FOT Forum
FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Laurie on May 19, 2008, 10:07:30 PM
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I'm so excited about my upcoming visit to Chicago in July. I'm going for the Pitchfork Fest, which will obviously take up a lot of time, but I will be taking an extra two days and hope to squeeze in as much as possible.
I've already made reservations for 24-course meal at Alinea (http://www.alinearestaurant.com/index.html) and booked my room at the James Hotel. Where else should I eat? Shop? Galleries? I want to check out GARDENfresh for sure! Also, I'm probably going to have brunch at Hot Chocolate (http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/). Ooh, and Rotofugi (http://rotofugi.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc) looks like a super-cool store.
Chicagoans: Tell me the can't-miss places and experiences. THANKS!
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All those places you named are pretty solid bets.
I know you're into comics, so check out Quimby's, Chicago Comics and Brainstorm. I hear the museums are all pretty good if you're into that kind of boring shit.
What kind of stuff are you looking to do? Shop, touristy stuff, restaurants?
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All three things!
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I have an aunt with a condo up there that they use about 3 weeks out of the year. I'm thinking about asking if I can crash at their place so that I can go to pitchfork fest. talk about a stellar lineup.
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Laurie, there's a mess of good places right by that rotofugi place:
Permanent Wax (near Chicago and Damen), awesome record store, they also host great in-store shows that are always free and they'll most likely have one during or around pitchfork fest.
Atomix- a swell eatery that I like, nextdoor to rtfgi
There's also a few polish delis just west of there..
Sprout- a garden store just south on damen a little bit, they have a lot of cool stuff but i've heard it's expensive.
there's just too much good stuff. I can't do it....
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As far as touristy shit goes, my parents were just in town, so these are fresh in my mind:
The Wendella architecture boat tour is kinda cheesy but you get to ride a boat up and down the river, which goes right through the city. It's only $20, takes an hour, and they point out all the famous buildings and give some historical context.
Don't go in the Sears Tower, go to the Hancock. It's almost as tall, has a better view, and it's free - but with a two drink minimum. So you still end up paying $25 to get up there, but you get two free drinks out of it.
The restaurants you listed are great. Have a hotdog with a bunch of weird vegetables on it just to say you did it, but those hotdogs and deep dish pizza are pretty gross. Theres a place called Hot Dougs on the northwest side that has fucked up hot dogs like "Brandy-Soaked Portuguese Linguica with Saffron Rouille and Queso Arico Cheese" or "Bacon Sausage with Wine-Infused Grainy Dijon Mustard, Herb-Garlic Eurocrème and Caramelized Onions." Yes, that's right, someone found a way to make hot dogs pretentious.
Or go to Weiner's Circle (theres a This American Life episode about it) and get called a "cunt" by middle aged black women. Good times.
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Since you'll be downtown:
- Chicago Hot Dogs: Gold Coast Dogs - 159 N Wabash Ave (or at Union Station)--get the cheese fries
- Comic Books: Graham Crackers - 77 E. Madison St.
- Pizza: The Art of Pizza has about the best, but that's way up north (Ashland and Belmont). Forget pizza, you can get stuffed pizzas all around now. But Uno, Gino's and Giordano's are the big names for stuffed / deep dish pizza.
- Record Store: Reckless has a downtown location - 26 E. Madison (near Graham Crackers). Dusty Groove is good, but at Ashland and Division.
If your extra two days happen to be BEFORE Pitchfork, The Art Institute has free evenings on Thursdays. (was just there last Thurs.) I couldn't find any other free days during that time-span. All the museums used to have free days each week, but no more!
And stare at the Picasso for a bit (50 W. Washington St.):
(http://www.chicagoclout.com/weblog/archives/Chicago%20Picasso.jpg)
(I used to work in the building across the street from the building behind this).
And just behind him, across the street to the left is this crazy/cool building:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/James_R._Thompson_Center.JPG/800px-James_R._Thompson_Center.JPG)
(http://www.richard-seaman.com/USA/Cities/Chicago/Landmarks/JamesRThompsonCenter1.jpg)
And of course, the obscenely over-priced (EDIT: cost to the city--free admission), most massively delayed (yet absolutely stunning) project ever, Millennium Park:
(http://www.greenroofs.org/washington/images/hires/Milleniumproject1.jpg)
(EDIT 2: Quite the massive pic, requires left-rightscrolling)
That's about all I can think of right now.
