Hey Everyone: I'm staying in Chicago for a day and I'm looking for some recommendations. I will be staying on East Wacker just east of North Michigan st. I have no problems jumping on a bus or subway. I'm looking for a place that has some good food and a great beer selection. Thanks in advance.
You can hop on the green line el stop at State & Lake and take that a couple stops west to Haymarket Pub & Brewery at the Morgan-Lake stop. It's just over a mile on foot and I've walked that exact route, it's not a bad lil stroll. Now the beer there is outstanding, and the food is just as good. I recommend "The Riot". It's a burger made of a patty of italian sausage in stead of beef with pulled pork on it as well. It's just not right how good this sammich is. If you're lucky they'll have Mathias double IPA on tap, but you'd be happy with anything they have I'm sure. Google maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=wacke...lient=firefox&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl
There are plenty of threads buried in the depths, but Revolution is without a doubt my favorite place. You can get both their fantastic beer and others if you're not feeling like trying other stuff. The food is spectacular as well and the burgers are lauded as some of the best in the city. Its 30-40 minutes away (via public transit) from where I live in the city, but Revolution is where I take people that are visiting or if I need something really great. It's at the California/O'Hare Blue Line stop. You're at a central enough place that anywhere will be relatively easy to get to.
Hop leaf. Revolution. Publican. Old town pour house. Old town social. Piece. Risqué. Bad apple. Kumas corner. Goose island. Long man and eagle. Beer bistro. Hay market. Public house. Blokes and birds. Local option. And several hundreds more. Enjoy.
Goose Island Clybourn, is in my opinion, the best pub. Also, it doesn't hurt one of the city's biggest liquor stores (Binnys) is right behind the place. You can find a great selection of Chicago brews there.
If you don't mind a train ride, and only have the one day, I'm with dpjosuns -- take a Blue line train to Revolution (California stop). Across the street is a tiny liquor store called Vas Foremost -- they have a great selection of bottles and prices are decent (maybe $1 more than you'll find at grocery stores/mega chains). Look for bottles from Pipeworks -- some of the most interesting and tasty beers I've had in a long time. The Map Room is just to the Southwest and has been a craft beer pioneer for 20+ years. If you really want to make the most out of your day, beer-wise, I'd stop there first (or after). Note that they are cash only and do not serve food. They will also get crowded damn near every night. And if you want to go for a triple, add on a stop at Piece. Great pizza (thin crust, New Haven style) and they make reliably tasty beer. If there's a game on, or if it's a Friday/Saturday night, expect big crowds -- I prefer to go in the late afternoon.
