Anybody from Chicago here?

[MortenP]

Thanks Tekky, that's more than helpful!!

[Bengal]

One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen was flying into Chicago at night...

Not that it helps the thread, but I felt like sharing...

Chicago rules...

[MOSHWITZ]

Eat lots of pizza, we have the best pizza in the world here.

AMEN BROTHER

[Tekky]

Thanks Tekky, that's more than helpful!!

Not a problem. In the interest of thoroughness, I'll continue. As Rich#6 said, there's Museums...

- Museum of Science and Industry (Located on the site of the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, it is one of the only structures that survived. [most structures were made of plaster with wood frames, they were not meant to be permanent. They were destroyed by a fire long after the fair. The Palace of Fine Arts was mandated by insurance companies to be a more substantial structure] This museum houses a full-sized 727, the only captured WWII German submarine in private hands, and a miniature model of Chicago with electric trains. http://www.msichicago.org/)
- Field Museum of Natural History (The Field Museum is one of the anchors of Chicago's Museum Campus and is located steps away from two other world-reknown museums. http://www.fieldmuseum.org/)
- John G. Shedd Aquarium (one of the other museums on the Museum Campus. http://www.sheddaquarium.org/)
- Adler Planetarium (the third museum on Chicago's Museum Campus. It's the first planetarium built in the US. http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/)
- Museum of Contemporary Art (If modern art is your thing, this museum in the shadow of the Hancock Tower is for you. http://www.mcachicago.org/)

... that's it for now... gotta run... Blackhawks game tonight...

[Tetsuo]

Ok and if you want to see the coolest Jazz you will ever see go here

http://www.velvetlounge.net/

It will blow your mind. I guess Fred was in Sun Ra and Sun Ra was the reason this place opened. This place is an amazing place to see Jazz

[Tetsuo]

Tekky what about them hawks? Seriously!

[Tekky]

Tekky what about them hawks? Seriously!

Looking good!!! Everyone speculated that $Bill kicking the bucket was going to turn the team around. Who knew that they'd be right and that his eldest son would lead the charge?

Now, I'm grounded in reality... They're not going to go from sub-basement to Stanley Cup this year, but the future does look rather bright. (and being 3-0 in the Detroit series is ALWAYS a good thing)

[Tekky]

I know I'm reviving a very old thread, but I just pulled this off of the TV. It's part of a series of Chicago tours on DVD and video that they first air on WTTW (PBS affiliate)... If you can get your hands on any of this series, and have any sort of interest in Chicago, I say GET IT!!!

Anyhoo... This is also for Sully... Italian beef -
http://images.tekky.net/video/italian beef.wmv

And one of my favorite videos and sandwich joints...
http://images.tekky.net/video/perrys1.mpg

Warning!! these videos are large, I haven't figured out how to compress them yet.

[MortenP]

Thanks Tekky! I really appreciate it! I'll watch 'em as soon as I get home..

[Spivonious]

Fantastic timing - my wife and I are going to the Windy City in August for a week to catch Beatlefest.

Tekky, if you had only one full day to devote to seeing the sights, what would be top priority? We like touristy things during the day and good food and maybe dancing or a show at night.

[pjg]

Thanks K!

And now food!!!!

Pizza:
- Pizzeria Uno (I know it's a chain, and it's kind of a touristy place. Go to the original... http://www.unos.com/)
- Pizzeria Due (when Uno's is too busy, walk a block down to the extension of the original.
- Ranallis (this location is up near my neighborhood, damn good pizza! http://www.ranallisonclark.com/)
- Gino's East (like Uno's, touristy, but an original.. www.ginoseast.com, make sure you go to the location across from Ed Debevic's - former Planet Hollywood building)
- Key Pizza (If you happen to find yourself in my old stomping grounds of NW Indiana... Key Pizza is, in my opinion, one of the best pizzas in the world!!! http://national.citysearch.com/profile/3990867/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc)

Miscellaneous:
- Portillo's (this one is for Sully, he loves their Italian Beef, if I could freeze on and send it to him, I would. The original is across the street from the Rock 'N Roll McDonalds and the Hard Rock Cafe. http://www.portillos.com/)
- Perry's Deli (this is one of my favorites, my friend Boris owns the joint, they have great sandwiches, be sure to bring your appetiteand turnyour cell phoneo ff http://www.perrysdeli.com/)
- Rock 'N Roll McDonalds (your standard McDonalds but with a Chicago architectural flair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_N_Roll_McDonald's)
- Gibson's Steakhouse (one of my favorite places for steak this is where I took Tom D. and Doc Tama when they came into town. http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/)
- Hugo's Frog Bar (When we can't decide on steak or seafood, we go to Hugo's, it's connected to Gibson's http://www.hugosfrogbar.com/)
- Maggiano's Little Italy (I know it's a chain, but the one on Clark in River North is excellent!! http://www.maggianos.com/)
- Clark St. Dog (My favorite place for when I'm in the mood for hot dogs http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3734957/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc)
- The Dark Horse Tap and Grille (I love the burgers at this place. http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/36217573/chicago_il/dark_horse_tap_grill.html)
- The Wiener's Circle (a Chicago institution http://chicago.citysearch.com/profile/3677757/?brand=smx_restaurant-nc)
- SoupBox (think the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld and get rid of the Nazi http://www.thesoupbox.com/)

Actually you can send Portillo's. They package and freeze it for you. We send it down to my brother in FL every Christmas. And the original Portillos was on North Avenue in Villa Park. It's kinda sad I know that much about a fast food place....even if it is Portillos.

Here you go:

http://www.portillos.com/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=9&DEPARTMENT_ID=25

[sully]

portillos rules, and i ate as much of it as i could a few weeks ago when we went to see my dad for thanksgiving. while you can send some of their stuff, i'd sell my soul for the ability to have their chili dogs sent; truth be told, i'm not a fan of the chicago hot dog, and much prefer their chili dogs with cheese and onions (and of course, a small order of cheese fries). i had my last chili dog for breakfast as we head out on the road at 5:45 am. tasty. to say the least!

sully

[Tekky]

Cheese dog with pickles at Clark St. Dog for me...

[Tekky]

For a 1-day sightseeing trip, i'd suggest Millennium Park, then on Michigan avenue across from the Art Institute, there's the Archicenter http://www.architecture.org/cac.html there you can find a loop Tour route. Or you can just walk up Michigan Avenue.

For food, clubs, and such I'd head up to Clark St. in Wrigleyville.