going to chicago, any recommendations?

[393foureyedfox]

taking a trip to chicago soon, do you guys have any recommendations on must-stop places to shop? i'll be staying near the Magnificent Mile. I doubt theres much of anything available there that i cant get in KY, but id still like to take a stroll through some recommended shops.

maybe Illinois actually has some ECBP....

[joboyd]

Binny's on South Loop (by Jefferson). I'm better with Chicago restaurant recommendations than whiskey shopping, unfortunately!

[DrinkyBanjo]

I'll actually be in Chicago for business next week as well. Any restaurant recommendations would be appreciated!

[Josh]

Manny's Deli. Right across from the South Loop Binny's.

[portugieser]

Warehouse Liquors on S. Wabash. Great selection with great service.

[joboyd]

On the Mag Mile, The Purple Pig is a pork-lover's dream (as the name implies); Cafe Spiaggia has the same quality food as Spiaggia at much better prices. A short ride away (five minutes via taxi) and you're at Blackbird or Avec, two modern and fantastic restaurants. Their part of a restaurant family that includes The Publican, which is fantastic for breakfast/brunch. If you're into Mexican, Xoco or Topolabompo (I know I've spelled it wrong) are great.

[393foureyedfox]

thanks for the food recommendations as well, guys!

are there any authentic mexican places nearby.....not the kind that serves americanized mexican, but the kind thats super hot and authentic?

[PaulO]

393foureyedfox, if you go to Binny's, you may find some single barrel selections of various BT products. Look for the sticker on the bottle. Also be aware that IL and local taxes will be added to the advertised price (ouch) :bigeyes: Other than some single barrel selections, I much prefer the variety and prices of Louisville.

[T Comp]

There are many prior posts here about things to do in Chicago. The best source for restaurant information is the LTHFORUM.com message board (aka LTH) a community similar to here of Chicago foodies. There is a sticky "Visiting Chicago" in the Eating out in Chicagoland topic that can guide you further. And as a member of SB, a trip to the South Loop (though not in the Loop) Binny's and the crew who have been great supporters of SB should be on your itinerary. I bet you just might find a few things you can't in Kentucky too .

[Lost Pollito]

thanks for the food recommendations as well, guys!

are there any authentic mexican places nearby.....not the kind that serves americanized mexican, but the kind thats super hot and authentic?

Depends on what type of Mexican food I suppose. Fronterra Grill / Topolobampo are fantastic, but crowded an expensive. But, completely worth it, and Bub city next door has an excellent selection of Bourbon. If you're visiting on Sunday, before hitting the S. Loop location, you could stroll through Maxwell street market. Tons of Authentic Street food. That's where I go for my favorite Salvadorian treat, Papusa's.

[Bushko]

Others have mentioned the South Loop Binny's. Their location in Lincoln Park isn't bad either. Their web site -- Binnys.com -- will show you the range of their stock and whether or not a given item is available at a particular location. A very handy feature if you want to know before you go.

[brettckeen]

Check out Sable in the Hotel Palomar for Cocktails, food and a good whiskey selection.

[lrochau]

Have deviled eggs and bourbon at Sable. Then take a cab to see Brett at Delilahs.

[Sean9689]

Twisted Spoke has a ton of Pappy...Wednesday's are 1/2 off bourbon pours. I 3rd Sable...great place.

[393foureyedfox]

Have deviled eggs and bourbon at Sable.

i can not imagine a more stomach churning medley......to each his own, right?

[brettckeen]

i can not imagine a more stomach churning medley......to each his own, right?

The Truffle deviled eggs are pretty amazing and so is bourbon, an easy pair if you ask me.

[brettckeen]

Twisted Spoke has a ton of Pappy...Wednesday's are 1/2 off bourbon pours. I 3rd Sable...great place.

I agree, go to twisted spoke on a Wednesday and drink all their pappy.

[I Heart Bourbon]

I was at Sable 2 weeks ago while visiting Chicago and they definitely had a nice selection of bourbons and knowledgable bartenders.

[T Comp]

I was at Sable 2 weeks ago while visiting Chicago and they definitely had...knowledgable bartenders.

