I lived in Chicago for 25 years, but it's been a long time since I spent any real time there. I start this thread for folks to post about things specific to Chicago that makes it a great city. To get it started: The lake front. Lincoln Park. The long green limousine (CTA) Rush Street Oak Street Beach. Museum of Science and Industry. Art Museum. Opera House. Shed Aquarium. Adler Planetarium. University of Chicago. University of Illinois Circle Campus. Best pizza in the world. Carson's Ribs (it's still there, right?) Wrigley Field. Michael Jordan's Ghost. Evanston. The incredible ethnic neighborhoods. The Latin Eagles.
The Japanese Garden in Jackson Park behind the Museum of Science and Industry The lounge on the 96th floor above the Signature Room at the Hancock Building. Perry's Sandwich Shop. The buffets in the bottom floor at 55 East Monroe. Put Put golf at Millennium Park. Staying overnight on a sailboat at the Monroe Harbor and having Connie's Pizza delivered to the slip. Taco Burrito Palace near Wrigley. Yakzee's Buffalo Pizza. Pizzeria Uno -- forget the chains and outlets, go to the one downtown. Al's Beef. Hot Doug's. Best cased meats. Duck fat fries. Morton Arboretum. Promontory Point. Driving up twisty, turny north Lake Shore Drive through John Hughes territory. Sweet Baby Ray's ribs. Gene & Georgetti's for steaks. Lowry's Prime Rib Buddy Guy's Legends The Hard Rock hotel The Green Mill The Wild Hare The Empty Bottle Metro (formerly "Cabaret Metro") The "glory hole" in the men's room on the 8th floor of Water Tower Place. (Whoops -- never heard of that. Forget I ever typed it. White Castle breakfast at Ann Sather's or Lou Mitchell's watching people fall over in the wind on Adams in February as they try to pass the Sears Tower (or whatever they call it now) Korean food on Lawrence. Chinese food off 22nd. Greek food on or just west of Halsted. Summer street fairs. Margie's Candies on Western. Cupid Candies on 95th St. Rainbow Cone on Western. White Fence Farm. South Side Irish Parade. Bavarian winter fest in Daley Plaza at Christmastime. Taste of Chicago. Shame on you pizza munchers and fried hot dog eaters. Taste gives unparalleled chances to sample all sorts of fine and exotic dining offered in the city -- take advantage! Blues Fest and Jazz Fest.
Italian Beef sandwiches Abe Frohman Sausage King of Chicago trucks. Meatball sandwiches. ( I must be hungry )
Hmm... OK, I went really upscale for my tenth anniversary this year and went to Tru. Damn good. Less good was the famed Drake Hotel which features very thin walls. On one side, there were a room full of kids. On the other side, a woman making a new kid. Lately been a big fan of Goose Island Harvest Ale Geno's East. Aurelios in the suburbs. The Taste! The Miller Bakery Cafe in Gary Lou Mitchells
I wish you could have joined us at the first draft party at Goose Island -- but you were stuck on the East Coast.
Yeah, that must have been something to behold. At this point we're practically scattered to the four corners of the earth here.
I think everyone forget the best thing about Chicago: it's culture. Chicago's > New York's, LA's, NO's, and any other city in the US.
As much as I love Chicago I can't say it has "more" culture than New York or Los Angeles. It can hold its own with those cities and is a world class city. I can hold its own in terms of culture and claim pride in having culture with less attitude -- and that's fine with me. Give me all the amenities with fewer pretensions and I'm good. You mention New Orleans? Definitely less culture in a "classic" sense but a cool vibe, great dining and a sense of funk and cool that NY, LA or Chicago can't touch. Its just unique. Don't get me wrong -- there is enough bayou in Chicago to keep me happy -- Heaven on Seven, Bar Louie, etc. But NO has that je ne sais quoi feel good quality that can't be replicated.
Having lived in both Chicago as a kid, and New York for 3 years at a private school, I felt that 'holier-than-thou' attitude New Yorkers had, and it didn't sit well with me. To be fair, I was around rich/wealthy New Yorkers in the upper east side. I actually think that New York and Chicago got that vibe and night life to match their rich history. They're probably right atop. New Orleans is awesome, visited 5-6 times when trying to get recruited for college football at LSU and I wouldn't argue with people who say it has more culture than any other city, but I guess it's all more a matter of preference. Completely disagree about Los Angeles though. What happens outside LA, to me, is much more entertaining. Chicago > LA in my book
--The Weiner's Circle--an ordering experience like no other. --Three cheers to the guy who brought up the Green Mill--just a terrific place --Reza (home to the best rice I've ever had) --Zaiqa Some South Side favorites --Ciral's House of Tiki (RIP) --Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap --Harold's Chicken --Medici's --Powell's Books (As a Portland guy, this is really a PDX thing, but the Hyde Park store is still terrific) And the place I miss the most (also RIP) The ORIGINAL Berghoff (the new place isn't the same).
