar
10614 S Western Ave | (773) 445-2675