Say something nice about Chicago.

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The most liveable big city? The Midwestern Mecca? Clean fresh air and lovely weather? (Ok, you don't have to lie.) What say you, ILE Chicagoans?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

The weather is lovely this week.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Chicago is quite lovely. Gets too cold though, next to that big pond and all.

― That Girl (thatgirl), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I've always wanted to go to Chicago. For a while I kept having dreams about visiting.

― slutsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Pretty skyscrapers. Though the relentless condo-ing was driving friend Beth nuts while I was there (and probably the rest of the time).

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Also home to some excellent ILXors (though Sterling is a tough crowd).

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Move now! Rents are cheap!

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:43 (twenty-two years ago)

We're moving at the end of August. And yes, the rents do look appetizing. Cheaper than here, believe it or not, especially if you get one of those deals where the heat is free.

Chicago story, kind of. Several years ago, a friend of mine and I were talking and smoking pot, doing the front step thing, and talking about Chicago. A place we'd like to go, both agreed. Another friend walks up, the subject briefly changes, and then he starts talking about Chicago. "Hey, we were just talking about that!" Then a stranger walks up, bums a hit off of us, and starts talking about Chicago. Coincidence! Then a housemate arrives home, gets out of the car, and the first thing out of his mouth is, "So are you guys talking about Chicago?" I don't know if he meant it as a joke or what. Okay, we're thinking, this is too weird. This is a string of coincidence worthy of an acid trip, not a little leisurely pot smoking. And why Chicago?

Except now I'm moving there. I think it's destiny. It was in the wind.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:46 (twenty-two years ago)

kenan, why are you moving?

― That Girl (thatgirl), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

It's the American city that I want to visit the most. Winnipeg is called "the Chicago of the north" and so I'd like to compare and contrast (obv. Chicago is bigger...).

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

If you get here in September you can have my place (note: it has ugly wood paneling).

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

One of the things I like best about Chicago is that it's a city of neighborhoods. It's not so dense that all the big commercial parts bleed over everywhere (like Manhattan), but not so spread out that it's disjointed (like L.A.).

Looking forward to having another Chicago ILXor in the house!

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:00 (twenty-two years ago)

I love Chicago. I want to move there!

― Mandee, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Chess Records!

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

If you get here in September you can have my place (note: it has ugly wood paneling).

Aw. Yer so sweet. But we'll be in the market for a two bedroom, as my girlfriend's sister will be living with us for at least 6 months. I'm actually excited about having her in the house. Finally, someone who'll drink beer and listen to something other than angry white girl music!

kenan, why are you moving?

The Junta has almost tracked me down here, and it's time to move on. No, I'm kidding. Life's not moving along fast enough in hot, lazy Texas. I need a chill to get me moving in the morning. Oh, and sidewalks will be nice, too.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:13 (twenty-two years ago)

a pigeon could shit on it who knows.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Despite popular rumor, I like Sterling well enough.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Define "well enough."

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

He makes me laugh.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I once stole my dads Ferrari and drove all over town with my girlfriend and best friend. Principal Rooney is a real asshole, not to mention a pedophile.

― Ferris B-Diddy (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:22 (twenty-two years ago)

That was Cameron's Ferrari, you liar.

― Sloane (mlescaut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh yeah? Well, I once controlled the city's entire illegal liquor supply through a network of thugs, assassins, and crooked cops. I was rich, I tell you, RICH!

― Al C. (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago? My dad went to grade school with the trumpet player and says he was a perfectly nice kid.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Peter Cetera can really sing.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:30 (twenty-two years ago)

It remains a classy city even though it birthed Tortoise. Not many other cities could bounce back from a black mark like that.

― Nicole (Nicole), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

25 to 6 to 4.

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

THE PONYS!

― Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Let's never forget the night Chicago died.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:41 (twenty-two years ago)

It's 25 or 6 to 4. Let's forget all of the bad (white people's) music inspired by Chicago.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:43 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.rockmine.music.co.uk/C_Cyclo/Cetera.GIF

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.brainwashed.com/common/images/people/orourkej.gif

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha, that's a sweet pic. I'm actually listening to JO'R right now.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:50 (twenty-two years ago)

http://citypaper.net/articles/2002-07-12/musicpicks5-1.jpg

― Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm sure I've gone entire weeks when I didn't not listen to Jim O'Rourke, in one way or another. Sometimes it feels hard to avoid him.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 15:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I like Chicago (the band). Have you heard about Demon Dogs? The El is forcing them to shut down to expand the Fullerton stop. Sad.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

http://janterri.com/images/bike.jpg

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:05 (twenty-two years ago)

http://wwwrsphysse.anu.edu.au/~kzw121/gif/tacky/hotdog-sm.jpg

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:08 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.rassi.com/graphics/wrigley-field.jpg

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:15 (twenty-two years ago)

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance." Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds, Tinker and Evers and Chance.

― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, I hear the White Sox played a game last week where no one attacked anyone on the field.

― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Nooo! So is Demon Dogs relocating then?

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:21 (twenty-two years ago)

The Museum of Science & Industry has the Body Slices exhibit!

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

My girl's from Chicago.

― Stuart (Stuart), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:22 (twenty-two years ago)

In some ways, I do miss the Windy City.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't really miss it that much - but then again, I left when I was 18. I do miss the cheap yummy food though: the hot dogs, the pizza [lou malnatis please], pita inn, and harold's chicken shack. And I miss watching Bulls basketball.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Mmmmmmpitainnnnn

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

The Museum of Science & Industry has the Body Slices exhibit!

I'm so there. Not as cool as that nutso creepy german guy that plasticized whole bodies, but still pretty frickin' cool.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

I like how the Harold's Chicken Shack in Hyde Park is actually Harold's Chicken Shack Fish and Pizza.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh it's horrendous and facinating. The eyelashes grossed me out the most, I think. And don't miss the Wall of Babies, whatever you do.

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Nooo! So is Demon Dogs relocating then?

I dunno. They're handing out little cards encouraging customers to call the alderman and get the CTA to help them relocate.

Phil-two are you from the north 'burbs? Pita Inn is the greatest place ever. In fact I might go there for lunch today.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, if you're heading down Central Street at any point, bring me back a falafel plate, could you?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Wow, I hadn't heard about the Demon Dogs thing.

Great things about Chicago: food, two baseball teams, the lakefront, bars that stay open til 4 am (5 am on Saturdays!), generally great public transportation, free music fests in grant park (blues and jazz fests always have at least one really amazing act).

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:54 (twenty-two years ago)

um... what are demon dogs?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 16:58 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.claytonbailey.com/dogs.jpg

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:02 (twenty-two years ago)

and why do we mourn their passing?

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:04 (twenty-two years ago)

bars that stay open til 4 am (5 am on Saturdays!)

Uh, what?

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Is this false, hstencil? Cause I really want this to be true.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:05 (twenty-two years ago)

a slim minority of Chicago bars have licenses that allow that. Most close at 2 AM (3 on Saturdays).

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:07 (twenty-two years ago)

the Demon Dogs thing is only disappointing if you've never eaten there. ;)

(and yes, i was born and raised in Chicago, before you ask. XD)

i s'pose i can see missing it for sentimental reasons, but dude...have you had a hot dog from there lately? there's something dreadfully wrong when the hot dogs are green. :O

plus, i have nothing but pity for the poor workers there who are forced to listen to nothing but Chicago all day long because Peter Schivarelli owns the place. eek.

oh, but you said name something nice, right?

er, loads of good bands come through town...there's some decent record and comic shops around...and if you know where to look, some good cheap food. plus, if you're staying within the city proper, there's no need whatsoever to have a car. in fact, you're probably better off not having one unless you've got a garage or your apartment building has one. it's pretty necessary to have a car if you're in the suburbs or do a lot of travelling out there, but it's quite possible to live auto-free in the city. and get exercise if you get upset after waiting for the CTA too long! :)

― janni (janni), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

hstencil's just hanging out at the wrong bars.

(I never said "all bars", but never let that stop hstencil from chiming in with his patented "uh, whut")

Demon Dogs = scroll down to the third news item.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Summer is festival season. I've also been to the World Music Fest and Celtic fest, and those were both good. Also, Taste of Chicago is fun if you like dancing to has-beens and paying too much for fattening food.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Elvis Costello at Taste of Chicago this year! If only I had interest in him at all.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:21 (twenty-two years ago)

I wouldn't call it a "slim minority," either. Although I guess I'd be curious what the percentage is. You could be right. But it sure seems like I'm always hearing people say, "Oh, it's a 4 a.m. bar" w/r/t Carol's, Borderline, Riptide, etc. (those just off the top of my head).

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Diamond, you're right, I didn't hang out at Berlin nearly as much as you do.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:25 (twenty-two years ago)

...Estelle's, The Note, Spy Bar, South Loop Club...

but mainly I meant all the great electronic/dance music clubs, like Smart Bar, Rednofive, Funky Buddha Lounge, Passage, Slick's, Red Dog, etc. are open til 4 (5).

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:29 (twenty-two years ago)

i actually hate the big festivals, but that's probably because i did grow up here. and the fact that Bluesfest very quickly becomes Boozefest---the booze isn't really the problem, it's the large numbers of drunken idiots who've imbibed the booze that are. plus, i don't like really large groups of hot, sweaty, people except maybe at concerts, when i believe i can get away in a reasonable amount of time. ;)

― janni (janni), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Phil-two are you from the north 'burbs?

I grew up in the Edgebrook/Sauganash area of Chicago - like 2 blocks south of Lincolnwood... Peterson/Cicero. Though I went to high school in Evanston - R0ycemore. I think we talked about this before?

Pita Inn is the greatest place ever. In fact I might go there for lunch today.

It's truly amazing that everytime I go back, the prices are still exactly the same [dirt-ass cheap]. I don't really like their new renovations. It's now insanely crowded at dinnertime and the lighting is horrendous. But at least they makin' money now.

I went to visit my parents in Chicago for a week last year, and couldn't really find many bars I liked that weren't also live music venues. Club Foot was pretty okay though - and they have Miller High Life. I'm always amazed at drink prices in Chicago, after getting used to NYC prices. I ordered a round of drinks and the bartender was like "six bucks", and I said, "huh? no, I wanted THREE bourbon & cokes"... "yeah.. three.. six bucks".. holy shit. I remember some vaguely biker/goth bar that was open late right next to a bridge - but thought it was sort of crap. And don't get me started on the Chicago gay bars. Lord have mercy. Other cities have gay neighborhoods, Chicago has Halsted Street - The Gay Strip Mall.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Janni speaks for me as well. Beer + crowds + heat + lots of standing and walking = miserable day.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:34 (twenty-two years ago)

I remember some vaguely biker/goth bar that was open late right next to a bridge - but thought it was sort of crap

Sounds uh like that one place on North Avenue (in the same area of the street by the Home Depot where all the hookers stroll) whose name is escaping me. Uh, Exit maybe? Used to live right by there so this is embarassing.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah yes, that's it... Exit.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:39 (twenty-two years ago)

More like, Beer + Nice Comfortable Spot on the Grass + Lots of Laying Around Enjoying Sun and Lakefront Breeze and Free music by the likes of such legends as Honeyboy Edwards and Henry Townsend and Homesick James = Best Fucking Day Evah

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah. That does sound better.

