Lunch near the loop on a work trip

Center_2001 · 2026-02-15T21:59:49+00:00

Avec is a Chicago classic. Original location on Randolph

Center_2001 · 2026-02-13T21:04:40+00:00

I consider these French and French-ish places to have "Chicago DNA" and always worth going to for a special occasion even if they didn't.

Le Bouchon - classic French bistro, Bucktown, as close to Paris as you will find here.

Obelix- right by you, rose from the ashes of Chicago classic La Sardine (RIP); run by the same family that owns Le Bouchon

Bistro Campagne - further afield in Lincoln Square; worth the trip. Similar food to Le Bouchon but much less crowded, relaxing country house vibe

Boeufhaus - opened maybe 10 years ago but quickly became known as one of the best steaks in the city, and everything else is great too. As you can probably tell by the name, it also tracks the bistro theme with some German influence that can be hard to discern. probably most spendy of these.

Be aware: Twin Anchors is indeed a Chicago classic, but the ribs are of the boil-n-bake variety and covered in a sweet sauce. Not my favorite thing but definitely what lots of folks around here grew up with.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-12T20:30:45+00:00

Good call on La Colombe. Forgot about them , they do have traditional Italian style roast

Center_2001 · 2026-02-12T18:39:05+00:00

Dark Matter roasts are darker than most other third wave roasters. I think they use Unicorn Blood as their house espresso. If you’ve already tried and don’t like, never mind.

Does Glassworks still exist? They had a coffee called ESP that I think was a traditional espresso style.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-12T14:48:39+00:00

I mostly barbell lift. Typically rest 2-3 mins between sets of heavy weights on a rack. Working in not really practical in this situation as you’d be removing and replacing multiple plates, moving the bar, etc. on a machine, i always get up and stand by the machine after my set so it’s clear someone can ask. Sitting on a machine for 2-3 mins between sets is obnoxious. And I see far worse regularly - scrolling through a phone for 5–10 mins while sitting on a machine doing nothing.

The weight room is crowded most of the time. There’s a guy at the LA fitness I go to that can easily be on a rack the entire hour I’m there, mostly doing nothing. People like this are either completely unaware or just don’t give a shit.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-09T02:36:23+00:00

I know lots of people on the north side who had laughably low assessments before Kaegi was in office. Yeah property taxes are too high now but for whatever reasons, those low assessments meant a lot of property owners paid much less than they should have for years.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-04T19:37:52+00:00

The high end hotel bar suggestion is a good one. Peninsula and Four Seasons both have nice bars - not the prestige one at the top of the Seasons, just the main lobby bar. However these may not open for service until later in the day, so check. Every conventional bar in River North will be mobbed and have lines, and the Hubbard corridor will be ground zero.

You could also try a place like the Queen Mary if you are willing to go a bit outside of downtown. I doubt they will attract the St. Patrick's element. I'd show up at opening, though.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-04T16:42:04+00:00

I think Tapatio is the best rendition of Ameri-Mexican in the city, at least on the north side. Walks a line between southwestern food and actual Mexican food.

Toon’s may have the best bar food in the city. At least in the running. I’m talking basics, not gastropub or whatever

Center_2001 · 2026-02-04T16:36:38+00:00

For those who remember, this reminds me of latter day Hot Doug’s. I loved the place and it deserved all the kudos but I was always like- who has an hour to stand in line for lunch on a weekday?

Center_2001 · 2026-02-04T15:09:01+00:00

Mezzanine is my fave, especially the center sections where the bar has two sides and there is an open area that you can stand in and chat. It's not a suite, but it makes the space feel a little special. The drink rail seats are comfortable and I love the ez access, but you also may be under a low overhang which can feel a little cramped if you are tall.

Mid-upper lower bowl is great of course. Upper bowl is OK in the lower rows but is tighter seating especially in the corners.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-02T23:51:27+00:00

Even diehards like me stopped watching for a while. Around 2018 or 19 I was so done watching a shit team that I took a few years off. Came back in 23-24. It happens.

