To do & see in Chicago

Never been much for big cities as far as vacations go but as it turns out I'll be spending the holidays in Chicago. So let's hear it ! I know I could google for tourist shit to do but I'm not your usual tourist & I want the more personal DXP lowdown on the city.

* Not available for meatups, am taken atm. Who here is from Chicago btw?

Brrrr, isn't it cold as hell? I can imagine the wind blowing off of Lake Michigan this time of year.

I would probably hit some of the museums, Field Museum of Natural History is the one I would like to see before I die.

Sue the T-Rex! Fuck yeah! I would go see that.

Maaaaaan, where do I start...

Touristy Stuff

-Millenium Park (Cloud Gate aka The Bean)

-Maggie Daley Park (The Ice Ribbon is cool if you like ice skating)

-The Bridges along the Chicago River (take the architectural tour if you're into that)

-Sears Tower (Willis Tower)

-John Hancock Building (the top floor serves a really good brunch)

-Michigan Avenue (shopping)

-Field Museum

-Art Institute

-Museum of Science & Industry

-Adler Planetarium

-DuSable Museum

-Holocaust Museum

-Navy Pier

-Lake Shore Drive

-The Merchandise Mart

-Macy's on State (for the architecture mainly. I miss you, Marshall Fields)

-Botanic Gardens (it's in the burbs though)

-United Center (Bulls & Blackhawks)

-Soldier Field (Bears)

-Wrigley Field (Cubs)

-US Cellular Field (White Sox)

-Toyota Park (Chicago Fire SC)

The Shit I Do

-Wicker Park (used to be super hipster, good local shops. Subterranean on Tuesdays for open mic cyphers & battles, Reggae & Dancehall Night on Thursdays if you wanna get wined/twerked on.)

-Logan Square (Hipsterville #1 but The 606 trail is cool to walk through. Lot of great bars & restaurants.)

-Hyde Park (where Obama lived. Great restaurants, especially if you like BBQ & soul food.)

-Albany Park (my old hood. Lots of good Korean & Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spots.)

-Irving Park (really good Polish, German, Czech, Serbian, & Croatian joints. Cevapcici is dope in the summer when they grill outdoors)

-Little Saigon (can't go wrong w/ a little pho & banh mi action)

-Evanston (suburb north of the city. The income segregation is weird, you'll see mansions on one side of the street & liquor stores across from it. Really good wing place [Buffalo Joe's], phenomenal dessert joint [Snow Dragon Shavery], & a couple hole-in-the-wall Jamaican spots where you can get a patty really quick.)

-Soul Summit (bi-monthly thing where they play Motown/soul/funk @ The Double Door)

-Kingston Mines (Live blues, great people.)

-Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (Al Capone's old hangout, live open jazz sessions. If you play, you can grab & instrument and jam. I think they do poetry slams on Mondays.)

-Archery Bow Range (self-explanatory; it's indoor so you don't have to worry about the cold)

-Maria's Packaged Goods (South Side kitschy bar w/ a great beer selection. DAMN good Old Fashioneds.)

-Kimski (give my homey some business & try his place. It's Korean & Polish fusion; doesn't sound like it works but IT FUCKIN WORKS. It's connected to Maria's Packaged Goods so you can order your food at Kimski & they'll serve it to you at Maria's)

-Binny's on Clybourn (it's a grocery store-sized liquor store w/ a bar all the way in the back. Great selection.)

-GO Tavern (it's a liquor store, it's a bar, it's both)

-Pequod's (best deep dish pizza in the city)

-Gene & Jude's (best hot dog in Chicagoland. It's by O'Hare Airport.)

-Au Cheval (on Restaurant Row on Randolph. Great sandwiches, pork belly, foie gras, 90s boom bap hip-hop)

-Half Acre Beer Company (one of our best breweries. Tap room is open late.)

-Revolution Brewery (the beer's not bad but the food is really good)

-Violet Hour ("secret" cocktail lounge. There's no visible door but you'll see a camera above a mural or graffiti piece between a weed dispensary & a restaurant and they'll see you. Once they open the door, they'll ask what you're looking for & just say "I'm looking for Violet Hour".)

-Headquarters (it's a beercade w/ great beer selection & free arcade games + you can have GrubHub deliver food there if you're hungry, but there's a pretty good grilled cheese place called Cheesie's. The downtown location serves food & puts truffle oil in everything.)

-Emporium (another beercade, except they have foosball, table hockey, air hockey, pool tables, a food truck, & a DJ. It looks like a liquor store was placed inside of the Foot Clan's hideout in the first TMNT movie.)

-SPiN (only been there once though, it's Susan Sarandon's ping pong club w/ a bar)

-Sink Swim (seafood place, really good shrimp & oysters. I'm usually there on Mondays.)

-J&J Fish (best fried seafood place in Chicago)

-High Five Ramen (best non-traditional ramen joint in Chicago. I'm there every Wednesday night.)

-Wasabi (best traditional ramen joint in Chicago, city proper)

-Misoya (best traditional ramen joint in Chicagoland)

-Mitsuwa Marketplace (Japanese mall & grocery in the burbs)

-Uncle Remus (arguably the best fried chicken in Chicago)

-Harold's Chicken Shack (would be the best fried chicken in Chicago, depending on the location)

-Cemitas Pueblas (great tortas)

-Garcia's (best burritos in the North Side)

-La Palapita (best tacos in the North Side)

-La Pasadita (best tacos in the North Side when you're drunk)

-Taqueria Aguascalientes (best burritos in the South Side)

-Taquerias Atotonilcos (best tacos in the South Side)

-Jim's right by 94 (most of these transplants think Chicago is all about deep dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, & Italian beef sandwiches. You're not a Chicagoan until you've had a pork chop sandwich from Jim's)

-Ricobene's (the breaded steak sandwich was voted Best Sandwich in the United States by USA Today. It's pretty damn good. Mad cops up there so you don't have to worry about getting shot.)

-El Nuevo Borinquen (get the jibarito, it's a steak sandwich w/ cheese, lettuce, tomato, & garlic mayo between 2 fried plantains. This is another sandwich that originated in Chicago that many Chicagoans have never had.)

