The Toughest Town In The Country

[Greggulator]

Hey everyone. In just a few short weeks, I'm going to Chicago for a while to take on George Wendt and the other roughnecks who makes this allegedly the toughest town in the U-S-A.

You should tell me places to go -- the more local/obscure/food-oriented the better. We have a handful of friends who are out there already but the more suggestions the better. And if there are any good comedy things from Jul. 2 to Jul. 5, please let me know!

I will literally eat any type of food. My wife's a vegetarian.

The only two things we have booked on our schedule are the Cubs/Sox game on Sunday (w/ rooftop seats!) and the Sox/Royals on the 4th of July.

[mike_b]

Where are you staying?

[Greggulator]

Where are you staying?

A Red Roof Inn somewhere in the downtown vicinity.

[DS1077]

The Reckless Records on Broadway is the best of their three locations, and that's in the Lakeview area (just south of Wrigleyville) so there's plenty else to wander around and see.  If you're in that area, going west for a little ways on Belmont will get you to Uncle Fun (http://www.unclefunchicago.com/), a really impressive and odd retro toy store.  I don't know who their vendors are but they always have the best weirdly dated things to mess around with, and a huge selection of inexpensive vintage postcards if you want to amaze and baffle your friends back home.  Heading even farther west on Belmont (there's a bus) would get you to the famous Hot Doug's (http://www.hotdougs.com/specials.htm) home of bizarre specialty sausages.  Not the most vegetarian friendly, but there is a veggie dog.  And fries, although they fry them in duck fat on the weekends.

IO (formerly Improv Olympics) has cheap comedy shows just about every night and I have several friends who prefer it to the Second City, but I haven't seen any of their current shows.

[break]

Kuma's Corner has burgers named after heavy metal bands.  You could go get a Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden burger.  Can't vouch for it, but I will visit next time i'm in Chicago. 

www.kumascorner.com

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

I have a play going up by the lake:

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/playdetail.php?playID=4850

If you're not gone yet and want me to try and get you free tickets (or if any other Chicago FOT want me to try and get them free tickets for that matter), let me know.

[mike_b]

Kuma's Corner has burgers named after heavy metal bands.  You could go get a Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden burger.  Can't vouch for it, but I will visit next time i'm in Chicago. 

www.kumascorner.com

The lines at Kuma's Corner are outrageous.  If you want to go, it's best to go in the afternoon on a weekday.

[jbissell]

Kuma's Corner has burgers named after heavy metal bands.  You could go get a Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden burger.  Can't vouch for it, but I will visit next time i'm in Chicago. 

www.kumascorner.com

The lines at Kuma's Corner are outrageous.  If you want to go, it's best to go in the afternoon on a weekday.

I had pretty good luck right around noon a few Saturdays ago, it was only 30 min., but that's probably atypical.

Longman & Eagle is a really great restaurant in Logan Square. They're open real late.

[JimmyNoodles]

As your wife is a vegetarian, I suggest checking out the Chicago Diner.  http://www.veggiediner.com/wp/

Also, if you've never been, Kuma's is worth it.  Try the mac & cheese as well.

[mike_b]

Kuma's Corner has burgers named after heavy metal bands.  You could go get a Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden burger.  Can't vouch for it, but I will visit next time i'm in Chicago. 

www.kumascorner.com

The lines at Kuma's Corner are outrageous.  If you want to go, it's best to go in the afternoon on a weekday.

I had pretty good luck right around noon a few Saturdays ago, it was only 30 min., but that's probably atypical.

Longman & Eagle is a really great restaurant in Logan Square. They're open real late.

Longman and Eagle is right near The Whistler, Revolution Brewing Company, and Cole's

[Nigel]

while you're in town you've got to hit up a Harold's Chicken Shack!

http://chicago.citysearch.com/listings/chicago-il-metro/82078?chainId=37354484

i haven't been to one in a while but i'm gonna go out on a limb and say your wife probably won't find anything trust-worthy to eat there.

[Tor_Hershman]

Moi's hometown, from age 8 to 19, outlawed Trick Or Treating.
That's tough!
Oh, Bobtown, PA 'tis its name.
This place, Wheeling, WV (Moi 'twere orignailly sent here by the DOD many, MANY moon ago) has its name from a native american expression which means "Place Of The Skull."
Wheelling's slogan is "The Friendly City;"  perhaps to ravin' religious fanatics, Richard Nixon BUT NOT the American Nazi Party - folks around here ain't puttin' up with liberals like that.

Hey, ain't that just about Anytown, Earth?
Well, not Portland, OR...it's MUCH WORSE THAN THAT!