Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining

Question

This is a bit of a unique situation that I could use some guidance from locals. My husband and I will be in Chicago over Christmas to spend time with a family member who is receiving medical care there. We want to have dinner on Christmas Eve and lunch and dinner on Christmas day with our family member. We will be eating these meals with our family member and not in a restaurant. I am looking for places that I could pick up the meals. This can be from a grocery store or a restaurant. We are staying right by Northwestern Hosptital. Our hotel will have a full size fridge, microwave and cooktop stove so, theoretically, we could heat food up if necessary. We are not looking for expensive, fancy meals, just something nice to share with the family member. Does anyone have any ideas of restaurants or stores that might work in this situation? I realize many if not most places will be closed Christmas Day.

Answer

It sounds like you're looking for some great, easy meal options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day while staying near Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. Since many places are closed on Christmas Day, I’ll provide options that should work for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some of these places will offer takeout or pre-made meals, and others might provide options for you to heat up in your hotel room.

Christmas Eve Meal Options:
On Christmas Eve, many restaurants may still be open, but it's a good idea to check ahead for holiday hours. Here are some options for picking up meals that can be easily enjoyed in your room:

Proxi (in the West Loop): Known for their modern, global cuisine, they offer takeout options for their flavorful dishes. Their menu often features seasonal options that would be perfect for a cozy holiday meal. Be sure to confirm if they offer holiday takeout.
Italian Village (Loop): A great spot for classic Italian dishes. They often offer family-style meals and takeout, including lasagna, pasta dishes, and other Italian comfort foods that travel well.
The Goddess and the Grocer (River North): A local favorite that specializes in gourmet grab-and-go meals. They have a variety of delicious options like roasted meats, sides, salads, and ready-to-eat meals that you can easily heat up in your hotel room.
Whole Foods Market (Lincoln Park or Streeterville): Whole Foods often has a holiday catering menu with pre-cooked meals for the holidays, including ham, turkey, sides, and desserts. You can easily pick up a full meal to go. They also have ready-to-eat deli options like roasted meats and sides.
Jewel-Osco (various locations): The grocery store chain has pre-made holiday meals that are easy to reheat, such as turkey or ham with sides. You can also pick up ready-made side dishes and desserts like pies.

Christmas Day Meal Options:
On Christmas Day, most restaurants will be closed, but there are still a few options for getting food, especially from grocery stores that offer prepared meals.

Whole Foods Market (Streeterville location): They often remain open on Christmas Day and offer a range of pre-made holiday meals, including ham, turkey, sides, and desserts. You can either pick up a full meal or individual dishes to suit your needs.
Mariano's (River North location): Mariano's has a variety of ready-to-heat holiday meals and side dishes. They may offer holiday meal bundles like roast beef or turkey with sides, which can be heated up easily in your hotel room.
Dominick's (on State Street): While the grocery stores themselves may not be open, their online stores might offer delivery or pre-order options for Christmas. You can check if they have a ready-to-eat meal or holiday package that could be delivered directly to your hotel.
Chicago's Specialty Foods and Catering (Lincoln Park): They are known for catering and have pre-made holiday meals available for pickup. Check if they offer Christmas Day pickup for items like roasted meats, potatoes, and stuffing.
Takeout from Local Restaurants (check hours): Some smaller, locally-owned restaurants might still offer takeout on Christmas Day. You might want to call ahead and ask if they're offering anything special for the holiday, such as holiday-style meals, roast dinners, or festive sides.

Other Tips:
- Make sure to confirm the holiday hours for stores and restaurants in advance, as many will close early or have limited service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- If you’re planning to pick up food on Christmas Day, it’s best to do so early in the morning or the day before, as many stores may have shorter hours.
- For simple but delicious options, pre-cooked rotisserie chickens, sides, and desserts from local grocery stores like Whole Foods or Mariano’s are great options that require minimal prep.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and cozy Christmas in Chicago, and I hope these meal options help make your holiday more enjoyable and stress-free!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining

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