-Susie's (if gyros/doner on top of fries w/ mushrooms, onions, cheese, & tzatziki in a deep-fried taco bowl sound good to you, hit that place up)

The Quintessential Chicago Food Checklist

-Deep dish pizza

-Chicago- style hot dog

-Maxwell Street Polish hot dog

-Italian beef sandwich

-Pork chop sandwich

-Breaded steak sandwich

-Jibarito

-The Mother-in-Law (it's a beef tamal covered in chili in a hot dog bun)

-The Chicago Mix/Garrett Mix (it's cheddar cheese popcorn mixed with sweet brown sugar & crème brûlée popcorn)

-Green River (it's a lime pop/soda)

-Malört (it tastes like pure ass but take a shot of it anyway)

I'll add more once if I think of anything else.

I've edited my post a million times so keep looking at it.

I haven't been there in a few years but I have a friend that always showed me around the local hangouts.

I'm not good with names but Schubas was a local bar with good live music.

Art Institute of Chicago, one of my favorite places and I was there 2 weeks ago, it's cold and snow was everywhere but it was manageable.

Posted by Wynter
Brrrr, isn't it cold as hell? I can imagine the wind blowing off of Lake Michigan this time of year.

So they say but I'm refusing to believe it.

F uck. Gotta look over my wardrobe.

So no Zara V-necks?

Posted by DivaCanLeo

Posted by PotHeadVirgo27
From what I hear you don't wanna get caught slippin in the wrong hood.

It's winter to. I think to cold for all of that



But ya stay away from the South side i guess

click to expand

Will def be getting myself mugged with a complementary beating, maybe a cap in my leg. I want the full Chicago experience.. racial diversity, hoods and all !

Posted by Hare
Chinatown.

Sounds tourist-y. My brother says there's a Bosniantown though. For your local hipster.

Posted by DivaCanLeo
Anyways the wind chill dude. You probably want to stay indoors the whole time. Hopefully you got a hotel downtown

Lol nope, I got a place by the beach.

Posted by Wynter

F cking hell, they got a T-Rex?!

It's settled: T-Rex & shoving my face with "local" specialties. Cuz the latter is what 80% of all my vacations are about. Thanks for the extensive list @UrsaMediocre. Will be checking off quite a few of those!

Posted by Hare

Posted by enfant_terrible

Posted by Hare
Chinatown.

Sounds tourist-y. My brother says there's a Bosniantown though. For your local hipster.

It CAN be touristy in spots. Lots of stores with lots of cheap crappy stuff. Plus what you think are pet shops but are actually groceries. But in between there are some good restaurants if you're adventurous.

And yes...There's a ”-town” for pretty much every nationality. We usually stop in Chinatown for lunch and Greektown for pastries when we are in Chicago.

click to expand

Cool, never got around to see Chinatown when I was in San Francisco, the ocean got in the way. Will have to get around to it now

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge
I'm only 5hours away by train ?

Hop on the Amtrak

I'll meet you in Detroit

We can get shot together

Tragic but Oh So Romantic!

♥♥♥——

You up for a threesome?

Posted by MagicMona
1. Do eat everything - ESPECIALLY the pizza.

10. If you eat a Chicago hot dog, DO NOT put ketchup on it. may get shot.

I'm travelling halfway across the Earth for pizza and hotdogs? Oh well I guess it must be really somethin'.

Posted by MagicMona

Posted by enfant_terrible

Posted by MagicMona
1. Do eat everything - ESPECIALLY the pizza.

10. If you eat a Chicago hot dog, DO NOT put ketchup on it. may get shot.

I'm travelling halfway across the Earth for pizza and hotdogs? Oh well I guess it must be really somethin'.

whatever smart ass. i did say to try everything. and i said IF you eat a hotdog. go play words with someone else.

click to expand

Lol why U mad doe. I appreciate the advice, I was just kidding. I heard that place is like the Mecca of all things we take for granted so I must try it. 🙂

Posted by UrsaMediocre
Maaaaaan, where do I start...

Touristy Stuff

-Millenium Park (Cloud Gate aka The Bean)

-Maggie Daley Park (The Ice Ribbon is cool if you like ice skating)

-The Bridges along the Chicago River (take the architectural tour if you're into that)

-Sears Tower (Willis Tower)

-John Hancock Building (the top floor serves a really good brunch)

-Michigan Avenue (shopping)

-Field Museum

-Art Institute

-Museum of Science & Industry

-Adler Planetarium

-DuSable Museum

-Holocaust Museum

-Botanic Gardens (it's in the burbs though)

-United Center (Bulls & Blackhawks)

-Soldier Field (Bears)

-Wrigley Field (Cubs)

-US Cellular Field (White Sox)

-Toyota Park (Chicago Fire SC)

The Shit I Do

-Wicker Park (used to be super hipster, good local shops. Subterranean on Tuesdays for open mic cyphers & battles, Reggae & Dancehall Night on Thursdays if you wanna get wined/twerked on.)

-Logan Square (Hipsterville #1 but The 606 trail is cool to walk through. Lot of great bars & restaurants.)

-Hyde Park (where Obama lived. Great restaurants, especially if you like BBQ & soul food.)

-Albany Park (my old hood. Lots of good Korean & Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spots.)

-Irving Park (really good Polish, German, Czech, Serbian, & Croatian joints. Cevapcici is dope in the summer when they grill outdoors)

-Little Saigon (can't go wrong w/ a little pho & banh mi action)

-Evanston (suburb north of the city. The income segregation is weird, you'll see mansions on one side of the street & liquor stores across from it. Really good wing place [Buffalo Joe's], phenomenal dessert joint [Snow Dragon Shavery], & a couple hole-in-the-wall Jamaican spots where you can get a patty really quick.)

-Soul Summit (bi-monthly thing where they play Motown/soul/funk @ The Double Door)

-Kingston Mines (Live blues, great people.)

-Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (Al Capone's old hangout, live open jazz sessions. If you play, you can grab & instrument and jam. I think they do poetry slams on Mondays.)

-Archery Bow Range (self-explanatory; it's indoor so you don't have to worry about the cold)

-Maria's Packaged Goods (South Side kitschy bar w/ a great beer selection. DAMN good Old Fashioneds.)

