Grateful Dead

Way cool, thanks for taking the time to list so much and make our time in Chicago even better. All good things to you.

Welcome to Chicago my peeps! Enjoy the city, lots to offer. Too much of everything is just enough... Here' more than you need to know to have a high time in the city... The Grid; Chicago operates on a grid system, the center of which is Madison St (every thing south of their is a S. xxxxx St and everything north of there is a N. xxxx street. State St is the center of the East West axis. So if an address is 800 W Washington, it is right down town, eight blocks west of State. Some basics (if you get confused listen to the music play) Lake Michigan is always EAST. 8 blocks equal a mile (1600 N. Ashland is 2 miles north of downtown). The El is safe and gets you all over town; great bike paths with Divvy available for short rentals; buses are consistent and safe; Metra in for train ride from the burbs into downtown, about a mile and a half walk from Soldier’s. Lots of taxis and Uber all over town. Restaurants. So much food, so little time. Portillo’s; 100 W Ontario. there is nothing bad at Portillos. They are renowned for their Italian Beef and Chicago dogs ( A Chicago dog contains a quarter pickle, lettuce, tomato mustard, relish maybe a jalapeño or two. Somewhere there is a Vienna Beef hot dog under there and a Rosen’s bun). but also great vegetarian options and salads. Locations all over the suburbs too. Billy Goat 1535 W Madison: Cheezeborger, no coke, Pepsi. Yeah its still here, 430 N Michigan as well. Manny’s, 1141 S Jefferson St: Where the pols, police and fire and downtown crowd escape for mile high pastrami. A good imitation of New York delis and a local legend. Personal favorite is the beef stew, but pastrami, a latke and applesauce are favorites. Kuma’s Korner 2900 W Belmont: a Heavy metal bar inconveniently located that serves the best burgers ever. The original is the best but there’s a separate location at 666 W Diversey. Higher end eats Cut 300 S LaSalle St Cut is great. Best steak place in the city IMHO Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, 2121 N Clark St, great pizza and the strangest oven grinder you’ve ever had. Gibson’s (1028 N Rush) never disappoints. Strong drinks and thick steaks. Classic big city steak house. Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush (437 Rush St) a very good steak and a favorite of the Stanley Cup. Tavern on Rush 1031 N Rush St classic steak and sea food Sunda 110 W Illinois. An Asian sushi crossover join with celebs and great fun Xoco/ Trompomolo/ Frontera 449 N Clark Grill great Mexican and street food from awesome Rick Bayless Ditka’s (100 E Chestnut St) is a straight ahead Midwestern artery -clogger off Michigan Ave Next/ (953 W Fulton) Alinea; (1723 N Halsted) Chicago’s three star eateries that you probably can’t get into. Widely praised as the best restaurants in Chicago, and among the best in the US Girl and the Goat: (809 W Randolph) Great seasonal menu, unpretentious but fun. Maude’s Liquor Bar 840 W Randolph. Lots of choices over here on Randolph. Great traditional French Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf: (218 W Kenzie) American/ SWestern always surprising Longman and Eagle (2657 N Kedzie) An omnivore'a delight. Great meat and vegetarian dishes. Always something new. Joe’s (60 E Grand Ave): Prime seafood and steak. Get crabs! RPM Steak. 