Where to Eat Like a Chicagoan

When I step outside my office and an out-of-town visitor asks me where I like to go for deep-dish pizza, I know it's summer. That's tourist season in Chicago, and my office, in the River North off Michigan Avenue, is right in the center of the action. I never eat pizza downtown, and don't order deep dish at home (too much cheese). There are, however, many old and new local favorites that are worth a stop. Here's what you can find, and whether you'll need to dress up or can go in a t-shirt and shorts. In general, however, you don't need to wear a tie to even the most formal Chicago restaurants. It's business casual everywhere now.

Just underneath Michigan Avenue, at the river, you'll find the oldest existing and most famous location of the Billy Goat Tavern and Grill (the original site was near Chicago Stadium). This is one of the oldest continuously open restaurants in the city, and the one made famous by John Belushi's, Dan Aykroyd's, and Bill Murray's Saturday Night Live Skit. According to the Restaurant's web site, the staff and original owner would yell out orders and banter with the customers. Belushi , Bill Murray, and one of the writers of the skit were familiar with the restaurant from their days in Chicago. What to order there? Cheezborger, doublecheese. No fries, cheeps! There's no need to dress up.

Every December, Chicagoans wait for hours to eat at the Walnut Room in Marshall Fields (oops! Make that Macy's!) at 111 N State Street, when the restaurant features a giant Christmas tree. Families come downtown, as they have been doing for generations, shop while they wait their turn to eat, and dine on old favorites. When the Christmas tree isn't taking its place, the restaurant, which opened in 1907, features a 17-foot marble fountain.

Order the chicken pot pie, the restaurant's original entrée, which has been on the menu since it opened. Also good are the dishes designed by the Culinary Council. In addition to lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers tea. Although the atmosphere is formal, I have seen people eating there in shorts and t-shirts, so you won't be turned away for being underdressed.

For breakfast or a quick lunch, try the Corner Bakery, a favorite of local office workers. This restaurant, part of Chicagoan Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You empire, offers soups and sandwiches, pastries, breakfast, and-my favorite-oatmeal with all the toppings. Yes, the chain has expanded outside Chicago now, but it continues to be a favorite among the locals. And it's a great casual spot to stop for lunch with kids, and you can wear shorts there. There are locations throughout downtown Chicago.

R. J. Grunt's, Melman's oldest restaurant, opened in 1971. It featured what was then an innovation-an all-you-can-eat salad bar. The restaurant also offers an all-you-can-eat brunch on weekends. It is kid friendly, offering a "stroller valet" service to young families living near its location in Lincoln Park (not downtown). Melman considered closing the restaurant in 1997, but it won a reprieve after public outcry. Visit it at 2056 Lincoln Park West, and take the kids to the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free, while you're there. Ride the Red Line or Brown Line to Fullerton, and walk east and south to get there.

Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, at 33 W. Kinzie, is hard to miss, because it is the building wearing glasses and one of my husband's favorite restaurants. Expect good steaks, seafood, and classic Italian dishes in a restaurant with red-checkered tablecloths. In the bar, you can order appetizers and watch the Cubs. The food is good, classic, Italian cooking. Several years ago, the restaurant bought Bartman's infamous ball and destroyed it in their parking lot. You can still view the remnants there among its extensive collection of baseball memorabilia. "Holy mackerel!" I would not wear shorts here.

Rick Bayless's restaurants, Frontera Grill and Topolobompo, are long-time local favorites for high-end Mexican food. You can find them on Clark Street, just south of Illinois. Topolobompo, which takes reservations, is quiet, private, and a favorite of President Obama and his wife Michelle. If you eat there, dress up for a nice dinner out. Forntera Grill is louder, more casual (I would still not wear shorts), and limits the reservations to only a few parties. If you go to Frontera, expect to wait. Both restaurants use organic, local ingredients (there is a garden on the roof of the building), because celebrity chef Bayless is one of the earliest local champions of this cuisine. Menus change monthly to take advantage of what's in season, but generally feature moles, grilled meats, and lots of vegetables.

For those not inclined to dress up, Bayless will be opening a quick service restaurant, XOCO, in the coming months. His web site promises the restaurant will serve tacos and tortas. Renovations of the site are still in progress. When we go to Topolo for an office lunch, we always order the guacamole and the margaritas.

The Berghoff Cafe claims to be the city's oldest restaurant. The food is German, with some American favorites, and it is open for limited hours at lunch and dinner. Find the restaurant at 17 W. Adams.