Wellington
BAAAALLLINNN'
For the NYC thread there are a handful of guys that have met up at a bunch of the NYC meet ups and they pretty much keep the thing afloat.
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Chicago-GAF OT of Not the Second City, the BEST damn city.
- Thread starter ChiTownBuffalo
- Start date
IAmtheFMan
Member
Yeah. I agree.
djcatskratch
Member
I really like this photo of the skyline, if you want to use it:
Hey Chicago Gaf,
I'm visiting the city over labor day weekend to finish up the Chicago portion of my Baseball Stadiums trips. Going to the Cubs game Sunday and the White Sox game Monday. Would you guys be able to recommend any places or areas to stay ( hotels or airbnb) in where its close to Wrigley and easy to get on public transit to U.S. Cellular Field and Downtown?
I'm visiting the city over labor day weekend to finish up the Chicago portion of my Baseball Stadiums trips. Going to the Cubs game Sunday and the White Sox game Monday. Would you guys be able to recommend any places or areas to stay ( hotels or airbnb) in where its close to Wrigley and easy to get on public transit to U.S. Cellular Field and Downtown?
Hiya!
Both Wrigley Field and US Cellular can be accessed via Red Line stops. So anywhere close to the red line will do you just fine. There are plenty of hotels in Near North Side with good access, but they can be kind of pricey. There are probably plenty of AirBnBs in Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, Uptown and Andersonville available, with the cheapest ones probably being in Uptown. It's not the best neighborhood, but the "danger" is kind of overblown, if you ask me.
I vote hell yeah~
Avon Barksdale
Member
Got back from Chicago on Monday and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. For all of the shit that Chicago gets from the national media, I didn't have anything really negative to say about this town.
I went to the following restaurants in the following order:
Hash Browns
Twin Anchors
China Doll
Harold's Chicken Shack
Lou Malnati's
Ed Debevic's
Nando's
Chicago's Dog House
Pequod's
Strings Ramen
Mash Kitchen
Brasa Roja Restaurant
Gibsons Steakhouse
I'd say that Pequod's and Gibsons were top-tier while everything else was good to pretty good.
I went to the following restaurants in the following order:
Hash Browns
Twin Anchors
China Doll
Harold's Chicken Shack
Lou Malnati's
Ed Debevic's
Nando's
Chicago's Dog House
Pequod's
Strings Ramen
Mash Kitchen
Brasa Roja Restaurant
Gibsons Steakhouse
I'd say that Pequod's and Gibsons were top-tier while everything else was good to pretty good.
Working on the food recommendations for the new thread, and I decided to cut it off at 5 per category, 50 in total because otherwise, I'd be going on and on forever. I definitely have blind spots in certain areas of the city, though, so please let me know if there's stuff that NEEDS to be added:
Also finished up a rough draft of the Nightlife recs:
I definitely have my favorites in there, so again, what am I obviously missing here?
Right now, I'm working on General Entertainment (festivals, traditions, stage theater, etc). I'll post more once I have a chance to work on it later.
Also finished up a rough draft of the Nightlife recs:
I definitely have my favorites in there, so again, what am I obviously missing here?
Right now, I'm working on General Entertainment (festivals, traditions, stage theater, etc). I'll post more once I have a chance to work on it later.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
You could add Middle Eastern in there (Reza's, Andies), M Henry for Breakfast in Andersonville (haven't been there personally, but it's a fixture), Ice Cream/Sweets (Jeni's, Margie's)
BBQ: Pork Shoppe, Rub, Smoking Woody's, Smoque, and probably others I don't know.
BBQ: Pork Shoppe, Rub, Smoking Woody's, Smoque, and probably others I don't know.
Wellington
BAAAALLLINNN'
I went to smoque last year based off of the DDD recommendation. It was pretty good.
IAmtheFMan
Member
That's a pretty good list so far:
Additions:
Sushi:
Coast/South Coast
Sushi Para (All you can eat)
Tanoshii (West Loop/Andersonville)
Japonais
Matsuya
Ramen:
Slurping Turtle
Ramen-San and Urban Belly (tie)
Oiistar
Santouka (suburbs)
Furious Spoon
Asian Markets:
Mitsuwa
H-Mart
Joong Boo Si Jang
Tai Nam Market
Golden Pacific Market
Mid-level chef-driven/progressive restaurants:
Girl and the Goat and Little Goat
Au Cheval
Parachute
Frontera Grill
Longman and Eagle
Fine Dining:
Alinea
Grace
Next
Goosefoot
42 Grams
Steak Houses:
Gibson's
Chicago Cut Steakhouse (not to be mistaken for Chicago Chophouse)
Prime and Provisions
David Burke's Primehouse
Bavette's Bar and Bouef
High-end (read expensive) Trendy Bars:
Violet Hour
Cindy's (Chicago Athletic Association)
Aviary
The Office (beneath the Aviary)
The Terrace (Trump)
I'm sure there's more categories I'm forgetting, but that's a pretty good start.