66 W Kinzie. Trendy customers but good steaks Gene and Georgettie’s (500 Franklin St) is an OLD -School steak and Chop place Hub 51 (51 W Hubbard St) has something for everyone, Casual and lots of chatter Japonaise: (600 W Chicago) Sushi on the river. Great drinks. Younger crowd Signature Room at 95th. ( 875 N Michigan ) Want to get high? Eat on the 95th floor of the Hancock, or just grab a drink at the bar. Great views of the lakefront, the city and see all the way to Michigan Smoque: (3800 N Pulaski) The best BBQ in the city but again far off the beaten path Gale Street Inn (4914 N Milwaukee Ave) has great ribs but again locationally challenged. Twin anchors also has greta ribs; Frank Sinatra’s favorites Rosebud (717 N Rush St): Good Italian and Steaks in the posh part of town. Cafe Spiagga (980 N Michigan) Fancy with great views of the Mag Mile, Italiano Carmine’s (1043 N Rush St) Another great Italian place in the high end district Cape Cod Room at the Drake; (140 E Walton Pl) An oyster bar and good old fashioned sea food. Harry Caray’s Italian Steak house: (33 W Kinzie) Classic Italian Favorites and straight ahead dishes. A favrorite of jocks and fans of drunken announcers. Try the Budweiser. Food Life (835 N Michigan) in the mall on Michigan Ave, cafeteria style food of every stripe, from Pho to BBQ something for everyone and not a total budget buster, Eatley (43 Ohio St). A whole city block dedicated to all things around eating and Italian cuisine. Fun Rockit; (22 W Hubbard) Bar and bar food by celeb hound Billy Dec Bub City: (435 N Clark) Nashville style BBQ. So good. Blackwood BBQ (307 W Lake St). Brisket. Joe’s (940 W Weed): Want a giant sport bar? this is it. Stanley's (1970 N Lincoln) Great whiskey bar and traditional food a little dive bar is but really good comfort food Fogo de Chao:(661 N LaSalle) Brazilian Churrascuria. Red means stop, green means go baby. North Pond: (2610 N Cannon Dr, in Lincoln Park) Nestled into the park by the pond and near the Nature Museum is a nice quiet little place to eat, Glazed and Infused (939 W Armitage) : Donuts done up all fancy like Big and Little’s (1034 W Belmont ) Yummy indie food, like raw tuna taco’s. Hot Chocolate:(1747 N Damen) Great local chef in Bucktown, with fantastic desserts. The Bristo (2152 N Damen Ave) l; In Bucktown, heard great things and favorite hang out of local chefs on their off days Frasca’s (3358 N Paulina) Casual Italian fresh neighborhood place Vegan Chicago Diner. EVERYONE should eat here not because it’s vegan but because it is fantastic food. Two locations: 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave, 3411 N Halsted) Native Foods (1484 N Milwaukee). Good variety and new twists on veggie classics Karyn’s on Green (130 S Green St) Fresh and raw and yummy. Handlebar 2311 W North Ave Newer place with old standards and new favorites. Heartland Cafe (7000 N Glenwood) Far north homey hippy hangout for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live music at times, poetry readings. Righteous! Brunch Lou Mitchell’s (565 w Jackson) Great pancakes Ann Sather (909 W Belmont) GREAT cinnamon rolls Swedish breakfast. Love it. House of Blues (329 N Dearborn )has a really good Gospel brunch. Wishbone. (1001 W Washington, 3300 N Lincoln) Southern style bunch, two spots. Try the red eggs . Pizza Lou Malnati’s IMHO the king of deep dish Various locations 4340 N Lincoln, 958 W Wrightwood, 1520 N Damen, 1120 N State St, 439 N Wells, 1235 W Randolph and more!) Uno’s, (29 E Ohio St) Give it up for the O.G. Piece; (1927 W North Ave) If you are in Wicker Park and are a fan of coastal Connecticut pizza, this is as close as you will get. Heaven. Partly owned by Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. Oh and great beer! Peqouds (2207 N Clybourn) Family pizza Art of Pizza (3033 N Ashland) good stuffed pizza Giordono’s (not my fave but some people like it) (700 E Grand Ave, 730 N Rush St, 130 E Randolph other locations) Hot Dogs. Chicagoans are proud of their anti-ketchup stance. Meh. Weiner’s Circle (2622 N Clark): Abuse served with Chicago dogs. Chili cheese fries might be my last meal on death row. Portillos downtown serves a mean Chicago dog Superdawg (6363 N Milwaukee) is good. Dog and fries in a box Wolfy’s (2734 W Petersen) Far north drive in. Look for the giant fork in the parking lot. Red Hot