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I know people dis it, but I don't know why: the Chicago Diner never fails to deliver great food, all vegetarian, mostly vegan, including amazing vegan cheese cake (I like the reuben and the mac and cheese) - check it out: Chicago Diner (http://www.veggiediner.com/). Also, Earwax (http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&q=earwax&near=Chicago,+IL&fb=1&cid=0,0,6582641264802792731&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image), in Wicker Park, has decent iced coffee and decent grub, and is near good record and clothes shopping.
As cheesy a they may be, boat tours of almost anywhere I've ever been are usually worth it, and I also agree with Todd's "go to the Hancock, not the Sears Tower" sentiment!
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Chicago Diner is good, just slightly overcrowded and overpriced, considering what else can be had in Chicago. I'm a Handlebar guy: http://handlebarchicago.com
The Chicago/Damen corner (with my beloved Atomix and Permanent Wax, which helped finance my move with its generous buying policies) and the North/Damen/Milwaukee "crotch" (with Quimby's, Earwax, the crushworthy Myopic Books and a lotta bars) are both near enough to Union Park. If you're find yourself Clark/Belmont, check out the L&L (a classic old-Chicago dive smack in Gentrification Central) and Chicago Comics (lots of cool local stuff on consignment).
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Thanks for the tips, pals!
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I'm a Handlebar guy: http://handlebarchicago.com
Thanks for the tip on the Handlebar - I've never been there - looks good!
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Handlebar blows Chicago Diner outta the water. You'd like it.
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Handlebar is going on my to-visit list for sure. I hope all of the staff are required to grow elaborate mustaches and ride recumbent bicycles.
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soul veg is good. it is might be out of your way but if you have extra time it is worth the trip.
http://www.kingdomofyah.com/Soul%20Vegetarian%20Worldwide.html (http://www.kingdomofyah.com/Soul%20Vegetarian%20Worldwide.html)
if you make it to the south side you should stop at the dog factory and get a fresh one at best kosher. and for heavens sakes get some mexican food while your in chicago.
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oh! mexican food in chicago is THE BEST.
My favorites:
El Cid
Taqueria Moran
Arturro's (open 24/7)
Irazu (not mexican, but costa rican; still excellent)
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La Pasadita. Three Chicago Locations:
1132 N. Ashland
1140 N. Ashland
and, um,
1141 N. Ashland
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san jose - 32nd halstead
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I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.
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The Wendella architecture boat tour is kinda cheesy but you get to ride a boat up and down the river, which goes right through the city. It's only $20, takes an hour, and they point out all the famous buildings and give some historical context.
Just make sure Dave Matthews isn't in town first (http://instantrimshot.com)!
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You have to visit Lincoln Park Conservatory, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and the Nature Museum if you go anywhere near the lakefront. They are pure treasure! Also free and open to the public. The Garfield Park Conservatory is neat too, but it doesn't have that old-world onion-bulb glass roof that gives the Lincoln Park Conseratory its character:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2513214414_ed54ae68ac_b.jpg)
p.s. having a bike is very key to enjoying these places easier. There is almost never any parking by the lakefront.
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The Wendella architecture boat tour is kinda cheesy but you get to ride a boat up and down the river, which goes right through the city. It's only $20, takes an hour, and they point out all the famous buildings and give some historical context.
Just make sure Dave Matthews isn't in town first (http://instantrimshot.com)!
Ah, memories! (http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra2/puke1.gif)
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I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.
in the united states or just that far north in chicago?
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I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.
in the united states or just that far north in chicago?
Andy's just being silly. But I would like to hear which one of the three Chicago La Pasadita locations people like best.
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All those places you named are pretty solid bets.
I know you're into comics, so check out Quimby's, Chicago Comics and Brainstorm. I hear the museums are all pretty good if you're into that kind of boring shit.
What kind of stuff are you looking to do? Shop, touristy stuff, restaurants?
I second Chicago Comics (screw Graham Crackers I mentioned earlier--it's downtown, but nothing compared to Chicago Comics). I just spent over an hour in there, amazed by all the cool stuff (lot's of indies).
