John & Kristen
Things To Do
Del Seoul
Korean tacos, mine and Kristen's favorite food in the whole city! Make sure to get the spicy shrimp tacos specifically. Casual counter service. $
Corridor Brewery & Provisions
Nice brewery in the Southport Corridor neighborhood, right down the street from where Kristen and I used to live. Great beers, burgers, and pizza, and very friendly staff. $$
Gather
A nicer, modern American restaurant in the cute neighborhood of Lincoln Square. Make sure to make a reservation if you want to eat here - casual but classy atmosphere, one of our favorite meals for special occasions, e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. $$
Tango Sur
One of the underrated steakhouses amongst the many notable ones, this Argentinian Steakhouse was down the street from where we used to live, and boasts John's favorite dessert of all-time, their home made cheesecake. $$
Au Cheval
Voted the best burger in America in the early 2010's and constantly amongst the top in the world, venture to the Fulton Market district of Chicago to be surrounded by Michelin star restaurants and trendy bars. The burger lives up to the hype, as it's John's favorite of all time. Make sure to order the bacon and fried egg, and get there early as there is *always* a long wait. $$
Friar Tuck
Classic Chicago dive-bar. Order a Miller Lite and enjoy the free popcorn. $
Bird's Nest
Our favorite chicken wing spot in the city! Go for the BBQ/Honey-BBQ. $
Portillo's Chicago (Addison)
Maybe you've been inspired by The Bear, but if you haven't had an italian beef before, Portillos is a Chicago chain that's been synonymous with italian beef for years. It may not be the "best" in the city, but it's a classic. If you want the best, venture to Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park. $
MingHin Cuisine
Venture to Chicago's Chinatown and enjoy some dim-sum from our favorite restaurant in the area! $$
Chicago River Boat Architecture Tours
Many say the best way to see the city of Chicago, and all its amazing architecture. Certainly a "must-do", if it's your first time visiting. $$
Wrigley Field
If the Cubs happen to be in town, make sure to catch a game! John is a lifelong Cubs fan, and the atmosphere at Wrigley in the summer is unbeatable. Look up the words to the 7th-inning stretch so you can sing along. $$
Lincoln Park Zoo
Located in the heart of one of Chicago's nicest neighborhoods, Lincoln Park Zoo is a delight to walk through on a nice summer day, with views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline surrounding the area
The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago is a world class city for museums, and the Art Institute may be our favorite. Kristen and I have had more than a few dates here, and it's always a great way to spend an afternoon. $$
Field Museum
Another staple amongst the many great Chicago museums, this one is for the history buffs; make sure to allocate at least 3hrs here. $