Chicago is my favorite place to eat in the whole wide world. I lived there for five years and am brought to tears talking about how much I love the city. For both music and food, there is endless variety open till all hours, and you can live like a king for relatively cheap. This list is a very small slice of my deeply personal favorites in neighborhoods where you are likely staying for the Phish Wrigley run. There’s only two things to remember in Chicago: the lake is East and DO NOT put ketchup on your hot dog! Chicagoans are a strictly mustard-only crowd. Enjoy and please tag @festfood on Instagram and @festfoodinfo on twitter to share your culinary adventures in the Windy City!
Lakeview/Wrigley/Uptown
-
Burrito House 3547 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Open Weekends till 5 a.m.My go-to midnight munchie order: one taco al pastor, one fish taco and one mini bean and cheese chimichanga, side of guac, and a large horchata- save half for your iced coffee tomorrow.
-
Schubas Tavern 3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
My favorite music venue/bar in the city. A local institution for over 20 years serving tasty brunch, lunch and dinner. Walk in and immediately feel at home at the cozy bar with great local beer options of course.
-
Sun Wah BBQ 5039 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
Call one day ahead to reserve a Peking Duck dinner with the bird served three ways. Everything on the menu is delicious and they have an excellent beer selection. You are in the heart of Vietnamtown, so if you want soup, walk a block away to Le’s Pho or Ba Le Sandwich for a bahn mi aka Vietnamese po boy.
-
Goose Island Pub 1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
It all began at this beloved brewpub. Countless special beers on tap with a solid pub menu. Ask the extremely knowledgeable and friendly bartenders for recommendations.
-
Pequod’s 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
If you insist on having deep dish, this is the only place to go. Don’t be a tourist and go to Lou Manalti’s or Giordano’s. Order the deep dish at Pequod’s with BURNT CRUST ONLY. They leave the pizza in the oven a bit longer for a caramelized crust that justifies the existence of brick of cheese and dough.
Wicker Park
-
Piece Pizza 1927 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Brewpub with some of the best thin crust pizza in the city. A local favorite.
-
Big Star 1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
The quintessential hipster bar with an awesome patio, perfect for people watching. Tacos and addictive margaritas with a huge selection of whiskeys and honky tonk vinyl playing.
-
Taco Veloz 1745 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
For real Mexican, head to this no-frills spot open till 3 a.m. on weekends. Do not miss the Cane En Su Jugo, a rich broth with beef, radishes, and avocado, served with tortillas. And get a side of the cebollitas, grilled onions with a drizzle of soy sauce.
-
Mon Lung 1009 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
If you need high quality, hangover Chinese food, this place has the #1 best hot and sour soup known to man. A giant bowl will literally resurrect you from the dead.
Fest Food 