Chicago Trip

[jasonxctf]

Except for the Harold's on Wabash and White Palace on Roosevelt. A walk, but not too far.

 

Manny's is probably 2 blocks further

[jasonxctf]

Diners Drive Ins and Dives...

 

go straight to the source.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cec8bEaILCE

 

This place is in the UIC neighborhood. One of my favorites. 15 minute drive from the museums down Roosevelt Road. Cash Only though.

 

[RockRaines]

Diners Drive Ins and Dives...

 

go straight to the source.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cec8bEaILCE

 

This place is in the UIC neighborhood. One of my favorites. 15 minute drive from the museums down Roosevelt Road. Cash Only though.

Thats my spot, I go there about every other sunday for dinner.

[RockRaines]

Any thoughts or more Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives type places? Any decent places for lunch or dinner around the museums?

 

I think at this point we're going to eat pizza one night (probably Giordano's or Lou's if I can find one), and steak another. I've heard The Bongo Room is great for breakfast so we'll likely try that. Also saw a bit on the Food Network about cinnamon rolls at Ann Sather so we may check that out one morning.

 

We'll likely only do one "nice" dinner so we'll probably do Gibson's or Morton's. I know Gibson's is across the street from the hotel.

 

Lastly, any word on bars on/around Rush Street? Not really looking for dance clubs, but more a nice bar with a nice atmosphere.

If you are going to the Science and Industry Museum, there is a great italian place for lunch on Hyde Park Ave a block north of the museum.

 

Gibson's is a waste. It's a must if you want that Chicago experience, but the crowds and people may leave you with a sour taste in your mouth. I would suggest moving a bit further south and hitting up Phil Stefani's 437 rush st. Its just south of the triangle, has a great bone-in ribeye, and the service is awesome.

 

As far as bars around there, its going to be packed regardless, but there are a ton of great bars with ALOT of people. If you like late night reggae, underground wunderbar is not too far from there and is a great place after 12am.

[Chisoxfn]

I've always been a fan of Science & Industry. They have their new storm exhibit up too.

Ya, I like the Science & Industry museum more than the Field. Just more interesting, imo. I'd rather go to Shedd than the Field too.

[Chisoxfn]

If you are going to the Science and Industry Museum, there is a great italian place for lunch on Hyde Park Ave a block north of the museum.

 

Gibson's is a waste. It's a must if you want that Chicago experience, but the crowds and people may leave you with a sour taste in your mouth. I would suggest moving a bit further south and hitting up Phil Stefani's 437 rush st. Its just south of the triangle, has a great bone-in ribeye, and the service is awesome.

 

As far as bars around there, its going to be packed regardless, but there are a ton of great bars with ALOT of people. If you like late night reggae, underground wunderbar is not too far from there and is a great place after 12am.

Don't do Mortons. Call me crazy, but every time I've went to Mortons (~3 to 4 times) I've been very disappointed.

[RockRaines]

Don't do Mortons. Call me crazy, but every time I've went to Mortons (~3 to 4 times) I've been very disappointed.

Depends on the time and place. In general they are all very good, just overpriced and sometimes very vanilla. You have to spend alot to get alot there.

 

There are plenty of other places with great steak. IN fact if I was going to recommend one at this very instant, I would say go to Carnivale (on fulton) and get the skirt steak. The place has a GREAT atmosphere, good service, drinks, and the food is very very good.

[southsider2k5]

Except for the Harold's on Wabash and White Palace on Roosevelt. A walk, but not too far.

 

Harold's chicken? I didn't know they had a place down there.

[Chi Town Sox]

Depends on the time and place. In general they are all very good, just overpriced and sometimes very vanilla. You have to spend alot to get alot there.

 

There are plenty of other places with great steak. IN fact if I was going to recommend one at this very instant, I would say go to Carnivale (on fulton) and get the skirt steak. The place has a GREAT atmosphere, good service, drinks, and the food is very very good.

 

This, one of the cheapest (if not THE cheapest) entree on the menu and it is great

[Chi Town Sox]

Thats my spot, I go there about every other sunday for dinner.

