Petterino's... I like them a lot in general, but one thing in particular about them stands out to me: the Midwest Corn Chowder. Funny thing to fixate on I guess, but I fell in love with that the first time I was there.
Food taste is pretty subjective though... and also consider that while I've spent a lot of time in Chicago for work, I never lived there, and there are a lot of local restaurants there that I haven't eaten at. More than the ones I have, I'm sure. Which to me, is just more proof of just how awesome the food scene there is. :-)
I'll always try and visit Chicago when I can, and if I ever got "IPO exit rich" maybe I'd maintain a second home there. I just can't do the winters or maybe I'd consider moving permanently. :-(
Granted, I think the Chinese food here by and large sucks.
Oh yeah, I remember hearing they got raided and had their records seized, but I never heard what the actual outcome was. So Tony Hu went to jail huh? That's too bad. At least last time I was there (2013?) Lao Sze Chuan was amazing.
Oh? How so?
On a related (sad) note, at least two restaurants in Chicago that I used to love are closed now: Bombay Spice, and Dragon Ranch Moonshine & BBQ. That and the Resa's location near River North. :-(