Overnight Chicago trip

I have to blow in and out of town this weekend (in CHI Friday and Sunday, MKE Saturday). Have heard from some of my Windy City food/beer friends that Burger Antics in Brookfield is supposed to be legit. May have to try it, though the Dan Dan Noodles at Katy's Dumplings in Westmont (near where I will be in Woodridge) is calling my name. Been too long since I've been there.

 

Wow, Fly ... I grew up in Westmont and went to HS in Downers Grove. (DGS ... screw the Trojans! ) When we get back to DuPage County, Papa Passero's pizza remains a must. I've been eating their pizza since the late 1970s, when we moved there.

There's lots of good Asian restaurants in the region, including Katy's.

Have a good time in the western 'burbs!

 

I guess I get it, but, damn, the idea of making a special trip to visit that dump on the North Side and the surrounding bro-tastic neighborhood seems like self-harm to me.

 

For the love of God, do not eat at the Billy Goat. I went once, and could not believe how bad it was. Don't get a drink there either. It's close to your hotel -- if a little hard to find, it's on Lower Michigan Avenue, like below Michigan Avenue. Look for the stairway in the sidewalk. And then, the actual entrance is on Hubbard -- so, if you want to see it, and check out the pictures on the wall, fine, but do not eat or drink there. I can't stress this enough. And, there's less of a reason to go to any other location. The one on Lower Michigan is the one the guys from the Tribune and Sun Times frequented.

Do walk to Millennium Park if the weather is decent. See the Bean:



You might think it looks dumb. I did at first. But it's awesome. But only from up close. Stand right below it too. Seriously, it's awesome.

If it's cold, the Cultural Center is across the street, and is free:



There's also an Intelligentsia Coffee on Randolph, one block East of Millennium Park, half a block past the Randolph entrance to the Cultural Center.

The Modern Wing to the Art Institute is connected to Millennium Park by a foot bridge. If your down there at lunch time, there's a good, if a little expensive restaurant in the Modern Wing, and you can go to it without paying to get into the Museum (which is worth a visit if you have time, and are into that kind of thing).

Deep dish pizza can be good, but I always regret it the next day. If you do eat it, and you think you might want one more slice, don't do it. Stop eating. You'll be glad you did.

Giordano's and Lou Malnati's are about equal to me. Both have multiple locations. I've never been to Gino's East, so I can't speak for it. People do swear by Pequod's, but I haven't been there either. There's also Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due.

Worth noting, you'll wait about 45 minutes for your pizza to be baked once you order it.

Pizzeria Uno/Due have you order while you're still in line and waiting for a table.

For Blues, I haven't been to Blue Chicago. I've done Kingston Mines which is good. B.L.U.E.S. is right across the street from it. And there's also Buddy Guy's.

 

The best view in the city is from the Adler Planetarium cafeteria.

 

If I'm driving someone around, I always take them there (we don't go in) for the view and to take pictures.

You'll often find wedding parties taking pictures.

 

SJ Outing: Chicago.

 

Yeah, I'm rethinking Wrigley. I googled live Wrigley webcam and it looks like all you can see from the street is a construction site. I can see that shit in Atlanta. I've already concluded that a Wrigley trip might be in order later this year.

Another question. Someone mentioned "if the weather is decent." Does light snow and temps in the teens qualify? Because I'd like to see the bean because it truly does look awesome. But I'm from the South. I have thin warm-weather blood - it was 75 degrees here Tuesday.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not afraid to go outside when it's cold. But I'll look like Ralphie's little brother Randy. Might not be able to put my arms down.

 

As long as there's no precipitation, check out the bean. It won't take long if it's cold. If it's warm, you'll linger and take a bunch of pictures.

 

Museum of Modern Art is great if you like impressionists. Field Museum is cool if Sue the T-Rex is still there. And those maneless lions from The Ghost and the Darkness.

 

FWIW, from 2013, Chicago Magazine's top 20 steakhouses:

1. David Burke's Primehouse
2. Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
3. Benny's Chop House
4. Morton's
5. The Capital Grille
6. Gene & Georgetti
7. Chicago Chop House
8. Michael Jordan's Steakhouse
9. The Palm
10. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
11. Ruth's Chris (chain)
12. Gibson's
13. Mastro's
14. Tavern on Rush
15. Erie Cafe
16. Chicago Cut
17. Sullivan's (chain)
18. Fulton's on the River
19. Wildfire
20. Mike Ditka's

 

For modern art, there's the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Modern Wing of the Art Institute.

I vastly prefer the Modern Wing. The MCA hasn't really impressed me. The Modern Wing space is impressive, the exhibits are great, and your admission gets you into the entire Art Institute.

The Field is the Chicago's natural history museum. Sue is permanent exhibit. It's good as far as natural history museums go. Kind of depends on if that's your thing. Their current big exhibit is "The Greeks". I haven't seen it, but some of their other temporary exhibits have been very good.