Ranch (2072 N. Western Ave) Classic Chicago dog. Italian Beef Al’s #1 Italian Beef (2804 N Western), 234 S Wabash, 1079 W Taylor St, 3420 N Milwaukee, 601 W Adams) Roasted beef, soaked in a array of juices, herbs and spices. Giardinera mandatory Portillos has great Italian beef. Carnivores can throw a sausage in there for the ultimate package. Mr Beef (666 N Orleans) straight ahead and on till daylight Greek There’s Greek town just off the Expressway for all of your feta and flaming cheese needs. The Parthenon (314 S Halsted) is good one. Also in the area Pegasus, Mr Greek gyros, Greek Islands, Santorini (800 W Adams) is my personal favorite. Indian Pakistani Hit Devon Ave for some great Indian and Pakistan Lahore Food and Grill (2116 W Devon) good basic no nonsense and no alcohol (halal) Viceroy of India (2520 W Devon Ave) Really good! Lots of great bakeries and options. Italian Tuscany on (1014 Taylor Street) is great Northern Italian RPM Italian (53 W Illinois) is a celeb hangout but food is really good La Scaraloa (721 W Grand Ave) Really great family style. Tough to find and the outside looks dicey but it is really wonderful for groups and families. Old skool. My fave. Italian Village: (71 W Monroe) Three types of Italian food in one structure. All are good. Vietnamese Great Vietnamese and Pho up around Lawrence and Broadway far north side of city along lake Chinese: around 22nd st is a compact but lively Chinatown; Good dim sum and fun atmosphere Sun Wah (5039 N Broadway) in the Vietnamese part of town Great Mexican all over town; in every neighborhood is a great burrito or taco place. Try El Tapitio, (3400 N Ashland) Goof stuff. Mixteco Grill (1601 W Montrose). Mole! Ole! Ok! Chilam Balam, (3023 N Broadway) Nuevo Mexicano, lots of new takes on old favorites. Foodie heaven. El Mariachi 3906 Broadway. Great Margaritas Jamito’s Burritos. 1781 N Clark, I just love their burritos Super casual. Dive Bars Weed’s, 1555 N Dayton Hideout 1354 N Wabansia Rainbo Club 1150 N Damen Elbo Room, 2871 N Lincoln Lilly’s, 2515 N Lincoln Delilah’s, 2771 N Lincoln Motel Bar, 600 W Chicago Richard’s Bar 491 N Milwaukee Carol’s 4659 N Clark, crown can be a little rough Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Save More Lounge 4060 N Lincoln Sunny side Tap 4410 N Western Four Treys 3333 N Damen Four Moon Tavern 1847 W Roscoe Double Door 1572 N Milwaukee, doubles as a music venue. Hopleaf: Not so much a dive bar but a great beer place with some food See and Do Millennium Park “Cloudgate" aka the Bean. Trippy giant reflective bean; romp in the waters of the Crown Fountain, two huge glass block sculptures with face backlight inside and spitting water. Dip your toes and join the party Willis Tower (233 S Wacker Dr) ; Stand above the city, literally on the sky deck. Higher ground indeed. Wrigley Field (Clark and Addison): Cubs play Marlins all weekend. Easily accessible by Red Line (addison stop). Wrigleyville has a lot of places to eat and drink and is always festive at game time. Lakefront; Bring your bathing suit. You can swim in cool Lake Michigan almost anywhere. Awesome. Stop into the Zoo at Lincoln Park, it’s free, Also bike rentals and Segway tours available. Beaches at North Ave, Oak St and along the way north and south. If you have a car and want to feel how architecture and can move you tour Frank Lloyd Wrights home and studio in Oak Park and meditate a bit at the amazing Unity temple (875 Lake St, Oak Park) Art Institute, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium: All located steps from Soldier Field and unique and awesome in their own right. The Field Museum hosts a Grateful dead celebration during the run of shows. Walk the Mag mile (Michigan Ave). Lots of shopping. Check out the Tribune tower with the stones from great edifices all over the world and the Wrigley building glowing near the Chicago river. At the bridge