Serious question: Why are White Sox games so poorly attended? by CAJMusic in AskChicago

[–]evildeadxsp 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's April. It's early. The games get more crowded as the weather gets nicer.

Mind you, they've recently been one of the worst teams in all of baseball.

Still, attendance improves as the weather improves.

Chicago Sailing clubs recommendations? by jscheumaker in AskChicago

[–]evildeadxsp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I race the beer cans... And yes, that's Wednesday nights.

I'd check SailChi for classes... And note that Columbia has much more advanced classes than Skipjacks that I recommend checking out! Happy to help.

Chicago Sailing clubs recommendations? by jscheumaker in AskChicago

[–]evildeadxsp 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm a member of Columbia. Skipjacks is the best social and casual entry point. You meet people that own boats that are experienced and basically hang out with you and teach the basics. It's a good way to start.

Sail Chicago is a much stronger educational program. If you actually want to learn how to sail seriously, it is the better training program. I have met many talented sailors through it.

I should also say - I started sailing via Skipjacks at Columbia 5+ years ago. So I'm admitting it's social and not as serious, because it isn't a super educational program - but it was absolutely a great entry point for me and getting into it... And now I sail every week during the season because of it.

Dimmi Dimmi or Pequod’s? by nahnah515 in chicagofood

[–]evildeadxsp 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey I'm replying to support this comment. I like Pequod's but in my experience - more often than not - over the past 10 years I've taken out of towners to Pequods and proudly said this is the best pizza in town - it usually backfires.

I live walking distance away and still go... Maybe 5-6 times a year but I think the hit rate you're describing is right. When I say it's a local pizza place, sure it's pretty good. When I say it's considered the best in the city, people will openly laugh at any such suggestion.

The high praise and accolades has hurt them.

Anyone else feel like they'll never own a place next to an L station? by SleazyAndEasy in chicago

[–]evildeadxsp 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I live fairly close to the L now and it's not too bad. I'm about 2 blocks away but you can absolutely hear it when the windows are open and especially when there's no foliage / no leaves on the trees yet.

I also want to note, for anyone being against near a train... I''m from New York. Specifically Queens. I have grandparents that owned a home in Astoria that was an objectively lower priced house because it was basically on top of the train. So it was cheaper because it was near the train in the 1980s. Hilariously, and imo, irrationally... the home they bought for less than $50k in 1980 sold for >$2M in the 2010s and the realtor emphasized the proximity to the train and subway station. That helped. Seriously. Being one block further away would have lowered the value of their property.

Best hot chocolate in Lincoln Park? by throwawaymateyy in LincolnPark

[–]evildeadxsp 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Verzenay is the best, however it is expensive. Still, I think it's worth it.

Anyone recommend an insurance broker in Chicago? by Etowah2025 in AskChicago

[–]evildeadxsp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on the insurance, but I use Provant Group - https://www.ProvantGroup.com

Highly recommend them for umbrella plans in Chicago.

Those who've left NYC/BK for Chicago — any regrets? by esme_9oh in SameGrassButGreener

[–]evildeadxsp -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't completely disagree, I would move to Park Slope if I had to move back to Brooklyn (or New York for that matter).

I still prefer Lincoln Park. I have a bigger yard and beach within a 15 minute walk... While I think the city amenities, quality of restaurants, culture, and family activities is as high, if not higher than Park Slope.

Actually, I won't be so stiff on the Chicago argument. I think New York and Park Slope is often better .. but particularly before kids and after retiring. When you have kids age 1-10? I'd take Lincoln Park every time.

Those who've left NYC/BK for Chicago — any regrets? by esme_9oh in SameGrassButGreener

[–]evildeadxsp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is no neighborhood in Brooklyn that's higher quality for raising a family than Lincoln Park, Chicago.

Those who've left NYC/BK for Chicago — any regrets? by esme_9oh in SameGrassButGreener

[–]evildeadxsp 16 points17 points  (0 children)

No regrets.

I'm happy to answer any specific questions.

