Hotels By City: Cheap Hotels, Hotel Guides & Hotel Blogs

The Billy Goat Tavern is a legend here in Chicago, and it was one long before "Saturday Night Live" parodied it in the mid-‘70s. You know that curse on the Cubs, the one involving the goat? Well, it was the original owner of the Billy Goat, William Sianis, who was responsible for that. When he was not allowed to bring his goat into a 1945 World Series game, he cursed ...

As you know by now, Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza--covered in lots of gooey cheese and bubbly tomato sauce, usually with spicy pieces of sausage and a thick, thick crust. You can get these delectable pies anywhere in this city, but those of us who live here know that one deep-dish pie is not interchangeable with another. For example, my husband's favorite is Lou Malnati's because of its ...

For those of you looking off the beaten path in Chicago, allow me to recommend Cafe LaGuardia, located at 2111 W. Armitage in the Bucktown neighborhood.  Cafe LaGuardia is family owned.  The first time I ventured here with my boyfriend, we were actually seated by the owner's mother!

The menu is fantastic.  Features include traditional Cuban food with pork and seafood in the spotlight, and awesome mojitos.  There are daily specials, and the ever popular "Taste ...

Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding?  If so, you've already seen a lot of Chicago's Greektown neighborhood.  Most of the movie was filmed in this bustling area on Halsted St. between Monroe and Van Buren.

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Greek Islands.  This restaurant has been featured on the Food Network on ...

The Italian Village, located right in Chicago's theatre district, is a distinctive little building (and a Chicago landmark) that offers three Italian restaurants to whet your pre-show appetite. Of these, Vivere (pronounced viva-RAY) is by far the most stylish, romantic and upscale. Of course, it's also pricey. Young chef Drue Kennedy gives dishes and visitors quite a lot of attention, and the wine list is to die for.

If you're looking ...

When you live in Chicago, you hear a lot about pizza.  Mostly, Chicagoans have debates about where the best deep dish is, and which type of crust they prefer.  One place all of us agree on, however, is Piece.

Piece has two great things going for it: 1) award-winning craft beer, and 2) awesome pizza.  First of all, the brewmaster at Piece, Jonathan Coulter, is a genius.  If you ...

If you're coming to Chicago between June 29 and July 8, you'd better be going to the Taste of Chicago. How could you miss a sampling of foods from more than 70 restaurants, dancing the calories away at a variety of concerts with free admission, the entire Chicago Country Music Festival and a crazy long list of performances, demonstrations and events at the Taste's various stages?

If you're a health nut, you ...

If you were in town for the Gay and Lesbian Pride parade last weekend, you were in striking distance of my very favorite breakfast place in Chicago.

Ann Sather, home of warm gooey cinnamon rolls, huge omelets, and a dozen different kinds of eggs benedict awaits at four Chicago locations (Broadway, Belmont, Andersonville, and Southport).  My home location is the one in Lakeview, at 3411 ...

I've always been afraid of heights.  One of the cornerstones of my paranoia is the first (and only) time I went to the top of the Sears Tower while visiting cousins here in Chicago when I was 10 years old.  I have never forgotten the dizzying feeling of the floor-to-ceiling glass and the shear drop down to the city below.  Unlike Ferris Bueller and his friends, I was unable to get within three feet of the windows, let alone stand on the railing and lean my forehead against the glass.  What can I say?  I'm a wuss.   

Joy's Noodles and Rice, located at 3257 N. Broadway in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, is home to the best asian food I have ever had.  That's right.  The best.  This casual BYOB features noodles and rice dishes common in Thai cuisine, but also standards like fried rice, steamed dumplings, and curry dishes.  The staff at Joy's is extremely friendly and quick!  It is possible to get in to Joy's, sit, have ...