You have to remember, for all my natural life summer has meant utter horrible fucking misery. 100 degrees for months on end, punishing humidity, barrels of sweat, exhaustion, irritability... you know, HOT. Dangerous hot. And still people insist on throwing outdoor festivals with greasy food and beer and hot and then some more hot. Maybe I'll have to re-learn what summer is all about, because down here, it's the worst thing ever.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh Taste of Chicago was great. The last one I went to, though, had a little gourmet section - and had a rotation selection of rotation five-star restaurants like Charlie Trotter's dishing out little [and i mean little] morsels from their menu. Do they still do that? Though it seems silly to be at an outdoor festival like the Taste and savoring truffles and shit when you could be munching on a giant bratwurst.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:50 (twenty-two years ago)

My old boss used to refer to Taste of Chicago as Taste of Botulism.

I was more into going to the African and Caribbean festivals down in Jackson Park, myself.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 17:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Taste of Chicago has always scared the living crap out of me. It's like the entire non-Chicago population of Illinois is suddenly baby-stepping all around the Loop and blocking all the intersections.

Fritz: are the Ponys actually getting press outside Chicago now? They really are pretty alright, especially since they added the guy from Happy Supply to their lineup.

I am really going to miss Chicago. I've been here for eight years now, I think it's too late to move. It's a fine, fine city -- has most all of the perks of big-city living, except it's so much more laid-back, and you can occasionally wander into times and places where it feels as comfortable as anything. It's like a fuzzy old sweater of a city. Except with sequins to represent the big-city perks. But not ugly, like a fuzzy sequined sweater would be.

Re: the car thing. For six years I got around the city fine without a car. You don't need a car, it's true. BUT: once I got a car, this city got at least 60% cooler for me. Now I just think it's nice that Chicago gives you the option -- you're really fine either way. (Though driving down Ashland at like 8:30 on a summer night has become one of my favorite things, for some reason. Or Western, but that's mainly nostalgia from riding down Western when I was 19 and headed to try fake IDs at the Empty Bottle. I am really going to miss Chicago.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Exit is funny. I always see big hairy guys and their miniskirted dates hanging out around there. Just west of the stretch of North where are all the prostitutes, in fact.

I like Demon Dogs, I must say, as I've been going there since I was a child. I've often wanted to ask the employees how they felt about the all-Chicago jukebox but they generally appear too zoned-out to summon a response.

There are is one fairly laid-back gay bar that opened in my neighborhood called (please don't gag) @mosphere. And there's Madrigals, although I haven't been there. Then there are the really old-school gay bars (which look like dungeons) farther down on Clark (near Winnemac) and further up on Clark (past Devon). I definitely haven't been to those.

Jackson Park fests are much better than anything downtown. I haven't been to one of the big downtown festivals in a decade or so--except for one time I went to the Blues Fest only to see John Jackson. The din of the noisy blooze-loving idiots was so loud I could hardly hear him play. Taste of Chicago is simply too expensive for me. Although it's been a while since I had fried ice cream.

I never thought there were all that many 4 AM bars, at least, not ones I'd want to attend. But I should note that no one seems to have mentioned the Lakeview Lounge on Broadway, which is often open until 4 AM, and features this insanely crack cover band, Night Watch. It can be a very depressing place if it's emoty but I often end up there with friends since it's so close by.

Driving down Ashland > driving down Western. Or put another way, brownstones > car dealerships.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Where are you going, nabisco, and why? You sound sad. I hug you.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Night Watch totally fucking rules. My friend Nicolas one time requested Steely Dan songs from them, they didn't know any. We went back about a week later and they mastered (in their own special way) "Reelin' in the Years."

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:41 (twenty-two years ago)

B-b-but Western has the cool optional bridge over Belmont!

(I'm going in August, I guess. Chicago is rewarding my loyal service with a special this-summer-only "Taste of N!tsuh" in Grant Park.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:44 (twenty-two years ago)

HERC!

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:46 (twenty-two years ago)

My embarrassing Night Watch story: the first time I went to that bar, I walked in and heard what I took to be a Waylon Jennings song on the jukebox. "Cool," I thought, and sauntered over to the jukebox (which was on), put in a dollar, and chose a few songs. I walked back over to my friends. "Did you just put money in the jukebox?" "Yeah, why?" "Um, there's a band playing." I look over and sure enough, in that little recessed area behind the bar, Night Watch are playing a note-perfect version of "I'm a Ramblin' Man." They totally fooled me. They rule.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:49 (twenty-two years ago)

that guitar player dude who looks like Grandpa Munster rules. So does the mohawked drummer. And the bassist (who is the Mexican Lemmy). Fuck it, they all just totally rule.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Belmont bridge = dud. Unless you like bumpy rides. (Maybe the current construction, if it's ever done, will fix that.)

Ashland is lots more fun. Especially driving north late at night, and catching greens all the way from Addison to Hollywood.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, and hstencil, you'll be pleased to know that I've been to Lakeview Lounge twice in the last year, and they played "Reelin' in the Years" both times.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago is home-y. Chicago is friendly. Chicago doesn't have much ego. Chicago sounds weird the more you say it.
All other cities I've been to seem either very very tiny and inferior (St Louis, Dallas, Denver, etc) or like a collection of suburbs, not an actual city (LA, Phoenix, San Diego). (Note: I haven't been to the East Coast...for shame)

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

"Say something nice about" thread update:

1. Toronto (107)
2. Montreal (96)
3. Chicago (84)
4. Dubuque (25)
5. Melbourne (19)
6. Birmingham (UK) (17)
7. diddy-wah-diddy (8)

C'mon, let's beat those Canucks!

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 18:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Man I'd rather go to diddy-wah-diddy than fucking Dubuque.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Okay, how many posts do we need to beat them?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Is this enough?

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

No? Damn.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Not nearly.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

But

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

can

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

keep

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

trying.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Amz, did you go to Pita Inn?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Dammit, I want to go right now.

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:18 (twenty-two years ago)

would kinda make sense that a thread about the Second City would end up being obsessed with being number one.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I want no part of that.

I didn't go to Pita Inn. :(

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Ashland is great going further south, too---for one, some really great seafood restaurants. can't remember whereabouts, though---pretty sure past where the Teamsters building is, although i wouldn't stake my life on it. Western is nicer to drive along, though---not so much the silly bridge over Belmont (butheyit'sbywhereRiverviewwas!), which isn't much of anything, really.

oh, and if you have to go somewhere in a vaguely east/west west/east direction and are contemplating Belmont, don't. you'll regret it. :)

― janni (janni), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:22 (twenty-two years ago)

would kinda make sense that a thread about the Second City would end up being obsessed with being number one.

Second, my ass! The tallest building! The biggest park! The most sausage! You just cannot beat it!

< /obsessive >

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Exit is still open?!?

The old Exit was great. I used to go there when I was in college. It was in Old Town, one of the old "punk" bars. I wonder if they still have "Chain Yourself to the Bar" night.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:24 (twenty-two years ago)

The biggest population of Poles outside of Warsaw!

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:25 (twenty-two years ago)

That kinda ties in with the most sausage, I think.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Best stretches of road in Chicago (by best I mean coolest not best in terms of like drive-ability):

Halsted, south of UIC (before the University fucking demolished Maxwell Street, the fuckers).

Indiana, south of where fucking Daley lives.

Ogden!

Archer!

Devon (don't try to drive from end-to-end on a weekend night though).

Damen (love the new-ish bridge they put in - my friend Aric's dad basically demolished the old one)

Roscoe west of Ashland.

Logan Boulevard (we love it!).

Any street around the ol' Stock Yards.

47th Street.

Michigan, south of Hyde Park.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh and I forgot that stretch of Elston where you can smell the coffee roasting!

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Lake Shore Drive. 3 am. Playing the Aliotta, Haynes & Jeremiah song. Fucking. Rocks.

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:36 (twenty-two years ago)

And LSD, obv.

Nits: where are you moving?

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:36 (twenty-two years ago)

1) Peter Cetera has a nice voice.
2) "We Both Reached For The Gun" is fantastic.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Devon and its 1000 Patel Brothers shops.

Oh I could go for some Pita Inn right now. A shish kebab sandwich with hot sauce and white sauce - and a small hummus... For like $4 total. mmmm

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I've gotta second Damen especially for bicycling. Last summer I was on this bicycling-for-health kick: I live around North and Western, but the friends whose place I go to most are at Montrose and Clark, so I checked out just about every convenient cross-city route. Damen was king. Especially headed back south after dark -- just a long, smooth cruise along broad highways, then nice neighborhoods and the most adorable baseball diamond ever, then that strangely Playskool bridge by the Vienna Beef plant. . . . Now I just drive Ashland, which is definitely the most pleasant north-south drive and rightfully immortalized in song, though I'm skeptical about Amateurists's "brownstones" description given the north side commercial strip along it.

(Scott: NYC.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Broad highways = broad sidewalks! Around Irving Park they're wide and smooth, you can hop off the road and book if there are no pedestrians out. (Yes yes I am a sidewalk-stealing lawbreaker.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I wonder if I'll gain weight in Chicago because of all the food, or lose it because I'll have to walk ten feet every now and then, instead of just driving.

Biking in Chicago? Well, I'm bringing my bicycle. Sounds like much fun.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, Chicago is a great city for cycling. I used to commute. I especially liked riding through an empty downtown at night. Chicago is flat and very bike-friendly.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Flat is a plus. Here it's only slighly less hilly than, say, The Badlands. You need thighs like Lou Ferigno just to get downtown. I like flat a whole lot.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago may be the best American city for bicycling.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:51 (twenty-two years ago)

hen there are the really old-school gay bars (which look like dungeons) farther down on Clark (near Winnemac) and further up on Clark (past Devon)

Oh yeah, there's Big Chicks on like Sheridan/Devon that was pretty okay the one time I went. They have a giant free BBQ on Sunday afternoons [i think sunday]...