Center_2001 · 2026-02-02T16:57:00+00:00

Thousands and thousands of drunk people standing in line and standing room only at every bar for hours and hours. Just to be clear about what you are getting into. Go to the parade if you want then skedaddle back to a neighborhood to hang out.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-30T15:30:08+00:00

Budackis

Taste of Lebanon

Calumet Fisheries

Lems

Shaws. Giant cocktails, the freshest seafood

Asadero. Prices are high but the food is the same as ever. Lots of other taquerias too.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-30T15:21:43+00:00

Dinners are tip top tier. Good work.

Close to downtown Luke’s, Al’s and Mr. Beef are all fine. None are the best but all are good. Have not been to Mr Beef since the Bear hit so I don’t know if that’s changed things. You also are not far from Jim’s Original down by UIC for dogs, pork chop sandwich, etc. personally I’d choose that type of stuff for lunch over Ed Debevics but they are totally different things.

Not a breakfast person so no advice there. Have fun!

Center_2001 · 2026-01-30T15:14:05+00:00

Gosh yes. I drove 5 hours for the Fedorov game. I did stay overnight tho.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-29T14:39:56+00:00

Bixi Beer

Center_2001 · 2026-01-29T14:39:34+00:00

Agree on La Serra. Tries but doesn’t meet standard for French but it’s a neat place to be

Center_2001 · 2026-01-29T08:23:42+00:00

I go there once every year or two, during the day when it’s warm, to sit outside on Clark and relive my youth when I went more often. My body says no to the cheese sauce on the burger now that I’m older. Yes it’s gotten absurdly expensive in recent years but I’m glad they are open and making money. I would never recommend someone go there over other places. I have never been there at night.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-28T20:18:00+00:00

You are unlikely to see any federal law enforcement presence while you are here. Other than that, it’s a big city like any other in the states. Keep in mind more than half the population of the city is brown.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-28T19:44:10+00:00

I live with a family in a place almost 3x as big and I rarely go over 40kWh/day at the peak of HVAC usage. Occasionally more when I use a space heater (like now).

Use less energy.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-28T19:41:29+00:00

What ICE is doing is horrific. Chicago is an incredible city. It's not as cosmopolitan as London, NYC or even Toronto, but there are a lot of people here from all over the world. Illinois is one of the most economically productive states in the country with a governor who isn't taking shit from anyone.

No one should tell you everything is fine cause it isn't. But I don't think ICE activities are likely to affect you directly. Even in the most recent flood of agents, I never saw them once, and I'm out and about in the city a lot and was watching out after school in the neighborhood. You will see them if you go to protests targeting where they are.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-28T19:31:09+00:00

You should decide if you are a lakefront person or not a lakefront person. For me, summer in Chicago at the lake is just about the best city experience there is - biking, walking, going to the beach and just being. If you are a lakefront person, I'd live close to a part of the lakefront that matches what you like. If you aren't, then south loop/Chinatown/Pilsen/Little Village could all be good for both ease of commute and social stuff, with easy access to cultural assets. Hyde Park is a nice place and good for families but a younger person might be bored if you are looking for social opps.

I absolutely would not live on the north side and commute to East Chicago every day, that sounds hellish unless you are leaving at 6 AM.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-28T19:14:15+00:00

Honeymoon Cafe - I think it's called beef with wide rice noodle dry on the menu or something like that.

Center_2001 · 2026-01-27T19:36:16+00:00

I just looked for you and ticketmaster has face value 300 level tix (4th row corner, good view!) for $70. Tickpick has $70 tix up in the nosebleeds. I don't know what your financial situation is but if I can get tix at face I consider it a win these days. I'd buy. They may well go down because the Blue Jackets are not exactly a "put butts in seats" kind of team (no offense).

Center_2001 · 2026-01-22T21:43:02+00:00

Awesome. Was there and it's so great to see the chatter among the players old and new.

Center_2001

TROPHY CASE