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Unread 04-20-2011, 09:02 PM
 
1,239 posts, read 2,695,072 times
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Default 3-day Weekend in Chicago

As tourists, this is our itenerary:

Keefer's
Working, the musical
Art Institute
Hancock Bldg.
Architectural boat tour
Macy's
Carson's
Al's Italian beef sandwich
Lou Malnati's pizza

Any thoughts, comments?

Thanks!
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Unread 04-20-2011, 09:53 PM
 
16,586 posts, read 21,809,924 times
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Macy's ?? Oh you must mean http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshal...mpany_Building


Carson's ??

I suppose you mean the Sullivan Center"

(said with same odd sarcasm I might say to Sears Tower, oh, you mean the Willis Tower...)

KEEFER'S ?!? Please. Lovely place, don't get me wrong, very classy wine list, waiter's that seem to have studied in France, but I would prefer you get a nice MANLY Manhattan and REAL Chicago steak at Gene & Georgetti Steakhouse | Chicago Steakhouse | Chicago Steakhouse Restaurant | Downtown Chicago Steakhouse | Chicago Steak Restaurant | Steaks in Downtown Chicago served by guys who look like they did hard time in da joint...

And without sinking too deep into the "pizza debate" I think the River North Lou's location is the single most characterless location they run. Pizza is fine but the decor and patrons that wander in might as well be in Omaha.

You might want to put some other stops on your list. I cannot make a strong enough recommendation to visit not the original Billy Goat, which has become a characatuer of itself BUT the far dive-ier location at Wells & Adams, technically known as Billy Goat III -- MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map (Billy Goat II is almost an adequate substitute, but the rumble of the El overhead at BG III, full liquor bar, proximity to the Federal Metropolitan Correctional Facility, BOT and rotting corpse of the former Main Post Office push BG III way up in my book...)

OH and PLEASE if you are in River North DO NOT GO to the Al's -- it is gross and should be closed down. (the one on Taylor St is fine). If you must get a beef in River North go to Mr. Beef on Orleans. The picnic tables ARE THE BEST. (if you want a much better sandwich in River North go to the Portillo's and get a beef and sausage, but close your eyes and weep at the mounds of fakey "antiquities" that make the place feel like a Fridays in Bismark ND... )The Stew: We have a winner in Al's Beef versus Mr Beef

Rookery? Oak Park? Robie House? Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House Hyde Park Chicago
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Unread 04-21-2011, 07:57 AM
 
Location: Elgin, IL
1,395 posts, read 1,203,149 times
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Spend some time wandering the neighborhoods: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Andersonville. At least, that's what I like to do when I visit other cities. I also really like Hot Dougs if you like hot dogs. Or as they like to say, "encased meat". They do some VERY interesting things with sausage and they're all house made.
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Unread 04-21-2011, 08:53 AM
 
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Agreed Hot Doug's is awesome. They have short hours. Worth checking to make time for 'em
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Unread 04-21-2011, 08:59 AM
 
438 posts, read 522,630 times
Reputation: 377
Quote:
Originally Posted by ssg II View Post
As tourists, this is our itenerary:

Keefer's
Working, the musical
Art Institute
Hancock Bldg.
Architectural boat tour
Macy's
Carson's
Al's Italian beef sandwich
Lou Malnati's pizza

Any thoughts, comments?

Thanks!

Agreed with Chet, swap out Al's Beef and go to Portillo's for a beef, there is one in the city... Good call on Lou Malnati's too...make sure you get at least half of it sausage so you can experience the sheet of sausage they put on it...oh man I am hungry now (not trying to start a pizza debate but Lou's is my favorite, other people will steer you else where). Millenium Park is pretty cool too if you aren't from here to at least check out once...
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Unread 04-21-2011, 09:13 AM
 
Location: Volker, Kansas City, MO
12,062 posts, read 14,541,202 times
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I would definitely skip Macy's
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Unread 04-21-2011, 09:14 AM
 
Location: Volker, Kansas City, MO
12,062 posts, read 14,541,202 times
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And go to the Signature Room of the Hancock instead of the Observation tower. The drinks are expensive, but it's free to get up there, so it ends up being pretty much a wash (but you have booze!). The views are Stunning!
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Unread 04-21-2011, 09:44 AM
 
Location: Chicago
3,930 posts, read 4,755,582 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aragx6 View Post
I would definitely skip Macy's
Still worth a stroll through to admire the building itself. They don't make'em like that anymore.
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Unread 04-21-2011, 10:38 AM
 
170 posts, read 178,395 times
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I agree that you should skip Al's. I was not impressed with their Italian beef. Portillo's is much better. Macy's is still a nice looking store even though it isn't Marshall Fields anymore.
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Unread 04-21-2011, 07:52 PM
 
Location: Chicago, IL SouthWest Suburbs
3,531 posts, read 1,801,304 times
Reputation: 6060
Did not see Garrett popcorn on your list- when ever we have my brother in law in for a visit he has to go to that place. Touristy yeah but good.
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