Who doesn’t love the Windy City and The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market (often called Housewares)? It’s where art and engineering intersect. Both inspired and inspiring, Housewares is where technology informs style. Not to be missed. And while there is much to see, do, and experience on the show floor, sometimes you want to step outside and grab a taste of Chicago. If time and your budget allows, check out these 9 Chicago Hot Spots! Our mouths are watering, just thinking about it..
- Tapas Valencia
1530 S. State Street
A great place to go with a group. Gather up your co-workers and hit up this spacious tapas restaurant. A lively place with specialty martinis. - Kurah Mediterranean
1335 S. Michigan Ave.
Right in the heart of South Loop is a very reasonably priced upscale dining experience offering a wide variety of carefully prepared Mediterranean fare. Try the garlic smash! - Kroll’s South Loop
1736 S. Michigan Ave.
A Chicago neighborhood sports bar and grill. Over 100 beers to choose from, huge screens everywhere, pool, darts, and shuffleboard. If there’s a Bears or Cubs game on, get there early! - Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
805 S. State Street
Nom, nom, nom – a slice of deep dish? Yes, please and thank you! You’ve got to have a deep dish pie in Chi-town! Some would argue Malnati’s is the best. It’s a bold statement. Check it out and decide for yourself. - Kim and Carlo’s
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
If you go get the deep dish (#4, see above, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria), you also have to try the Chicago dog from Kim & Carlo’s! Kim and Carlo’s is not a restaurant, but a hotdog stand and an institution. Poppy seed bun, mustard, onions, tomato, hot pepper, pickle, and celery salt. Chicago style. - Flaco’s Tacos
725 S. Dearborn Street
Mexican food in Chicago? Believe it. With their straightforward motto – Fast. Fresh. Made from Scratch – this unpretentious taqueria serves up a full menu of fresh Mexican fare to rave reviews and a solid local following. Scratch your itch for good, simple Mexican food. It can get crowded, so get there early! - The Purple Pig
500 N. Michigan Ave.
For a mix of Mediterranean food reimagined, check out the Purple Pig. - Acadia
1639 S. Wabash Ave.
A destination in the hot Chicago restaurant scene. Award-winning chef and proprietor Ryan McCaskey has Chicago all a buzz about this fine dining gem. - The Spoke & Bird
205 E. 18th Street
A great place for beer lovers. They offer over 20-odd mostly local brews. The Spoke & Bird has a beer garden feel and a simple, but good food menu featuring sandwiches, pastries, salads, and pastas.
Make sure you are ready for Housewares! Call the experts at 2020 Exhibits for everything for exhibit design to event logistics. We’ve got an office right there in Chicago to take care of every detail!
