Visiting New York & Chicago - Where to go?

[Cogglamp]

Well since you put it that way, there's a place I really like in Union Square called Republic. They do like thai/vietnamese noodles. It's delicious stuff. http://www.thinknoodles.com/

F'in love that place. Shake Shack is delicious too.

@ OP

Just post what kind of food you like and Sabin and I will take care of you.

[seregul]

Maxwell street-dogs and sausage
Lou Malnatti's- IMO the best chicago pizza

Stuffed or thin? I'd say Father and Son for thin and Nancy's for stuffed. It's all really good though. I have a Chicago's right around the corner so I usually stick with that. Pretty tasty, and they're open til 5 a.m.

If you're after a Maxwell polish avoid all imitators, the best place is Jim's Original, it's a half block north of Maxwell along the west frontage road of I-90/94. Do not eat them in a confined space. The only time I didn't eat it on the spot and drove with it to another location, I kept it in the trunk.

[benebarba]

I'll second the Lou Malnatti's recommendation.

For a Chicago style hotdog, hit up any random street vendor... gets ya that 'authentic' feel (and really, they're about the same in my experience). Alternatively, hit up Chopper's near Ashland and North Ave for an awesome shake and pretty good fast food (burgers, hot dogs, polish, etc.) for a good price.

If food + beer is your thing, The Hopleaf on Clark and Foster or Revolution Brew Pub on Milwaukee just south of Fullerton (IIRC). Hopleaf has a lot of imports, particularly belgian style. Rev is a small brew pub that also has some other beers and makes a mean bacon popcorn.

For sights, depends on your tastes. We have museums and theatres, but they probably aren't quite as big or diverse as those in NYC. There are some local-history museums that are pretty neat (The Chicago Cultural Center is neat, and is in a cool building while also being free) and the Art Institute Museum has a rather broad collection. Navy Pier is the big tourist trap, and is actually kinda fun, along with the magnificent mile (mostly shopping, some dining). There are some conservatories that are pretty cool (Lincoln Park and Garfield Park Conservatories), but I recommend folks try to get out of the 'Loop' (downtown) and into some of the different neighborhoods since it gives a very different feel to the city. There's a Chinatown on the southside, Wrigley Field (old baseball stadium) on the northside. Greektown on the south-west of the Loop (Artopolis is a nice cafe there), with Little Italy a bit further out IIRC.

Downside is public transit can get wonky because of the layout of the trains though there are tons of buses - but then scheduling can become a hassle. Driving can be tricky because parking in some neighborhoods is terrible or expensive (particularly the ones near the lake like Lincoln Park)

[Sabindeus]

Alternatively, for a New York style hotdog, hit up a Gray's Papaya (or knock-off brand) or any of the street carts. Make sure to get it with sauerkraut and onions in sauce. And mustard. <_<

[Flex]

sauerkraut is of the devil

[benebarba]

Alternatively, for a New York style hotdog, hit up a Gray's Papaya (or knock-off brand) or any of the street carts. Make sure to get it with sauerkraut and onions in sauce. And mustard. <_<

Is that what is on a NY style dog? I've never had one.

[Sabindeus]

sauerkraut is of the devil

your face is of the devil

[Flex]

sauerkraut is of the devil

your face is of the devil

And much more appealing than sauerkraut.

[Sabindeus]

Alternatively, for a New York style hotdog, hit up a Gray's Papaya (or knock-off brand) or any of the street carts. Make sure to get it with sauerkraut and onions in sauce. And mustard. <_<

Is that what is on a NY style dog? I've never had one.

typical NY hot dogs contain any of the following toppings:
ketchup
mustard
relish
sauerkraut
onions in sauce

I just listed the ones I usually get

[Sabindeus]

sauerkraut is of the devil

your face is of the devil

And much more appealing than sauerkraut.

your mom's more appealing than sauerkraut.

[Flex]

I don't know about that. She enjoys that stuff.

Do you like pickled eggs too?

[cerwillis]

Alternatively, for a New York style hotdog, hit up a Gray's Papaya (or knock-off brand) or any of the street carts. Make sure to get it with sauerkraut and onions in sauce. And mustard. <_<

Is that what is on a NY style dog? I've never had one.

According to this he gets it about right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog_variations

/brb readin' about hotdogs.

[Sabindeus]

Alternatively, for a New York style hotdog, hit up a Gray's Papaya (or knock-off brand) or any of the street carts. Make sure to get it with sauerkraut and onions in sauce. And mustard. <_<

Is that what is on a NY style dog? I've never had one.

According to this he gets it about right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog_variations

/brb readin' about hotdogs.

See I was just listing what, IMO, goes on a hotdog. I didn't even realize there were variations, nor did I realize that pretty much exactly what I just said would be declared the "New York style" on a wikipedia page. :O I am truly a product of my environment.

[Sabindeus]

Man now i want to go hit a gray's papaya for a recession special.

[sahiel]

Awesome response guys, thank you all so very much! I'm sure it will improve her trip no end to actually have an idea of where to go and you came up with some really great sounding places to go/things to do, so again, many thanks