Ever wondered where your favorite musicians like to eat when they’re in Chicago? RedEye decided to find out. We asked a slew of Lollapalooza performers where they chow down in the city.
Aaron Nigel Smith
Set time: Aug. 3, 12:00-12:25 p.m. and Aug. 4, 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Stage: Kidzapalooza Presented By Lifeway
1510 E. Harper Court, 773-752-5375
The Ital stew is my favorite! The jerk sauce is also delicious.
Alphabet Rockers
Set time: Aug. 2, 5:00-5:30 p.m. and Aug. 3, 3:00-3:30 p.m.
Stage: Kidzapalooza Presented By Lifeway
Multiple locations
Tommy Shepherd, Jr. (music director of Alphabet Rockers): Our hostess curated our meal for us based on a mix of restaurant favorites and our own. It was great! The food was awesome and the service was impeccable!
814 W. 18th St., 312-731-3167
Juan Amador (DJ Wonway Posibul): Aside the ones from my family, these are some of the best tamales I’ve had. Love the veggie options too!
Bomba Estéreo (Recommendations from founder Simon Mejia)
Set time: Aug. 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Stage: Grant Park stage
701 S. State St., 312-427-2787
The first time we went to Chicago our tour manager Timo took us to this place. The best and biggest burgers in the world. Oh man!
1906 S. State St., 312-567-9898
1371 W. Chicago Ave., 312-988-0986
We love the various Chicago restaurants that are BYOB and you can bring your own bottle. Love Thai food!
Harold’s Chicken Shack
Multiple locations
Eat some classic fried chicken with barbecue sauce and then listen to some blues players, that’s real old-school Chicago!
BØRNS
Set time: Aug. 3, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Stage: Lake Shore stage
833 W. Randolph St., 312-432-0500
I love an old school swanky atmosphere and Nellcôte is the best.
The Coronas
Set time: Aug. 5, 1-2 p.m.
Stage: Bud Light stage
300 N. LaSalle Drive., 312-329-1800
Chicago Cut is my favourite restaurant in Chicago, probably the best steak I’ve ever had. Lovely location, delicious wine, amazing staff — an all-around awesome experience!
940 W. Weed St., 312-337-3486
Joe’s on Weed St. is amazing. Not so much for its food but we spent so many nights partying when we lived close by that I had to mention it.
661 N. Clark St., 312-335-8121
The Kerryman is a fun Irish bar that does lovely Irish food, and it’s a great place to watch sport.
Emilia Ali
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Set time: Aug. 4, 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Stage: American Eagle stage
Multiple locations
Some of my favorite places and things to eat when I’m here are Portillo’s roast beef with cheddar and Maxwell Street polish sausage.
Franz Ferdinand (Recommendations from lead singer and guitarist Alex Kapranos)
Set time: Aug. 2, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
Stage: Grant Park stage
Sometimes when I get to a city, I like to enjoy simply being a tourist. A nice, trashy tourist and eat the classiest fast food I can find.
430 N. Michigan Ave., 312-222-1525
So, coming to Chicago last night, obviously I headed to the Billy Goat Tavern. The original one. I haven’t been back here since the curse was lifted, so I was curious to see if the vibe of the place had altered in any way. Of course it hadn’t. You’d need a neutron bomb to shake the vibe of a place like that. I had a cheezeborger and a Schlitz. It was exactly as it was last time I’d been there. I can’t imagine many Chicagoans hang out there. It’s like Edinburgh Castle: I lived in Edinburgh for four years and never visited it once. Sometimes you have to come from outside to appreciate the gems in a city’s crown.
After I walked past, shielding my eyes from the radioactive glow of a perversely large sign spelling T.R.U.M.P. I was still peckish, so picked up a slice of deep pan. Of course I did! I’m a tourist here in Chicago! How could I not? I’m sad to say that it was not the best slice I’ve ever had, doughy base etc., but I’m not going to name the establishment. You guys know where is good and where is not good to go without me chiming in.
Mr. Zee’s
Multiple locations
Tomorrow, I’m going to go out a bit further and drop by and see Wayne and the guys at Midwest Buy And Sell and then will get some chicken at Mr Zee’s on W. Irving Park Road near Merrimac Park. Just like the city of Chicago, a great part of my make-up is of Greek heritage and this is some of the best Greek chicken you can ever eat. Man, I am salivating just thinking about it.
I know that Chicago has some of the finest fine dining restaurants in all of this fine world, but that stuff gets written about all the time. It’s the everyday food that really defines a city. If I don’t stop now I’ll start banging on about meatball subs…
Freya Ridings
Set time: Aug. 5, 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Stage: Lake Shore stage
5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725
I’m obsessed with American southern-style foods, and I’ve heard they have the best pickles and fried chicken in town.
Multiple locations
I couldn’t leave the Windy City without experiencing some deep-dish pizza.
2537 N. Kedzie Ave., 773-489-9554
Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, and friends have said the poached eggs on toast is incredible.
Jessie Reyez
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-763-0660
Superdawg is just classic and a fun drive-in plus they have great fries and malts! It’s not a tourist spot — you go there and it’s all locals. Just great hot dogs.
lovelytheband
Set time: Aug. 4, 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Stage: Lake Shore stage
Multiple locations
It was the first pizza place we went to when we first visited Chicago, and we fell in love with it.
