Eating & Drinking, Chicago

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So, the first time I was in Lincoln Park was last Autumn and we came across this restaurant with the interesting name of "House of Wing". Thought it was AWESOME! It immediately brought to mind the Asian singer, Wing, from South Park - do you guys remember that episode? You can see that episode here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rswpQziZYSo&feature=related

Naturally, by the time I went back to Chicago in June, the SIGN HAD CHANGED. Somebody must've told them. And that must've been expensive buying a new sign.

Located in Lincoln Park on the corner of Clark & Fullerton across from Arlington Place.

Photos: June 2009 & November 2008

I was pleasently suprised that in Chicago they always serve water with a meal. In fact in some restaurants it felt like there was a person employed just to keep your glass topped up. My findings were obviously you drink less alcohol, feel better in the morning and on the downside visit the restroom more often!

The tap water is perfectly acceptable in taste & whats more it is less harmfull to the enviroment then ordering bottled water.

In LA I often feels that smokers are the most discriminated people in the county. I'm fine with not lighting up indoors where there are non-smokers present but even outside people will sometime yell at you.

In Chicago, smoking is prohibited indoors and in any place that sells food. I agree with this as non-smokers should not be punished for other people's bad habit.
However, in bars that do not sell food, they can still offer smoking area. Great, isn't it? If you don't smoke go to the lounge/bar-restaurants. If you smoke, you can go to the bars that just offer drinks and feel free to light up!

One of the most important things you need to know when you go to Chicago is that they are very passionate about their hot dogs.

The proper way to garnish a hot dog in Chicago is with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup.

As shown in the picture, I did enjoy one of these, although before the picture was taken, I was hungry and ate the pickle. The other Chicago element is that it needs to be on a poppy seed bun.

I would have put this in Things to Do in Chicago, but there are just too many places to try one of these dogs. I also did not want to throw my hat into the ring of debate about who has the best Chicago Style Dog.

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In a cramped space in Chicago's Bucktown area on North Western Avenue, we visited the famed Margie's Candies.

Although Margie has passed, her tradition lives on. Peter Poulos Jr., the current owner, is the third generation to own Margie's. Not much has changed in the decades of this family-owned business. In 1921 Greek immigrant Peter George Poulos opened Margies where classic ice cream was served & candy was made by hand by George's wife, Margie. 18% butterfat ice cream is still served here, & the hot fudge, butterscotch, & carmel are still made.

If you want spotless, fake retro, DON'T visit here. This place is the REAL deal. It's crowded, rather "musty" smelling, and jam-packed with Beatle mementos [from their visit in 1964], dolls, hundreds of boxes of candy, & lots of old newspaper clippings on the wall.

I've heard that the service is poor; however, we did not experience that. It was not speedy, but I am not enamored with speedy.

It's difficult to make decisions because of all the choices of ice cream treats. We all 3 had an ice cream sundae [we should have shared!] The sundae comes in a huge clam-shell dish, & the topping comes in a metal pouring dish. Jill & I each ordered The Turtle Sundae with 2 scoops of ice cream, carmel topping & hot fudge in the pouring dish. It has tons of whipped cream [which I scraped off & gave to Allan]. Each sundae comes with a vanilla waffer cookie.
Since Allan loves REAL butterscotch, which he can never find, he was thrilled when he found
a real homemade butterscotch sundae.

There are only booths for seating, & each booth has its own coin-operated jukebox.

We did not try any candy, but from what I've heard, it is really good, especially the chocolate-carmel pecan tarrapins.

As we were leaving, I noticed a sign announcing that for children who make an "a" on a report card, a free cone is given. I find that quite refreshing & oh so Real Retro!

The best Polish sausages you'll ever eat can be found in Chicago's Maxwell Street area (Maxwell Street marketplace). The grilled sausages are big and juicy, plus you'll get a big scoop of grilled onions on top. If you are driving and passing by, Jim's Original and Express Grill are located just off I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) at the Roosevelt Rd. exit on Union Ave. Jim's Original is located near the intersection of Roosevelt and Union and it is open 24 hours a day.

Polish sausage and fries for only $2.60!

Chicagoans are fanatical about their pizza. They think they are the best things since sliced bread! Also, they pride themselves on being very 'real' and 'down-to-earth.' Chicagoans are also obsessed with a particular sub sandwich chain called Jimmy John's Gourmet Subs. They are pretty much a glorified Subway and comparable to Togo's. If you want to feel like a Chicagoan, try their pizzas and their Jimmy John subs. Good pizza can be had at Giordano's. They are pretty much all over the city.

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS
Second Photo: Erik [Erik707]
Third Photo: Ron [RonDace] and wife Kathy
Fourth Photo: Martin [MJB123]
Fifth Photo: Roy [Imaniac]

Because Roy [Imaniac] from the Netherlands was visiting Chicago before flying to Springfield, Missouri, to attend school for a few months, we set up a VT Lunch date at the famous Bill Goat Tavern and Grill.

Ron Dace [RonDace] and his wife, Kathy from Wadsworth; Kristi [Dabs] from Hammond, Indiana; Erik [Erik707]' Martin [MJB123]; and I [deecat] attended the meeting to meet Roy.
It was Martin who did the organizing.

Although I personally am not crazy about Billy Goat's as a great place to eat, it is a Chicago happening and was a fun [but difficult to find] place to meet. We all had either cheeseburger or double cheeseburger plus some chips with our Cokes. We moved tables together, making it easy to hear everyone. It was quite an interesting conversation with travel dominating the subject at hand [naturally!]

Afterwards, Martin gave Roy, Erik, and I a tour to the north of the Tribune Building. We walked as far north as the Water Tower and west to Old Town. Along the way, we were able to see some great residential areas [some of the wealthiest in the city]. We stopped for a Starbuck's coffee and talked for at least an hour before we walked to the Elevated red line station at Clark/Division so that I could hop on to return to Andersonville where I had parked my car.

All-in-all, it was a wonderful afternoon with great VT members, and we were all fortunate enough to meet Roy [Imaniac}.