 

I have had it before and I much prefer RoSal's or Il Vicinato. RoSal's is made to order with nearly everything on the menu and tell you that you may have to wait at least a half-hour for your entrees as it is made completely fresh (NOTE: If you have never had FRESH pasta as in never frozen or boxed, you need to get some here.) What do you usually get at Tufano's? I'll have to try again

 

[RockRaines]

I have had it before and I much prefer RoSal's or Il Vicinato. RoSal's is made to order with nearly everything on the menu and tell you that you may have to wait at least a half-hour for your entrees as it is made completely fresh (NOTE: If you have never had FRESH pasta as in never frozen or boxed, you need to get some here.) What do you usually get at Tufano's? I'll have to try again

They are different. RoSal's is a Sicilian masterpiece and Tufanos is just like a mama's kitchen. Cheap, good, easy, casual. RoSal's food overall is much better. In fact, Cafe Bianda is better as well.

 

I get the salad and calamari to start. Then I get a half order of cavatelli with vodka sauce and meatballs and a half order of the chicken picante. The Chicken and Veal Picante is unreal.

[RockRaines]

This, one of the cheapest (if not THE cheapest) entree on the menu and it is great

That skirt streak is downright sexual. The chimchurri sauce is the best ever and I just crave it.

[Chi Town Sox]

That skirt streak is downright sexual. The chimchurri sauce is the best ever and I just crave it.

 

now you got me feenin'

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sfWMOqUEp8S...LCPkpZiRafi1wLQ

Edited June 24, 2010 by Chi Town Sox

[Chi Town Sox]

They are different. RoSal's is a Sicilian masterpiece and Tufanos is just like a mama's kitchen. Cheap, good, easy, casual. RoSal's food overall is much better. In fact, Cafe Bianda is better as well.

 

I get the salad and calamari to start. Then I get a half order of cavatelli with vodka sauce and meatballs and a half order of the chicken picante. The Chicken and Veal Picante is unreal.

 

Cafe Bionda is amazing as well, personally, if I wasn't getting Nana's Gravy or Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce there - I'm going RoSal's everytime. I'll make sure to order exactly what you get

 

[RockRaines]

Cafe Bionda is amazing as well, personally, if I wasn't getting Nana's Gravy or Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce there - I'm going RoSal's everytime. I'll make sure to order exactly what you get

Oh sorry, that was my tufanos order.

 

And I LOOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE the stuffed shells at Bionda. That and the calamari/zucchini ap they have.

[RockRaines]

now you got me feenin'

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sfWMOqUEp8S...LCPkpZiRafi1wLQ

I f***ing hate you.

[Rex Hudler]

Holy crap, this is getting crazy. I don't think I've ever planned a trip like this. Here is our tentative agenda. Tell me how crazy we are for trying to pull this off.

 

Thursday - arrive Chicago 8:10am

-- drop off bags at hotel

-- head to Museum of Science and Industry (cab or bus? - will cab be any faster?)

-- leave about 1:00 and head to the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie house for a 2:00 tour

-- head back to hotel, check in, change clothes

-- Head to Art Institue (free admission after 5:00 and open until 8:00)

-- dinner at Tufano's (you guys sold me on it, especially after watching the Triple D video)

-- probably pass out next

 

Friday

-- up early for breakfast at The Bongo Room

-- to Navy Pier for a 10:00 architecture cruise

-- head back to hotel (if time allows) to change/get what we need for the rest of the day

-- head to Wrigleyville for a 1:20 game

-- see Blue Man Group at 7:00

-- pizza at either Giordano's or Lou's

 

Saturday

-- breakfast at Ann Sather (cinnamon rolls)

-- briefly check out Millenium Park or walk to the beach

-- head to Wrigley for a 12:05 game

-- drink after game?

-- dinner at Smoque after the game?

-- Maybe head to Navy Pier Sat night? Will there be fireworks?