Manchester Orchestra (Recommendations from bassist Andy Prince)
Set time: Aug. 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Stage: Lake Shore stage
Multiple locations
The falafel here is amazing — crunch on the outside, soft on the inside. You can’t beat it!
3800 N. Pulaski Road, 773-545-7427
Get the pulled pork or the brisket. You can’t go wrong either way.
2500 N. Southport Ave., 773-472-1502
Great place to get buffalo wings, very hole-in-the-wall kind of vibe. Bring some friends and relax.
morgxn
Set Time: Aug. 4, 5:40-6:20 p.m.
Stage: BMI stage
800 W. Randolph St., 312-929-4580
Possibly the best cheeseburger I have EVER had. Au Cheval doesn’t take reservations, so it’s tough to get in but worth it.
802 W. Randolph St., 312-265-1745
Amazing veggie-forward place with a killer wine list and really good cocktails.
837 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-9555
The Publican is more into meat and changes its menu constantly to keep it a surprise, which I can really get behind.
The Neighbourhood (Recommendations from bass guitarist Mikey Margott)
809 W. Randolph St., 312-492-6262
We make it a point to go there at least a couple times in our Chicago trips. It’s a well-crafted menu with innovative dishes. The standout dish to me was the wood-grilled broccoli.
2207 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-327-1512
You have to get some deep dish when in Chicago. It would feel wrong not to. I’ve had a couple spots, but Pequod’s was the one that made me realize how good deep dish pizza can be.
Pale Waves
Set time: Aug. 4, 2:50-3:30 p.m.
Stage: American Eagles stage
Multiple locations
We love Devil Dawgs because of their amazing veggie dogs!
Parquet Courts (Recommendation from singer and guitarist Andrew Savage)
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Set time: Aug. 3, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Stage: Bud Light stage
2333 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-3211
3411 N. Halsted St., 773-935-6696
I go every time I’m in Chicago. I’m vegetarian, but I don’t really love vegetarian restaurants. The Chicago Diner is the exception to this rule. Sean Yeaton (bass) and I have been known to have it twice in a day. Although I must issue a plea to this wonderful diner: Bring back the Dagwood! Please!
Post Animal
Set time: Aug. 3, 1:50-2:30 p.m.
Stage: American Eagle stage
2952 W. Armitage Ave., 773-384-3333
Parson’s is now serving wings every day and has adult slushies.
1385 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-360-8791
Best cup of hot soup in the city and try a bun.
3434 W. North Ave., 773-687-8286
One of our favorite burritos and the best salsas.
Rebelution
Set time: Aug. 2, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Stage: Bud Light stage
80 N. Morgan St., 773-831-9696
You take a shot out of an ice shot glass then throw it at a bell.
The Regrettes
Set time: Aug. 5, 12:45-1:30 p.m.
Stage: Grant Park stage
Lydia Night (vocals): I love the Chicago Diner because they make vegan food so fun!
Genessa Gariano (guitar): We go to the Chicago Diner every time we are in the area! It has a full vegetarian menu where they recreate classic diner dishes sans meat.
Sage Chavis (bass): The Chicago Diner is my TOP fave. All VEGETARIAN and tastes like you’re eating at a ‘50s diner. I don’t know how they do it so well but I want EVERYTHING on the menu.
3408 N. Clark St., 773-248-6613
Night: I love Pick Me Up Cafe because it reminds me of my go-to spot in L.A., Swingers. It’s open late and has tons of options!
Stars
Set time: Aug. 2, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Stage: Grant Park stage
615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002
Love sitting at the bar. The flatbreads are incredible and the food is made with love.
Fancy never felt so comfortable. Flawless attention to beauty and perfectly delicious.
2952 W. Armitage Ave., 773-384-3333
Negroni slushy — need I say more?
Superorganism
Set time: Aug. 5, 12:15-1:00 p.m.
Stage: Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage
2801 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-327-3737
Gino’s is the only restaurant we’ve been to in Chicago. We chose it because it was the closest place to Schubas Tavern that did deep dish. It was quite different to what we expected. In London you can buy £2 frozen pizzas that say “deep dish Chicago style” on them but they’re just regular pizzas with really thick bread bases. A real deep dish is more like a pie, so good!
TroyBoi
Set time: Aug. 5, 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Stage: Perry’s stage
66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990
This is usually my first stop when I land in Chicago.
Multiple locations
Reminds me of London, and it’s very rare to find this in the States.
Walk the Moon (Recommendations from bassist Kevin Ray)
Set time: Aug. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Stage: Grant Park stage
2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000
I can still remember the first time I ate at Ba-Ba-Reeba! It was a transformative experience that took me back to eating tapas in Spain. This is the first place I think of when I arrive in Chicago on an empty stomach.
112 N. Green St., 312-754-0431
A secret spot beneath a barbecue joint. High Five serves up delicious ramen, including a delicious vegetarian option. Don’t go there. We don’t want it to get too busy.
2622 N. Clark St., 773-477-7444
Duh.
[email protected] | @HSteinkopfFrank
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