-Kimski (give my homey some business & try his place. It's Korean & Polish fusion; doesn't sound like it works but IT FUCKIN WORKS. It's connected to Maria's Packaged Goods so you can order your food at Kimski & they'll serve it to you at Maria's)

-Binny's on Clybourn (it's a grocery store-sized liquor store w/ a bar all the way in the back. Great selection.)

-GO Tavern (it's a liquor store, it's a bar, it's both)

-Pequod's (best deep dish pizza in the city)

-Gene & Jude's (best hot dog in Chicagoland. It's by O'Hare Airport.)

-Au Cheval (on Restaurant Row on Randolph. Great sandwiches, pork belly, foie gras, 90s boom bap hip-hop)

-Half Acre Beer Company (one of our best breweries. Tap room is open late.)

-Revolution Brewery (the beer's not bad but the food is really good)

-Violet Hour ("secret" cocktail lounge. There's no visible door but you'll see a camera above a mural or graffiti piece between a weed dispensary & a restaurant and they'll see you. Once they open the door, they'll ask what you're looking for & just say "I'm looking for Violet Hour".)

-Headquarters (it's a beercade w/ great beer selection & free arcade games + you can have GrubHub deliver food there if you're hungry, but there's a pretty good grilled cheese place called Cheesie's. The downtown location serves food & puts truffle oil in everything.)

-Emporium (another beercade, except they have foosball, table hockey, air hockey, pool tables, a food truck, & a DJ. It looks like a liquor store was placed inside of the Foot Clan's hideout in the first TMNT movie.)

-SPiN (only been there once though, it's Susan Sarandon's ping pong club w/ a bar)

-Sink Swim (seafood place, really good shrimp & oysters. I'm usually there on Mondays.)

-High Five Ramen (best non-traditional ramen joint in Chicago. I'm there every Wednesday night.)

-Wasabi (best traditional ramen joint in Chicago, city proper)

-Misoya (best traditional ramen joint in Chicagoland)

-Mitsuwa Marketplace (Japanese mall & grocery in the burbs)

-Cemitas Pueblas (great tortas)

-Garcia's (best burritos in the North Side)

-La Palapita (best tacos in the North Side)

-La Pasadita (best tacos in the North Side when you're drunk)

-Taqueria Aguascalientes (best burritos in the South Side)

-Taquerias Atotonilcos (best tacos in the South Side)

-Jim's right by 94 (most of these transplants think Chicago is all about deep dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, & Italian beef sandwiches. You're not a Chicagoan until you've had a pork chop sandwich from Jim's)

-Ricobene's (the breaded steak sandwich was voted Best Sandwich in the United States by USA Today. It's pretty damn good. Mad cops up there so you don't have to worry about getting shot.)

-El Nuevo Borinquen (get the jibarito, it's a steak sandwich w/ cheese, lettuce, tomato, & garlic mayo between 2 fried plantains. This is another sandwich that originated in Chicago that many Chicagoans have never had.)

-Susie's (if gyros/doner on top of fries w/ mushrooms, onions, cheese, & tzatziki in a deep-fried taco bowl sound good to you, hit that place up)

The Quintessential Chicago Food Checklist

-Deep dish pizza

-Chicago- style hot dog

-Maxwell Street Polish hot dog

-Italian beef sandwich

-Pork chop sandwich

-Breaded steak sandwich

-Jibarito

-The Mother-in-Law (it's a beef tamal covered in chili in a hot dog bun)

-The Chicago Mix/Garrett Mix (it's cheddar cheese popcorn mixed with sweet brown sugar & crème brûlée popcorn)

-Green River (it's a lime pop/soda)

-Malört (it tastes like pure ass but take a shot of it anyway)

I'll add more once if I think of anything else.

ALL OF THIS.

Love my city!! Hope you do too!

Posted by Hare
Enfant is going to wander to the wrong neighborhood with New York pizza and a hot dog with ketchup and get popped.

lolololol

Posted by cheekyfaerie


...

The Science and Industry museum will blow your mind. Oh! Speaking of drunk food. Red Hot Ranch. Repeat after me. Red. Hot. Ranch.

Thanks for suggestions & yeah will def check out The Science & Industry Museum (heard about it) and Red Hot Ranch.

Chicago will def f uck up my form. I will have to live on vegetable smoothies for the next 6 months to get back into shape for the summer!

Scared of heights so the Willis Tower observation deck has been #1 on my to-do list for quite some time. I'm easily amused that way



😱

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge

Posted by enfant_terrible

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge
I'm only 5hours away by train ?

Hop on the Amtrak

I'll meet you in Detroit

We can get shot together

Tragic but Oh So Romantic!

♥♥♥——

You up for a threesome?

With another guy, sure ?

click to expand

No deal

How's the Chicago transit (train) system cuz that's basically how we'll be getting around. What interwebs page is best for looking up time schedules/planning my visit around the city?

Posted by Hare

Posted by enfant_terrible
How's the Chicago transit (train) system cuz that's basically how we'll be getting around. What interwebs page is best for looking up/planning my visit around the city?

It's actually pretty good. Even the buses are good. I'm not used to public transportation because everywhere I've lived has been a car culture, but their system is great even if you occasionally need to walk to a stop/station.

click to expand

Cool i'm used to that. I know muricans are usually impressed by the European public transportation system so I wasn't sure what to expect

What about Lincoln Park Zoo? They only got Polar bears this time of year or what?

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge

Posted by enfant_terrible

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge

Posted by enfant_terrible

Posted by UnusualVaginalDischarge
I'm only 5hours away by train ?

Hop on the Amtrak

I'll meet you in Detroit

We can get shot together

Tragic but Oh So Romantic!

♥♥♥——

You up for a threesome?

With another guy, sure ?

No deal

Ok. Is the girl hot... Are you hot?

click to expand

We good

Posted by Deedee86
I haven't been there in a few years but I have a friend that always showed me around the local hangouts.

I'm not good with names but Schubas was a local bar with good live music.

Schubas is great, both as a hangout spot & as a music venue!

Posted by PotHeadVirgo27
From what I hear you don't wanna get caught slippin in the wrong hood.

Or more so A hood lol.

Just avoid the Wild Hunnids (area where all the streets start w/ 100th-130th), West Englewood, Englewood, Riverdale, pretty much anywhere around there & you'll be fine.

