CHIReview
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Cindy's
Included In
You Divvy’d around the lakeshore, squeezed your butt into a tiny chair at Second City, and took Snaps, Instas, and profile pics at the Bean. What’s left to show your high school crew who are from out of town? How do you appease someone who clearly wants to check off all 20 items on “Top 20 Things in The Windy City!” How do you impress Rebecca, who continuously reminds you that Chicago just doesn’t compare to that one summer she spent in New York? All signs point to Cindy’s.
The location (in the midst of throngs of tourists), the wait (anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to get into the elevator alone), the reservations (or lack thereof for groups under four) - are all irritating. It’s loud, busy, and the crowd can be slightly obnoxious. But you’re willing to put up with some pretty annoying sh*t for for the best view in town. In the Chicago Athletic Association hotel on Michigan Avenue, Cindy’s is one giant greenhouse with communal seating, a large over-crowded bar, and the crown jewel - the patio. When you step out on that magnificent overhang, it’s suddenly all worth it as you take in the sun setting over Millennium Park. Plus, this deck is good almost year-round due to some strategically placed fire pits and heaters.
Foodwise, expect a good enough meal, but know you’re not really there for the food. The dinner menu consists only of large platters and sides, which isn’t always practical even if some items come in half portions. And when you add that to the unpredictable waits and inordinate level of noise, Cindy’s is only practical for certain situations like happy hour drinks, boozy brunches, and showing off to your out-of-town friends. But man is it perfect for those occasions. Our favorite situation is to go to Cindy’s early for a cocktail, head downstairs to the ground level Shake Shack for food, and then move to the mid-level Game Room for some bar games and follow-up drinks.
Make sure to set your expectations properly. But your friends will be happy if you save them from the $22 Sears Tower ticket and put it towards a cocktail here instead.