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

(btw, we've now squeaked past Toronto)

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, yeah, and speaking of Poles, a night at one of the polka bars is really, really fun. Yes, trying to keep up with a bunch of 70+ Polish people is a blast!

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Kenan, Chicago biking is pretty great -- lots of broad avenues to work with, so it's a lot easier to avoid heavy-traffic bike-messenger type situations. And it's a good size for it, too -- you should be able to bike across the bulk of the north side in an hour tops. (Or anyway I'm as out of shape as anyone I know, and I can do Division to
Montrose in forty minutes or so. I'm assuming that's slower than average.) (I thought about biking to work once, but then I realized the only feasible route would have involved biking through the Robert Taylor homes.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, I've been to Big Chicks--my ex-gf's dad, who's still married to her mom, hangs out there. Yeah, I wonder the same thing.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

I like cycling through Chicago for the scenery, too - lots of old bridges and viaduct-type thingies, and lots of industrial landscapes.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

although the only drawback to bicycling in Chicago is that you may get run over or shot in a road rage incident.

Biking through Cabrini Green = Classic.

(hell I had a girlfriend who used to go jogging through there all the time.)

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 19:59 (twenty-two years ago)

your ex-girlfriend's dad who's still married to her mom hangs out at a gay bar??? well, maybe they have some sort of agreement, or something. though big chicks is pretty innocuous... for a gay bar

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't forget this city was state-of-the-art a hundred years ago, so parts of it have this brawny early modernist feel to it. Aesthetically, that's what really appeals to me.

I rode through Cabrini every day. The ride up Halsted from the south loop up to the north side is great.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:02 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah that ride is awesome. Used to ocassionally do it on the way to/from said ex-girlfriend's place in Pilsen.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:03 (twenty-two years ago)

biking in Chicago is great indeed---used to do it all the time to get to work. and i used to live right off of Damen and Irving, so i can second both the nice wide sidewalks on Irving and how great Damen is for cycling. that bridge by Vienna Beef is great, although at first i got confused and turned off and ended up lost by that bowling alley on Diversey a couple of times. :)

there's also great Thai restaurants. mentioning Irving reminded me of Always Thai, which is right underneath the ~~Ravenswood~~ Brown Line Irving Park stop, and of course Opart Thai, which is right off the same train line at the Western stop. NYUM.

― janni (janni), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Have you been to Aruns? Its on the north side and is like $65 prix fixe, and is the most stunning Thai food you will ever have...

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

It's all about the MOTHERFUCKING THAI VILLAGE, people. I'd fucking kill for some fucking crispy noodle kee mow extra hotttt right about now.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

(nits: congrats!)

that reminds me of another little-praised nice thing about chicago: alleys! No trash on the street, easy to zip down by car/bike, allow garages behind buildings which help street parking, and they're sort of romantic in an urban citylights-reflecting-off-of-wet-pavement way.

― scott pl. (scott pl.), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:12 (twenty-two years ago)

what is everyone's favorite Chicago pizza place? Are you loyal to just one?

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:14 (twenty-two years ago)

ART OF MOTHERFUCKING PIZZA, BITCHES.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I read an interview with the woman who owns Big Chicks. Apparently, it was originally an artists' bar that then kinda migrated to gay -- with some overlap, presumably. Straight folks are still welcome, though. It's also the only real notable watering hole around there.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:20 (twenty-two years ago)

All Chicago-related threads will eventually turn into food-related threads.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago Restaurants

(just to get us all tracklinked up)

Arun's has been on my list of places to check for a while now, still haven't made it tho. He just opened a Chinese restaurant a few blocks from me. Haven't gotten over there either, darnit.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:25 (twenty-two years ago)

If I'm not mistaken, that "Chicago Restaurants" thread contained my first post to ILE. (I'd been on ILM for a few weeks already.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:27 (twenty-two years ago)

(Whoah sweet, Scott, I get to get all job-like here again: City Spaces by Bob Thall is a book of photographs of Chicago alleys. Except they're all in the Loop, while you seem to mean those nice residential alleys.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I like to try all of the little neighborhood places, because once you've been in Chicago for a while, you've had all of the major chains.

My favorite deep dish was from this place on the northwest side - Aiello's.

Oh, and I think Big Chicks now has some sort of weekend morning breakfast, where you can eat the same meals as local artists (Bob Thall's breakfast - coffee & a vitamin - is on the menu).

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Nabisco -- my roommate has that book. It's a nice addition to our crappy end table perpetually piled up with broken CD cases and last week's Reader.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Nabisco -- my roommate has that book. It's a nice addition to our ~~coffee table~~ crappy end table perpetually piled up with broken CD cases and last week's Reader.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

(see what happens when you try to be clever?)

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:35 (twenty-two years ago)

You know, people can run off this litany of great places in Chicago, and talk of its brawny modernist architecture and so on, but I'm realizing more and more that the prosaic parts of the N side, with the strip malls and wide streets and gas stations and so on, actually represent Chicago as well as all that other, cooler stuff. That is to say a huge swath of the city, like all of the NW and SW sides along the main thoroughfares, looks like one of those dire Chris Ware cells dominated by concrete, signage, and telephone wires--the parts built up well after WWII, which looks too decrepit to be suburbia but too spread out and characterless to be a part of the Urban Experience.

I'm learning to make my peace with that fact, and in fact if you have a car I'd recommend Albany Park as a cheap and nice neighborhood to live in.

I don't know many good places to eat, honestly, because I rarely have any money. I also will eat just about anything so a high-priced dinner is likely wasted on me. Most of the restaurants I have any affection for are in and around Evanston where I spent my adolescence. When I remember the restaurants I liked as a little kid, they're mostly nondescript steak joints, coffee shops, or pizza parlors (and most of them don't exist anymore).

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh but in other news Pauline's will be open until 9 PM starting June 2.

― amateurist (amateurist), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:36 (twenty-two years ago)

In high school, my favorite pizza joints were on Howard Street because they delivered bottles of St.Ides along with the pies and didn't check ID

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Pauline's, the breakfast place on Balmoral?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:42 (twenty-two years ago)

The East Side never gets any love. It hasn't changed since the fifties. Except for the fact that all of the industries have closed down.

Phil (and Nabisco, too) - surely you must have heard of Jarvis Liquors!

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:43 (twenty-two years ago)

...and amateurist, I wasn't just talking about the famous architecture - I was talking about the industrial buildings & bridges.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Jarvis Liquors??

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:45 (twenty-two years ago)

looks like one of those dire Chris Ware cells dominated by concrete, signage, and telephone wires

Ah yes. Sometimes I look out my kitchen window, usually at dusk, and picture it as a Ware panel.

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:46 (twenty-two years ago)

That reminds me that when I started back at the U of C there used to be this liquor store up on 47th called Gill's Liqours that delivered gallons of beer! It was completely ridiculous, we would get these gallon jugs of their own beer (apparently brewed "somewhere" up in Wisconsin) delivered to the dorm room and they never checked IDs. They charged a deposit on the bottles so you would just keep them and exchange them on your next order. It had a very "unique" taste. It had actually been around forever, in fact if memory serves it laid claim to being the first or one of the first liquor stores to open in Chicago after the repeal of prohibition. Of course, the University had wanted to shut 'em down forever and finally were able to when they somehow got ahold of the property. Can't remember by what nefarious means exactly, the typical u of c gentrification stuff.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:49 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm afraid of saying anything more about the notorious J@rvis Liquors for fear of putting them out of business....

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:50 (twenty-two years ago)

share, share.

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:51 (twenty-two years ago)

My dad said that the big U up north probably cut some deal with J@rvis.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:52 (twenty-two years ago)

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:54 (twenty-two years ago)

L0y0la?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:56 (twenty-two years ago)

J@rvis - the "Gill's" of Evanston. They used to supply whole kegs for us! And they never checked IDs!

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, the east side is awesome. When I was living in Hyde Park on a student budget, I used to drive down from the end of the LSD to Indiana just to avoid paying the $2 for the Skyway. I love that drive, US41, all the twists and turns you have to take, and all the different neighborhoods you travel through (South Shore, South Chicago) before winding up in East Side and then finally in this really industrial area down at river level underneath the Skyway.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 20:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Good Hot Dogs, Bad Pizza, and its been a while but Chicago can lay claim to these guys:
http://www.bsnpubs.com/chicago/dunwichshadows2.jpg

― David Beckhouse (David Beckhouse), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)

The Shadows of Knight! The most bad-ass band ever!

Mr. Diamond - My great-grandma lived under the skyway, in south Chicago. She died when I was 15, so I have very fond memories of the place.

Let's hear it for Stony Island, which has seen better days. I used to love all of those fake Arabic prostitute motels down there.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah Kerry, sometimes coming back from Michigan if I took 94, I'd just take Stony from 95th up to Hyde Park. It always felt sad when it petered out up there at 56th. Like, "oh you once-mighty Stony Island, king of the South Side, you now must come to an end."

I like driving along South Chicago too, there aren't many lights and since there's no development on the south side of the street it always feels eerily barren.

Had you heard of Gill's then?

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:34 (twenty-two years ago)

jaymc says this about Big Chicks: It's also the only real notable watering hole around there.

True, I think that's why her dad goes there--considers it more his friendly* neighborhood bar rather than a gay bar.

*boy, howdy!

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Am I the only one with AH&J love?

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I love the photo on the Big Chicks website:

http://www.bigchicks.com/images/ph_directions.gif

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Luna, no I love that song too!

― hstencil, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 21:54 (twenty-two years ago)

...just you and your mind on Lake Shore Drive, tomorrow is another day...

― luna (luna.c), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:01 (twenty-two years ago)

*barf*

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't fucking stand it. It's horrid.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:12 (twenty-two years ago)

When I'm driving down Lake Shore Drive I prefer to listen to "Fool For the City" by Foghat.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:13 (twenty-two years ago)

if i moved to chicago for the summer [rent free with my mom] - think it would be easy to find a decent waiting-tables/bartending job making $150/night or so?

― phil-two (phil-two), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Clean fresh air and lovely weather?

Actually, the air here is not as bad as one would expect. We get a lot of winds coming through and there's no mountains--like in Phoenix and LA--around to block its dispersion. Don't plan on ever seeing more than a handful of stars, though.

― oops (Oops), Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:19 (twenty-two years ago)

i went to chicago about a year ago, to see my favourite band, so i didn't get to see the actual city much, but i hung out with some of the lovliest people i've ever met, and it was one of the best nights in recent memory. i also had the BEST PIZZA EVER when i was there.

it looked like a great city though, it reminded me a bit of toronto. it's the only american city that i've been to that i think i could actually live in.