Posted by Hare
@UrsaMediocre is Pequods the place that puts cheese in the pan before the crust?

Difference between "deep dish" & "stuffed" pizza

Deep Dish (Pequod's, Lou Malnati's, Pizzeria Uno, Pizzeria Due)

Sauce

Toppings

Cheese

Crust

-Consistency is a bit more dense, like a real pie. Usually those who do this style will do a cornmeal crust or "buttercrust". Pequod's (& the best pizza in Chicagoland: Burt's Place, RIP Burt) does a caramelized crust where the edges are slightly burnt.

Stuffed (Giordano's, Edwardo's, Suparossa, Gino's East)

Sauce

Toppings

Dough layer

TONS of cheese

Crust

-The stuffed pizza is a bit more flaky, like crusty breads, with the inner dough layer acting as a binder. It's ridiculously cheesy, like a panzerotti or a stromboli.

Posted by enfant_terrible
How's the Chicago transit (train) system cuz that's basically how we'll be getting around. What interwebs page is best for looking up time schedules/planning my visit around the city?

transitchicago.com is a good resource, so is ctabustracker.com. Using Uber or Lyft isn't a problem in the city either. Try to avoid the Red Line (unless you like the smell of urine).

Posted by enfant_terrible
What about Lincoln Park Zoo? They only got Polar bears this time of year or what?

Lincoln Park Zoo is nice, especially since they have a Christmas lights show right now. It's better in the summer, since they host a lot of local beer events where you can walk around the zoo, beer stations from breweries from around the Midwest, plenty of food trucks & music as well.

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre

Posted by enfant_terrible
How's the Chicago transit (train) system cuz that's basically how we'll be getting around. What interwebs page is best for looking up time schedules/planning my visit around the city?

transitchicago.com is a good resource, so is ctabustracker.com. Using Uber or Lyft isn't a problem in the city either. Try to avoid the Red Line (unless you like the smell of urine).

I miss Hop Stop.

click to expand

Damn Apple, HopStop was one of the best apps!

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre
Maaaaaan, where do I start...

Touristy Stuff

-Millenium Park (Cloud Gate aka The Bean)

-Maggie Daley Park (The Ice Ribbon is cool if you like ice skating)

-The Bridges along the Chicago River (take the architectural tour if you're into that)

-Sears Tower (Willis Tower)

-John Hancock Building (the top floor serves a really good brunch)

-Michigan Avenue (shopping)

-Field Museum

-Art Institute

-Museum of Science & Industry

-Adler Planetarium

-DuSable Museum

-Holocaust Museum

-Botanic Gardens (it's in the burbs though)

-United Center (Bulls & Blackhawks)

-Soldier Field (Bears)

-Wrigley Field (Cubs)

-US Cellular Field (White Sox)

-Toyota Park (Chicago Fire SC)

The Shit I Do

-Wicker Park (used to be super hipster, good local shops. Subterranean on Tuesdays for open mic cyphers & battles, Reggae & Dancehall Night on Thursdays if you wanna get wined/twerked on.)

-Logan Square (Hipsterville #1 but The 606 trail is cool to walk through. Lot of great bars & restaurants.)

-Hyde Park (where Obama lived. Great restaurants, especially if you like BBQ & soul food.)

-Albany Park (my old hood. Lots of good Korean & Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spots.)

-Irving Park (really good Polish, German, Czech, Serbian, & Croatian joints. Cevapcici is dope in the summer when they grill outdoors)

-Little Saigon (can't go wrong w/ a little pho & banh mi action)

-Evanston (suburb north of the city. The income segregation is weird, you'll see mansions on one side of the street & liquor stores across from it. Really good wing place [Buffalo Joe's], phenomenal dessert joint [Snow Dragon Shavery], & a couple hole-in-the-wall Jamaican spots where you can get a patty really quick.)

-Soul Summit (bi-monthly thing where they play Motown/soul/funk @ The Double Door)

-Kingston Mines (Live blues, great people.)

-Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (Al Capone's old hangout, live open jazz sessions. If you play, you can grab & instrument and jam. I think they do poetry slams on Mondays.)

-Archery Bow Range (self-explanatory; it's indoor so you don't have to worry about the cold)

-Maria's Packaged Goods (South Side kitschy bar w/ a great beer selection. DAMN good Old Fashioneds.)

-Kimski (give my homey some business & try his place. It's Korean & Polish fusion; doesn't sound like it works but IT FUCKIN WORKS. It's connected to Maria's Packaged Goods so you can order your food at Kimski & they'll serve it to you at Maria's)

-Binny's on Clybourn (it's a grocery store-sized liquor store w/ a bar all the way in the back. Great selection.)

-GO Tavern (it's a liquor store, it's a bar, it's both)

-Pequod's (best deep dish pizza in the city)

-Gene & Jude's (best hot dog in Chicagoland. It's by O'Hare Airport.)

-Au Cheval (on Restaurant Row on Randolph. Great sandwiches, pork belly, foie gras, 90s boom bap hip-hop)

-Half Acre Beer Company (one of our best breweries. Tap room is open late.)

-Revolution Brewery (the beer's not bad but the food is really good)

-Violet Hour ("secret" cocktail lounge. There's no visible door but you'll see a camera above a mural or graffiti piece between a weed dispensary & a restaurant and they'll see you. Once they open the door, they'll ask what you're looking for & just say "I'm looking for Violet Hour".)

-Headquarters (it's a beercade w/ great beer selection & free arcade games + you can have GrubHub deliver food there if you're hungry, but there's a pretty good grilled cheese place called Cheesie's. The downtown location serves food & puts truffle oil in everything.)

-Emporium (another beercade, except they have foosball, table hockey, air hockey, pool tables, a food truck, & a DJ. It looks like a liquor store was placed inside of the Foot Clan's hideout in the first TMNT movie.)

-SPiN (only been there once though, it's Susan Sarandon's ping pong club w/ a bar)

-Sink Swim (seafood place, really good shrimp & oysters. I'm usually there on Mondays.)

-High Five Ramen (best non-traditional ramen joint in Chicago. I'm there every Wednesday night.)

