The Chicago Athletic Association (CAA) is an elite, hidden, multifaceted space in the heart of the Loop. Located directly across from Millennium Park, the CAA is primarily an established hotel for tourists to take refuge in from a busy Michigan Avenue. Additionally, there are multiple bar and restaurant options to choose from inside, including rooftop bar Cindy's and a Shake Shack; however, I think the gem of this hotel is their Drawing Room.
This grand room is designed entirely out of wood with large working fireplaces and plush chairs and couches for hotel guests and tourists to sit upon. The vibe of the space is akin to a library in the Harry Potter book series or an Ivy League university study lounge. There are plenty of tea, coffee, libation, and light snack choices on their menu. For those looking for more activity, right across the Drawing Room is a Game Room, complete with a pool table, bocce ball, and shuffleboard.
You'll often see a group of employees in this spot during an after-work happy hour outing. There are plenty of ways to explore this hotel's public spaces and it's a spot to bookmark and rest in after strolling through Millennium Park or the Art Institute.
Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Founded in 1948, "Superdawg" is THE quintessential Chicago hot dog place - they'll bring your order right to your car, like they did in the '50s!
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The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.
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OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.
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Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.
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Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.
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Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!
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They are arguably most known for their "Kurdish breakfast" an elaborate spread of cheese, jams, fried cheese, olives, fries, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread.
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The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.
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There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!
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While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.
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BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.
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Start with a freshly steeped cup of sweet mint tea, a staple of any Senegalese meal. Then order fataya, triangular fried pastries with a savory filling.
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116 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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