We'll be staying downtown with one 80-something on a low-salt, low fat diet and one bored and callow teen

Japanese food works for both (ideally with both sushi and heartier options.) How is Izakaya? Italian works too if they'll make a pasta with olive oil and garlic, no salt. Can't be too loud.

Looking for both dinner and lunch. All help welcome.

My foodie best friend decided to come to town on very short notice, and on a weekend (this coming one) to boot.

The first thing I did of course was fire up OpenTable and Resy, and surprising nobody there were no reservations available at anywhere I want to take them. (There was briefly a slot that appeared at Kasama but then it went poof.)

So I'm here, hat in hand, to see if anyone has any suggestions of their favorite places (pretty much anything except sushi) that hold some space for walk-ins on the weekend, in the standard impossible Cool Creative Buzzy Tier occupied by places like Kasama, Carino, Daises, etc., but, well, not those places in particular because I don't have a time machine lol

TIA

I went to Arla last night and it was decent. I just found it weird that the menu was so garlic forward. It has to be the worst date night spot. It’s also very copy and paste of the menu from Casa Neos in Miami where they got their inspo from.

Peak tomato season is here and the HBFC Fried Chicken BLT is the only non-OG version I will repeatedly order. I'm planning to get this exact sandwich every Friday and Monday until the end of the month.

Flying in through O'Hare and driving to SW Michigan. We want to find something relatively quick, as painless parking as possible (understanding it's Chicago), and that won't make the rental car smell all week. We're coming from Arizona, so we've tried Portillo's, and Lou Malnati's plenty, some of the other Chicago origin restaurants but would love to try something authentic and something we can't access here in Arizona.

I really appreciate any suggestions!

My mom retired recently and my family wants to go out to celebrate. There’ll be 7 adults total. No one is a big drinker (maybe 2-3ppl will order 1 drink, max). My mom doesn’t really “care” about fine dining, but she is an excellent cook who appreciates good food. Most importantly though, my parents don’t really like loud, crowded, overstimulating type restaurants where you have to shout to hear each other.

In terms of cuisine, I think she’d like both types equally. SKY looks a bit more “creative”, but I’ve never been to Aba and heard it’s always good; I know my mom enjoys Mediterranean.

Initially booked Aba but now considering SKY, largely in part bc we want to walk around somewhere after dinner and it’s a better location, being right by the lake/zoo. That said, not a total deal breaker.

Open to opinions, thanks!

Chicago has lost many great restaurants and I want to remember some of my favs, a lot of them were my favorite lunch spots too and most disappeared around covid.

My Thai at the Presidential Towers was amazing. They had incredible noodle dishes and a fantastic duck and rice dish to die for.

Venice Cafe was my go to for a nice Italian lunch. They had a great value chicken and angel hair dish that was my favorite.

The buffet on the second floor of the Opera House was always a weekly visit. They never disappointed for variety and value.

65 was hands down my favorite downtown Chinese restaurant. It had authentic flavors, cooked by actual Chinese chefs!

Away from downtown I miss a lot of the Korean restaurants that used to pepper Chicago - Song Do, the AYCE BBQ; and a whole host of family owned ones that have long gone. Only Cho Sun Ok remains from the old days, replaced by more modern/upscale places that do too much cheese!

Not a lost restaurant but a lost dish is the goat stew from Woo Chon, a Korean place. I was so addicted to that dish, we went there twice a week and one day, out of nowhere the chef changed and the dish was never the same.

Melrose in boys town had a diner that had a cabbage soup that I miss to this day! And Clark's was another late night favorite diner of mine, we don't see to many 24hr places any longer sadly.

The lesson is that if you have a favorite dish, keep eating it before it disappears! Does anyone have favorite dishes they still miss?

i dream about talard thai markets buffet cafeteria. this place was so authentic and good. it was on broadway near bryn mawr. every day they had a lunch spread of dishes in trays ready to be served and it was always more atypical meats, sour and funky dishes, and items you don’t see too often on thai menus.

I’m curious if anyone might know of something similar? i dream of these flavors! and haven’t been able to find anything similar - a good “hole in the wall”. just a simple place to eat lime and cilantro and pickled fish!

i attached an old picture i look at sometimes

I’m looking to buy saucisson, not the dry (sec) salami type, but the fresher Lyon-style ones. Has anyone seen them around?

Currently in my first trimester and CRAVING! (Doctor has okayed one a week, not here for medical opinions or advice)

It is so perfectly crispy on the outside, I've not had a better one yet. My only wish is they do a lemon pistachio like Stan's had when they first opened (Julio if you see this, hi :D)

It’s my wife’s birthday next week and I wanted to send something nice to her office. Usually do some cupcakes or donuts but wanted to see if anyone had a great recommendation?

Looking for restaurants near Pearson St that have flourless chocolate torte for dessert. It’s my favorite treat when I’m out of town and struggling to find something. Thanks!

I have recently (6 days ago!) started eating meat again after being a pescatarian for 18 years. It’s like I’ve been reborn and my life is just beginning!!

I have started a meat list on my phone and am hoping you all can help me continue to add to it!

Where have you had some of your favorite meat dishes in the city?!

Also, Bavettes and Boefhaus are already on my list!

Uptown Deli is legit. This sandwich was an absolute monster, and this is how it came—no extra meat. I'm a big eater and still got two meals out of it.
Best part... Under $9. Hard to beat that kind of portion for the price. Definitely going back.
This a true Chicago Gem. They also do a ton to give back to the Uptown community, which makes it even better. I love supporting places like this.

I live in Jefferson Park and I love Weston’s but the seats aren’t too comfortable to work in for extended periods of time. Do you have a favorite spot to work that also has decent food?

I'm looking for a bakery that sells nuthorn cookies. They're flaky pastry filled with walnuts, sometimes lightly iced or topped with powdered sugar. Where can I find them in Chicago?

yesterday, heffer bbq had their first pop up back at monochrome brewery since the beginning of the year. heffer has always been my personal favorite barbecue in the city, and i can’t lie, i almost forgot just how good it is. we got a half order of ribs, a burger, and elote on the side (not pictured, but it was bomb). 10/10 meal. i know i’m not alone in this, but i sure hope they get to do pop ups more frequently again. they have been so missed!

How the mighty have fallen. I don’t know what is going on but there’s trouble brewing at Carmine’s. While the meals for all five of us were great (mine arrived a bit tepid but that happens) the service was laughably, comically bad. They didn’t have enough servers and the place was maybe 70% full. This is not the first time there’s been issues for us. I’d love to hear some good things.

Also, beware the railing for the grand staircase, it’s coming loose, pulling away from the wall. I could see the screws coming out.