As the beloved Julia Child once said, “‘People who love to eat are always the best people.” That definitely holds true for the Genies! We don’t hold back when it comes to our passion for food and some of our favorite memories together have been around the lunch and dinner table. We often bond over our love for different restaurants and bars in Chicago so it only made sense to share some of our favorites on our blog.
Check out our top choices below and let us know if you think there are other places we need to check out!
TARYN
- Favorite Restaurant for Groups: Café Ba-Ba-Reeba or Takito Kitchen
- Favorite Vegetarian Joint: Clever Rabbit (True Food Kitchen and Lula Cafe are amazing for vegetarians, too)
- Favorite Indian Restaurant: Tandoor Char House
- Favorite Italian Restaurant: Casati’s Pizza Vino
- Most Romantic Date Night Spot: Geja’s Cafe (Gemini Chicago is a more lively option)
- Go-to Brunch Place: France’s Deli & Brunchery
- Great Place to Take Your Parents: Mon Ami Gabi
- Best Bite: Del Seoul’s Shrimp Taco
- Favorite Coffee Shop: Collectivo
- Favorite Dessert: Molly’s Cupcakes
JANELLE
Best Brunch Place: Janik’s Cafe, Bongo Room, or Kanela
Favorite healthy meal: Sweetgreen
Favorite Restaurant for Groups: Punch Bowl Social or El Heje
Best pizza (& place to stuff your face): Giordano’s
Most Romantic Date Night Spot: Bandera – it has live jazz
Favorite Vegetarian Joint: Clever Rabbit
Favorite Coffee Shop: C.C. Ferns
Favorite Dessert: This one donut at 11 Degrees
LIZZ
Favorite Restaurant: Roister or Clever Rabbit
Best Date Night: Maude’s Liquor Bar
Best Cocktail Bar: Bordel, Lost Lake, Prairie House, Gilt Bar
Best Vegetarian: Clever Rabbit or Bad Hunter
Best Mexican: Mercadito (or El Burrito for late night munchies if ya know what I mean)
Best Brunch: Maison Marcel or M. Henry
Best Atmosphere: Beatnik
Best Sushi: Izakaya at Momotaro
Best Seafood: Maude’s Liquor Bar (best lobster in Chi) or GT Fish
Best Salad: Sweetgreen
Favorite Rooftop: Tanta
VIOLET
Favorite Restaurant: Maple and Ash – I have vivid dreams about their food at least once a week
Best Date Night: Geja’s Café
Best Dessert: Black Dog Gelato
Best Bakery: Sweet Mandy B’s
Best Mexican: El Burrito Mexicano
Best Italian: Mirabella
Best Brunch: Southport Grocery & Cafe
Best Pizza (deep dish): Giordano’s
Best Pizza (thin crust): Aurelio’s
Best Donut: Firecakes
Best BBQ: Blackwood BBQ
Best Seafood: Devon Seafood Grill
Best Steakhouse: Tie between Steak 48 and Maple and Ash once again!
ASHLEIGH
Favorite Restaurant: Butchers Tap or Hutch
Favorite Rooftop Bars: Old Crow (Wrigleyville) or Cindy’s
Instagram Worthy Restaurants: Hampton Social, River Roast or Summer House Santa Monica
Best Cocktails: Violet Hour
Best Date Night: Sienna Tavern, Hub 51 or Bandera
Best Italian: Coda Di Volpe
Best Pizza (thin crust): Coalfire or Aurelio’s
Best Sushi: Enso Sushi Bar
Best BBQ: Green Street Smoked Meats or Smoke Daddy BBQ
Best BYOB: Tango Sur
ANTHONY
Favorite Restaurant: La Scarola (you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu)
Best Date Night: Bavette’s
Best Dessert: Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
Best Bakery: Sweet Mandy B’s
Best Mexican: Mercadito (for more upscale) and El Jardin
Best BYOB: Caro Mio (BYOB Italian Restaurant)
Best Brunch: Southport Grocery & Cafe or Anne Sather (best cinnamon rolls)
Best Pizza (deep dish): Pequod’s
Best Pizza (thin crust): Spacca Napoli or Coalfire
Best BBQ: Lillie’s Q or Sheffield’s
Best Seafood: Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Best Steakhouse: Mastro’s or Gene & Georgetti
JACQUI
Favorite Restaurant/Best Seafood: Joe’s Seafood
Best Date Night: Cherry Circle Room at Chicago Athletic Association
Best Dessert: Margie’s Candies
Best Bakery: Rudy’s Bakery
Best Mexican: Las Tarascas
Best BYOB: Tango Sur
Best Brunch: Southport Grocery & Cafe
Best Italian: Mama’s Boy
Best Pizza: Lou Malnati’s
Best Donut: Stan’s
Best BBQ: Chicago Q
Best Steakhouse: Swift & Son’s
