Oddly enough I've lived in the Chicago suburbs my entire life and will be moving to Kalamazoo in 2 days, so I can't be a tour guide. But for Pizza you want Unos, giordannos, or lou malnottis. There are some projects not far from McCormick place so be careful there. As far as a decent area to hang out near there try The UIC area which is where I went to school like Taylor and Morgan and head West on Taylor, you'll find Al's beef which is a really shitty place (stand up only) but classic well known chicago style beef sandwiches. Hawkeyes is the college bar, there are a lot more now. However you should take at least one night and check out the Wrigleyville lake view area. Start at Clark and Addison (Wrigley field, and the cubs suck camel dicks) and head south on Clark, countless bars, and countless snobby skanks. Theres also the loop but that kinda touristy and just a bunch of restaurants.