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Like you, I am a workaholic. I can’t help myself. I find the geodomain industry oddly addictive. However, after spending five days cooped up in the office, I need a break from the corporate world just as much as you do. Weekends in Chicago are for letting loose and — believe me — there is never a shortage of things to do.
The weather finally started cooperating this week. In fact I’ve began walking to the office instead of driving. It’s better for the environment, I save money, and it keeps me in shape. That even more of a reason to celebrate this weekend! I have managed to find the coolest things to do in Chicago, and here are my top picks for March 26-28.
Critical Mass
I am taking off a bit early on Friday and riding my bike down to Daley Plaza at Dearborn St. & Washington St. for an extensive bike ride through the city. For those of you who have not participated in Critical Mass, it’s a meetup of Chicagoans who enjoy riding bikes. Each week they choose a new route and spend Friday night biking through the city. It’s not only fun, but you get to meet a bunch of great people. They take off at 5:30pm, so be on time!
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Mac Madness
After all of that riding, I’m going to need two things: beer and food. All week I have been hearing about Rockit Pub & Grill’s Mac Madness week at 22 W. Hubbard St. Each day they’re featuring a new entree using mac and cheese and serving it for only $12! Friday’s special is crawfish-and-andouille macaroni. Top that off with some great drink specials, and I’m ready to call it a night. A portion of the proceeds from Mac Madness go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, so eat up!
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Matisse is in Town
The Art Institute is really keeping me busy this year. Last month was admission free, and this month they have a Henri Matisse exhibit. So first thing Saturday morning I am headed down to 111 S. Michigan Ave. to see this for myself. This exhibit focuses on his art between 1913-1917, with the selected works representing his experimentation with the cubist era of the avant-garde movement. This exhibit only runs through June, so get there while you still can.
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Chicago Eats TV Launch Party
After getting my cultural fix at the Art Institute, I’ll be ready to drink some good beer with some good people. Luckily, there’s just a place for that this Saturday over at Empire Liquors at 1566 Milwaukee Ave. My buddy Jeff over at ChicagoEatsTV.com is holding a launch party for his website. Jeff travels around Chicago and shows you some of the best restaurants the city has to offer. And he films the whole experience, so you get all of his wacky humor as he tells you what spots you need to hit up next.
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Rush Limbaugh! The Musical
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Second City, but I quickly found the show just for me over at Piper’s Alley at 1608 N. Wells St: Rush Limbaugh! The Musical. What better way to celebrate the long overdue healthcare reform than laughing your socks off at this satirical portrayal of America’s most boisterous pundit? This musical comes from the same team who created Rod Blagojevich Superstar!, so I know what kind of comedic quality to expect from this show.
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Prohibition Style Eats
After the show I’m headed down the block to 1419 N. Wells St. to eat dinner at the 33 Club. Named for 1933, the year that darn eighteenth amendment was abolished, the 33 Club’s interior brings you back to the days of lindy hopping and raccoon coats. The moderately priced menu features something for everyone and the comprehensive wine list will let you perfectly pair your booze and your food.
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Chicago is known for having numerous nicknames, which reflect the character of historic and present Chicago. Some of these nicknames include: “Chi-town”, a slang term for Chicago that came into play in the 70’s; “Windy city”, which was a reference to Chicago politician bragging about our city; “Second City”, which came from being the second most prominent city in the nation in terms of culture, entertainment, and finance. Out of all the nicknames listed my favorite has to be the city of “Big Shoulders”, referring to our numerous skyscrapers and the burly men who worked on the steel structures that were described as being husky and brawling.
We are not “chi” when it comes to the colossal meals you can find in the second city. Being from Chicago, I did not realize how lucky I really had it until I began traveling around the world. Well, compiled below is a list of the businesses that makes our city “chi-stuffed”. I personally like to thank them for their giant sized deals.
Bacci Pizzeria – www.baccipizza.com/ They have a slice of pizza that is bigger than my ego. All right it’s not that big, but it is gotta be at least as big as your fore arm they call it “the jumbo slice”.
Ricobenes – www.ricobenes.com They are the “HOME OF THE BREADED STEAK” and that is no joke. It is a piece of steak that is tenderized, breaded, deep fried and then dipped in marinara and placed on French bread (I get mine with giardanara and mozzarella). If you get the king size steak, you better devote an hour and a half to scarfing it down.
Gino’s East Pizzeria – www.ginoseast.com if you like deep dish this is your joint. Sorry New York, we love you, but you’s guy’s gotz nothing on deep dish pizza. You can get their 11” deep dish loaded with sausage (this is a heavy pie) cut into 6 slices, which for me is a single serving.
Morton’s steak house – www.mortons.com everything here is great! Their entire menu is à là cart so if you are balling on a budget cousin, you might miss this place. They are famous in Chicago for their “Humongous 48oz Porterhouse”. After I ate that I had to throw on some sweat pants to tie my shoes.
Stay posted to our blog section because there is a “great deal” you can learn about Chicago. Until then, talk to you later Chicago.
