CBA was my jam when we lived in LP
Coffee I would hit up La Colombe. Best bagels in the immediate area is Gotham bagels (imo Chicago is a bagel wasteland). Across the street from you is the Original Pancake house which is just a solid diner. Also across the street is LuxBar with awesome old fashioneds. Sparrow is also good cocktail spot too. Lou Malnatis is right next to you but I would hop in a cab and go to Pequods for deep dish. Quick lunch I would walk over to Small Cheval on Wells. For dive bars you got Butch McGuire’s, Dublins, or walk a bit down Wells to get to Old Town Ale house (cash only).
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I’ll second everything @TheAbeFroman said…especially based off last Sunday where I went to LuxBar, Shenanigan’s, & The Lodge. As for around the United Center, nothing really stands out. The Ogden used to be solid, but is just meh now. Ranalli’s down Madison for pizza, but not a top choice if you’re looking for deep dish. Crossroads & Third Rail lean more divey, but nothing to be afraid of.
Abe, have you had New York Bagel & Bialy up on Touhy? Fiance says it’s the best around, but we’ve yet to have Gotham.
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Coffee - La Colombe
Bagel - Chicago Bagel Authority
Lunch - Kerryman (not exactly divey but a nice pub atmosphere and patio)
Pizza - Pequod’s
Dinner - tons of good options but a few of my favorites are Shaw’s Crab House, Gilt Bar, and Fig & Olive
NY Bagel and Bialy supplies many shops in town, believe CBA included (the small shop allegedly makes 3 mil bagels a year). They supply 2 shops in Ravenswood, Lincoln Square that I frequent. Doesn’t address toppings and preparations of course. Is Piece’s other biz/neighbor Brobagel any good?
Piling on the pizza takes, Pequod’s the top to do. Ranalli’s can get that tavern cut on way to the UC. Not true local styled but local shops Piece for New Haven + in house brews with full bar, Coalfire also set you on your way closer to the United Center.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken has a location in the United Center in the 100 level concourse and it’s a must have.
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Mind blown, but makes all the sense in the world
Edit: You’ve started a war in this household now. Fiancé says no chance Bagel and Bialy supplies CBA. She thinks its New York Bagel there at North/Sheffield. I regret telling her
@EConroy419 I live 3 block away, so I’m eating at home before games 99% of the time. But maybe not for my next game? Who’s to say.
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This makes sense now, I used to commute to the burbs and a lot of NPR.
Bacon Boat to Turkey Town!
NY Bagel & Bialy has two locations and both are the best bagel in the Chicagoland area.
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Tell me you’re from the East coast without telling me you’re from the east coast
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Lots of good options above, but as far as the United Center goes my two favorite spots for before/after are Kaiser Tiger and District Brew Yards. You could walk to the UC from both (~10-15 minute walk) if the weather is decent, and Kaiser Tiger actually does a free shuttle to the UC and picks up from the UC to take you back to the bar after. It’s a German-Style Beer Hall with lots of beer, great sausages, some board games, and either curling/bocce out back depending on weather. District Brew Yards is one of the pour-your-own, pay as you go places with three breweries sharing a space. They also serve more than passable BBQ.
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We had a drop for MP on Saturday, June 4th if anyone wants in. $15 buy in fee to cover $5 charitable donation and cash pot for low net. Low net gets a spot on the 2CGC team that’ll compete against OH and MI at regionals later in the summer.
DM if interested.
I live right down the street from Brobagel and I think it’s good. Kind of a limited menu though, but I almost always go for the atomic bagel sandwich on everything which is outstanding.
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Big fan of these in softball season and on the course:
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seems like you really need more suggestions. one thing chicagoans love to do is tell you where to eat, which is where they usually eat. the good news is it’s almost all good.
my UC spots are:
the output lounge – really good wings. sort of a divy-sports bar vibe. won’t be many tourists there.
the ogden – good food. “nicer” sports bar vibe. really close to UC. if you went here, you could tell your wife “a random guy on the internet used to go here a lot when he had season tickets during the d rose years”
(also RIP west end grill)
a little “famous restaurant” cheat code me and the mrs. like to pull is getting to frontera grill at like 5:00 or so and eating at the bar. you can go full bayless from there.
enjoy your trip!
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One last shout out…If you make your way to Wicker/Logan Square area and like gin, you must go to Scofflaw.
PSA: If anyone is ever in the Gold Coast/Old Town area and in need of a drinking buddy, hit me up. I’ll likely already be at the bar.
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We should hang out more
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Agreed! And the toughy location is 24 hours!!