Thug Waffle
Member
whoever makes the new OP should misspell "Rahm" as "Raht" and call no other attention to this error
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Tanoshi is great.
I feel like Arun's should be here somewhere. It's some of the most accessible yet high-end food I've had anywhere. Not terribly expensive, and easy to get in to.
I feel like Arun's should be here somewhere. It's some of the most accessible yet high-end food I've had anywhere. Not terribly expensive, and easy to get in to.
New gaming convention coming to Chicago this October http://valorcon.com/. I will not be attendance, that is the weekend I am getting married!
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
I've been on the fence about bringing the family to GenCon, but this sounds just perfect!
this would be insanely cute
IAmtheFMan
Member
Yeah Arun's is really good. Along the same lines, Herb was pretty good too, and Han 202 has a really good Chinese tasting menu that was super cheap (like I think 40 dollars for 5 courses?)
Also, I noticed the lack of Chinese places on the list so:
Chinese:
Lao Szechuan
Great Seas (cheating since this is Chinese-Korean but still counts)
Sun Wah
Triple Crown
Hing Kee (they have fresh Xiao Long Bao)
For Dim sum:
Ming Hin (late night too!)
Cai
Triple Crown
Yum Cha (it's alright if you're downtown and don't want to go to Chinatown)
Furama
Congrats! Looks interesting. May check it out.
Horse Detective
Why the long case?
PLS
Some awesome additions to the list - thanks, guys! 
That map with all of our avatars in various neighbors sounds adorable haha. It'd probably look like shit if I did it, though, so if anyone wants to volunteer to make it for the new OT, I'll happily include it.
Also just wanna point out that this is probably the most active this thread has been in months, and it's about creating a new thread.
EDIT: Oh, and congrats to joelseph for the upcoming marriage! That's rad, man.
That map with all of our avatars in various neighbors sounds adorable haha. It'd probably look like shit if I did it, though, so if anyone wants to volunteer to make it for the new OT, I'll happily include it.
Also just wanna point out that this is probably the most active this thread has been in months, and it's about creating a new thread.
EDIT: Oh, and congrats to joelseph for the upcoming marriage! That's rad, man.
Yeah Im down! haha
Twin Anchors, Butcher and the Burger, and Chinatown spots better be on that list. Been so busy with work that I haven't had time to contribute.
There's also great places I've heard other tell me about such as Au Cheval.
Make sure to include both Kuma's! There's more than one that people can go to in the city.
There's also great places I've heard other tell me about such as Au Cheval.
Make sure to include both Kuma's! There's more than one that people can go to in the city.
djcatskratch
Member
I'd love a GAF meet up at Galloping Ghost. I'd be willing to pick people up at Congress Park Metra on BNSF and take them there. I live really close to GG and really enjoy going there.
I'm visiting Chicago starting tuesday, staying the entire week. I'm on my own, so if anyone wants to meet up, let me know. Really looking forward to the trip. Did NY for a week last year, hoping this visit matches it. I made a list of stuff to do and see, it's getting pretty big. Apparently there's a bunch of good food places in Logan Square.
I skimmed an earlier Chicago thread here for more recommendations, but I also added the entire diner/breakfast category posted above to my list.
DO
Lincoln Park Zoo
Millennium Park
The 606, Bloomingdale trail
Lakefront trail
Riverwalk
Museum Campus (Field museum)
Wicker Park
Bucktown
Skydeck
360 Chicago
Shedd Aquarium
Adler Planetarium
Logan Square
Michigan Avenue
Museum of Science & Industry
Chinatown
Greektown
Emporium Arcade + Logan Arcade
EAT
Burgers
Kuma's Corner
Owen and Engine
Bad Apple
Au Cheval
White Castle
Pizza
Pequod's
Pizzeria Uno
Lou Malnati (!)
