Eating in Downtown Chicago

-Grubbing in Chicago
Five of a Kind: Downtown Dining

After 17 years of almost nonstop posting I don't think it's hyperbole to say that I've covered more ground than most when it comes to food in Chicago. If there's an interesting place to eat in one of the city's 77 designated community areas I've likely stopped in there at some point. We've taken deep dives into places Hegewisch and the West Side and have gone up and down Howard Street over the years. But if there's one area of the city that's been under covered on here that would be the Downtown area. There's a few reasons for this including not going down there too often in part due to there not being a ton of interesting or under the radar spots to check out. But these days I find myself downtown on a regular basis and every now and then I'll go check out a spot while I'm down there and today's post is a collection of some of those spots. Downtown isn't a neighborhood - it's an area made up of a few neighborhoods. It most certainly includes Streeterville and the Loop and according to some it also includes River North and the South Loop but the former is also considered the Near North Side while the latter is kind of new as far as the neighborhood as a whole goes. Today's post will include spots from River North, the Loop and Streeterville. All of them are within a 20 minute walk from each other and could come in handy if you find yourself downtown in need of something to eat.  

_________________________________________________

Jian

Mall kiosks and food court stalls aren’t dead yet, in fact they may be making a comeback thanks to Asian spots of all sorts setting up shop and bringing crowds of hungry customers in. Chicago's original Jianbing house is located in the basement of Block 37 where it shares a kitchen with a bubble tea brand. I've stopped in here a few times to grab a classic jianbing which is a popular street food crepe in China that rivals any and all handheld breakfast items. A thin crepe-like pancake made from flour batter and mung bean are spread on a griddle and topped with egg, scallions, cilantro and savory sauces like hoisin and sweet bean paste and it also includes a crunchy element like fried wonton strips or a Chinese donut. It's all folded or rolled into a convenient and flavorful wrap. Jian serves a bunch of different varieties which can include bacon, ham, spam or even fried chicken but I'm a fan of the original version which doesn't include any meat but is known for its contrasting texture of a soft and eggy exterior with a crispy and savory interior. Jian has been packed both times I've gone which was in the morning so be prepared for a short wait as these are made to order. 

Jianbing at Jian
_________________________________________________



Oasis Cafe

Next up is a spot that evaded me until this past summer when I decided it was finally time to try this place that many people who work in the Loop swear by. Oasis Cafe is one of those spots that is very well known by people that have worked in the Loop but not so much by the outside world. The first thing that's always mentioned about this place is that it's located in the back of a jewelry store under the train tracks on Wabash. It's a cool setup but if I'm being completely honest it's a pretty standard Middle Eastern restaurant which isn't meant to be a shot at this place or the people who like it. It serves a purpose for people that lunch in the Loop and don't want to eat cheap fried food but also don't want to drop $50+ at a trendy sitdown spot. Oasis Cafe is a great option when you need something fresh and reliable that wont break the bank. I've been in a couple times now and enjoyed a falafel sandwich and Kushari which is a Wednesday special. The kushari at Oasis Cafe is a mix of brown lentils with rice and sauteed onions, served with salad and your choice of meat. It's a hearty plate of food and it'll hit the spot if you have a taste for Middle Eastern cuisine but it's not destination dining. Though many swear by the Moroccan Chicken which is served on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Kushari at Oasis Cafe
_________________________________________________

Gus' Sip & Dip

Gus' Sip & Dip feels a bit out of place in River North but it also feels like a throwback to the city’s past. It's a slick but unpretentious spot brought to Hubbard Street by the mighty Lettuce Entertain You restaurant enterprise. It feels like a blast from the past in terms of its dark and lively dining room paired with a menu of timeless classics. The cocktails here are also a throwback at just $12 each and there's quite a few to choose from. All that said it's the French Dip that got me thru the door. I'm a born and bred Chicagoan so I'll always take the Italian Beef when it comes to sliced beef sandwiches but every now and then a French Dip can really hit the spot and I had heard very good things about the one served at Gus' which they label as "The Original Wagyu Beef Dip" and it comes with cups of whipped horseradish and au jus plus a $25.95 pricetag. It's not cheap but it is a filling sandwich loaded with rare sliced prime rib sitting in between thin and crisp Spanish pan de cristal bread.

Wagyu Beef Dip at Gus' Sip & Dip
_________________________________________________

Shang Noodle & Chinese

Chinese food continues to ascend in Chicago and it's starting to become readily available in the Downtown area as evidenced in our first stop and now our next stop - Shang Noodle. The Streeterville outpost is one of three Chicagoland locations. They're all known for their modern looks and some pretty good Chinese and Taiwanese food including hand-pulled noodles, dim sum, hot pot, and even a few Korean-Chinese dishes too. They have booze and vegetarian and gluten free options so you can go with a group and shouldn't have any problems finding menu items for everybody to eat. I've been in a few times and each visit was much more satisfying than the other spots on the block would've been. I very much like their Hong Kong style Beef Chow Fun which is served dry with a decent amount of wok flavor and well seared beef that's tender with just the right amount of chew. 

Beef Chow Fun at Shang Noodle
_________________________________________________

Magnolia Bakery

We head back to Block 37 where Magnolia Bakery brought their famous classic American style desserts to Chicago from New York City. People from all over the world are attracted to this "small-batch bakery" for cupcakes, cookies, and their nationally recognized banana pudding. I'm a big banana pudding fan so I do find myself stopping in from time to time for the best banana pudding north of the Mason Dixon line. Actually I used to think this was the absolute best but then I went to Alabama and found there’s way better. That said they make a very tasty batch for a corporate brand.

Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery
_________________________________________________

BONUS STOP!!!


The Walnut Room

Last year around this time I dined with my family at The Walnut Room. My mom, dad, sisters, brother and spouses were joined by my nieces and nephew on the 7th floor of Macy's on State which most of us knew as Marshall Fields. The historic restaurant was the first in a department store and is known for its beautiful Circassian walnut paneling, Austrian chandeliers, and a massive Christmas tree displayed each holiday season. It's a big tradition for Chicagoans and it was actually pretty fun going back for the first time in forever. I went in thinking that the famous Mrs. Hering's Pot Pie was really just a frozen Marie Callender's but I was mistaken as it's made there though no bottom crust. It wasn't a memorable pot pie but I cant remember any that were but it did hit the spot in a throwback way. 

Mrs. Hering's Chicken Pot Pie at The Walnut Room
_________________________________________________

See ya next time @chibbqking