Visiting Chicago? PLEASE, read this before you post

Visitors to Chicago, Welcome!

Often potential Chicago guests will find their way to LTHForum, and ask how they can choose outstanding culinary experiences. We enjoy helping while you do your homework.

A place to start can be examining our list of restaurants that have received the designation of "Great Neighborhood Restaurant" or GNR. These are a very diverse set of restaurants found throughout Chicagoland that members of this board admire, nominate, and review. The link for the current list (found on the LTHForum Great Neighborhood Restaurant Awards board) is Complete List of Great Neighborhood Restaurants. These are listed by location and by cuisine, and there is a helpful Google Map.

While we are proud of this guide, it leans towards the local, neighborhood, specialty, and regionally authentic. Many of our most highly regarded fine dining restaurants (such as Alinea, or steakhouses) are not included, nor are many hotel restaurants, food hall spots, or chains. For these, browse our Eating Out in Chicagoland forum, and do consider Michelin, Zagat, the Chicago Tribune, Chowhound, Eater, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.

Once you've considered these resources and still need guidance, you are welcome to post here. Be prepared to address the following items:

What are your food preferences in terms of cuisine and style?

What is your budget in general terms?

Where will you be staying and what transportation do you have?

Are you dining solo or in a group, and is it a special occasion?

Are volume level or ambience important to your party?

Consider what your strategy would be if recommending places in your own town. When you have provided the information, wait for responses to flow in and be prepared to pick through differing opinions.

Sometimes visitors would like to have others join them for a meal. Consider joining an existing meal on our Events Calendar, or even adding your own. Do not be offended if you do not receive any responses. We are a community, and often responses are made to events sponsored by a known member. We do hope we can help and that you will enjoy your visit to Chicago.

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2020 moderator note - you may also find the following threads useful on the "eating like a local" front:

Chicago institutions (longtime neighborhood anchors)

Signature and iconic Chicago foods