Chanman25 and Co.'s Excellent Adventure to Chicago 2010

by Chanman25 on Dec 13, 2009 8:28 PM CST

Good evening folks, it's been nearly three years since I have been to glorious Chicago. That is going to change when I intend to come up for a couple of games in late June with a couple of my friends to see both a White Sox and Cubs game. Now I know that there is a Chicago Tour feature on the sidebar, but I feel it needs to be updated. I do have a couple questions I'd like to ask you guys:

1) I am looking for a cheap hotel, nothing too fancy, but somewhere in a good part of town. Preferably near an El stop.

2) Where are the greatest pizza joints in the area?

3) Besides the touristy sites (i.e. Sear's Tower, Navy Pier, Hancock Tower), where else are there unique places in Chicago to visit?

Feel free to give me any more tips, and I may have more questions as I go along. Thanks!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I love seeing the museums when I am home

especially Science and Industry, but that is the dork in me no doubt

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 13, 2009 10:00 PM CST reply actions

Thanks - I work there!

As soon as I saw this thread I was going to mention MSI, but sure enough it was the first comment.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Dec 14, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

the doll house exhibit

was done by my mothers side of the family (her gma or great gma, can never get it straight), and she knew more about the ehxibit than the headphones did, which always made that a cool stop while there, since people would be putting their headphones down and listening to her explain it more.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 14, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

wow, I'm impressed...

that was a little girls dream

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

it is amazing the details in each item in that

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 14, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

i forgot

it would have been better if MB was never signed, according to Blou

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 14, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

...posted too soon

the details are mind boggling. and you see something different every time you go

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions

the dork in me says...

take an architectural tour on a boat down the Chicago River

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 13, 2009 10:15 PM CST reply actions

Second this...

… and it doesn’t even have to be dorky. You get to go out on the lake for much cheaper than any of the Navy Pier tours would allow, and going up and down the river is amazing. If its dorky in any way, its more of a historical dorking out than an architectural.

One of my favorite time killers when people come to visit me in Chicago.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 10:30 AM CST up reply actions

I've been on those tours so many times that I just drive people around and I tell them the stories.

But they are awesome. And you can say hi to me when the boat turns at the old Montgomery Ward building. I’m on the sixth floor. Fully recommended.

by chilango2 on Dec 14, 2009 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

whenever I'm in Chicago

I make sure to visit Gino’s Pizza multiple times. Maybe I don’t know the local spots, but it’s hard to beat Gino’s.

by portlandcubfan on Dec 13, 2009 11:06 PM CST reply actions

Gino's and Giordano's are a most for me

and I am guilty of having ordered them online and have them delivered to Austin, Texas before.

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Dec 13, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions

Not pizza...

nor friendly, but I love me some Mr. J’s when I’m in town.

by jbertram on Dec 13, 2009 11:12 PM CST reply actions

HOT DOUGS!

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I want to take my brother on a hot dog tour of Chicago some time

Hot Dougs, Weinner Circle, Superdog

Oh what a glorious day it would be

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Dec 14, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

Make sure you hit Weiner Circle late at night...

… for the… ahem… FULL experience.

From NPR’s “This American Life”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1LPf9mnyU

I lived near the place for a year, so it became my de facto late night stop… its something everybody should see once, and then feel horrible about the next morning.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

If I wanted abuse, I'd just go to work...

I say avoid this place unless you’re a glutton for punishment—guess we all are on this blog….

by chilango2 on Dec 14, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

I've actually been there...

… and spoken to one of the women in the video at a less busy hour. She’s a nice lady. Let me use their restroom.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

Just don't get the cheese fries to go.

Unless you don’t care what the interior of your car looks like.

"I have the time and hatred but not the knowledge." ~Madison Cub Fan (Aug. 25, 2009)

by Goodie1969 on Dec 14, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions

Again, fully recommended.

The prices are a bit expensive, but the fries and the venison sausage are divine.

by chilango2 on Dec 14, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

Friday and Saturday...

DUCK FAT FRENCH FRIES.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions

Yes! Rec'd!

Love, love, love Hot Doug’s! One of the only places where the wait is really worth it.

"I have the time and hatred but not the knowledge." ~Madison Cub Fan (Aug. 25, 2009)

by Goodie1969 on Dec 14, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

Oven Grinders....

…that’s a different style pizza, and I never had it any where else…..its pub-by and not touristy but crowded….I love that place. Also you have to have a Portillos beef, but only if you order it with hot and sweet peppers.

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

I had those for the first time a couple months ago.

They’re a cheezy bomb on the gut. I hear Jim Hendry patronizes this place often.

by chilango2 on Dec 14, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

I usually split the pizza and their huge salad with the flatbread on the side. mmmmm...

also, no one should go there often…that’s bad.

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions

THE OLD BILLY GOAT TAVERN.....

Is a must stop if you have never been there . Near the ball park check out Bernies and the Goose Island Brewery . ( Both hve good pub grub ).

by cubs north on Dec 14, 2009 12:10 PM CST up reply actions

I tried going there last time in Chicago but there was no convenient way to get there, as I recall.

What’s the exact address for the original one?

Wrigley Bound in the Summer of 2010

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions

430 N. Michigan

Its near the Trib tower, on the lower level of the city. You have to venture down some stairs towards lower Wacker.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

ah

didn’t know it was underground. might have helped to have known that haha

Wrigley Bound in the Summer of 2010

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

what is this lower level too?

anything exciting down there?