― sand.y, Wednesday, 28 May 2003 22:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, that whole stretch of Commercial and Exchange, from like 79th to 95th, with the train tracks splitting them, always seemed really strange. I used to drive down there a bit because they had the best auto shop in the city and I had this old beater car than I needed to make frequent repairs on. I mean, the area is really vibrant, but also just so isolated from the rest of the city. And those names, Commercial and Exchange, make me wonder what used to take place along there.
I used to have a whole lotta family at 98th & Commercial. My mom grew up in that area. There was the General Mills plant, Wisconsin Steel (where my grandparents & the rest of my family worked) and some other huge industries. I think there were grain elevators and things, so maybe that's where those names came from. People would live in the neighborhood and walk to work, and Commercial Avenue was like a little downtown strip. Even when I was a kid, we used to shop there at get ice cream at Gaieties.

They've got some amazing bridges down there - I used to be fascinated by those. They've got one of those vertical lift bridges, where the whole road lifts up in the air.

This site brings back memories.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Thursday, 29 May 2003 13:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Phil-two: never been to Arun's. then again, i'm usually not in possession of that much money, and if i am, i'm usually not spending it on a single meal. :) perhaps if i ever am, i'll check it out.

Amateurist: i'm all about getting the best value for money; you don't have to spend loads of money to get great food as long as you find out where to go. some of my favourite places charge about what you'd pay for a meal deal at most McChains around---and of course, with much better food included. my upbringing included generic spam, so please believe me! XD

HStencil: Art of Pizza kicks ass. i used to love them when i lived near enough to take advantage of it. next to theirs, i'd just like to point out that i myself make a killer pizza, and have ruined my boyfriend and various friends on eating other pizzas as a result. when i open a shop, i'll of course have to revive this thread and advertise. :)

― janni (janni), Thursday, 29 May 2003 16:27 (twenty-two years ago)

oh! and Bis' "Chicago." yes.

― janni (janni), Thursday, 29 May 2003 16:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Best Chicago songs:

(1) "When the Levee Breaks," Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe
(2) "Thanks for Chicago, Mr. James," Scott Walker
(3) "In the Ghetto," Elvis Presley

...

― amateurist (amateurist), Thursday, 29 May 2003 16:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Hon. memtion: "Chicago Now!," The Fall

― amateurist (amateurist), Thursday, 29 May 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

"The flashing lights of Ashland
meant as warnings
they act instead as
trance! in! du! cers!"

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 29 May 2003 17:06 (twenty-two years ago)

The view:
http://www.hancock-observatory.com/images/viewhr3.jpg

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Sunday, 1 June 2003 05:45 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.norfolkwindmills.com/postcards/chicago.jpg

― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 4 June 2003 09:16 (twenty-two years ago)

four months pass...

incidentally i know there are some people moving to chicago. a friend of mine needs a new roommate starting december (or poss. january). it's in andersonville. email me if you'd like to know more.

― amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 2 November 2003 17:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Alas, I don't like Chicago that much.

― Sarah Pedal (call mr. lee), Monday, 3 November 2003 07:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I <3 Chicago.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Monday, 3 November 2003 07:58 (twenty-two years ago)

That emoticon confuses me. Does that mean that you put your balls on Chicago?

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 3 November 2003 13:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Sarah & Nick are going to live there = Chicago is great!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Monday, 3 November 2003 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Aw, Sarah Pedal, don't say such things! I'm working hella hard to get myself up there.

Speaking of Chicago, I'm making Nick watch the movie because my mom bought herself a copy. I saw it when it was in theaters. When we turned off the tv for the night and Nick went in the bathroom to get ready for bed, I practiced my jazz numbers in my slip. Now, if I only had their muscular arms and backs...

― Sarah McLUsky (coco), Monday, 3 November 2003 14:11 (twenty-two years ago)

can someone do me a huge favor and point out all the good ILX RFI:chicago threads? danke!

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 16:32 (twenty-two years ago)

i mean, what are the best chicago threads?

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:02 (twenty-two years ago)

it's called "search" for a reason.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

then get to it, bucko.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

you gotta pre-pay me, but if you do it yourself, it's free.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

seriously, there's like 20+ chicago threads and knowing ILX, the best ones probably don't mention chicago in the title!

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:06 (twenty-two years ago)

What kind of info are you looking for, gygax? The allah one is good for neighborhoods/apartment-searching, and the restaurant one is good.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Hmm... I liked the Allah, why are you punishing Chicago? thread. That one has been around for a while.

The thread about where Nick and I plan to move will soon turn into a Chicago thread as well. :)

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:10 (twenty-two years ago)

He wants to move there because that's where Nick and I will be soon. :)

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:10 (twenty-two years ago)

dude gygax! like you didn't even visit when I lived there. That's why I am angry.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I visited O'Hare about 6 times! It's a nice airport from what I remember.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't think of any Chicago threads that don't mention Chicago in the title. Julia just named the two threads I had thought of. There's also, I think, some Chicago record-store shopping threads on ILM.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah and you didn't call me a single one of those times, dude.

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

thanks JuliaA and Sarah McLuskly! it's not apartment searching, more like authentic chicago exotica. i like the threads where hstencil tells his funny stories too.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:14 (twenty-two years ago)

haha, i had enough time to get an airport natural and an airport slice and read the straight dope and then run to my connection!

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Also: Chicagoans! Meet me at the Hop Leaf!

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

gygax! I started a Chicago thread that giot some good advice from nabisco and hstencil, check that out. Or...just get hstencil to write you stuff. What are friends for?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

according to Kenan, if you listen to my advice you might get "ripped off!"

― hstencil, Monday, 3 November 2003 19:28 (twenty-two years ago)

that's fine with me as long as it's my clothes.

― gygax! (gygax!), Monday, 3 November 2003 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I visited Chicago (for the first time)back in August. The people I met there were very friendly. I went to a place called Buona Beef (mmmmm), Wrigley Field (Go Cubs!), Geno's East and saw Cheap Trick. Chicago is definitely my favorite city!

― Terry, Thursday, 6 November 2003 18:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Did you go to the top of the Sears Tower and take the trolley to Navy Pier?

― Kerry (dymaxia), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Anyone wanna see the Rapture with me at the Metro tonight?

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:27 (twenty-two years ago)

I wish I could! I love the new cd Nick got. But ... I'm not there yet. *sigh*

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Eager much?

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:31 (twenty-two years ago)

;-)

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:32 (twenty-two years ago)

There is something so charming about Chicago, I should visit again sometime soon.

― Nicolars (Nicole), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, get outta Detroit! (You're in Detroit, right?)

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 6 November 2003 20:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes.

― Nicolars (Nicole), Thursday, 6 November 2003 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)

I love Chicago!

― cinniblount (James Blount), Thursday, 6 November 2003 21:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Time to start a new board!

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 6 November 2003 21:05 (twenty-two years ago)

I had Buona Beef a couple times and it was very 'meh'. Margie's on Cass in Westmont (i think it's Westmont) and Carso's in Lemont are the best beef places outside of the city. Oh, and Mr. Beef near Berwyn.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 6 November 2003 22:38 (twenty-two years ago)

hog butcher
tool maker
stacker of wheat
player with railroads
stormy
husky
brawling
city of the big shoulders
building'
breaking
rebuilding

home of bloodshot records
(and Wax Trax ?)

― ed dill (eddill), Friday, 7 November 2003 02:37 (twenty-two years ago)

what is zoom cafe and should i eat it?

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 7 November 2003 02:39 (twenty-two years ago)

There's Zoom Kitchen, which is a trendy breakfast place, I think, with a couple different locations on the north side. Never been there.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 7 November 2003 02:44 (twenty-two years ago)

yes, zoom kitchen, my error.

trendy breakfast food is not my thing (+ I can't say trendy lunch/dinner fares much better to be honest).

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 7 November 2003 02:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Chicago was also the scene of my bachelor party earlier this year, which was super-fun!

;o ;o

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Friday, 7 November 2003 05:09 (twenty-two years ago)

you sure do get around

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 7 November 2003 05:21 (twenty-two years ago)

I guess. But I'm staying put for the time being!

I wish I could tell you where to go. Are you going to be spending a lot of your time there?

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Friday, 7 November 2003 06:49 (twenty-two years ago)

gygax!, Why do you ask about Zoom?

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 7 November 2003 06:57 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I would like Chicago more if I could get some DJing gigs and make people dance to "I Only Want To Be With You."

― Sarah Pedal (call mr. lee), Friday, 7 November 2003 07:28 (twenty-two years ago)

doods it's all about all you can eat polish buffets

― amateur!st (amateurist), Friday, 7 November 2003 09:53 (twenty-two years ago)

But that was before I became a vegetarian. D'oh. Now it's all about the POLISH CANDY!

― Sarah Pedal (call mr. lee), Friday, 7 November 2003 09:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Sarah, Do you have regular dj gigs?

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 7 November 2003 14:41 (twenty-two years ago)

i ask about zoom kitchen because i was referred to it but it seems far from "the action".

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 7 November 2003 15:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Kerry, no, I didn't get to see those places. The timer I spent there was very busy. Hopefully next time, we'll get see downtown Chicago!

― Terry, Monday, 17 November 2003 14:41 (twenty-two years ago)

doods i could so go for polish buffet RIGHT NOW where is there a 24-hour polish buffet in paris?!?!

― amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 17 November 2003 23:12 (twenty-two years ago)

three weeks pass...

And all that jazz!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Come on now Sarah, 'jazz hands' are U&K!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Does anyone EVER get to wear outfits like this in Chicago?

EVERY single person that hears I'm going to Chicago acts like I'm crazy and says I'm going to either freeze to death or blow away.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:04 (twenty-two years ago)

You do but only if you are inside next to a big fire!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Fuck the hataz.

― NA (Nick A.), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:19 (twenty-two years ago)

It's plenty hot for several months out of the year - as hot and humid as anywhere in the US.

It is really cold this week. It can get nasty, but people exaggerate how many intolerably cold days we have. I don't mind them, though, because I'm fond of winter fashions.

Blizzards are fun.

You will need lots and lots of wool. You will need wool versions of every type of clothing you wear. After living here for 30+ years, I've learned that you don't spare any expense to stay warm.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Thanks, Kerry! Where would you recommend I get a decent coat?

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 12 December 2003 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I actually did blow away the other day. There was this huge gust of wind and I lost my balance and just caught myself. But that's mostly because I have shit balance rather than the wind being that insanely strong. Nonetheless, I have resolved to eat more christmas cookies so that I cannot be blown over by Chicago wind.