-Wasabi (best traditional ramen joint in Chicago, city proper)

-Misoya (best traditional ramen joint in Chicagoland)

-Mitsuwa Marketplace (Japanese mall & grocery in the burbs)

-Cemitas Pueblas (great tortas)

-Garcia's (best burritos in the North Side)

-La Palapita (best tacos in the North Side)

-La Pasadita (best tacos in the North Side when you're drunk)

-Taqueria Aguascalientes (best burritos in the South Side)

-Taquerias Atotonilcos (best tacos in the South Side)

-Jim's right by 94 (most of these transplants think Chicago is all about deep dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, & Italian beef sandwiches. You're not a Chicagoan until you've had a pork chop sandwich from Jim's)

-Ricobene's (the breaded steak sandwich was voted Best Sandwich in the United States by USA Today. It's pretty damn good. Mad cops up there so you don't have to worry about getting shot.)

-El Nuevo Borinquen (get the jibarito, it's a steak sandwich w/ cheese, lettuce, tomato, & garlic mayo between 2 fried plantains. This is another sandwich that originated in Chicago that many Chicagoans have never had.)

-Susie's (if gyros/doner on top of fries w/ mushrooms, onions, cheese, & tzatziki in a deep-fried taco bowl sound good to you, hit that place up)

The Quintessential Chicago Food Checklist

-Deep dish pizza

-Chicago- style hot dog

-Maxwell Street Polish hot dog

-Italian beef sandwich

-Pork chop sandwich

-Breaded steak sandwich

-Jibarito

-The Mother-in-Law (it's a beef tamal covered in chili in a hot dog bun)

-The Chicago Mix/Garrett Mix (it's cheddar cheese popcorn mixed with sweet brown sugar & crème brûlée popcorn)

-Green River (it's a lime pop/soda)

-Malört (it tastes like pure ass but take a shot of it anyway)

I'll add more once if I think of anything else.

This man is insane. Malört tastes so good, Violet Hour created their own, custom version.

If you like the sound of Emporium it's in Logan Square and dead close to Revolution Brewing. It's also not the only beercade. Logan Hardware's close by and touts a record store, vintage arcade games and beer. Ditto Logan Arcade. Well... minus the records.

I'd take the Blue Line to the California stop, get the PB&J special (huge slice of pizza, a PBR and a shotta Jamo for $ 8.50) at Boiler Room and go from there. All the things I mentioned are either walkable from here or a quick uber.



The Damen stop on the Blue Line will have you in the heart of Wicker Park. Double Door, Violet Hour and others are walkable from here. I'd add Debonair, Flat Iron and Nick's to this stop.

If you like hockey, see the Blackhawks play at the United Center. Tix aren't particularly cheap, but there's not a bad seat in the house. If you're hiring a car, you can park at Billy Goat tavern and walk the short disance to the arena. People go there to liquor up and/or getta burger pre/post game. Cobra Lounge is walking distance-ish from here and has their own microbrewery. Decent beer and good food. Bands and DJs some nights. Not somewhere you wanna get stranded at bar close tho.

Speaking of, bars close at different hours. Some are 2, while others are 4 and even 5. Thursdays are bondage night at Exit. Exit's a right of passage in CHI. Open 365 and it's a late nighter.

The Science and Industry museum will blow your mind. Oh! Speaking of drunk food. Red Hot Ranch. Repeat after me. Red. Hot. Ranch.

click to expand

I like Logan Arcade's vibe, too bad they don't have NBA Jam but great beer selection! Never been to Logan Hardware Records actually.

LOVE Boiler Room! The Mexican spots next door to it, Taqueria Moran & Don Chema, have really good mole (Moran for good chocolate mole, Chema for green mole which they only serve on Sundays).

Wicker is now Wrigleyville Jr. & I only like going there during the day, unless it's Subterranean, Double Door, Big Star, and Estelle's once in a while. I used to go to Debonair, Flat Iron, Evilolive, Crocodile, & Empire back during the Rehab, Porn & Chicken, Flosstradamus party days. Still has great shops, food, & bars although Ukrainian Village & Noble Square isn't too far & it's becoming the new hot spot, along with Avondale in the North Side.

Best way to watch the Hawks: get standing room tix & just float around between periods. You'll still get to watch the game, but you'll just walk from entrance to entrance a lot. The Mai Tais are great in the 300 level + the Goose Island booth served Bourbon County for a while.

LOL YES! EXIT! If it's not metal night, it's BDSM night.

SECOND on RHR! Bucktown location > Lakeview location.

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre
I like Logan Arcade's vibe, too bad they don't have NBA Jam but great beer selection! Never been to Logan Hardware Records actually.

LOVE Boiler Room! The Mexican spots next door to it, Taqueria Moran & Don Chema, have really good mole (Moran for good chocolate mole, Chema for green mole which they only serve on Sundays).

Wicker is now Wrigleyville Jr. & I only like going there during the day, unless it's Subterranean, Double Door, Big Star, and Estelle's once in a while. I used to go to Debonair, Flat Iron, Evilolive, Crocodile, & Empire back during the Rehab, Porn & Chicken, Flosstradamus party days. Still has great shops, food, & bars although Ukrainian Village & Noble Square isn't too far & it's becoming the new hot spot, along with Avondale in the North Side.

Best way to watch the Hawks: get standing room tix & just float around between periods. You'll still get to watch the game, but you'll just walk from entrance to entrance a lot. The Mai Tais are great in the 300 level + the Goose Island booth served Bourbon County for a while.

LOL YES! EXIT! If it's not metal night, it's BDSM night.

SECOND on RHR! Bucktown location > Lakeview location.

Saw Lord Stanley's Cup at Big Star once. And I started to suggest SRO tix! 😄 You're right. Plenty of places to flit around and watch the game. Enfant, if you *do* do a Hawks game, get there early. I'm not particularly patriotic, but the national anthem is not to be missed here.

Shame about Wrigleyville II, but you could definitely see it comin. Just realized I haven't been to the Damen six corners area in almost 2yrs. Yikes.

Thus used to be my jam! Dance my ass off to Dusty Grooves at Cobra and finish the night at Exit. Once hitched a ride in a pastry truck. Good times. Used to stay over on Maplewood, in that triangle between Fullerton, Western and Milwaukee so the RHR on Western will always be my first love.

