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Chicago is not the meat-and-potatoes place that it was back when the Chicago stockyards and packing houses fed the nation. Today, dining in Chicago is as sophisticated as dining in New York, San Francisco, and other cosmopolitan cities.
But even as you're planning which hot spots to try, don't worry about missing out on the classics: Chicago still offers the famous deep-dish pizza that was invented here in the 1940s. Gino's East and other Chicago pizzerias continue to draw big crowds. And Chicago is still the place for steak. Historically, Chicago's highest grossing restaurant has been Gibson's Steakhouse, a clubby, dark-wood den of cigars, fine red wine, and gargantuan steaks. Many other Chicago restaurants famously serve up juicy cuts of beef.
But Chicago is much more than pizza and steak. You can find everything from foodie meccas like Charlie Trotter's to basement-level dives like Billy Goat Tavern. Ethnic options abound: Mexican food doesn't get any better than Frontera Grill, where the museum-quality Mexican art completes an atmosphere that matches the level of the cuisine. And a bit off the beaten path, Arun's offers exquisite Thai food and desserts so beautiful they'll bring tears to your eyes.
Best New Restaurant: Grant Achatz's Alinea was named best restaurant in the nation by Gourmet magazine in 2006. Of course, if you don't have hundreds of dollars to drop on a meal, try Avec, which is garnering kudos from foodies nationwide for its Mediterranean small-plate dining. It's small, it's crowded (you share a table with other diners), but it's a truly unique experience.
Best View: The Hancock Observatory offers an up-close-and-personal view of the city from its observation deck. For lunch, visit the Signature Room at the 95th, a sleek restaurant that offers a delicious lunch buffet. On a clear day, you can see 50 miles and part of three surrounding states — Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. (Ladies, make sure to visit the restroom — it's got the best views in the restaurant!)
Best Ice Cream: Since the 1920s, Margie's Candies has been serving mammoth sundaes in conch-shell-shaped dishes. Don't miss the homemade hot fudge, real butterscotch, and caramel. The place is frozen in time and is stuffed with kitschy dolls, boxes of homemade candy, stuffed animals, and news clippings from through the years.
Best Outdoor Dining: Long tables and family-style dining reign in Greektown, making it a comfortable, fun destination for families and large groups. At Pegasus, a rooftop garden affords diners a panoramic view of the Chicago skyline.
Best Burger: The hamburger at Mike Ditka's Restaurant tastes more like chopped steak and can easily feed two. Take your kids to the main dining room, though, because the bar vicinity tends to get a little foggy with cigar smoke.
Best Barbecue: At longtime city favorite Carson's, $20 gets you a full slab (nearly 2 pounds' worth) of incredible baby-back ribs, accompanied by a bowl of Carson's almost-as-famous coleslaw and a choice of potatoes.
Best Vegetarian: Veggie lovers will delight in the twist on fine dining served up at Green Zebra. The restaurant features "small plates" of veggie specialties, such as fennel risotto cake with a syrah reduction, and Hawaiian heart of palm with Kaffir lime and Thai basil chile.
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