Kelly Purkey: chicago

September 29, 2014

My Wanderlist: Samantha Roby's 10 Best Things to Eat in Chicago

I'm always in need of recommendations when I travel so I wanted to start a new series of blog posts sharing currated city guides from my friends. They're all experts in their hometowns or current towns and happy to share the best of the best, the coolest of the cool. I hope this will become a great resource for you when you travel and help add a lot of places to your own wanderlist.

Samantha Roby runs the mouth watering Instagram account, Chicago Food Authority. She's got 30,000+ followers who live for her food posts. So who is better to tell you exactly what you should be eating when you visit the Windy City. Here are her 10 Best Things to Eat in Chicago:

1. Au Cheval - double bacon cheeseburger and don't forget the fried egg
2. Fat Rice - Arroz Gordo, which means fat rice and is the signature dish
3. Siena Tavern - truffle gnocchi
4. Dusek's - iron roasted Prince Edward Island mussels
5. Girl + the Goat - pig face (don't be scared by the name, it's delicious!)
6. Meli Cafe + Juice Bar - honey smoked salmon benedict
7. Big Star - al pastor tacos enjoyed out on their big patio
8. Half Shell - Alaskan king crab and snow crab leg combo dinner
9. Hot Doug's (which permanently closes October 3) - duck fat french friends
10. Jeni's Ice Cream - Brambleberry ice cream

Have you tried any of Samantha's top ten list? What else would you recommend as a must eat in Chicago? Let's hear it in the comments!

Find Samantha on the web | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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June 10, 2014

Skydeck at Willis Tower

The Skydeck at Willis Tower is one of those touristy things in Chicago that you always want to do but never quite make time for when you live there. But one night in May my friends Chloe, John, and I put aside a night to go up and check out the view. Which is pretty spectacular. You get a panoramic view of the city.

The Skydeck has glass boxes that you can step out into about four feet out and 103 floors up in the air. Just you and some glass floating above the city. I went a few years ago and my palms were definitely sweaty with that first step onto the ledge. This time I thought I was feeling more brave, but that step out into the sky is a tough one to take. Once you're out there though, it's lots of fun.

The three of us had fun snapping photos and didn't even realize that 2+ hours passed as we watched the city get all lit up in the dusk. If you plan it right, you might see some amazing sunsets from the Skydeck.

You might also know that the Skydeck has recently been in the news for cracking when a family stepped out onto the glass. Eeek. Live life on the edge and take a trip up to the ledge.

Willis Tower Skydeck
233 S. Wacker Dr.
Enter Skydeck on Jackson Blvd. (south side of building)
Chicago, IL 60606
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Posted at 08:00 AM in chicago | Permalink | Comments (5)

May 06, 2014

Au Cheval

A few weeks ago my friend Jason came to Chicago with a couple of his friends in tow and when we were discussing a lunch date, I promised him the best burger in town. Enter Au Cheval. Over on restaurant row, this tiny diner stays busy almost every minute it's open. The long waits can be killer so go for a late lunch or even better, a late night.

There are quite a few places you can get a great burger (Kuma's, Hot Chocolate, Edzo's) but this one happens to be my favorite. It's a very simple one, made on a flattop with no fanciness to the bun. But it's juicy and flavorful. All the burgers come topped with a fried egg and I definitely live + die by the slogan "put an egg on it." The yolky goodness is awesome perfect for dredging your fries through too. Feeling a little wild? Try the fried house-made bologna sandwich.

If you like (and who doesn't) add a slab of thick cut bacon onto your burger too. I also recommend adding a dangerously delicious Hemingway daquiri to your meal too. On our visit, there wasn't a single bite left on all five lunch plates. In Chicago? Come join the Au Cheval Clean Plate club.

Au Cheval Website | Facebook | Twitter

Posted at 07:00 AM in Burgers, chicago, chicago eats, Diners, Lunch | Permalink | Comments (7)

March 04, 2014

Eataly in Chicago

A couple weeks ago Barb and I spent the afternoon strolling through Eataly. The Eataly in New York City was always one of my favorite places and I found myself there quite often. Now that Chicago has it's own version, you know where to find me.

Chicago's Eataly is twice the size of NYC's and includes many more places to sit + dine (15 places to chose from, compared to NYC's 9.) They seem to be covering everything here, from pastries to vegetarian to a nutella station. Yes. Nutella station. We chose to split a meat + cheese plate and it was the perfect afternoon snack.

We went at an off time so the crowds weren't too bad and I can imagine popping in here to pick up some treats every day if I lived downtown. They have such a great selection of fresh, high quality products. And a top notch wine section, of course.

One of Eataly's slogans is "life is too short not to eat well and drink well" and what do you know, I wholeheartedly agree. Become Eatalian and put this place at the top of your list next time you're in Chicago.

Eataly NYC blogged here in 2010

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February 24, 2014

Brunch at Endgrain

There are many places in Chicago that I love to eat brunch at but only one that I've been to three times already this year. It's a small neighborhood place called Endgrain. Biscuits, doughnuts, fried chicken, Intelligentsia coffee. And really good bacon. You're with me right?

I've had the pleasure of meeting enjoying brunch there with a few different friends and everyone has always left with a happy belly. The fried chicken biscuit sandwiches are just divine. Yesterday I finally switched it up and tried the porchetta with a biscuit on the side and it was amazing (yes, there's meaty goodness piled under all that green.) Barb said that it might be her favorite biscuit. Which is saying a lot, considering our love for Pine State.

I also decided to forego my usual doughnut and tried the doughscuit - a hybrid of a doughnut + biscuit. This one was strawberry drizzled with chocolate. Such a smart Sunday morning decision. I've already mentioned to another friend that we might have to meet there for brunch next weekend. Endgrain, I think you've got me addicted.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Kelly Purkey