Ugh. What's the name of that BBQ place right next to Owen & Engine? Soooo good, yet so bad for you. Oh! Is it still ridic to get into Bongo Room? Red velvet pancakes... /drool

Enfant, if you're a footy fan, go have an English brekkie at The Globe and check out American soccer culture. And we've all been avoiding Navy Pier as a recommendation, but I'm sure you'll be drawn that direction, thanks to the ferris wheel.

click to expand

YES, if you go to a Hawks game, come early for the anthem! We usually stop by Cobra after a Hawks or Bulls game. One of our buddies used to bartend over there. Cobra is also the meetup point for people who sneak into Pitchfork lol.

Fat Willy's! Their brisket is ridiculously good! Everybody swears by Smoque (which is good as well) but I still prefer Fat Willy's. There used to be a good BBQ place right by Revolution but I don't think it's there anymore.

Yeah, Bongo Room still has a wait but still worth it. Tweet over by Loyola has a great brunch menu. ZED451 downtown has a phenomenal brunch buffet. 3 Arts Club Cafe inside the Restoration Hardware on Dearborn is a great picture spot + great donuts.

The Globe is great for Champions League, International matches (especially if Mexico, Poland, or Colombia are playing), & Fire matches + Chicago Gooners meet there in the mornings of match day. If you support Liverpool (which I do), go to AJ Hudson's (Chicago Evertonians also meet there). Temple Bar & Pub97 are Man. Utd. bars, Barca supporters go to Small Bar in Avondale or Bar63 in the South Side, Fado's if you support Celtic, Legia supporters at Pub OK on Irving Park, not sure where Wisła supporters meet but I'm willing to bet it's on Milwaukee Av. If you support Bayern or Chelsea, you're shit out of luck since all of their support in Chicago are either 12 or live in the burbs. Cleo's between Ukrainian Village & Noble Square is another great footie bar. I watched most of the 2014 WC over there, if not on the big screens in Grant Park.

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre
I like Logan Arcade's vibe, too bad they don't have NBA Jam but great beer selection! Never been to Logan Hardware Records actually.

LOVE Boiler Room! The Mexican spots next door to it, Taqueria Moran & Don Chema, have really good mole (Moran for good chocolate mole, Chema for green mole which they only serve on Sundays).

Wicker is now Wrigleyville Jr. & I only like going there during the day, unless it's Subterranean, Double Door, Big Star, and Estelle's once in a while. I used to go to Debonair, Flat Iron, Evilolive, Crocodile, & Empire back during the Rehab, Porn & Chicken, Flosstradamus party days. Still has great shops, food, & bars although Ukrainian Village & Noble Square isn't too far & it's becoming the new hot spot, along with Avondale in the North Side.

Best way to watch the Hawks: get standing room tix & just float around between periods. You'll still get to watch the game, but you'll just walk from entrance to entrance a lot. The Mai Tais are great in the 300 level + the Goose Island booth served Bourbon County for a while.

LOL YES! EXIT! If it's not metal night, it's BDSM night.

SECOND on RHR! Bucktown location > Lakeview location.

Saw Lord Stanley's Cup at Big Star once. And I started to suggest SRO tix! 😄 You're right. Plenty of places to flit around and watch the game. Enfant, if you *do* do a Hawks game, get there early. I'm not particularly patriotic, but the national anthem is not to be missed here.

Shame about Wrigleyville II, but you could definitely see it comin. Just realized I haven't been to the Damen six corners area in almost 2yrs. Yikes.

Thus used to be my jam! Dance my ass off to Dusty Grooves at Cobra and finish the night at Exit. Once hitched a ride in a pastry truck. Good times. Used to stay over on Maplewood, in that triangle between Fullerton, Western and Milwaukee so the RHR on Western will always be my first love.

Ugh. What's the name of that BBQ place right next to Owen & Engine? Soooo good, yet so bad for you. Oh! Is it still ridic to get into Bongo Room? Red velvet pancakes... /drool

Enfant, if you're a footy fan, go have an English brekkie at The Globe and check out American soccer culture. And we've all been avoiding Navy Pier as a recommendation, but I'm sure you'll be drawn that direction, thanks to the ferris wheel.

YES, if you go to a Hawks game, come early for the anthem! We usually stop by Cobra after a Hawks or Bulls game. One of our buddies used to bartend over there. Cobra is also the meetup point for people who sneak into Pitchfork lol.

Fat Willy's! Their brisket is ridiculously good! Everybody swears by Smoque (which is good as well) but I still prefer Fat Willy's. There used to be a good BBQ place right by Revolution but I don't think it's there anymore.

Yeah, Bongo Room still has a wait but still worth it. Tweet over by Loyola has a great brunch menu. ZED451 downtown has a phenomenal brunch buffet. 3 Arts Club Cafe inside the Restoration Hardware on Dearborn is a great picture spot + great donuts.

The Globe is great for Champions League, International matches (especially if Mexico, Poland, or Colombia are playing), & Fire matches + Chicago Gooners meet there in the mornings of match day. If you support Liverpool (which I do), go to AJ Hudson's (Chicago Evertonians also meet there). Temple Bar & Pub97 are Man. Utd. bars, Barca supporters go to Small Bar in Avondale or Bar63 in the South Side, Fado's if you support Celtic, Legia supporters at Pub OK on Irving Park, not sure where Wisła supporters meet but I'm willing to bet it's on Milwaukee Av. If you support Bayern or Chelsea, you're shit out of luck since all of their support in Chicago are either 12 or live in the burbs. Cleo's between Ukrainian Village & Noble Square is another great footie bar. I watched most of the 2014 WC over there, if not on the big screens in Grant Park.

You're a Liverpool supporter?! It's official. Sorry, Viv, but Ursa's my new best friend. 😄

Do you know if Irazu is still BYOB? Cafe Con Leche's not far from there either. Good brunch. Always liked those two. Ya know where else has some damn good pancakes? That diner, Cozy's, by the California stop. Nothing fancy, but great hangover food.

Enfant... Irazu, Handlebar and Belly Shack, off the toppa my head, are some great vegetarian options. If you're concerned about your girlish figure.

