While we drove through Nebraska on the return from Denver, I decided to do something worthwhile (and to pass the time in that abominable state). So, I wrote down my personal tips about Chicago. Note that these are my “personal†tips in various categories. I make no claim to being complete, accurate, or current, but as someone from Chicago who moved to Ames 12 years ago and who loves going back, I thought it would be good to share a few things with my fellow Fanatics.
Here are my favorite places in Chicago (not in rank order):
1. Signature Room. On the 95[SUP]th[/SUP] floor of the Hancock Building is a great restaurant. It is super expensive at night, but they have a $20 lunch buffet on weekdays. So, for just about the same price as the observatory, you get a lunch buffet included. The restaurant is the entire 95[SUP]th[/SUP] floor, so you can walk around and see four distinct views of Chicago (lake, south lakeshore, north lakeshore, and west city).
2. Gino’s East. Go to “the original†on Huron just east of Michigan Avenue. Do not go to the imitations in neighborhoods or the one on Wells. Expect long lines, but they move pretty fast. You can also call ahead and get carryout. The place is known for the graffiti everywhere and if you bring a marker, you can add your own. I know people are saying that Chicagoans aren’t so crazy about deep dish stuffed pizza anymore, but I consider that to be either a lie espoused by transplanted New York hipsters or a horrible change to my fair city. There is no better pizza in the world than Gino’s East stuffed sausage patty pizza. Yes, I said “sausage patty†because there it has a thick slab of sausage across the whole pie. And get the corn meal crust. It is the only pizza where I look forward to finishing the crust.
3. Mr J’s Dog and Burger. At State and Chestnut in the heart of River North is a classic Chicago joint. Order a #1 (burger, fries, and a milkshake), take a bottle of ketchup for your fries, and sit by the window and watch the world go by. I lived on #1s when in college.
4. Buddy Guy’s Legends. This is the blues bar run by Buddy Guy. It is just south of downtown, only 6-7 blocks from the CF hotel. They have no-cover acoustic sets during the day and cover charges for night performances (starting late at night and ending early in the morning). If Buddy Guy isn’t travelling, he is usually there (probably 2/3 of the times I’ve been there). He just sits over at the bar and holds court. And sometimes joins the band for the night.
5. Weiner’s Circle. Go to this place on the way up to Wrigley, but only around midnight and with friends (it is best if they are drunk and a little racist). The black ladies at the counter and the black guy at the grill will absolutely destroy them. They are extremely quick-witted, vulgar, and hilarious. Sit back and watch your friends try to banter with them and fail miserably. There was even a reality show about this place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4fr18wn2s
Here are my favorite places in Chicago (not in rank order):
1. Signature Room. On the 95[SUP]th[/SUP] floor of the Hancock Building is a great restaurant. It is super expensive at night, but they have a $20 lunch buffet on weekdays. So, for just about the same price as the observatory, you get a lunch buffet included. The restaurant is the entire 95[SUP]th[/SUP] floor, so you can walk around and see four distinct views of Chicago (lake, south lakeshore, north lakeshore, and west city).
2. Gino’s East. Go to “the original†on Huron just east of Michigan Avenue. Do not go to the imitations in neighborhoods or the one on Wells. Expect long lines, but they move pretty fast. You can also call ahead and get carryout. The place is known for the graffiti everywhere and if you bring a marker, you can add your own. I know people are saying that Chicagoans aren’t so crazy about deep dish stuffed pizza anymore, but I consider that to be either a lie espoused by transplanted New York hipsters or a horrible change to my fair city. There is no better pizza in the world than Gino’s East stuffed sausage patty pizza. Yes, I said “sausage patty†because there it has a thick slab of sausage across the whole pie. And get the corn meal crust. It is the only pizza where I look forward to finishing the crust.
3. Mr J’s Dog and Burger. At State and Chestnut in the heart of River North is a classic Chicago joint. Order a #1 (burger, fries, and a milkshake), take a bottle of ketchup for your fries, and sit by the window and watch the world go by. I lived on #1s when in college.
4. Buddy Guy’s Legends. This is the blues bar run by Buddy Guy. It is just south of downtown, only 6-7 blocks from the CF hotel. They have no-cover acoustic sets during the day and cover charges for night performances (starting late at night and ending early in the morning). If Buddy Guy isn’t travelling, he is usually there (probably 2/3 of the times I’ve been there). He just sits over at the bar and holds court. And sometimes joins the band for the night.
5. Weiner’s Circle. Go to this place on the way up to Wrigley, but only around midnight and with friends (it is best if they are drunk and a little racist). The black ladies at the counter and the black guy at the grill will absolutely destroy them. They are extremely quick-witted, vulgar, and hilarious. Sit back and watch your friends try to banter with them and fail miserably. There was even a reality show about this place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4fr18wn2s