Winter fashions are great. And in the summer you get enough horrible humidity that the cooler weather is refreshing. Until it's really awful, anyway.

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Friday, 12 December 2003 18:12 (twenty-two years ago)

four months pass...

Chicago is like the center of an operating room. As the blood and gore flows to the operating rooms' drain, so Chicago attracts the corruption and lowlife of America.

― Tom Caldwell, Friday, 30 April 2004 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

And if you stare at Lake Michigan long enough...you can see it breathing.

Also you can ride in a speedboat that plays rock music.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:31 (twenty-one years ago)

I live there now.

― NA (Nick A.), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Ride the speedboat. It's awesome.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

La Creperie and Duke of Perth, that's who.

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

The body slices exhibit at the Museum of Science & Industry made Sarah sick.

― NA (Nick A.), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Also, jusst 'discovered' Tango Sur - steaks the size of someone's arm. Good too - if you have all night.

― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

La Creperie and Duke of Perth, that's who.
-- dave225 (adspac...), April 30th, 2004.

hahahahhaha, holy shit, I used to go to those places all the time. Tango Sur, too.

― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:45 (twenty-one years ago)

i'm going to the Field and the Art Institute tomorrow and i may just ride the EL one end to another to enjoy passing thru the city. May go up Sears Tower on Sunday. Hoping to see some nice art deco before I head home. SmartBar was okay last night, it's quite a cool venue.

GO WHITE SOX

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 30 April 2004 18:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently Mr. Caldwell isn't very proficient at following thread-title commands.

Those are my two fav chicago museums, steve. I need to check out the Historical Society, as I've only been there once and was too young to appreciate it. (the best part about it for me then was making the Histerical Society joke)

― oops (Oops), Friday, 30 April 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

The Historical Society is kind of neat and not too big. I enjoyed it more than the Field Society, which I found mostly dull.

― NA (Nick A.), Friday, 30 April 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

i dig all that dull stuff though.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 30 April 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

If you ever have a chance to get a ticket to the Field Museum's special members-only behind-the-scenes nights, jump at it. The insect rooms are cavernous, with walls covered with copies of every insect-related Far Side cartoon ever.

Also, original full-size copy of Birds in America.

Also, watched a Bengal tiger get dissected.

Way cool.

― m.e.a. (m.e.a.), Friday, 30 April 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

On the way to midway we got lost and drove through a part of Chicago I have never seen before - 63rd street, I think. Is this considered the South Side? It was very different and interesting and I wanted to get out and explore.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

To the midway? Like the UChicago World's Fair midway? Anyway, yes, you're on the South Side well before you get as far as 63rd, and yes, there are a lot of nice spots down there, especially in summer.

― nabiscothingy, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, sorry, to Midway! Orthography threw me off.

― nabiscothingy, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:10 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, Midway. Sorry

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I will make a point of going down there when I return. Many people were breaking out their BBQs.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Midway itself is on the far south side.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

The pleasant stuff I'm thinking of down there is more toward the lake, of course -- westward toward Midway it's all residential, but a lot of the streets and buildings in that direction are, yeah, sort of lovely.

― nabiscothingy, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:13 (twenty-one years ago)

(NB when was this, Adam? This past weekend? Cause I think this past weekend was the 75th Annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, which contributes to a mood of general summertime festivity all over the South Side.)

― nabiscothingy, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:16 (twenty-one years ago)

yes, it was this past Sunday.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:17 (twenty-one years ago)

there were a lot of grass-covered vacant lots, of the kind that you don't often see in the UK. These are still strangely attractive to me, even if they look like the sort of place where one might discover a Black Dahlia.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Am I right to suggest that some parts of Chicago have a kind of unsung gothic quality to them? Or am I just wrong?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

A kind of 20th-century gothic, that is.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:20 (twenty-one years ago)

I am obsessed with the way Chicago looks, actually, perhaps more so than any other American city.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:20 (twenty-one years ago)

you are right, adam.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I love the South side by the lake, around University of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry (my favorite museum), the Oriental Institute, etc.

Chicago is a beautiful place, I think it's the most perfectly realized city in the country, visually.

― Gear! (Gear!), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Am I right to suggest that some parts of Chicago have a kind of unsung gothic quality to them?

Song parts have a very *sung* Gothic quality, ie University of Chicago, which has this cool Jesuitical fearsomeness about the buildings.

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:22 (twenty-one years ago)

gargoyles covered in snow = roxor

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I have always wanted to live there, for a little while anyway, but I don't know if that will ever happen. Rents seem reasonable, too.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:24 (twenty-one years ago)

A man can dream.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:24 (twenty-one years ago)

SNOW...I remember snow.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:25 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah I was gonna say, the area around U of Chicago is extemely gothic.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:25 (twenty-one years ago)

ihttp://www.greatcommission.com/chicago/2003001.jpg

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 17:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Why didn't you come get drunk and yell at the El train with us?

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:21 (twenty-one years ago)

I was going to stay with Jaymc but family commitments meant that I could not. I will probably return in very early October.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll try and lose some weight by then.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:26 (twenty-one years ago)

oh, don't on my account, please.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

adam likes 'em thick.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I went for a jog at 7am this morning and ate an apple and a piece of banana bread for breakfast. Then I did crunches to improv noise.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:29 (twenty-one years ago)

(The girls in my office are debating whether a teblespoon of peanut butter is worth 2 Weight Watchers points or five. This has been going on for six months, and in six months, not one of them has lost a single ounce. Not that they're even all that big. I swear to God... if I ever go on a diet, you can slap me right here. I will always eat whatever I please, and if I feel I'm getting fat, I'll join a gym.)

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

La di da. I listened to Wolf Eyes on the El while I sipped a frothy latte and ogled the businesswomen in their comfortable shoes.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Most of that isn't true.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Harold, You should give us a tour of the southside's highlights some time. The furthest south I've been is the Museum of Science and Industry. No, probably where the Sox played, but we didn't see much around there, just the stadium. I am scared and intrigued.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:36 (twenty-one years ago)

...
i just want to look good naked
...

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah -- We should go to Soul Vegetarian East on 75th St. (best veggie restaurant in the city, sometimes) and then take a walk through Hyde Park.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:40 (twenty-one years ago)

(Although to be perfectly honest I've been eager to get out of the habit of only going to Hyde Park and Soul Vegetarian East whenever I trek down to the South Side!)

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:41 (twenty-one years ago)

YES.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:42 (twenty-one years ago)

(Pilsen is nice, too. And I want to check out the Velvet Lounge.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:42 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Ok. Maybe we should invite Nick and R. :-D

Who is eat fudge bananda swirl? I'm so out of touch these days. I just looked at the photos thread and it turns out all these posters I thought were strangers were just old posters with new names. Doh!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, John would be a much better guide. I've been down there, but not for any length of time. I've hung around the University, though, which is gorgeous, and a short walk from the Museum of Science and Industry.

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Sarah, I am ME.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Awesome.

When my old college roomie was in town, we explored Greektown. It was funny because it's only like 2 blocks and is nothing more than overpriced Greek restaurant after overpriced Greek restaurant. It was kind of neat looking though I guess. I know that's not in the southside...

Nick's new name is making me hungry.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:46 (twenty-one years ago)

get a room!

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, Nabisco would be an even better guide the next time he's in town.

... and Greektown is, in fact, technically the South Side since it's south of Madison.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:49 (twenty-one years ago)

that's the west side!

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 18:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Kids, kids. It's this:

http://mq-mapgend.websys.aol.com:80/mqmapgend?MQMapGenRequest=FDR2dmwjDE%3byt29%26FDJnci4Jkqj%2cMMCJ%3aHOEvq%3bw2g0zy%3a%29rt0qza%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40y%3aqyb%3al4b%3aTD%15JFE%3aHOHQJ%3bw2g0zy%3a%29rt0qza%3a%26%40%24%3a%26%40%24x9%40

Call it what you will.

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I was recommending Soul Vegetarian and Velvet Lounge and all these things like 2 years ago.

(feels like 10)

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess I'm just thinking literally: as if there were only two sides, North and South.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I still consider that "over by UIC."

(xpost) I was recommending the Museum of Science and Industry back when I was like 8! I thought it was the coolest.

― nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha, hstencil, I knew you would pop in.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

jaymc & nabisco, don't forsake the West side.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

: (

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

the last time i wz in chicago my friend and i drove out to THE DUNES, has anyone else done this? go out past gary (i really wish we had time to fuck around in gary), there was a fantastic beach on l. michigan with a nuclear cooling tower overlooking it.

― g--ff (gcannon), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:28 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, INDIANA DUNES rule.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Classic: Dunes
Don't bother with: Michigan City, unless you just want to go outlet mall shopping.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I was apparently conceived in Michigan City, Indiana. My parents keep half-jokingly suggesting I go visit, then admit there's nothing to see there but THE DUNES.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

don't mind me, just popping in.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

...plus there was a little luthier's shop in whatever microtown is right there. some kid from AZ saying his plan was to make one killer guitar and somehow get it into the hands of the guy from cannibal corpse, and he'd be set.

― g--ff (gcannon), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

the near west side was nearly destroyed when they were building the expressways and circle campus (and the hospital campus, which isn't far off)--you can see how close the intersection of all these thins is to the spot kenan pinpointed on that map. in any event, it's still the near west side. on the west-west side you'll see lot of grassy (or pebbly) vacant lots without the added bonus of interesting turn of the century architecture!

xxxpost

michigan city: i was just through there, taking the state highways up to new buffalo, michigan. michigan city is pretty depressing. not as depressing as some of those towns on the illinois/indiana border though.

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

gary: fucking depressing

(this is the slogan for their new tourism campaign btw)

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah it seemed like THE DUNES were kind of the done thing. we were advised to check out some kind of 5 acre junkyard, too, but it's closed mondays.

can anyone confirm this bit of gary apocrypha: explaining its heartbreaking decrepitude, someone told me there is a theater with "jackson 5" still on the marquee. i called bullshit, silently.

ha xpost

― g--ff (gcannon), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I was born in Wauchula, Florida, which was apparently nearly destroyed by the recent hurricane. My past is being erased. Suburban Maryland is the next to go.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

on the west-west side you'll see lot of grassy (or pebbly) vacant lots without the added bonus of interesting turn of the century architecture!

Except for Cook County Hospital, which they still may turn into a pebbly vacant lot.