Ursa, my fav part about hitting up Cobra for some post UC drinks is that the kitchen staff are just getting off and they're always a lively bunch. Nobody drinks like the back of the house. 😆

Had no idea about AJ Hudson's so thanks for that. Fado's is top notch tho. Has an authentic, Irish Pub feel.

click to expand

You support Liverpool too? That's rarity, most people here who watch the Prem are Man Utd supporters ('cuz of Chicharito) & you'll see a random Arsenal jersey at Do Division or West Fest.

L: 04-05 Champions League, R: 13-14 Premier League.



Thinking about getting this season's Away kit w/ Mane or Coutinho on the back. YEAH, AJ Hudson's is great! They have a special on match day: bowl of scouse & unlimited Carlsberg until the end of the match.

YES, Irazu is still BYOB. I've never been to Cafe Con Leche, but YES to Cozy's! I've never had their pancakes though, think I'm gonna have to try them.

LOL, the staff at Cobra Lounge made me try a Reverse Carbomb (shot of Baileys & Guinness in a pint of Jamo instead of the other way around) & I kinda wish I didn't.

Posted by cheekyfaerie
PM me any time. Feel bad for hogging Enfant's thread.

Enfant, dunno if you're a baseball guy, but Chinatown's super close to the White Sox arena. Also close to Reggie's. You don't strike me as the punk type, but it might be worth a Google to see what bands are playing.

You're not hogging it as much as keeping it alive 😉

Unfortunately I'm not a sports fan unless I'm participating.. that is to say not a fan of watching. But I'd definitely enjoy the cultural experience so it's def on my to-do list. Not sure if we'll get around to it this time though.. seems like something you'd want to do in spring or summer.

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by UrsaMediocre
I like Logan Arcade's vibe, too bad they don't have NBA Jam but great beer selection! Never been to Logan Hardware Records actually.

LOVE Boiler Room! The Mexican spots next door to it, Taqueria Moran & Don Chema, have really good mole (Moran for good chocolate mole, Chema for green mole which they only serve on Sundays).

Wicker is now Wrigleyville Jr. & I only like going there during the day, unless it's Subterranean, Double Door, Big Star, and Estelle's once in a while. I used to go to Debonair, Flat Iron, Evilolive, Crocodile, & Empire back during the Rehab, Porn & Chicken, Flosstradamus party days. Still has great shops, food, & bars although Ukrainian Village & Noble Square isn't too far & it's becoming the new hot spot, along with Avondale in the North Side.

Best way to watch the Hawks: get standing room tix & just float around between periods. You'll still get to watch the game, but you'll just walk from entrance to entrance a lot. The Mai Tais are great in the 300 level + the Goose Island booth served Bourbon County for a while.

LOL YES! EXIT! If it's not metal night, it's BDSM night.

SECOND on RHR! Bucktown location > Lakeview location.

Saw Lord Stanley's Cup at Big Star once. And I started to suggest SRO tix! 😄 You're right. Plenty of places to flit around and watch the game. Enfant, if you *do* do a Hawks game, get there early. I'm not particularly patriotic, but the national anthem is not to be missed here.

Shame about Wrigleyville II, but you could definitely see it comin. Just realized I haven't been to the Damen six corners area in almost 2yrs. Yikes.

Thus used to be my jam! Dance my ass off to Dusty Grooves at Cobra and finish the night at Exit. Once hitched a ride in a pastry truck. Good times. Used to stay over on Maplewood, in that triangle between Fullerton, Western and Milwaukee so the RHR on Western will always be my first love.

Ugh. What's the name of that BBQ place right next to Owen & Engine? Soooo good, yet so bad for you. Oh! Is it still ridic to get into Bongo Room? Red velvet pancakes... /drool

Enfant, if you're a footy fan, go have an English brekkie at The Globe and check out American soccer culture. And we've all been avoiding Navy Pier as a recommendation, but I'm sure you'll be drawn that direction, thanks to the ferris wheel.

YES, if you go to a Hawks game, come early for the anthem! We usually stop by Cobra after a Hawks or Bulls game. One of our buddies used to bartend over there. Cobra is also the meetup point for people who sneak into Pitchfork lol.

Fat Willy's! Their brisket is ridiculously good! Everybody swears by Smoque (which is good as well) but I still prefer Fat Willy's. There used to be a good BBQ place right by Revolution but I don't think it's there anymore.

Yeah, Bongo Room still has a wait but still worth it. Tweet over by Loyola has a great brunch menu. ZED451 downtown has a phenomenal brunch buffet. 3 Arts Club Cafe inside the Restoration Hardware on Dearborn is a great picture spot + great donuts.

The Globe is great for Champions League, International matches (especially if Mexico, Poland, or Colombia are playing), & Fire matches + Chicago Gooners meet there in the mornings of match day. If you support Liverpool (which I do), go to AJ Hudson's (Chicago Evertonians also meet there). Temple Bar & Pub97 are Man. Utd. bars, Barca supporters go to Small Bar in Avondale or Bar63 in the South Side, Fado's if you support Celtic, Legia supporters at Pub OK on Irving Park, not sure where Wisła supporters meet but I'm willing to bet it's on Milwaukee Av. If you support Bayern or Chelsea, you're shit out of luck since all of their support in Chicago are either 12 or live in the burbs. Cleo's between Ukrainian Village & Noble Square is another great footie bar. I watched most of the 2014 WC over there, if not on the big screens in Grant Park.

You're a Liverpool supporter?! It's official. Sorry, Viv, but Ursa's my new best friend. 😄

Do you know if Irazu is still BYOB? Cafe Con Leche's not far from there either. Good brunch. Always liked those two. Ya know where else has some damn good pancakes? That diner, Cozy's, by the California stop. Nothing fancy, but great hangover food.

Enfant... Irazu, Handlebar and Belly Shack, off the toppa my head, are some great vegetarian options. If you're concerned about your girlish figure.

Ursa, my fav part about hitting up Cobra for some post UC drinks is that the kitchen staff are just getting off and they're always a lively bunch. Nobody drinks like the back of the house. 😆

Had no idea about AJ Hudson's so thanks for that. Fado's is top notch tho. Has an authentic, Irish Pub feel.

You support Liverpool too? That's rarity, most people here who watch the Prem are Man Utd supporters ('cuz of Chicharito) & you'll see a random Arsenal jersey at Do Division or West Fest.