over the river is the site of Ft Dearborn, the original settlement that started off this whole Chicago mess. Navy Pier: Formerly a training ground for Navy pilots in WW2, it now is host to a great walking area, rides, a mini mall, fast food and great breezes if it gets a little hot. Look for the giant ferris wheel. The 606 Trail: Brand spanking new bike, walking jogging trail right through the city, spanning several neighborhoods. COol Eat some Garrett’s popcorn somewhere sometime . Trust me, Architectural tour by boat up the Chicago River. Great way to see the city, Music Green Mill (4802 N Broadway) has awesome jazz in a true 1920s era speakeasy . Crowd tends towards the reverential not rowdy. Sip a martini and chill. Kingston Mines: (2548 N Halsted) Blues on the North Side B.L.U.E.S. (2519 N Halsted), Ditto Buddy Guy’s Legends: (700 S Wabash). Downtown Blues hosted by a favorite son Jazz Showcase (806 Plymouth Ct) An acoustic jazz showcase for jazz lovers. Deep into jazz as a living art form. Andy’s (11 E Hubbard St) good jazz place in downtown with lots of good local jazz players Martyr’s (3855. N Lincoln) : great mix of country rock and folk with some indie thrown in Schuba’s: (3159 N Southport) always good indie and up-and-coming bands Second City (1616 N Wells St) Why not have some funny when you’re here. Legendary. Head Shops Do they call them Head shops anymore? Well, this weekend we will. Around the Belmont / Clark St intersection there are a few.. Amigo’s and Us 3223 N Clark, lots of GD related stuff Strange Cargo 3448 N Clark St, T shirts and fun stuff Up in Smoke 2442 N Milwaukee Ave Secrets 3229 N Clark St Mr Smoke 2250 N Lincoln Ave

Museums (3?) by the Lake / The Library on the Southside-the biggest and one of the best in USA-as well, has giant owls outside on the building / The cheaper steak house on southside which has the daily special-that guy (dudes of Africa-America) will decide if you are a dork or too white and give you grissel..but its a good bet and a dandy classic of the neighborhood / the Aquarium - by the Marine doc - its the oldest in the USA, has a big ole whale tank with Buella whales-one which has a smashed face (they're albinos) which looks like he was a hunk of playdoe. Science Museum-across the bridge by the 5-star hotels-take the shuttlebus on both above counts. The Lake - jesus. Some rides by the bay. One of the finest music stores i've ever look into the window of exists by the Lake-due Southside. Check for blues clubs-don't ask me-when I get there I have an itinery for rock n roll and food. Pizza? Not sure-but they got the style. 3-5 movie complex over by the cross road towards the aquarium. House of Blues? Not sure, again. Went to see Ludicris and was told I had to pay $6 for the keep on my camera. There is an incredulous Steak-classic meat and potatoes restaurant on the Lake side on the southside area...its German and has deep wooden wow'z..the woman owner will know if you aint' white enuf..but the potatoes and meat stuff is fun-really. "The Theater" is the oldest and best kept secret-was built by the mentor of Frank Lloyd Wright. The top balcony has a crows nest which is bordered by wrot-iron railing with a yen-yang you can match the IDs of band members in. The Dead actually played there! The sound is one of the best of 3 in the entire country-the mezzanine used to have chairs with high backs / and the basement mezzanine bar scene is right out of gothic heaven-golden and bronze hues in tilt whirl curls. Astounding and beautiful. There is a theater on the main drag by Southside too...uhhh....When wandering about - if it smells bad-split. Oh yeah, and Wrigley Field-baseball that is. CLARK COUNTY DOES NOT ALLOW BAIL BONDSMEN :-} - that means if you play prankster or peek a boo, it may cost you your whole vacation...$5,000 is $5,000; period. cheese and Blues Brothers luv, babeez...merps