Welcome to Chicago

Only in Chicago can you dine among the clouds atop the John Hancock Center, underground at the world famous Billy Goat Tavern, or with millions of other people during the annual Taste of Chicago. These are Chicago’s Best Restaurants. You can even step back in time to the first Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises creation, R.J. Grunt’s, opened in 1971. In many restaurants you can savor an outstanding dish prepared by a nationally acclaimed chef.

Unique to Chicago is our truly urban food and wine festival, Chicago Gourmet. The event was held September 25-27, 2009 in the heart of downtown at Chicago’s beautiful Millennium Park. This event features Chicago’s Best and most creative Restaurants Attendees enjoyed the best in food, wine tastings, seminars, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, special dining events and more.

The restaurant industry is the largest private sector employer in the country and provides tremendous economic growth and opportunity. In Illinois there are over 31,700 food service locations that employ more than 513,100 men and women. Clearly, the restaurant industry in Chicago and Illinois is an integral part of our state’s economy. Thousands of foodservice workers are always striving to raise the bar and ensure the highest quality dining experience for you. Thank you for visiting Chicago Bars and frequenting our many restaurants. Your patronage keeps our industry robust and Chicago’s culinary scene vibrant.

Sincerely,

Jay Stieber

Chairman

Illinois Restaurant Association

Executive Vice President and
General Counsel, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises