<p>Thank you all - right now we are looking at Second City and the architecture tour and of course still looking into all the restaurants. And if it’s nice out, we will definetly check out the lakefront. We are from the Jersey Shore area, so the lakefront sounds wonderful. We have been there a couple of times - but of course in the dead of winter - which seems to go on for months out there. I just want the weather to be sunny and beautiful - not rainy and cold - I’ve already had three quick visits to Chicago in that kind of weather. And we are actually going to be there from July 11 (late)-15th - so not on the weekend. The 50th birthday falls on the 13th.</p>
<p>Second City can be fun, but there is a theater company, The Lookinglass Theater which is fantastic, also Steppenwolf theater puts on shows in two different theaters which are world reknowned. I would recommend either.</p>
<p>Trotters is fantastic and pricey, and everyone loves Bayless, and a trip to Wrigley Field, since it’s your husband’s birthday, is a must do…everyone should see a game at Wrigley at least once, just like Fenway.</p>
<p>If you love Greek food, which I do, go to Santorini’s in Greek town and then head North on Halsted to the Kingston Mines for serious blues. Not really special occaison stuff, but definitely some of the best things to do in Chicago.</p>
<p>We went to Lookinglass Theater’s production of Our Town a year ago and were quite impressed. The group started with Northwestern Theater grads from the early 80’s, including David Schwimmer.
We went to the Goodman a few months ago and they have quite a lineup of productions throughout the year, but I’m not sure if they have anything during the summer.
I’m not sure what the “Street Art” is this year, if anything. Past years have had chairs and cows everywhere.</p>
<p>Also, NJ resident who has ties to Chicago. Son starts a job there early August.
Daughter and I visited Chicago for the first time, in early April, when we helped him start apt hunting. </p>
<p>D and I took the Lincoln Park, Old City (Near North) Food Tour and enjoyed it. Another couple from Calif, said they enjoyed the Bucktown, Wickerpark Food tour more because it took them to more interesting areas.
Here is the link: [Chicago</a> Food Tours - Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tours | Guided Chicago Tours, What To Do in Chicago Illinois IL](<a href=“http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/]Chicago”>http://www.chicagofoodplanet.com/)
Check out trip advisor for more reviews. </p>
<p>Saw Billy Elliott, in that great Oriental (Ford) Theater! </p>
<p>Locals like Geja Cafe, near Depaul, for the food and ambience. We didn’t make it on this trip. </p>
<p>Need an amazing breakfast spot- Eggsperience, was quite an experience!!!</p>
<p>We locals like Walker Brothers, right guys? Beautiful stained glass and every kind of pancakes or waffles or crepes, chocolate chip, German, apple, Dutch baby, etc.</p>
<pre><code> Have any of you tried the Kabul House (Afghan) restaurant on Touhy? Is it still there?
</code></pre>
<p>Yeah - have your Evanston-based boy take you to the Walker Brothers on Green Bay Road in Wilmette.</p>
<p>There is always Hackney’s in Glenview. Ah, the fried onions.</p>
<p>We love Spiaggia, we’ve been there for our anniversary. NorthPond is amazing, one of the best meals I’ve ever had.</p>
<p>We just got back from a long weekend in Chicago. A few things I didn’t mention before:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Quartino - An Italian restaurant that we really like (not so much red sauce – think capresi salad, risottos, bruschettas, totellini, etc.). And the donuts for dessert with honey or chocolate are to die for, worth the drive from the Twin Cities all by themselves!</p></li>
<li><p>For lunch or a casual meal, Fox & Obel’s cafe is great. Fox & Obel is a foodie store, but it has a cafe as well. We have eaten there, and once we got food at took it away for a picnic. Great sandwiches, salads, and desserts from out in the store part. You can get your parking validated if you spend more than $20 (no hardship for us!). Info on parking is on the web.</p></li>
<li><p>Xoco - Right around the corner from Frontera, Bayless’s “fast food” Mexican 
Not really a sit down place. Noisy, pretty long wait, counter seating, but it was worth it. The Ahodaga (mild for me) plus churros with ice cream for dipping is great.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>D1 the foodie finds all these places for us.</p>
<p>Xoco had a 55 minute wait at 11:30 last Saturday morning. Fontera was 1.5 hours.</p>
<p>Frontera was “only” 1.5 hours, you mean. ;)</p>
<p>Want to put in another plug for Walker Bro.s’</p>
<p>Also, Mustard’s last stand near the Stadium…for the less epicurean among us.</p>
<p>I see a couple of charges each month at Walker Bros on my Northwestern son’s credit card - rave reviews from him.</p>
<p>I spent my 50th in Chicago when there for a Northwestern event. So many great restaurants to chose from. We enjoyed visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright house/museum on another Chicago trip.</p>
<p>Have any of you been to the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston? I have still not been there.</p>
<p>We went to the Chicago River Museum (under the south end of the Michigan Ave. Bridge) on Monday–it was interesting but I don’t know that it’s a must see unless you’re really into Chicago history and the Chicago River.
All of the tour boats were jammed on Sunday since it was so gorgeous. We had lunch on Sunday at Cyrano’s (riverwalk south side between Michigan and Columbus); this is a lot of fun and the food is great. Does anybody know about Smith & Wollensky’s Sunday brunch–we were hoping they would have it on Monday but no luck.
We had seen Quartino and wondered about it–maybe another time.
Haven’t been to Hackney’s in years–my husband grew up with the onion ring bricks and still says they’re the best.
OP, I think you’re getting some great ideas for places to eat!</p>