Dante's pizzeria Logan Square
Piece Pizza in Bucktown
Art of Pizza (deep dish)
Piece Pizza (thin)
Fried chicken
Uncle Remus
Harold's
Dessert
Mindy's Hot Chocolate
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
Other
Dim Sum at Triple Crown
Twin Anchors BBQ
Slurping Turtle (Ramen)
Gibson's Steakhouse
I skimmed an earlier Chicago thread here for more recommendations, but I also added the entire diner/breakfast category posted above to my list.
DO
Lincoln Park Zoo
Millennium Park
The 606, Bloomingdale trail
Lakefront trail
Riverwalk
Museum Campus (Field museum)
Wicker Park
Bucktown
Skydeck
360 Chicago
Shedd Aquarium
Adler Planetarium
Logan Square
Michigan Avenue
Museum of Science & Industry
Chinatown
Greektown
Emporium Arcade + Logan Arcade
EAT
Burgers
Kuma's Corner
Owen and Engine
Bad Apple
Au Cheval
White Castle
Pizza
Pequod's
Pizzeria Uno
Lou Malnati (!)
Dante's pizzeria Logan Square
Piece Pizza in Bucktown
Art of Pizza (deep dish)
Piece Pizza (thin)
Fried chicken
Uncle Remus
Harold's
Dessert
Mindy's Hot Chocolate
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
Other
Dim Sum at Triple Crown
Twin Anchors BBQ
Slurping Turtle (Ramen)
Gibson's Steakhouse
apocalidiot
Banned
Happy September everybody
I got back from my trip yesterday. Overall I had a good time, but the list I made was a bit too ambitious. Did most of the must see things, but could only do a fraction of the food stuff. I didn't go to Logan Square or Bucktown unfortunately. That'd be first on the list if I ever get back.
I loved the entire museum campus. It's awesome to have those 3 big attractions in one spot. Added bonus is that you get a great view of the skyline. It's too bad the weather was iffy during my stay. I never had a clear day while there, so my pictures weren't that good.
Shedd aquarium in particular was awesome. I thought it'd be small at first, but it stretches out and is way bigger than I first thought. Field museum I enjoyed for the dino expo and the planetarium for the movies. The lunar expo was also pretty cool.
From there I took a water taxi to the navy pier, because I wanted to see an IMAX movie. We don't have any IMAX theatres in Belgium, so I try to catch a showing every time I'm in the States. It's too bad that theatre is tucked away in what is a tourist trap hellhole otherwise. I really didn't like that mall-ish building.
I also liked the Bloomingdale trail, but it would've been better if it was sunny. Most memorable visit in that neigbourhood (and maybe the entire trip) was Piece pizzeria. Damn that's good pizza. I tried deep dish once (Lou Malnati's) but it's way too heavy for my tastes. I had like 4 big breakfasts while I was in Chicago, but none filled me up like that one deep dish. It mostly amounts to 'more cheese', felt bloated afterwards. But the pepperoni I had at Piece was divine. Their self-brewed beer is also really good.
Which brings me to the next subject: seems like the entire town is beer-crazy, which is good to see as a Belgian. Piece for instance has like 6 or 7 good classic Belgian beers (outside Stella of course). I also went to 'champagne for pops', but to the 'hidden' beer bar. I went to a date there, the beers were better than the date haha
Kuma also had their own beers, one I ordered was good, the burger even better. I had the Neurosis burger and it tasted awesome. I went to Kuma's Too, because it had a better location for me. That entire neighborhood was nice as well.
Skydeck had a better view than 360 I felt, should've used that citypass voucher for another museum instead. Felt obligated to check out the bean, but that's also selfie central and an overcrowded tourist trap. Chinatown also didn't impress me.
Lincoln park zoo was okay, but seeing the giraffes was pretty tragic: compared to some other animals they had very little room. They just kept running around in circles. There was a gate behind them and probably had more room there, but somehow that image just stuck with me. Felt sad for those animals.
What I enjoy most in every US trip are the diners though. Belgium (and I'd guess Europe in general) lacks places with a full and diverse breakfast menu. It's great to sit down at 11 AM and still be able to order breakfast. We have restaurants/bars/bakeries/what have you, but lack diners with those diverse options. For instance: in medium to smaller towns you can't sit down somewhere and have a lumberjack slam, or pancakes. Everyone goes to the bakery.