Soul Vegetarian:

The name says it all. Soul Vegetarian East dishes up good healthy food with a soulful twist. African art hangs on the walls as servers greet you with a smile in colorful African garb. This popular vegetarian restaurant can be just as crowded during the week as it is on the weekend. Southsiders and outsiders flock to this space to sample some of the best vegan/vegetarian food in the city. All dishes are made with meat substitute and most taste better then the real thing. The Garvey Burger (wheat gluten veggie-burger) seems to be a popular choice as well as the BBQ (gluten) roast sandwich. Other specialties include tofu lasagna (not always offered), macaroni & cheese and the Salisbury steak dinner. Sandwiches will set you back a mere $4, while specialties rarely cost more than $10. Starters like fried tofu sticks and lentil soups are just a few bucks as well.

Ah, the Garvey burger... it takes you back to the motherland!

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

those low-rise housing projects on Taylor smack dab in the middle of Little Italy were once the setting of a nightmare I had once about hell. They're not really that bad, though.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

As someone who has driven back and forth from Chicago to Michigan many, many times, I concur with Amst.

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

oh fuck I miss the Garvey Burger. Now I am really sad.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Meigs Field is an utterly charming little airport next to downtown Chicago with a great little cafe. I hope they reopen the airport soon

http://www.cirruspilots.org/public/pix/uploaded/20030209083047.jpg

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry Elvis, Daley had it bulldozed.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a soft spot for Gary. The bus up from South bend goes there and we stare at the brutalist downtown and its odd little water features.

And Hammond, too!

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

jesus that whole miegs field fiasco is like something out of dreiser.

― g--ff (gcannon), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

x-post
The first time I passed through Gary, I was worried it would be all burnt out and bullet ridden, from the stories other Indiana people tell. They seem to think you get the Plague if you stop there. It's actually not violently bad, just very sad, as if time stopped in 1960.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

the last time I passed through Gary, it was 4 AM. We went to some other small northern Indiana town and bought some fireworks, and my two friends were pretty relieved that I stopped driving through Gary, so I took 'em on a tour of some South Side housing projects when we got back to Chicago.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

i dunno about any theater (heh are there any theaters left in gary?), but things i noticed abt gary on the way through several weeks ago:

1. lots of vacant lots w/in two blocks of city center
2. "home of the miss u.s.a. pageant" signs everywhere
3. small field called "jackson family park"--sign was hand-painted, poorly
4. seemingly every other brownstone house boarded up
5. passed by obvious crackhouse five blocks from city center
6. elevated highway passes within a block of town hall, thus giving downtown the feeling of being in some kind of concrete valley
7. awful smell flooding the entire area from u.s. steel plant
8. decrepit airport called "gary-chicago airport"
9. lots of "adult entertainment" stores on outskirts; most other stores seem to be closed (the roof of one former ruby tuesday's was falling in)

xpost

"downtown" gary is fascinating, but it can still make you want to leap into the fiery flames of the u.s. steel refinery

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

"capitalism, why hast thou forsaken us?!"

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, gary is not very threatening. it just feels empty and abandoned. the thing that really makes it had is the bountiful evidence of lots of half-assed and ultimately spectacularly unsuccessful attempts to beautify/renew the downtown etc. the only successful major venture in gary in recent years have been the casinos, which are not in the city center.

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

And Hammond, too!

I grew up there.

Most people who talk about Gary that way have never been there. Some of it looks like it was bombed, but it's not all like that. Big pastime in high school was cruising Rt. 30.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry Elvis, Daley had it bulldozed.

I know, but it hasn't stopped these people from trying: http://www.friendsofmeigs.org

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Part of the reason I think the Northern Indiana towns by Chicago are so depressing is because I -65N Indianapolis-Lafayette-Crown Point-Hammond-Gary-Chicago is a major narcotics highway.

― jocelyn (Jocelyn), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

makes it Sad

xpost

i know that gary is not all bad, kerry, but you must admit that the part of it seen from the state highway heading east/west is pretty depressing. and the city's economic ruin is not really contestable.

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

It's hard to imagine that Gary was once a boomtown, but it was. Read Will: The Autobiography of G. Gordon Liddy for proof (if you dare).

Meigs was kinda cool, but having walked out there a lot, it would make a nice park (as long as it's not like Millennium Park).

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

One of my good friends from college (who I need to get in touch with) grew up in Gary.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

gary was a boomtown (i think BILL MONROE worked at u.s. steel, actually, back in the 1930s) but it was always kind of blighted by the proximity of the steel mills to the town. such is the industrial revolution though.

i think daley had vague plans to make meigs into a park--that would be nice, so long as they make it easy enough to get across the drive over there.

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

What doesn't G. Gordon Liddy's autobiography touch on??

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

from 18th Street it's pretty easy, which was how I'd get over there. I think there were plans for a bird sanctuary? Also what about that one undeveloped park by the mouth of the river? (Delasalle Park maybe? forget the proposed name)

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

discovering indie rock.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Chicago seems like a city you can actually drive in. But is it?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I drove in Chicago all the time, it was no problem. Leaving the city's another matter, though.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Gary has a few Frank Lloyd Wright houses, but they're in terrible shape.

major narcotics highway

My dad says it comes to Chicago through the Indiana Harbor.

Search: Miller neighborhood of Gary. Or rather, don't. I think the residents would like to keep it a secret.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:55 (twenty-one years ago)

My jogging route takes me past Meigs; I loved watching the tiny planes take off and land. Stupid Daley. Yeah, that 18th street Metra stop is a few blocks from where I live. Just this year they tore down the old wooden bridge that used to go across the tracks and replaced it with this winding concrete monstrosity. It's properly wheelchair accessible now but it takes forever to actually walk across.

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:55 (twenty-one years ago)

they tore down the wooden bridge?!?!? omg you can't go home again! or at least, not to your ex-girlfriend's in Pilsen.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

You awful bastards: a disturbingly large proportion of my in-the-states family lives either near the IL/IN border or the IN/MI border.

― nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

(Lemme hear all my Charleston / Goshen peeps say YEAH)

― nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

they tore down some f.l.w. building in gary recently because it had fallen into such bad shape and no one was willing to put up the money to restore it (i suppose b/c they couldn't expect tourist dollars out there).

i have a question: i know that, as in detroit, the big companies in that area (indiana, east of chicago) set up (themselves, or through their lackeys in local gov't/real estate) different towns/neighborhoods for blacks and whites. thus gary was almost always majority-black and other towns (hammond?) were majority-white. so bill monroe, when he was working in the steel mills, was likely to have been in one of the majority-white towns along with lots of other transplated mid-southerners (hence: BLUEGRASS was born, more or less). does anyone know the whole history of this?

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:04 (twenty-one years ago)

WHITING, INDIANA solves your riddle, amateur!st!

(I really don't know, just always a little freaked by that name.)

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Everytime I drive past the exits for Goshen I start singing "Creeping Death" by Metallica.

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Charleston used to have a really nice burger/ice cream joint laden with victoriana...and a working player piano. rosie's. i don't think it exists anymore.

nabisco are your relatives MENNONITES???

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

WHITING, INDIANA solves your riddle, amateur!st!
(I really don't know, just always a little freaked by that name.)

-- hstencil (hstenc!...), August 17th, 2004.

it's better than INKSTER, MICHIGAN!!!

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Slaves
Hebrews born to serve, to the pharaoh
Heed
To his every word, live in fear
Faith
Of the unknown one, the deliverer
Wait
Something must be done, four hundred years

So let it be written
So let it be done
I'm sent here by the chosen one
So let it be written
So let it be done
To kill the first born pharaoh son
I'm creeping death

Now
Let my people go, land of Goshen
Go
I will be with thee, bush of fire
Blood
Running red and strong, down the nil
Plague
Darkness three days long, hail to fire

So let it be written
So let it be done
I'm sent here by the chosen one
So let it be written
So let it be done
To kill the first born pharaoh son
I'm creeping death

Die by my hand
I creep across the land
Killing first born man
Die by my hand
I creep across the land
Killing first born man
I
Rule the midnight air the destroyer
Born
I shall soon be there, deadly mass
I
Creep the steps and flood final darkness
Blood
Lambs blood painted door, I shall pass

So let it be written
So let it be done
I'm sent here by the chosen one
So let it be written
So let it be done
To kill the first born pharaoh son
I'm creeping death

― Monetizing Eyeballs (diamond), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I think actually I remember reading some blurb in the Reader about 3 years ago about some book on the racial history of Northern Indiana, so I'm sure there's some info out there.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's a page on historic Gary

I don't think Gary was "almost always" majority black.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, Amat, they are! My father and all his brothers were educated by Mennonite missionaries, and came to the US with their sponsorship, etc. Many family members have either worked for or attended Goshen College. I went to a Mennonite wedding a few weeks ago: no drinking! (Some dancing, but that was only cause my mom felt it necessary to represent for da motherland and shit.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Land of the Millrats has a lot about NW Indiana history & culture.

Whiting : also known as "Whitey".

Ethnic groups settled in certain neighborhoods and not towns. Southern whites pretty much lived in their own neighborhoods.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:15 (twenty-one years ago)

my friend's dad is the pastor at the mennonite church of evanston. and a good high school friend had a mennonite b.f. who we all called "the odd-sh*ped he*d".... i don't know much about the mennonites really. is your dad still a practicing mennonite?

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

what are the chances of someone googling "odd-shaped head"?

― g--ff (gcannon), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:24 (twenty-one years ago)

you'd be surprised--oh, damn you.

― amateur!!!st, Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:25 (twenty-one years ago)

i am so sorry.

― g--ff (gcannon), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

can i jump on the soul vegetarian wagon? i love that place.

― kelsey (kelstarry), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

No, my dad’s never been much of a Mennonite type. All of the Mennonites I’ve encountered are of the fairly mainstream Indiana variety: in terms of lifestyle, they’re not particularly distinguishable from Lutherans, or any other group of friendly blond Midwestern protestants. On the other hand, their friendliness and pacifism and humility and “call to service” does sort of trend—philosophically, anyway—in almost Quaker or Amish directions. Which makes them very difficult not to like. Happy friendly white people and their adopted war orphans, you can’t beat it.

― nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean, it seems creepy at first, but they're super-nice, in that way only people from tiny midwestern towns can really be, and there's that love-thy-neighbor streak at the core of their theology that I think even keeps them from judging or ostracizing people your average mainstream protestant would judge.

― nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Kelsey - yeah, Soul Veg is fantastic! I wish they'd branch out, but they're a cult or something, so I guess not (it seems like all of the vegan / vegetarian restaurants I like are owned by cults).

I guess one of their old chefs has a place on the west side, but I haven't been there.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Update: the photo on the Big Chicks website is just as cool as it was a year ago:

http://www.bigchicks.com/images/tomcat.gif

― Harold Media (kenan), Tuesday, 17 August 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Chicago is a beautiful place, I think it's the most perfectly realized city in the country, visually.