Quimby's great too. You'll want to hit both areas anyway:
1) Chicago: Belmont stop on Red Line (then go East, North on Clark). In what I call the 'Bong District.' Has The Alley and all them 'funky' little shops. 'Uncle Fun' is a neat novelty store a bit West (1338 W Belmont).
2) Quimby's: Wicker Park (already mentioned): Damen stop on Blue Line (then go North, East on North Ave.)
3) As dania mentioned, the Conservatory. Also, the (free) Lincoln Park Zoo is right there as well.
If you can't make that one, the Garfield Conservatory (also free) is a lot easier to get to from the Loop: Green Line eastbound to Conservatory stop.
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I refuse to believe that you can get good Mexican food that far North.
Taco Burrito Palace - 2450 something N. Halsted.
Get a chorizo burrito and a 32 oz. horchata!
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the Garfield Conservatory (also free) is a lot easier to get to from the Loop: Green Line WESTbound to Conservatory stop.
An easy mistake, eastbound would go straight into the Sea of Michigan.
Which reminds me, don't forget your swimsuit!
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Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.
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Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.
Delicious and cheap falafel is available at Oasis. It's the falafel stand at the back of a jewelry store. The Real Deal.
It's at 17 S Wabash Ave between Madison and Washington.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oasis-cafe-chicago (http://www.yelp.com/biz/oasis-cafe-chicago)
If you have as much as an hour to spend, I would order a pizza from Pizano's. I don't remember the exact history but the people that started the original Pizzeria Uno own this sweet little spot in the Loop. It takes about an hour for them to cook a deep dish pie so make sure that you've got the time to spend. And even if you're on your own, then order a small and be grateful for the leftovers later on.
http://www.pizanoschicago.com/loop.html (http://www.pizanoschicago.com/loop.html)
61 E. Madison between Wabash and Michigan Ave.
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Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.
american dog is on washington and wabash. beef & brandy is on state and jackson. intelligentsia is a coffee place in the monadnock building. it's an interesting building.
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Any recommendations for good takeout places in the Loop? I'm going to be working at the blues festival next weekend and won't be able to get beyond walking distance of Grant Park.
american dog is on washington and wabash. beef & brandy is on state and jackson. intelligentsia is a coffee place in the monadnock building. it's an interesting building.
There's also an Intelligentsia coffee house on Randolph just West of Michigan Avenue. Their toasted sandwiches are pretty good. Intelligentsia is a local coffee shop.
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Thanks Liz & Henry! Although Tom would be upset by the news, I'll be able to give Panera Bread a rest this year.
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There's also an Intelligentsia coffee house on Randolph just West of Michigan Avenue. Their toasted sandwiches are pretty good. Intelligentsia is a local coffee shop.
Intelligentsia is good, but that name is so pretentious I have trouble suppressing my gag reflex long enough to order.
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My favourite coffee house in Chicago is Cafe Descartes. It really makes you think (http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v66/28/31/5204758/n5204758_36531075_6970.jpg).
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Ooh, and Rotofugi (http://rotofugi.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc) looks like a super-cool store.
There is a Rotofugi commercial that you should see.
Right here. (http://www.staticstudios.net/qt/TV/rotofugi_web.mov)
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I'll second the Dusty Groove record store recommendation.
No 'tude and everything is a winner if you like the greazey funk.
http://www.dustygroove.com/
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Hiiiiii, I'm in Chicago. :)
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They call it the windy city! Did you know??!!!?
Have a great time Laurie!
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Laurie! All Chicago-area FOT!
There's a great show going on tonight. If you're looking for some fun, I highly recommend going to see the band Bottomless Pit playing at Schuba's tonight with the Kadane Brothers. You can check these websites for information and music samples.
http://www.bottomlesspit.us/ (http://www.bottomlesspit.us/)
http://www.schubas.com/ (http://www.schubas.com/)
http://www.myspace.com/bottomlesspitchicago (http://www.myspace.com/bottomlesspitchicago)
http://www.comedyminusone.com/005.php (http://www.comedyminusone.com/005.php)
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Also, Welcome!
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Hiiiiii, I'm in Chicago. :)
heyyyy
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HEY!
There's a cool show tonight at The Hideout with one of my favorite Chicago bands Aleks and the Drummer. I know pitchfork starts tonight, but do we seriously need to hear 3 bands play their albums? The Hideout hosts the Touch& Go festival every year.
http://www.hideoutchicago.com/