Ony one stop in Chicago

Surprised no one mentioned Hop Leaf. I haven't been there in years but I'm guessing the fact that it is a bit out of the way is probably the reason (though not really more out of the way than Fountainhead).

 

agreed that it is not a upscale place to eat but for the drinking how can you turn it down? FFF is for sure the opposite of upscale...

 

It is all about experiences and what you ordered.

I would say that the pork shank and the baby octopus at Girl and the Goat were outstanding, two of the best dishes I have ever had.

On the other had, I have had Longman & Eagle serve me bloody chicken which is by all accounts pathetic. Any idiot can fully cook chicken, that is a major failure. Also they were complete assholes about it, simply threw the chicken back in the fryer instead of preparing a new one so my returned meal looked like an abortion on a plate, and then didn't even offer a discount or anything. That being said, I still eat at Longman & Eagle, but have had a few bad experiences with the food.

Girl & the Goat is an absolute must in my opinion.

 

it's also not in chicago, so I think you're kinda just missing the entire point of the thread

 

So much talk of Randolph Row and no mention of Au Cheval? For shame. I'd say do Haymarket for drinks and try for Publican with Au Cheval as your #1 back up for dinner (both places also have great beers).

Also, Lockdown is a completely derivative version of Kuma's, except its less crowded and actually has better burgers.

 

Owen & Engine. Best burger in the city.

 

I was the first person to respond to the OP and I recommended Au Cheval

 

First, Girl and the Goat is awesome. Second, good luck getting a table next week. Third, Kumas has the best burger in the city...never been overwhelmed by Bad Apple. Finally, if you're gonna wait for a table at an upscale place for dinner, do it at Ruxbin where they never take reservations and it's BYOB...doesn't hurt that the food is impecable.

Before dinner, stop at Noble Grape or Lush (right around the corner) to grab some dope beers for dinner at Ruxbin. After dinner, walk to easily the best beer bar in the city, Bangers & Lace. B&L doesn't have 300 beers like Map Room or Hop Leaf but the exceptional tap and bottle lists are unmatched nearly anywhere in Chicago or anywhere else for that matter. Ruxbin then Bangers...for a lover of food and beer, it doesn't get any better. Seriously.

 

Don't go by the bottle list that B&L have on their website though. It is never updated, so don't get your hopes up. Actually, looks like they have finally removed it.

 

Indeed, it seems they are in the middle of updating the list on the website. The list in the bar is pretty accurate. Whereas most places have more beers on the list than in the fridge, it's usually the other way around at B&L, so ask the bartenders.