OMG how did I miss this post? I won't even try to link these properly...

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.05.19.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.05.17.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.05.01.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.04.29.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.04.26.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.04.21.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.04.19.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.04.13.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.04.03.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.27.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.25.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.21.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.20.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.18.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.16.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.08.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.05.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.03.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.27.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.24.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.20.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.13.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.10.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.09.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.22.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.07.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.02.02.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/chicago/images/rosehill/DSCF0029.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/graceland/index.html

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.01.11.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.01.09.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.01.06.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.01.04.jpg

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.01.03.jpg

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 04:49 (twenty-one years ago)

kenan did you use some kind of telephoto lens for those? the planes look all compressed, it's neat.

― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I used nothing ut a $150 digital camera.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:22 (twenty-one years ago)

used to work in the one on the right:

http://giganticmag.com/photoblog/images/04.03.25.jpg

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:23 (twenty-one years ago)

heh... how do you know the picture's not backwards?

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:25 (twenty-one years ago)

(um... I mean... except that the Rookery is clearly on the right. But apart from that...)

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:26 (twenty-one years ago)

because I worked there! And because it's where LaSalle meets Jackson at dead end. CBOT's on the side of the street where you were shooting from.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Yep. That's kind of the non-traditional view of LaSalle Street... most photos of that canyon have the Board of Trade building at the far end. And thus, I imagine myself clever.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:30 (twenty-one years ago)

well see I like the view up LaSalle towards the river, so I guess great minds think alike or something.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:31 (twenty-one years ago)

also my old office had a view right between the two CBOT buildings and I could see Comiskey. *sigh*

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I like the view up LaSalle towards the river, so I guess great minds think alike or something

The Board of Trade building is way overrated. Just because it sits in the middle of a street and has a statue on top doesn't make it worth looking at.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:35 (twenty-one years ago)

see this, sans statue:

http://www.thecityreview.com/panam1.gif

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:37 (twenty-one years ago)

inside it's cool. But they stopped giving tours. The Continental Bank/BofA building has THE COOLEST LOBBY EVER but I think that's closed to the public now too. Rotten Osama.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:37 (twenty-one years ago)

also that's a bit of an exaggeration as PAN AM building is not art deco, dude:

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/images/landmarks/b/bot1a.gif

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah okay... you're right. That big setback in the middle adds a lot of drama.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I love the 70's pic you found of that bldg... look at those sweet high-dollar ragtops!

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 05:45 (twenty-one years ago)

hey that's from Chicago's (the city, not the band) web site. And it's cool how your pic has a similar feel, despite being 30 years older.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 12:58 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG I mess chicago after this thread.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 17:47 (twenty-one years ago)

You better clean that up, mister.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I need to go out and do some Chicago-y shit this weekend. What should I do?

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 17:53 (twenty-one years ago)

get yourself indicted for racketeering?

― amateur!!!st, Wednesday, 18 August 2004 17:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Invent a new sandwich, to be called the Meatwave.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 17:56 (twenty-one years ago)

new favorite area of the city: where Middle Eastern-ville meets Korea-town...Lawrence around Kimball/Kedzie.
Thanks, bikerides, for showing me this part of my hometown.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:01 (twenty-one years ago)

also, why haven't I spent more time on the North Branch Trail, riding up to the Botanical Gardens?

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:02 (twenty-one years ago)

robots in love (??) have you been to t he 24-hour korean restaurant on lawrence?

― amateur!!!st, Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Chicago-y shit

Have a martini at the bar atop Hancock, right at dusk. Actually, I want to do that, too.

― Harold Media (kenan), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:05 (twenty-one years ago)

(RIL is jaymc's bro)

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

i've been to the 24 hour korean place!

also: mark--that forest preserve that goes up to the gardens is HUGE.

― kelsey (kelstarry), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:07 (twenty-one years ago)

i haven't been to too many Korean places...So Gong Dong Tofu House on Bryn Mawr, Lincoln Noodle House, and Chicago Food Corporation...Korean seems like it would be good for drunken/late nite fixes, though.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 18:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Robots, have you eaten in any of the middle eastern places in Albany Park? I'm wondering because I haven't eaten there yet.

Also what kind of Korean stuff is good for vegetarians?

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

some of the mid eastern places in albany park suck. i think there's an all-nighter one on kedzie & lawrence which is a MUST TO AVOID.

Also what kind of Korean stuff is good for vegetarians?

kim chee dude

― amateur!!!st, Wednesday, 18 August 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

AMITABUL.

― hstencil (hstencil), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Kerry,
I wish I knew more about those Mid. East. places, but being veggie myself...I figure they are all shawarma-ed up. As for Korean, Amitabul is every bit as good as everyone always says it is. At the tinier noodle houses, I usually get dukboki, though getting it without fish cakes is usually hit-or-miss. Bi-bim-bap can usually be made veggie too. If I remember, So Gong Dong Tofu House had a little "vegetarian" section of the menu.

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Going from the Reader's site, I see there is a Cousin's there but not much else.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

What about Noon-O-Kebab?

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I think you just like to say "Noon O Kebab"

― robots in love (robotsinlove), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

You're right. :)

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 18 August 2004 20:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Is anyone considering going to see Black Dice and Animal Collective at the Empty Bottle 2night? 'Cuz I can't decide if I want to.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Can't. Job interview tomorrow morning.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:24 (twenty-one years ago)

I already told you (on another thread maybe): Mark and I are going.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I might if I had any money or knew who the fuck those bands were.

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, dude, you never listen to what J is saying.

I still find it hard to imagine Animal Collective playing on a stage; I've only heard them playing from the floor in a far corner of a classroom, and it seemed natural. If I were there, I'd go.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I might if I had any money or knew who the fuck those bands were.

I don't even know who you are, Oops.

NO((IZ))E ROCK, DOODZ!!!!

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Sorry, jaymc, I haven't been on ILX today so I probably missed it. Well maybe we'll see you there. I might wuss out though.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Thursday, 19 August 2004 18:35 (twenty-one years ago)

So should Sarah and I go to this show? We'd have to get there super-early because we don't have tickets and it will sell out.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you have a car? Go early, get stamped, then zip around the corner and have dinner.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh wait, you live right there already. Walk there early, get stamped, then take a nice walk around the corner and have dinner.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

or eat NEXT FREAKIN' DOOR.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I have a thing about that place, actually, but yeah, it's great for pre-show time-killing.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:48 (twenty-one years ago)

the food's not horrible.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:48 (twenty-one years ago)

a ringing endorsement.

― Harold Media (kenan), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

well I can think of worse places in the neighborhood to eat. Actually the food there's pretty good, but then again the last time I ate there was ages ago obv.

― hstencil (hstencil), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

They have a pretty good walnut/gorgonzola salad, which is what I've gotten the last two times I've eaten there (both were while waiting to sound-check).

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Canasta's played the Bottle? Congrats!

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Aw, thanks.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't mind getting their early, I'll just drink a gin & tonic and I'm weird in that I like to watch opening bands. But I still can't decide if I feel like a show tonite.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Thursday, 19 August 2004 20:57 (twenty-one years ago)

We have clearly decided that you do, dude.

― nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 19 August 2004 21:00 (twenty-one years ago)

i am coming to the city tonight, but prolly not to the black dice show.

also, i am leaving for the terrible champaign on saturday, so sadly i will be missing any faps coming up.

― todd swiss (eliti), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:01 (twenty-one years ago)

If I lived and worked in Chicago, would my boss not lecture me about shaving every day?

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:09 (twenty-one years ago)

cause that would be nice.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Some of us do have sensitive skin, you know.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:10 (twenty-one years ago)

oh god. my condolences. i have nightmares about being back there. for real.

xxxpost you posting fiend

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha, I haven't shaved in like two weeks!

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:14 (twenty-one years ago)

this metrosexual thing has gone too far i say!

― oops (Oops), Thursday, 19 August 2004 23:17 (twenty-one years ago)

the place next door to the bottle is kind of iffy, yeah. and a little overpriced if i recall correctly. i only eat there as a last resort.

― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Friday, 20 August 2004 02:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I last shaved three days ago, but I did the whole bit with a hot towel on my face, and I pulled out the shaving cream warmer I got for Christmas last year, and used a brand new razor blade. What a difference. Even the stubble is nicer than usual.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 02:50 (twenty-one years ago)

i just switched razors and got, what do you call those things, er...razor bumps. the result of lots of tiny little cuts. i hate those.

what was this thread about?

― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Friday, 20 August 2004 02:56 (twenty-one years ago)

razor bumps. the result of lots of tiny little cuts

I've had those for YEARS, dude!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 20 August 2004 05:03 (twenty-one years ago)

amateurist, do you use the Mach 3? I swear by it. There's a whole thread on it somewhere.

Maybe this one?

New Razor Technology: S/D C/D

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 05:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I use the Mach 3.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 20 August 2004 05:22 (twenty-one years ago)

the shaving cream can make a difference as well

use stuff for sensitive skin or whatever

― todd swiss (eliti), Friday, 20 August 2004 06:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Um, I shaved my legs last night??

I ate at that place beside the Bottle ONCE, but Nick wasn't even hungry and we were mostly killing time. So I just got an appetizer or something and the guy that worked there seemed really angry about it. Like I was being an obnoxious BEEEOWTCH not ordering an entree and making Nick order one too. So I haven't been back.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 20 August 2004 12:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Jeff Tweedy was at the show. He looked like a garden gnome.

― eat fudge banana swirl (Nick A.), Friday, 20 August 2004 13:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Nobody answered my question so I will officially hold off on moving to Chicago. :(

― adam. (nordicskilla), Friday, 20 August 2004 14:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I think I liked the airport.

― Cathy (Cathy), Friday, 20 August 2004 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I shave every work day, but I do a really shitty job with my ancient electric razor, and no one has mentioned the leftover hairs that sprout uncut underneath my chin.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Friday, 20 August 2004 15:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Adam, my response was a sort of indirect way of responding!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 20 August 2004 15:10 (twenty-one years ago)

i use the mach3. that has to be the most successful shaving product ever. but they don't seem to have solved the "switch razors, fuck up your face" problem.

― amateur!!!st, Friday, 20 August 2004 15:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I have just started shaving again, after years of merely trimming way-down with a trimmer. New shaving technology is making this far less bad for my skin than it used to be.

― nabisco (nabisco), Friday, 20 August 2004 15:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Although I must admit, I miss always cutting straight down to the point where my face-stubble was exactly the same trimmer-dictated length as my head-stubble. There's something fun about having a smooth and seamless stubble-sideburn-head line.