But not as knowledgeable as our guy Brett :cool:.

[393foureyedfox]

just got back from chicago. the only liquor store i went into was Binnys in downtown Chicago on Grand st, I believe. I know it wasnt the one recommended here, but it was a few blocks from our hotel and was a pretty good size anyway. I was actually pretty surprised that i didnt recognize half the stuff on the shelf, as its not seen here in KY. nothing i can remember right now, but they had all the mainstream stuff you see in KY, none of the lower shelf stuff you see in KY, and a lot of lower shelf stuff you dont see in KY. I wasnt tempted to try anything though. I had brought along my OGD 114 and KC 120. some of the stuff on the shelf was the same price as in KY, and some was up to 20% more. of course, there was no ECBP....but thats a given.

as far as food.....Purple Pig had a 2.5 hour wait on a thursday, and about 8 of us were in town together, strangely we all planned chicago trips independently the same week, so we met up that night. we ended up at an Irish pub after everything else had such long waits. only thing on the menu that interested me was trying a bulleit rye. it was fair, not great.

we did try Xoco for lunch one day. quite good and decently priced, and totally original.

Chicago was surprisingly (to me, from what i expected from past trips) hospitable, as long as you dont drive. I dont think Chicagoans could drive without horns. we walked everywhere, which probably explains why everyone is so nicely fit there. its easy to spot the tourists among the natives....

the weather was perfect too! 70-85 every day.

bar bourbon selections kinda sucked more than i expected. everyone had KC 100, KC rye, EC, BH, JB, MM....and a few would have one or tow more, but that was about it. the bulleit rye was the only thing id not tried and was interested in trying. makes me glad to live in such a bourbon-rich area such as louisville!

at the hotel bar last night, i wanted to try some KC rye, but at $13 a shot, id rather wait and get a whole bottle for twice that when i get home. if i dont like it, id rather give it away than get raped like that at a bar. hell, ive had bookers for $10 a shot, which is still pricey, but far more reasonable than 13 for something that costs 25 a bottle around home!

Edited August 11, 2013 by 393foureyedfox

[393foureyedfox]

just got back from chicago. the only liquor store i went into was Binnys in downtown Chicago on Grand st, I believe. I know it wasnt the one recommended here, but it was a few blocks from our hotel and was a pretty good size anyway. I was actually pretty surprised that i didnt recognize half the stuff on the shelf, as its not seen here in KY. nothing i can remember right now, but they had all the mainstream stuff you see in KY, none of the lower shelf stuff you see in KY, and a lot of lower shelf stuff you dont see in KY. I wasnt tempted to try anything though. I had brought along my OGD 114 and KC 120. some of the stuff on the shelf was the same price as in KY, and some was up to 20% more. of course, there was no ECBP....but thats a given.

as far as food.....Purple Pig had a 2.5 hour wait on a thursday, and about 8 of us were in town together, strangely we all planned chicago trips independently the same week, so we met up that night. we ended up at an Irish pub after everything else had such long waits. only thing on the menu that interested me was trying a bulleit rye. it was fair, not great.

we did try Xoco for lunch one day. quite good and decently priced, and totally original.

Chicago was surprisingly (to me, from what i expected from past trips) hospitable, as long as you dont drive. I dont think Chicagoans could drive without horns. we walked everywhere, which probably explains why everyone is so nicely fit there. its easy to spot the tourists among the natives....

the weather was perfect too! 70-85 every day.

bar bourbon selections kinda sucked more than i expected. everyone had KC 100, KC rye, EC, BH, JB, MM....and a few would have one or tow more, but that was about it. the bulleit rye was the only thing id not tried and was interested in trying. makes me glad to live in such a bourbon-rich area such as louisville!

at the hotel bar last night, i wanted to try some KC rye, but at $13 a shot, id rather wait and get a whole bottle for twice that when i get home. if i dont like it, id rather give it away than get raped like that at a bar. hell, ive had bookers for $10 a shot, which is still pricey, but far more reasonable than 13 for something that costs 25 a bottle around home!

by the way, i'm cheap.....but i prefer "logically reasonable"