Anything a Hamber visiting Chicago could check out?

I'll be in Chicago this weekend for a wedding and will have some time to burn while I'm there. Any Chi-town hambers have any ideas of cool places to eat, drink or maybe even do car related stuff? I'm going to be staying downtown at the Soffitel.......so, that should be a big change from Earth, Texas population 1109

 

It's Off Topic, but I'd check out the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oak Park, IL (just outside of Chicago). Some excellent architecture, and amazing craftsmanship.

 

Museum of Science and Industry is a must!

 

i would go to portillo's for a hot dog. pretty close to right downtown where you are.
100 West Ontario Street & north clark st.
and the museum of science and industry, south on lakeshore drive down to about 55 th street. has a captured ww2 german submarine, and ww2 aircraft been hanging from the ceiling since just after the war

 

About 100 miles west of Chicago http://meltdowndrags.com/

 

The Sofitel.... Nice, now you get to have that $12 apple-tini you've always secretly craved.

VooDoo Larry Kustoms in Elk Grove has 10-2pm Saturday open house hours, check before going to make sure. He usually has some nice cars there and likes to chat.

If you have some real time to burn, and like cars, Volo Auto Museum is pretty good and admission is cheap. But it's 1.5 hours from downtown.

 

You must go to jimmy's original maxwell street polish for a polish sausage. Do not go to the other maxwell street polish aside it, you must go to jimmy's original maxwell street polish!!! 40-45 miles south of chicago is joliet, the original collins street prison is there and is the prison where the blues brothers movie was first shot. I believe tours are available to tour the prison as well. Today"s joliet herald news has an article on this prison and they are deciding what to do with the prison, i suggest that they house all the Illinois corrupt politicians, judges, cops, and lawyers, but i do not believe it could hold all of them!!!

 

there must be some dairy farms close to Chicago

 

Lol! Just read that to my wife and she can't wait to waste money on her favorite drink!

For me Crown and Coke please

 

you do not happen to have 4 old school torque thrust rims for a ford, 15" x 7 ", or 15" x 8" laying around or know of any for sale do you???

 

maybe just go bar hopping and check out the local talent====
yikes, I just noticed you are married---sorry

 

The architectural boat ride down the Chicago River at night is a must. I believe the boat is docked at Michigan and the river on the south bank. I think this right across the street from your hotel. Second Science and Industry . Imax is playing "Tornado Alley " . You can also join our Saturday morning SW Chicago HAMBer's breakfast group @7am at Chuck's , 6500 W 79th, Burbank. PM For details.

 

Any bars or restraunts with a Hamber vibe? Kinda like the Continental Club in Austin.

 

I thought I'd bump this one more time before I have to leave tomorrow morning...I hope my flight has WIFI.....plane ride will go fast if I can spend it on the HAMB

 

Hot Dougs, http://hotdougs.com/ you can thank me later.

 

I used to live in the neighborhood where you'll be staying. You are aware of the street violence this summer in that area, right? It's abated somewhat recently but keep your eyes very open and stay away from packs of "youths" who have taken the El up from the south side. And stay well away from the Red Line train station at Chicago and State a couple blocks west of your hotel. Don't want to pour too much cold water but out of town visitors are prime targets.

If you do the tall building thing, go up to the bar on the Han**** at sunset. Make sure you line up for the bar and not the observatory. If you're a baseball fan the Astros at at the Cubs this weekend and they will probably be staying at the Westin which is just a couple of blocks up Michigan.

Closest place to your hotel for a real hotdog is Mr J's at 822 N State Street. Great grilled chicken breast sandwich too. Unfortunately not a lot of car stuff downtown but you'll still have a good time.

 

http://www.greenmilljazz.com/index.html

Also if you get a chance, maybe have been to one before,but Ed Debevics is a blast to eat at. You get treated like some people treat others here on the h.a.m.b. lmao

Downtown Chicago
640 N. Wells St.
Chicago, Il 60620
Restaurant Phone: (312)-664-1707

 

Science and Industry Museum that has the U-505 German U Boat is a must and the Shed Aquarium.

 

you have to go to PORTILLO'S and eat they're hot dogs and italian beef sandwhiches

 

looks cool source.

 

A MUST, and tell your wife to make sure she uses the ladies room.......it's NOT for those that are afraid of heights thats for sure.

A fun place for a bite to eat.

I like Billy Goat Tavern's burgers.
http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html

 

Kuma's Korner Best Burger you will EVER eat, and Bourbon on tap. Just be prepared to wait an hour to get a table

 

Geez , please give credit where its due. These thugs were from several areas of the city , primarily west and north sections of town . Yes , there may have been a couple from the south side but remember the criminal element lives in all communities rich or poor.

Live Near Midway Airport on the Southside.

 

Just got back from a month in Chicago - here are a few more: Al's Italian Beef, Uno for the original Chicago deep dish pizza, Carson's for ribs, Garrett's for popcorn. Manny's is this best 'joint' and if you get a chance Portillo's diner in Schaumburg - 45 minutes from downtown is amazing....

 

Okay! Hot Dougs is an absolute must, no discussion!!! No seriously! We were in Chicago 2 days last year and, yes you guessed it, we ate there twice! Imagine the best meal you've ever had and then put it in a Hot Dog!!!
Voodoo Larry is as fantastic, but in the car part of life! Very nice guy!
you should get in touch with Mike Zenor here on the HAMB

Klaus

 

Yeah, Portillo's is a local chain. They're all over. Way over-rated in my book. The one downtown does not have a 50s theme... more of a 20's theme, but it does have a Model A inside. There's also Ed Debevic's downtown. Also a chain, but has a 50s theme and s***y waitresses.

If you want a 50s themed restaurant because it's been there since 1948, try Super Dawg on the northside. superdawg.com. They have cranky old car hops.

The "violence" downtown is pretty isolated. I work in that area. No one HERE is worried about it. However, there ARE areas of the city you shouldn't just wander into.

The Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oak Park is cool, but there is also one on the South side in Hyde Park by U of Chicago that gives tours. If you know who to ask, there are FLW houses all over the area that people still live in (no tours)

Lots of great museums... Field and Science & Industry are probably the best... but best with kids. Art Ins***ute and the Museum of Contemporary Art are down town and worth going to.

Not much car stuff going on this weekend that I know of... unless you want to ditch the wedding and head to the Meltdown Drags.

 

Good Chicago Pizza:
Lou Malnatti's and Uno/Due are the best, both have locations downtown. Leona's and Giordano's are decent runners-up. Not too many independents downtown.

Rock Bottom on Grand & State is a brew pub with good beer, but also a chain of sorts.

 

If you are out and about at 1am, swing by Wiener Circle or whatever it's called on Clark, nothing like a buncha drunks yelling it out with 4-5 ghetto chicks. Cheese fries are good too.

I've got to try Hot Dougs, it's walking distance to my house. (long walk).

 

Take a walk down Michigan Ave and check out the 26' tall Marilyn Monroe with her skirt blowing up. If you're feeling pervy, you can take a walk right between her gams.

 

Portillos was great! Thanx for the tips


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