Wrigley Bound in the Summer of 2010

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

if you're not careful

you may get run over by the Blues Brothers or the Batmobile

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Dec 14, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

haha just looked them up, its really neat to see they could design roads to be like that

what other interesting sites are underground>

Wrigley Bound in the Summer of 2010

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions

NOT TO MENTION

the slew of taxi cabs going 60 mph . Walking too much down there can be very hazardous to your health ….

by cubs north on Dec 14, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

Nothing that great that i know of.

Its mostly how its seen in The Dark Knight… a complex webs of roads, alleys, and freight / parking entrances to the large buildings above.

Master those roads though, and you can FLY around the city. I was amazed my first time down there… my buddy made it from my apartment just north of downtown to the united center in record time by cutting under the loop from the north east to the south west.

You can see the Billy Goat entrance here.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

SHHH! Don't give away all our Chicago shortcuts!

But seriously, yes, the Billy Goat is worth a visit.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

LODGING TIP .....

If all else fails staying out by Wrigley check out the Red Roof Hotel . It is at 162 East Ontario st . It is about 3 blocks from a Red line Stop . ( Rates at under 100.00 ) . Walking distance to the Billy Goat Tavern and Navy pier . Don’t wait until the summer tourist season starts to book a room . ( You will find no room at the Inn ) …But if you enjoy Wrigleyville that would be my first choice at lodging …..

by cubs north on Dec 14, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

Red Roof is a deal...

….but it does get noisy. The Wyndham & Inn of Chicago are also good choices in the area. Our best experience downtown was at Hotel 71 on Wacker just across the river from the Wrigley Bldg, Tribune Tower & the Billy Goat and close to the Red Line. Views up the river were fantastic.

by Cubzwyn on Dec 26, 2009 10:13 PM CST up reply actions

Late June...

not positive but Taste of Chicago is usually held late June or early July. its a clusterfk but takes up a good chunk of a day. food, beer, oogling, the usual circus minus a tent.

"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts

by WiscoCubs on Dec 14, 2009 12:28 AM CST reply actions

There are plenty of tents, clowns included, as well as gang-related violence and shootings...

by chilango2 on Dec 14, 2009 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

sounds like your in a bad mood today

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 11:19 AM CST up reply actions

Not at all!

Taste is scary. That’s all. I’m actually in a very good mood. I’m on vacation til Jan. 6th, so all is good in the world.

by chilango2 on Dec 14, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

There is no reason to set foot anywhere NEAR the Taste of Chicago. For the time and money you’ll spend, you could probably CTA around the city and try the food you want while experiencing it fresh and hot, in the environment it was meant to be served in.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Agreed & rec'd.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions

Denied! and anti-rec'd

I love the Taste – I usually go twice a year.
Yes it is more pricey than going to the actual restaurants – that’s the premium for having all of the options available in the same place and right next to a park.

The key to the taste is to go at non-peak times. try mid afternoon during the week. If you are going on the weekend – go early.

Also if you are in the city ahead of time, buy your tickets at a discount at Dominicks before the first day

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Dec 14, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

But....

if you’re young and never been….it can be alot of fun, dont ya think?

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

Not in my experience...

… although i guess i could see the benefits of doing it as El Borto described, and why, if you were in Chicago for a short time and wanted to sample a lot of food, it could be fun.

Every time i’ve ever been, its been expensive, hot, and crowded.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Agreed completely.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

wow lucky you....

I get a week off after Christmas and will see the city sights then. So keep posting ev’rybody….(I said that like Dr. Nick)

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

There are several links...

… under “BCB Specials” on the right sidebar, that have a whole lot of recommendations for pizza places, etc. by BCB readers.

For a relatively inexpensive hotel about four blocks from Wrigley, try Hawthorne Terrace; several friends of mine have stayed there and liked it. You can walk to Wrigley from there.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2009 6:53 AM CST reply actions

Blues Fest...

I know its one of the first festvals of the summer….check that out too, it might be the weekend you’re in town.

A woman's guess is more accurate than a man's certainty.--Rudyard Kipling

by cooliogirl47 on Dec 14, 2009 10:48 AM CST reply actions

LODGING NEAR BALL PARK.....

Hawthorne Terrace has a special stay 3 nights $ 151.00 each night . They are already sold out some Cub weekends . We have also stayed at the Days Inn ( Clark and Diversey ) . Not a bad place 1 mile walk to the ball park . The Inn at lincoln Park also at that intersection . ( A bit older and needs a makeover ) . All have easy websites …..But remember parking is extra .

by cubs north on Dec 14, 2009 11:48 AM CST reply actions

Street Festivals

Chicago’s street festivals are the best thing about Chicago in the summer, other than the Cubs. Each neighborhood’s festival is a great way to immerse yourself in that area’s personality, its citizens, its businesses, and most importantly, its restaurants and bars.

I can’t find a schedule of the 2010 dates yet, but no matter if its the Wicker Park festival full of hipsters drinking PBR and raging to bands with names like “Mom’s Pants”, or the Old Town Art Fest full of yuppies with strollers and $1200 lawn statues, you WILL have a good time.

Check back closer to your trip, and somebody here will be able to provide a full schedule of them… they are usually in the papers in late spring.

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 14, 2009 12:36 PM CST reply actions

Something else i thought of last night...

… while talking to a friend who will be visiting soon.

If you feel the need to get the skyscraper experience, skip the Sears / Willis Tower and head north to the John Hancock. You can head to the signature room there, and while the drinks are overpriced, it’ll still cost a quarter of what you’d have spent at the Sears Tower, and the view is arguably better. Plus… you get a drink!

I anxiously await the reasonable trading of Milton Bradley.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.

by AndrewJStone on Dec 15, 2009 4:36 PM CST reply actions