You can't come to Chicago without having at least one steak dinner. Chicago is known for great pizza, incredible polish sausages, and the best popcorn on earth! But you can't live on junk food, and neither do we... there are a boatload of great steak places in Chicago, and depending on your favorite cut, you can find something worth sinking your teeth into. I prefer my steak without toppings because for that kind of money, it should stand on its own. I hate a char broiled steak with a pink middle - I want the steak medium rare and moderately brown on the outside with a warm pink center. In this installment, I'm going to stick to the Chicago places:
Gibson's - if you're eating at Gibson's you either know a great Concierge like myself, or you stood in line for two hours and are so hungry they could bring you a plate with shoe leather on it and you'd think it was ambrosia. I recommend Gibson's all the time to my guests. The wait for a table is disgusting there, but the wait is well worth it. I don't, as a rule, wait in line anywhere to eat. If I have to wait, I will wait here. You'll sit next to several local socialites, and you'll probably share the bar with your Alderman or Senator, but you're really there to eat, and they don't disappoint. My favorite cut here is the filet mignon or the bone-in ribeye. Their filet has some fat and marbling, so there is some taste - it melts in your mouth. The bone-in ribeye is succulent and delightful. Pair that with a loaded baked potato or a vegetable with salted butter and you have a meal worth standing on three inch heels for.
Morton's - if the Yankees are coming to town, make your reservations in advance because you won't be able to get inside under normal circumstances - at this point, it's literally impossible. I'll go here after my shift is over to get a real meal and one of the best Caesar salads in Chicago. Again, I'm eating the filet mignon or the ribeye. I can eat at Morton's everyday, and sometimes I do. My guests invariably get sent here a lot also.
437 - after a day at Nordstrom or anyplace on the Mag Mile - I have guests that come here routinely. I come here for the strip or the bone in ribeye. They have an edge on their ribeye, I have literally never been disappointed in it. If you aren't in the mood for their steak, they also prepare crab legs that are perfection.
Sullivan's - I had my first strip steak here, and it was so good, I've never tried anything else at Sullivan's. When I walk in the door, they start cooking my strip because they already know what I'm getting. I partner this with the lettuce wedge with blue cheese and a well made martini and I'm all set. The dinner here is reasonable and well made. You can't go wrong here.
Chicago Firehouse - when you want a romantic evening at a small restaurant with fabulous food - this is the place. I sent a client here who wanted to propose, and it went so smoothly, he asked me to be in the wedding. The best porterhouse you can find is right here in the south loop. Try this with the basked potato and the lobster bisque and you'll be in heaven. I eat here frequently - especially after I've gotten my nails done or visited some friends on the south side.
Wildfire - these restaurants are all over now, but they started here in Chicago. When I started out as a Concierge, I sent my clients here routinely. People like something familiar and most people have heard of Wildfire. My clients always come back complimentary. If you aren't a steak connoisseur, this is a good start for a good steak. You can get a great strip or ribeye cut here - the prices are reasonable and the service is very good.
The Saloon - believe it or not, this is one of the first steakhouses I visited when I first got into the business. I had a client who was seeing a play around the corner and I had to make sure this steakhouse lived up to it's reputation before I sent them over. Their filet mignon is a very good size, tastes great, and the service is perfection. This is a classy steakhouse and a closely guarded secret hotspot - try it out!
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