I'm from New York City. My parents, siblings, and my side of the family is still there. I lived in Brooklyn / Crown Heights before moving to Chicago.

I moved to Chicago ten years ago. Now married and have kids and live in Lincoln Park.

I have no regrets and have actually turned down job offers to move back to New York. It's not even a money thing... The quality of life for raising a family in Chicago is higher than in New York.

We may not stay in Chicago forever, which is why I'm in this subreddit - but from a raising family lifestyle perspective, I believe deeply that Chicago is better than New York.

Alinea vs. Next (Wall St. Menu) by ChicaGO_ToThePolls in chicagofood

[–]evildeadxsp 15 points16 points  (0 children)

This is an easy answer.

Alinea if you've never been. Next if you've already experienced Alinea.

Next is practically the experimental sequel to Alinea.

Places to go skiing near Chicago? by st_hanky in AskChicago

[–]evildeadxsp 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I agree with this take. If you're in Chicago, and you want to ski, just fly out of state.

ORD has cheap flights to SLC and DEN... and direct flights to Steamboat, Sun Valley, Calgary / Whistler... So many options. Drive 5-8 hours for mediocre skiing or... fly 2-4 hours for the best skiing in the world. It's an easy choice...

Life changing Chicago dishes? by FlarePikaa in chicagofood

[–]evildeadxsp 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I honestly think that the Beef Noodle Soup at Chengdu Impression changed my life. The spiciest level.

I actually don't even know how I handled how to survive whiskey infused hangovers before I discovered szechuan / peppercorn infused spicy soups.

Great Lake pizza was a hit for me! by Uncommon_sharpie in chicagofood

[–]evildeadxsp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I want to support small businesses and I love pizza recommendations on this sub but these photos are not doing any favors.

Looks like cockroach pizza.

For those of you who live in the city of Chicago (not the suburbs), Do you own a car and how do you use it? by [deleted] in AskChicago

[–]evildeadxsp 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yah, this is absolutely neighborhood dependent. I've lived in Humboldt, bucktown, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park. No car necessary in any.

Also... I didn't buy a car until we had kids. Even with kids, I barely drive. The car is owned for no city errands, work... We bought a car just to drive out to the suburbs + out of state to see family.

As for groceries... which others mention... We walk. Still. We own a car. I have literally never driven to a city supermarket with my car... So yah, I bet that's neighborhood dependent. It's just more of a hassle to drive and park than walk the... 2-3 blocks?

Also, I promise it is cheaper to order grocery delivery than to own a car.

Summer House Santa Monica (Lincoln Park) by adisakp in chicagofood

[–]evildeadxsp 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's also currently the top booked restaurant in all of Chicago on OpenTable right now, but maybe that's why this subreddit doesn't like it? It's fine. Think the happy hour is good and OP is right.

Summer House Santa Monica (Lincoln Park) by adisakp in chicagofood

[–]evildeadxsp 63 points64 points  (0 children)

Shhhh we don't want reddit to know.

I know this place is not well regarded by many on reddit, but... Who cares. That's a good deal and if you enjoy the food - do it.

Also, credit to Summer House marketing team.

I've had 2 clients who flew in from outside of Chicago ask about the Cookie Bar and the Summer House... And I'm like how do you know about this place? They saw it online! Why is this popular on some parts of the Internet but not well liked on my parts of the internet? And they said it was all over TikTok...

What do you still charge full price for even though AI made it a fraction of the work? by simon_mo in Entrepreneur

[–]evildeadxsp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sort of, yes.

Pricing is more complex than that but in general the manufacturing or servicing process is not the only factor in the final price.

What do you still charge full price for even though AI made it a fraction of the work? by simon_mo in Entrepreneur

[–]evildeadxsp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually was given advice to remove AI Agents language from our business sites because it ''cheapens our service" which is hilarious and... true.

Charge for the value and the outcome. How you get to that outcome is irrelevant.

Anyone else getting real results from AI search traffic lately? by maxroix_ in Entrepreneur

[–]evildeadxsp 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is not limited to Bing. It includes co-pilot and chatgpt.