 

Sunday

-- possible visits to The Field Museum to see "Sue" quickly, Millenium Park or to the beach

-- Head to airport about noon

Edited June 26, 2010 by Rex Hudler

[bigruss]

I still need to check out Millenium park, my friend's dad was the sound engineer for it and Ive only heard rave reviews about it. Just never really had a chance to go down there.

[RockRaines]

Holy crap, this is getting crazy. I don't think I've ever planned a trip like this. Here is our tentative agenday. Tell me how crazy we are for trying to pull this off.

 

Thursday - arrive Chicago 8:10am

-- drop off bags at hotel

-- head to Museum of Science and Industry (cab or bus? - will cab be any faster?)

-- leave about 1:00 and head to the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie house for a 2:00 tour

-- head back to hotel, check in, change clothes

-- Head to Art Institue (free admission after 5:00 and open until 8:00)

-- dinner at Tufano's (you guys sold me on it, especially after watching the Triple D video)

------Salad and calamari for aps. Cavatelli w/vodka sauce and meatballs w/ chicken picante.

-- probably pass out next

 

Friday

-- up early for breakfast at The Bongo Room

-- to Navy Pier for a 10:00 architecture cruise

-- head back to hotel (if time allows) to change/get what we need for the rest of the day

-- head to Wrigleyville for a 1:20 game

-- see Blue Man Group at 7:00

-- pizza at either Giordano's or Lou's

 

Saturday

-- breakfast at Ann Sather (cinnamon rolls)

-- briefly check out Millenium Park or walk to the beach

-- head to Wrigley for a 12:05 game

-- drink after game?

-- dinner at Smoque after the game?

-- Maybe head to Navy Pier Sat night? Will there be fireworks?

 

Sunday

-- possible visits to The Field Museum to see "Sue" quickly, Millenium Park or to the beach

-- Head to airport about noon

 

Fixed for menu. what days are these? I may go into tufanos that night.

 

[Rex Hudler]

Thursday July 1 - Sunday July 4

 

Any suggestions on what to eat? The lemon chicken looked damn good as did spaghetti & meatballs.

[Rex Hudler]

Anyone see any problems with walking from the Museum of Science & Industry to the Robie House (5757 S. Woodlawn)? It looks to be about a 20 minute walk. It's basically a straight shot on 57th St to Woodlawn. No potential safety issues? It would be in the middle of the day.

[RockRaines]

Anyone see any problems with walking from the Museum of Science & Industry to the Robie House (5757 S. Woodlawn)? It looks to be about a 20 minute walk. It's basically a straight shot on 57th St to Woodlawn. No potential safety issues? It would be in the middle of the day.

Not sure where that is. Be careful moving west from the museum to your destination. Most of the area north is the University of Chicago which is ok, but the rest of the area is terrible. Englewood is west of there past the highway and is literally the wild west with shootings.

[Rex Hudler]

Not sure where that is. Be careful moving west from the museum to your destination. Most of the area north is the University of Chicago which is ok, but the rest of the area is terrible. Englewood is west of there past the highway and is literally the wild west with shootings.

 

This help?

 

Walk to Robie House

 

 

 

 

[RockRaines]

This help?

 

Walk to Robie House

Yes. You'll be perfectly fine there. Keep walking a bit and check out the U of C campus. Its really nice.

[Rex Hudler]

Yes. You'll be perfectly fine there. Keep walking a bit and check out the U of C campus. Its really nice.

 

Cool, thanks. I appreciate your help and from everyone. In the past, I've either met friends up there who knew how to get around or we just got tickets to games and winged everything else. I'm typically not much of a planner so this is different for me. My girlfriend's never been up there and wants to see a couple of things so I need to make sure we have the time. It should be fun.

 

Another question I have is about travel. Heading back north to the hotel around 3:30 or 4:00 on Thursday. Would I be better taking the #2 bus (Hyde Park Express) along Lake Shore Drive for the scenery or taking the #55 bus to the Red Line @ Howard to Chicago and walking from there? Would traffic be an issue taking the bus? Anyone use the public tranportation enough to know?