The best breakfast I had was at the Eleven City Diner, the 'Tom Waits 2AM' special, with added flapjacks. I finished the entire thing, sogood.gif
The one really negative experience was at the White Castle near Chinatown. I went there because of the dumb movie and it's something I just wanted to try. But there I got stopped by 2 dudes who asked for money for the bus. I said 'sorry man I can't' and walked to the white castle. He then tried to stop me again and shouted 'you can't man, or you won't?' but I kept walking and ignored them. Then I noticed you couldn't sit down in the White Castle and started thinking those guys would come after me. I then saw them again at the cta stop and didn't even enter the stop, complete chicken shit lol.
These guys were probably total posers and wouldn't have hurt me, but still it was pretty scary. I wolfed down those sliders and got away from there.
My (awesome) airbnb host later said that wasn't even one of the bad neigborhoods, so I don't want to see what it's like in those
edit: holy crap that was a pretty big write-up. Well... enjoy for those who care!
I loved the entire museum campus. It's awesome to have those 3 big attractions in one spot. Added bonus is that you get a great view of the skyline. It's too bad the weather was iffy during my stay. I never had a clear day while there, so my pictures weren't that good.
Shedd aquarium in particular was awesome. I thought it'd be small at first, but it stretches out and is way bigger than I first thought. Field museum I enjoyed for the dino expo and the planetarium for the movies. The lunar expo was also pretty cool.
From there I took a water taxi to the navy pier, because I wanted to see an IMAX movie. We don't have any IMAX theatres in Belgium, so I try to catch a showing every time I'm in the States. It's too bad that theatre is tucked away in what is a tourist trap hellhole otherwise. I really didn't like that mall-ish building.
I also liked the Bloomingdale trail, but it would've been better if it was sunny. Most memorable visit in that neigbourhood (and maybe the entire trip) was Piece pizzeria. Damn that's good pizza. I tried deep dish once (Lou Malnati's) but it's way too heavy for my tastes. I had like 4 big breakfasts while I was in Chicago, but none filled me up like that one deep dish. It mostly amounts to 'more cheese', felt bloated afterwards. But the pepperoni I had at Piece was divine. Their self-brewed beer is also really good.
Which brings me to the next subject: seems like the entire town is beer-crazy, which is good to see as a Belgian. Piece for instance has like 6 or 7 good classic Belgian beers (outside Stella of course). I also went to 'champagne for pops', but to the 'hidden' beer bar. I went to a date there, the beers were better than the date haha
Kuma also had their own beers, one I ordered was good, the burger even better. I had the Neurosis burger and it tasted awesome. I went to Kuma's Too, because it had a better location for me. That entire neighborhood was nice as well.
Skydeck had a better view than 360 I felt, should've used that citypass voucher for another museum instead. Felt obligated to check out the bean, but that's also selfie central and an overcrowded tourist trap. Chinatown also didn't impress me.
Lincoln park zoo was okay, but seeing the giraffes was pretty tragic: compared to some other animals they had very little room. They just kept running around in circles. There was a gate behind them and probably had more room there, but somehow that image just stuck with me. Felt sad for those animals.
What I enjoy most in every US trip are the diners though. Belgium (and I'd guess Europe in general) lacks places with a full and diverse breakfast menu. It's great to sit down at 11 AM and still be able to order breakfast. We have restaurants/bars/bakeries/what have you, but lack diners with those diverse options. For instance: in medium to smaller towns you can't sit down somewhere and have a lumberjack slam, or pancakes. Everyone goes to the bakery.
The best breakfast I had was at the Eleven City Diner, the 'Tom Waits 2AM' special, with added flapjacks. I finished the entire thing, sogood.gif
The one really negative experience was at the White Castle near Chinatown. I went there because of the dumb movie and it's something I just wanted to try. But there I got stopped by 2 dudes who asked for money for the bus. I said 'sorry man I can't' and walked to the white castle. He then tried to stop me again and shouted 'you can't man, or you won't?' but I kept walking and ignored them. Then I noticed you couldn't sit down in the White Castle and started thinking those guys would come after me. I then saw them again at the cta stop and didn't even enter the stop, complete chicken shit lol.
These guys were probably total posers and wouldn't have hurt me, but still it was pretty scary. I wolfed down those sliders and got away from there.
My (awesome) airbnb host later said that wasn't even one of the bad neigborhoods, so I don't want to see what it's like in those
edit: holy crap that was a pretty big write-up. Well... enjoy for those who care!