6. Harry Carrey’s
3551 N. Sheffield.
(773) 327-7800
While I am a diehard Sox fan I have crept in recently to see what the buzz was about (which is okay, by them) they treated me excellent. Each night at 7:30pm they play a video of Harry singing, “Take Me out to the Ballgame”. The bar is 60′ 6″ in length which is equal to the length from the pitcher’s mound to home plate (which I thought was cool). The place is usually packed during major sporting events and really rocks during St. Pat’s weekend. On Wed $9.95 gets you a 16oz T-bone and Guinness battered onion rings and you can also get $2 bud family bottles and $3.50 Goose Islands. The bartenders are some of the friendliest and nicest people you will meet in the city, and almost everything on their menu is less than 10 bucks. “I am sure if old Harry was still around, he would have loved this joint”.
Average plate price: $7.00 – $10.00
7.Tilted Kilt
17 N.Wabash
(312) 269-5580
A Scottish Hooters on steroids best describes this place for me. They have a fully loaded hot breakfast buffet for $9.95 Sundays from 9am-12pm; ok after taxes we are past the 10 dollar mark, but who cares there are smoking hot girls in mini kilts serving you. They also were running a drink special while I was there 3 for $3 (Sat, Sun, and Mon) Oct 17th- Dec 28th . Impressive beer list, pool tables and endless Happy Hour possibilities made a great night for me. There were also huge plasmas in the bar area, making this an ideal spot to catch a game.
Average plate price:$7.00 – $10.00
8. Trinity
2721 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 880-9293
They are an Irish “Cheers” in Chicago, except nobody knew my name. On Saturday and Sunday’s, you can find an “all you can manage to feed your face buffet” for 10 bucks from 11am-3pm. They have drink specials every night from Mon-Fri 1/2 off all food from 5-7pm and Sat. $3 Burgers hit the spot. The jukebox is hilarious, playing anything from Prince to Survivor. The crowd is always lively but not scary very “Frat-tastic” and the staff is Very friendly. Pretty much everything about this place is cool. Erin go bra less money is what you’ll spend!
9. Holiday Club
4000N Sheridan Rd
(773)348-9600
They were movies playing “Action Jackson”, “Coffy” Pam Greer flicks and movies mostly from this bygone genre of what seemed like African-American action films. The pool table was well kept and the photo booth was swamped with people! I think every video has at least one sex scene involving a set of enormous breasts too. I was spellbound while I was eating their Tue special $5 Hamburgers and $3.50 20oz PBR’s. The menu is very good and economically priced. I also polished off one of their shredded BBQ Pork Sandwiches (great BBQ sauce) for only 8 dollars. Nothing on their food menu here is over 10 bucks and it is “my-tee tasty”!
Average plate price $6.00 – $9.00 dollars
10.Corcoran’s
1615 N Wells
(312)440-0085
This place is located right across the street from where I work Tony and Tina’s Wedding in Piper’s Alley I call this place the “COUGAR’S LAIR” If you are around my age 25-35 beware you cannot keep away from these cougars unscathed. Do not fear these Cougars for they will sniff the fear, like wolves in the wild. If you can escape their grasps you can enjoy an excellent meal Corned Beef Sandwich and turkey club. My grilled Chicken was a little on the dry side but everything else was great. Good food, Fun staff and cool atmosphere make this place a hit. Also you may find some up and coming performers like me to talk to….Until then talk to you Later Chicago!
Average plate price $7.95-$12.95
Have a taste for a Chicago style hot dog and if you’re not in Chicago, no sweat!
To make your own Chicago style dog is fun and quick. Cousin Vinnie will tell you everything you need to know to make an original Chicago Dog at home. You will be shown how to properly make your Dog in true Chicago style.
Grabin’ the right ingredients makes all da difference.
To make your dog truly “Chicago style”, it is important to start with the right ingredients.
The dog itself.
A Chicago Style Hot Dog is all beef and contains no fillers. I enjoy Vienna!
When you picture the perfect Chicago dog it should have a nice slathering of mustard, just like at Grandma’s house. Good news there’s only a trace of fat in a teaspoon of yellow mustard.
A classic Chicago Dog will have a pickle spear. The pickle you choose should compliment, but not run the friggen show! A lot of people put spicy pickle on their Hot Dog, but that is not Chicago! The pickle should have a nice crunch and the seasoning should be mild.
A nice white onion with a nice clean chop about 1/2″ each chop.
If you chop your tomatoes, cousin Vinnie will come by and give ya a talkin to. Wedges baby, that is how it’s done in Chicago, period! The sport peppers should be about an inch long and have enough heat to kick ya in da rear end. There’s usually two peppers on each dog.
You have to use da celery salt , it is a key and an important ingredient.
Genuine Chicago Style Hot Dogs are traditionally served on a steamed poppy seed bun. If you can not find a packaged poppy seed bun you can usually special order poppy seed Hot Dog buns at grocery stores that have their own bakery. In the Chicago area, poppy seed buns are available at most grocery stores including Jewel or Dominick’s. So far I like Turano Bakery brand, some of the best buns I had.
