Topic Wiki

Links to Trip Reports:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/31066
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/32272
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/trip-notes/trip-notes-back-skies-flying-chicago-american-united-covid-19-pandemic/
CGR

Kosher Restaurants:

MEAT:
Milt's (BOOOOO).
Get chili, cornbread, and beans. Drink a beergarita. 
3411 North Broadway Chicago, IL 60657. 773-661-6384
Delivery available through Postmates
Open S-T: 11:30-10 F: 11:30-2 S: Call for hours

Shallot's.   Amazing sushi and great steaks though quite pricey.
7016 Carpenter Rd Skokie, IL 60077. 847-677-DINE
Delivery available. Shallots has their own app.
Open S-T: 11:30-9:00 Closed Friday Sat: 1.25 hours after Shkia-11:00

Ken's Diner.  The classic burger diner joint. Better than Milts.
3353 Dempster Skokie, IL 60076. 847-679-4030
Delivery Available
Open S-T: 11:00-8:30

Great Chicago. Used to be owned by Ken's, but sold to a different owner. Many of the same items.
3149 W. Devon Chicago, IL 60659. 773-465-9030
Delivery Available. Great Chicago has its own app.
Open S-T: 11-9 F: 10-3

Taboun Grill. Good Israeli food. Schwarma, Shnitzel, moroccan Cigars.
8808 N. Gross Point Rd Skokie, IL. 847-965-1818
Open S-T: 11-10 F: 11-2 Closed Saturday.

Mizrahi Grill. Similar to Taboun. Located in the northern suburbs. 
215 Skokie Valley Rd Highland Park, IL . 847-831-1400
You can order online via their website.

Tein Li Chow. Chinese food. Located in the Jewel supermarket which also has a kosher bakery and deli.
Takeout only.
2485 W. Howard Evanston, IL. 847-328-4642


The Sandwich Club. Burgers, deli sandwiches...etc.
4507 W. Oakton Skokie, IL 60076. 847-677-6020
Open S-T: 11-8 F: 11-2 Closed Saturday

Bebe's Kosher Deli
. Downtown Chicago- They have bagels/cream cheese on one side and deli sandwiches on the other.
Located in the French Market by the train station. Free parking with $20 French Market Purchase
131 North Clinton Chicago, IL 60661. 312-207-0572
Open M-T: 10-6 F: 10-1(winter) 2(summer) Closed Sat & Sun

Evita Steakhouse. Argentinian Steakhouse -
6112 N. Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60659 (773) 463-8482
Sundays to Thursdays from 5 pm to 12 am. Saturdays on winter time sometime after Shabbat to 12 am. Summer time Saturdays closed!!

Metroklub. Downtown Chicago-Only open during lunch M-Th.
In the Crown Plaza hotel. 733 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60661. (312) 602-2104
CLOSED

Hy Life Bistro. Connected to Slice of Life (see below). On the expensive side, though not quite Shallots levels.
4120 W. Dempster Skokie, IL 60076. 847-674-2021
CLOSED

Tacos Gingi. Mexican Place. Pretty much takeout only.
5128 Dempster Street, Skokie IL 60077. 847-983-0648
Open S-T: 11-8  F: 11-1 Closed Saturday

Hamachi Sushi. Sushi Bar and Chinese menu (Meat and chicken) They have their own app. 2801 West Howard Chicago, IL 60645. (773) 293-6904



DAIRY:

Emma's Bagel Cafe. Many breakfast options, but they have lunch dinner options as well like mac n' cheese. 9306 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. 847-673-3030

Chalavi. 2931 W. Touhy Chicago, IL 60645. 773-338-9640

EJ's Pizzeria.   9149 N. Gross Point Skokie, IL 60076. 224-534-7215 On ubereats, and have their own app as well.