Oh god I've been to that White Castle. Yeah, man, it's not necessarily a bad area, but that White Castle is sketchy as fuck. The cashier I bought my burgers from once had the largest coke nail I've ever seen. Definitely not worth having some mediocre-at-best fast food. The only time I'll hit up White Castle is on the way home from Alice's in Avondale, 'cause there's a WC right nearby.
Glad you enjoyed your stay!
Oh, also, I haven't totally forgotten about the new OT. Work's just been really busy, so it might be another week or two before I have time to finalize it.
Glad you enjoyed your stay!
Oh, also, I haven't totally forgotten about the new OT. Work's just been really busy, so it might be another week or two before I have time to finalize it.
IAmtheFMan
Member
It's weird. That stretch on Cermack from Clark to about Wabash is sketchy as hell, but then all around it's not too bad. Chinatown really isn't an unsafe area anymore, and there's actually some really super nice neighborhoods directly north of there.
apocalidiot
Banned
Yeah, there would always be "crazy" folk chilling on the walk at that little scretch from the redline to Reggies when I would go there.
Going to see Thee Oh Sees at the Empty Bottle tonight. It should be fun
A bit late but busy weekend/week, Riot Fest was fun as fuck, hopefully some of you made it out.
Recorded some of my favorite moments of the weekend and threw together a playlist for anyone interested. Got in real close for Prodigy for what was perhaps the craziest musical experience so far in my life.
Recorded some of my favorite moments of the weekend and threw together a playlist for anyone interested. Got in real close for Prodigy for what was perhaps the craziest musical experience so far in my life.
I'm staying at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. Currently driving, arriving at 7 pm. They're telling me it's $63/night to park.
Is there any better nearby option to park on Friday and Saturday night? Or should I just suck it up and pay?
Also any restaurant recommendations in the area?
Is there any better nearby option to park on Friday and Saturday night? Or should I just suck it up and pay?
Also any restaurant recommendations in the area?
You could park in residential areas outside of the downtown loop area and take the CTA train in for a few bucks. You would have to pay attention to the signs on the streets, some streets are permit parking during certain times. Others have certain street cleaning days. Beyond that you are perfectly safe to park there for a few days.
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
There are three downtown. Do you know the address?
There's probably cheaper public parking near any of them (although still probably pricey).
There's probably cheaper public parking near any of them (although still probably pricey).
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
There are a few parking lots within a 2 block radius. I'd drop your stuff and find one.
That's pretty much the most expensive parking area in the whole city, but the lots a block away will still be a lot cheaper than the Hotel.
That's pretty much the most expensive parking area in the whole city, but the lots a block away will still be a lot cheaper than the Hotel.
Hello Chicago-Gaf. I'll be visiting Chicago next week with my family and arriving on Wednesday. That's the same day as game 4 of the NLCS. I know it's going to be a madhouse, but anybody have any insights as to going out to Wrigley to experience the game from outside the park. Tickets are too pricey for us.
I'm a DBacks fan, but spent my youth rooting for the Cubbies since their spring training was so close. They were the closest thing we had to a home team before '98.
I'm a DBacks fan, but spent my youth rooting for the Cubbies since their spring training was so close. They were the closest thing we had to a home team before '98.
Just don't go to the Cubby Bear. Les be real.
kitchenmotors
Banned
Oh shit I have a concert at the Metro tomorrow night, of course....
Anyone from Chicago area old enough to remember 94.7 WYTZ FM Z-95 ?
The last few years of their existence was rivalry with 96.3 FM B96.
Anyway before Z-95 went away in early '91 for a few weeks they changed to Hell 94.7 Chicago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZkZpWLGGw0
I thought for this would impossible to find online, but someone uploaded it, lol.
The last few years of their existence was rivalry with 96.3 FM B96.
Anyway before Z-95 went away in early '91 for a few weeks they changed to Hell 94.7 Chicago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZkZpWLGGw0
I thought for this would impossible to find online, but someone uploaded it, lol.
IAmtheFMan
Member
How is it different then Au Cheval's?
The menu at Small Cheval is only Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Fries. Burger is the same, I think. The reason why it's better is because you can walk in on off hours and get your food right away instead of waiting 2 hours. =)
InfiniteBento
Member
edit; nvm actually
Krauser Kat
Member
ffffuck this ice. i have fallen twice already.