L: 04-05 Champions League, R: 13-14 Premier League.



Thinking about getting this season's Away kit w/ Mane or Coutinho on the back. YEAH, AJ Hudson's is great! They have a special on match day: bowl of scouse & unlimited Carlsberg until the end of the match.

YES, Irazu is still BYOB. I've never been to Cafe Con Leche, but YES to Cozy's! I've never had their pancakes though, think I'm gonna have to try them.

LOL, the staff at Cobra Lounge made me try a Reverse Carbomb (shot of Baileys & Guinness in a pint of Jamo instead of the other way around) & I kinda wish I didn't.

Ha. They made me do Bear Fights. You definitely got the little end of the stick. 😆

Got to The Globe just before it reached capacity for France/Spain in the 2006 Euros. Every place on the whole block was full... some friends found refuge at Fado's. That's the only time I've been down during a major tournament, but it was a great atmosphere. FYI, I can totally send you in the right direction, if you ever find yourself in MKE on a match day.

United dolts are everywhere. Ran into a guy at Jack & Gingers, wearing a kit, on a non match day. Whatever. The worst was seeing a Chelsea kit at The Cell. So gross. Only Americans would wear a totally irrelevant jersey to someone else's sporting event.

I've been holding off on the away, in case the Boy gets it for me for Crimbo. Last year he got me a retro kit top and some LFC pajama bottoms so better safe than sorry. Only have two with names and all the patches tho. The obligatory Gerrard and an Alonso. May hafta pull the trigger on our third kit too tho. Ugly AF, but they play well in it and I'm superstitious. 😄

PM me any time. Feel bad for hogging Enfant's thread.

Enfant, dunno if you're a baseball guy, but Chinatown's super close to the White Sox arena. Also close to Reggie's. You don't strike me as the punk type, but it might be worth a Google to see what bands are playing.

I'll take you up on that whenever I'm in Milwaukee! I visit every now & then for Sobelman's, the Milwaukee Art Museum, Summerfest, & the shops and restaurants on Brady St.

LOL, Fire games & International Champions Cup games in Chicago are pretty much half irrelevant jerseys. Sometimes you'll see something sorta relevant like someone wearing a Chicago Sting shirt, but most of the time it's random Man. Utd. shirts. I am kinda guilty of that though, since I did wear an AC Milan shirt when I went to see Chile vs Colombia @ the Copa America semifinal in support of Carlos Bacca & Cristian Zapata.

Hope you got the Away kit for XMas! If I can find the long sleeve, I'm definitely getting it. LOL, the highlighter 3rd kit hurts my eyes!

Posted by cheekyfaerie

Posted by enfant_terrible

Posted by cheekyfaerie
PM me any time. Feel bad for hogging Enfant's thread.

Enfant, dunno if you're a baseball guy, but Chinatown's super close to the White Sox arena. Also close to Reggie's. You don't strike me as the punk type, but it might be worth a Google to see what bands are playing.

You're not hogging it as much as keeping it alive 😉

Unfortunately I'm not a sports fan unless I'm participating.. that is to say not a fan of watching. But I'd definitely enjoy the cultural experience so it's def on my to-do list. Not sure if we'll get around to it this time though.. seems like something you'd want to do in spring or summer.

Cool. 🙂

Baseball, for sure, but hockey and basketball are in full swing. Honestly, I'm struggling to think of non-touristy (winter) things to do that don't revolve around eating and drinking, and are for adults. Think you've been thrown more than enough ideas tho. Ursa could start a Chicago Like A Local blog. 😄

click to expand

The funny part is that I DID have a blog w/ my gf at the time based on the sights/sounds/tastes of Chicago & Toronto (me being from Chicago, her being from Toronto). It was a great project since both cities are so similar, and if there was any other city I'd want to move to, it would probably be Toronto.

@enfant_terrible

How are you enjoying Chicago so far? I hope we're giving you that Midwestern charm & hospitality!

*wonders if enfant_terrible survived Chicago*

Ok peeps, I'm back from Chicago. It was pretty much how I expected it to be. Except it was colder than Sweden, not the best time to visit if you want to be able to stroll around the different parts of the city. And people were way friendlier than expected for a big city. Even our hosts said that Europeans they had before also  seemed generally surprised of how often Muricans will utter "sorry" or "excuse me" under their breath if they accidentally get in your way or vice versa. When I got back to Scandinavia I immediately got in a bad mood bc of how  unapologetic ppl here are about 'personal space', I just instantly felt like stomping some thick skulls. No wonder I hate ppl when I'm home.

So what did I see and do? That's what I'd like to know too lol. Anytime I tried to do something tourist-y it turned a major disappointment. Willis Tower had a 2,5 hrs waiting line stretching out in the cold, when we thought we were finally there the guy says there's at least 1 more hour of waiting so we were like 'fuck this life's too short' and went to the John Hancock building instead for an overview of the city. After the Aquarium turned a slight disappointment (long story) we figured we'd get around to see the Lincoln Park Zoo.. which was just tragic. I dunno I suppose I expected something more sustainable than oversized cages with drugged lions and monkeys. Not setting my food near a zoo ever again. Museum of Surgical Science was kind of a let-down too, I guess I expected something more morbid and kooky.

Everything else was cool. Best days were when we avoided all musts and just spent time walking around in and out of stores, diners and pubs, visiting different parts of the city. Rumi Café on Clark St. was a frequent winding-down sanctuary of ours after a day of running around. Andersonville in general had that serene yet lively small town quality only American towns have.

I have only one regret and that is that I didn't get around to see the Art Institute for a selfie with some of Edward Hopper's work! Could have easily scrapped some of the activities mentioned above had I known.

Also loved riding the CTA. I could spend all day just watching people being themselves. First couple of hrs upon arriving was a riot. Got on a coupé where this one guy was talking to his friend - or more like yelling all over the place about how God got him to pull his shit together and get off the streets and get a job, and how this 'bish fucked him over' despite him spending half his salary on her and her son's clothes & school books... and his friend was like "You got played. You just wanted some pussy and you got played". About the same time an other guy enters the train yelling and singing like crazy, glazed eyes focused on somewhere beyond.. dude must have been on something.

And there I was sitting between these loud characters like, 'Chicago Day One' lol