Bond Coffee. Starbucks type atmosphere and food. Has a drive through. Available via grubhub.
7555 N. California Ave Chicago, IL 60645


Slice of Life.(request Cholov Yisroel)4120 W. Dempster Skokie, IL 60076. 847-674-2021  CLOSED

Tel Aviv Pizza (Cholov Yisroel - Pizza is Yoshon), 6349 N. California Chicago, IL 60659. 773-764-3776

The Lincoln Cafe. Breakfast/lunch food as well as pre-packaged wraps and salads. Don't miss the bbq chicken pizza!!! Takeout only. Lincoln Cafe has their own app. Located in The BP gas station 6599 N Lincoln Ave. Lincolnwood IL 60712

Sarah's Brick oven. New place 12/18. Pastas and sandwiches. Located next to Hungarian Kosher Supermarket 4020 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076


Nuovo. Italian. Open lunch/dinner. High end dairy restaurant. 3750 W Devon Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712. (847) 213-1026


ALL DAIRY RESTAURANTS LISTED ABOVE ARE C"Y AT THIS TIME (9/2021) BUT DOUBLE CHECKING IS RECOMMENDED AS THINGS CHANGE

Activities:
Navy Pier
Millennium Park/The Bean
Segway Tour
Six Flags Great America
Botanic Gardens
Willis Tower Skydeck
Lincoln Park Zoo (Free, but their lot is pay to park, look for street parking)
Museum of Science and Industry


Hotels:
Fairmont Millennium Park
Park Hyatt Chicago>Category 6
Hyatt Regency Chicago>Category 4
Hyatt Regency O'Hare>Category 2
W Lakeshore>Category 5
W Chicago City Center>Category 5
Westin Chicago>Category 5
Aloft Chicago City Center>Category 4
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers>Category 4
Aloft Chicago O'Hare>Category 2

Shabbos Tips:

Public Transport options:

Guidebooks:

Other Tips
Parking at ORD: The cheapest place to park is in the O'hare lot G. It's $10/day. Be aware that you need to take a bus to the tram (in lot E) which takes you to the terminals. This can take 20-25 minutes
« Last edited by as2 on September 06, 2021, 09:41:00 AM »

Author Topic: Chicago Master Thread  (Read 556463 times)

Offline 1050BU

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 154
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #940 on: September 09, 2015, 07:54:42 PM »

which hotels are within walking distance of one of the Jewish communities for shabbas besides the Holiday Inn Express in Skokie?

Thats really the only one.

The other communities don't have anything nearby.

Offline CS1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 3651
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
    • California Gourmet Premium Chocolate
  • Location: United States
  • Programs: DDSLA, DDSCLE, Bonvoy Titanium Feb 2025
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #941 on: September 10, 2015, 01:11:27 AM »
Thats really the only one.

The other communities don't have anything nearby.

especially since they tore down that "Purple Hotel". That was an interesting building for many years.
California Gourmet Belgian Nut-Free Chocolate Chips https://bit.ly/CaliforniaGourmetDirect

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6305
  • Total likes: 932
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #942 on: September 10, 2015, 09:32:06 AM »
especially since they tore down that "Purple Hotel". That was an interesting building for many years.

Indeed. I used to stay there when it was still a radison

Offline CS1

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 3651
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
    • California Gourmet Premium Chocolate
  • Location: United States
  • Programs: DDSLA, DDSCLE, Bonvoy Titanium Feb 2025
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #943 on: September 10, 2015, 09:33:58 AM »
Indeed. I used to stay there when it was still a radison

yes, it was a decent radisson inside. I think that the purple bricks were special keepsakes for some people when they knocked it down.
California Gourmet Belgian Nut-Free Chocolate Chips https://bit.ly/CaliforniaGourmetDirect

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6305
  • Total likes: 932
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #944 on: September 10, 2015, 09:36:15 AM »
yes, it was a decent radisson inside. I think that the purple bricks were special keepsakes for some people when they knocked it down.

They were selling them for $10 for charity. They also are going to incorporate some into the walkway of the new development.

Offline Dave A

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 632
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #945 on: September 10, 2015, 12:17:28 PM »
Thats really the only one.