― nabisco (nabisco), Friday, 20 August 2004 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

i haven't shaved since tuesday, no one at work has said a peep. and even on tuesday i was running late so i didn't shave my chin. i have one of those idiot looking matt clement chin caps going. it's reminiscent of the scraggly-assed beard i had 10 years ago that was lovingly dubbed "the lunatic fringe".

anyone going to the m's/bobby conn/sam prekop show at the empty bottle tonight? besides me?

anyone know anything about marquette park? i'm trying to get a job that will be at 75th and pulaski. it won't be easy to get to but i want it. want it want it want it.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Friday, 20 August 2004 18:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I admit it...I shave against the grain. And YOU can't stop me.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Friday, 20 August 2004 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Otto, I thought about going to that show, but I was just at the Bottle last night (haha), so probably not.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 20 August 2004 18:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey! I got a job today! Like, a real one!

Somebody come have a beer with me.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:01 (twenty-one years ago)

there's a good chance i'll be there tomorrow for the vee dee/mistreaters/cheater slicks show. really digging vee dee right now.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Congrats, "Harold." I could be up for beer. But also I'm really tired and might pass out after half a glass.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Yay, congrats, Kenan!!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

And then I'll do that thing where I stick your hand in warm water. It'll be hilarious.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks, j. I'm pretty happy about it.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I might be interested in a beer after my Restaurant Club obligations. But I'm also pretty tired, too; I didn't fall asleep until 4 last night.

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe later this weekend, then. I'll be in touch. Jessa might want some together time, anyhoo. Not like that, you dirty bastards. There's a Peter Sellers film fest on TCM.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I miss cable.

― n.a. (Nick A.), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

at the place you were temping at?

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry. xpost to kenan's great news .. ..

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:13 (twenty-one years ago)

i would congratulate you, kenan, but i'm too busy hating you.

― amateur!!!st, Friday, 20 August 2004 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

has anyone dared to try the new mach 3 razor that has that battery powered something or other? seem scary?

― kelsey (kelstarry), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:19 (twenty-one years ago)

at the place you were temping at?

No. Five months of temping there, they didn't trust anyone else to do what I was doing, and still they wouldn't hire me. I would be a chump to stay any longer.

There's a story behind the job, but I'll tell it later.

― Harold Media (kenan), Friday, 20 August 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

YAY, KENAN!!!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Friday, 20 August 2004 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I've been upgrading my razors accordingly, but when that ugly ass battery thing showed up in stores I said no way. I actually use the Mach 3 Turbo, and find it to be even better than the plain ol' Mach 3. And it has to be better, too, because it costs more.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Friday, 20 August 2004 21:17 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

pizza tortoise wind wilco

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 24 September 2004 18:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Jealous?

― n/a (Nick A.), Friday, 24 September 2004 18:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Does anyone know what Wilco took their name from? There was/is a vocation school that students from Will County would be bussed to that was called Wilco.

― oops (Oops), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:01 (twenty-one years ago)

nah i'm just chumming the waters.

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Dillinger Frank Lloyd Wright house music suburbs

― adam. (nordicskilla), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:02 (twenty-one years ago)

speedboat ride cass hotel waxtrax candyman michael jordan elevated train

― adam. (nordicskilla), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

corky sosa northwestern wrigleyville linoln park trixies

― gygax! (gygax!), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

wilco is the name of a supermarket chain

i think that's where the band name comes from

― amateur!!st, Friday, 24 September 2004 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Does anyone know what Wilco took their name from? There was/is a vocation school that students from Will County would be bussed to that was called Wilco.

I went to preschool there!

― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, Dillinger was from Indiana, I believe.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Friday, 24 September 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

So here's a question for the ILXors who have been in Chicago longer than me: what's with the pervasive scent of chocolate that wafts through the downtown area? I smell it frequently near my work (in River North), and this morning on the platform at the Clark & Lake stop, it was so strong that it was heady. Sometimes I can even smell it out near our house, though not as often. Is there a chocolate factory (hi R. Kelly!) somewhere near the Loop?

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 13:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, so to fit in with the thread title: Chicago smells like yummy chocolate.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:03 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, it's the Blommer chocolate factory, west of the loop. Chicago is, or was (some of the candy companies have moved out), the candy capital of the US. There are a few neighborhoods that smell like candy - there was an area on the northwest side that smelled like a different candy every day, it seemed.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Do they have tours?

When we lived in Richmond, we lived very near a factory that made those generic brand cookies they sell in grocery stores, and most mornings the smell of chocolate chip cookies drifted down our street.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm not aware of any tours of the place.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I think chocolate maybe smells better than it tastes.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:51 (twenty-one years ago)

It does, because you're getting undiluted chocolate there.

― Kerry (dymaxia), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:55 (twenty-one years ago)

sort of like the last r. kelly album

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Argh I made the R. Kelly joke like 10 posts ago!

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 17:27 (twenty-one years ago)

On my morning commute about 4-5 years ago, I used to walk by Uncle Remus' chicken at the corner of Halsted & Lake and I would often get a mixed waft of chocolate (from the Blommer factory) and chicken at the same time. Hence, Halsted & Lake became "The Intersection of Chocolate and Chicken" to me from then on.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Monday, 27 September 2004 17:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Riding through the city on a bicycle while hungry is dangerous. Every intersection smells like a different delicious food. Pancakes! Barbecue! Sausage! Pizza! CHOCOLATE!

I smell the chocolate factory all day and night. I want brownies all the damn time. This could turn into a problem.

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 17:39 (twenty-one years ago)

sorry nick i'm totally out of it today, even know i'm posting on ilx with my left hand and working on school apps with my right

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 18:26 (twenty-one years ago)

(1) nick: sorry i missed your show. i'd been going full-bore all week and was exhaustd. i actually helped a friend move into his new wicker park condo (!!) and was even more exhausted. i didn't have it in me to stay up until midnight and then take the train home to evanston in the early morning.

(2) phil-two: on second thought, i don't think i'll actually have time to hang out, sorry. i'm sort of maniacally busy right now. but i'll see you at the BBQ.

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 18:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't worry. You didn't miss much. I'm actually glad you didn't show up, I would've felt bad after that semi-trainwreck of a show. Urgh.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Uh oh, what happened?

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

There was an "incident."

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:55 (twenty-one years ago)

A grizzly bear "incident."

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 18:56 (twenty-one years ago)

In short, a really terrible atmosphere was created by there being an early show before ours, meaning no time for a sound check, meaning I couldn't hear the drums when we played, in addition to having to sit through one mediocre-but-reasonably-pleasant opening band and one horribly annoying opening band, being really tired, the B0tt0m L0unge being really huge but almost completely empty on a Sunday night after the 20 or so people that had come to see the opening bands left before we played, and so we started out ok, then got to our newest song, which we started twice but never got past the first verse without all verging off into different tempos, which means we ended up skipping it, meaning I was in a crummy mood for the next couple of songs, though we finally started to play pretty well for the last few songs. I don't know. We're not really professional enough to be able to surpass a cruddy atmosphere yet, our playing is heavily dependant on our mood and our environment (as evidenced by the awesome Beat Kitchen show). So I think the lesson learned was that we need to get more shows opening up for bands that our kind of similar to us where maybe some kids will be there, or at least at smaller venues, instead of headlining over some other random bands at huge rock clubs where no one has any incentive to show up.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:04 (twenty-one years ago)

That sounds like the right approach.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

you should play at that indie fashion show space on milwaukee or whatever///

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I think we're too pop for them.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

So don't play pop, then! Not writing songs is the easiest thing ever!

― Ain't That Peculiar (kenan), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to play some house shows. Those are fun.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Kenan we're playing your new apartment ok? Great.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to play some house shows. Those are fun.

Move to a college town.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

wear masks and filter all your songs between six heat-damaged ring modulators and you can probably make it in the noize scene

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha I watched the Lightning Bolt documentary before the show yesterday to try and get "pumped up."

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Do you know about these loft spaces, NA?

Texas Ballroom

The Ice Factory

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Texas has had actual famous bands play there (Lightning Bolt, Mirah) but from what I understand it's just a loft.

The Ice Factory is much smaller-scale, but it's fun. Canasta played there once.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

have any of you been to the rehabbed logan square auditorium??

― amateur!!st, Monday, 27 September 2004 19:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, I haven't been there in a year -- so I'm not sure if they've done any additional work on it -- but it's nice! It has a ballroom/gymnasium feel to it.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks for the links, jaymc! Those places look cool.

We saw Liars at LSA. It's really big. But the sound was pretty good for what is essentially a big gymnasium.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe our new haircuts made Nick and I overconfident. ha ha. But seriously, that show is over and there will be other shows.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I felt very old when I saw Branches at the Ice Factory several months ago. Cool space, though.

― Baked Bean Teeth (Baked Bean Teeth), Monday, 27 September 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

(2) phil-two: on second thought, i don't think i'll actually have time to hang out, sorry. i'm sort of maniacally busy right now. but i'll see you at the BBQ.

oh okay. i guess i'll sit here and read a book with my mom then. someone take a day off from work and go shopping with me, plz.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 27 September 2004 22:23 (twenty-one years ago)

i know a nice person who lives there.

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 27 September 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

two weeks pass...

Amateurist, are you out there? Does your offer a guided tour still stand. I will be in Chicago TOMORROW.

― Mary (Mary), Thursday, 14 October 2004 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

amateurist is still overseas in Italy.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 14 October 2004 17:41 (twenty-one years ago)

do you know where morrissey is staying?

― phil-two (phil-two), Thursday, 14 October 2004 17:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, Amateurist is in Europe? I didn't know. Unfortunately, I wasn't briefed on Morrissey's lodging, but he's been favoring Park Hyatt's and Ritz Carlton's this tour, so maybe something like that? I think he was spotted on Michigan Avenue, but not by me, alas. Anyway, the Aragon stage is way too high.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

stake out The Drake. the classic chicago hotel.

― phil-two (phil-two), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Chicago rocks, have a good time Mary

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 18 October 2004 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Why do celebrities always go to Michigan Ave.? It's the same stores they have in every big city!

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I've been and gone. All I really saw of Chi was the line outside the Aragon, and a brief trip along the Red line to Urban Outfitters to look for a scarf and gloves. Fuck it was cold there.

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, this is like the first week it's been cold. I had to go buy a new coat on Saturday because I left my old one at the Bottom Lounge when we played there.

― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

It was even colder in Milwaukee!

― Mary (Mary), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I really want to visit Chicago. I've never really spent more than a day or two there.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I will be there over Christmas.

― adam. (nordicskilla), Monday, 18 October 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

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