We asked Kat and Lindzi, the lady bosses at Chicago’s XO Marshmallow, to tell us what they’d do if they had just two hours to spend enjoying the city. XO’s gourmet marshmallows are nothing like the sugary-sweet stuff you buy in the supermarket. The gourmet puffs from XO Marshmallows are creamier, denser, and come in amazing flavors like Salted Caramel, Peppermint, Coffee Kahlua, Champagne (just a hint of champagne with flecks of gold sugar crystals), and now the new, limited edition Avocado Toast marshmallow!
Where to Go: It makes sense that the marshmallow-ists at XO Marshmallow would suggest spending your free time eating. They recommend the Noon Hour Grill at 6930 N. Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park. It closes at 5pm; so plan on going for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
For Travelers Who Like: Food!
What Makes It Special: The Noon Hour Grill is well known for its food but also for the fact that it’s a one-woman show. The owner, an elderly Korean woman named Susie, does everything. She takes the orders, prepares the meals, serves them, then buses the tables. Thrilllist gave the restaurant a rave review saying “every dish is handmade with love.”
Noon Hour Grill serves a combination of American and Korean food for breakfast and primarily Korean food for lunch and later. Be sure to try pajun (Korean pancakes) and japchae (vegetables, beef, and glass noodles sautéed with ginger.)
Don’t Miss: After feasting at Noon Hour Grill, walk one street over and visit XO Marshmallow’s Café. You can get an afternoon expresso at their expresso bar, a toasted marshmallow latte, and marshmallow filled treats like whoopie pies and s’mores.
Traveling to Chicago for business? We asked Hilary of H. Bune Designs to tell us what she'd recommend to a visitor who only has two hours or an afternoon to spend seeing Chicago. If you love architecture or history, she suggests taking the Chicago Architecture Foundation Riverboat Tour. Hilary, who loves the tour enough to have taken it three times, says it's perfect if your free time is limited because the tour only lasts about 90 minutes