The other communities don't have anything nearby.

-1.  Many folks who visit Skokie for simchas, etc. stay at the DoubleTree.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2936
  • Total likes: 298
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #946 on: September 17, 2015, 07:07:33 PM »
Does anyone have suggested must-sees and eats for a two-day trip?
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty

Offline 1050BU

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 154
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #947 on: September 17, 2015, 07:22:00 PM »
Does anyone have suggested must-sees and eats for a two-day trip?

Look through the thread and Wiki.

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6305
  • Total likes: 932
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #948 on: September 17, 2015, 07:54:28 PM »
Does anyone have suggested must-sees and eats for a two-day trip?

The only thing to do in Chicago is eat at shallots and complain that there is no Milt's rib sandwich. vaitur

Offline Dave A

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 632
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #949 on: September 17, 2015, 10:28:24 PM »
The only thing to do in Chicago is eat at shallots and complain that there is no Milt's rib sandwich. vaitur

Too much Milt's/Shallots talk on this thread, not enough Ken's. 

Offline 1050BU

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 154
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #950 on: September 17, 2015, 10:29:37 PM »

Too much Milt's/Shallots talk on this thread, not enough Ken's.

No reason to go Kens. Its fast food and IMHO overrated.

Offline Dave A

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 632
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #951 on: September 17, 2015, 10:47:07 PM »
No reason to go Kens. Its fast food and IMHO overrated.

Bay-Ken Burger is far superior to anything at Milt's.  (Jeff's, MexiKosher... all fast food, and you can't hear enough about them when you talk LA Kosher).

Offline Ergel

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 12818
  • Total likes: 905
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #952 on: September 17, 2015, 11:15:01 PM »
Maybe if we were still in the '90s
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline 1050BU

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 154
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #953 on: September 17, 2015, 11:23:37 PM »

Bay-Ken Burger is far superior to anything at Milt's.  (Jeff's, MexiKosher... all fast food, and you can't hear enough about them when you talk LA Kosher).

I don't think you can compare Milts and Kens. Different type of place. Kens has its fans and is that. It just doesn't have the same vibe it used to.

Offline henche

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 4183
  • Total likes: 447
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #954 on: September 17, 2015, 11:28:28 PM »
I don't think you can compare Milts and Kens. Different type of place. Kens has its fans and is that. It just doesn't have the same vibe it used to.

I've opined before, if the best thing at a smokehouse is the burger, it's a burger joint.  So I think you absolutely can compare it to Kens.

How does Miltburger stack up against Amersterdam Burger, or Bouef and Bun?

Offline ushdadude

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 6305
  • Total likes: 932
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #955 on: September 18, 2015, 11:15:50 AM »
Maybe if we were still in the '90s

Lol...i think that's the last time they updated it. Burger buddy is still pretty good though

Offline 1050BU

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 154
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile

Offline Sam Finkelstein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2936
  • Total likes: 298
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #957 on: September 20, 2015, 07:51:00 PM »
I'm still looking for a hotel for two 19 year-olds to stay in alone (Starwoods don't allow it). Are there any credit cards that can be opened for a free night at a nice hotel near a shul?
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty

Offline Dave A

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 632
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #958 on: September 20, 2015, 11:47:50 PM »
I'm still looking for a hotel for two 19 year-olds to stay in alone (Starwoods don't allow it). Are there any credit cards that can be opened for a free night at a nice hotel near a shul?

DoubleTree in Skokie is a Hilton.  You can open a Citi.

Offline Sam Finkelstein

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2936
  • Total likes: 298
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York, NY
Re: Chicago Master Thread
« Reply #959 on: September 21, 2015, 09:32:48 AM »
DoubleTree in Skokie is a Hilton.  You can open a Citi.

Thanks. If I open up a card, can I pick any night that I want, or is it restricted availability? Also, what are the cancellation policies (in case I don't find a flight)?
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. –J. Paul Getty