The Windy City

[Huggy]

Never heard of the celery salt on a hot dog thing but you do not put ketchup on a hot dog. In Chicago or anywhere else.

 

[Bob Cook]

Don't know what week you'll be there, but June 8-10 your Schaumburg Flyers will host your Kansas City T-Bones. This would give you something to do if your wife wants to shop at Woodfield for the day.

 

[Armchair_QB]

While I am horrified at Geno's selling out and going touristy they still do a great deep dish pizza if that's what you want, plus the kids can write on the walls. Giordano's is pretty good too.

I'd also like to echo 21's love for the Lincoln Park Zoo, and Lincoln Park in general. The Brookfield Zoo is considerably bigger but also a good time. The aquarium, Field Museum, planetarium and Museum of Science and Industry are also good for kids.

Night games at Comiskey are usually safer than day games. In Illinois it's a parole violation to be out after sundown so most Sox fans have to stay home.

 

[Oz]

You might also want to hit the Art Institute, its kid friendly, and take a boat tour on the Chicago River, the kids will like the boat ride and you'll learn about the architecture and ****...

I did like the Chicago River boat tour, a great way to continue seeing the city while finally taking a seat.

 

[Sly]

You don't put ketchup on a hot dog because it kills the flavor of a hot dog. The mustard, celery salt and relish draws and enhances the flavor out. Don't forget the sport peppers, either.

 

[Sly]

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

If you're in Romeoville, you're not far from where Route 66 turns and goes south. It runs along Joliet Road, then is partly wiped out by I-55, then reappears in Joliet. But be careful of some of the neighborhood there. The area around Silver Cross Field is reasonably good.
By the way, the Ryan (alongside Sox Park) is under construction and a holy nightmare. Get off I-55 (the Stevenson) and Damen, go south to 35th, then east to the ballpark.

Along Joliet Road (in Bolingbrook) is White Fence Farm, a humongous-ass fried chicken restaurant. Great, great food, lots of old-timey atmosphere, and the kids'll dig it. Dennis Hastert got fat at this place -- it was owned by his aunt for a long time.

I've never been to this place, but I've heard it's very good.

About hot dogs, I live in Illinois south of I-80. I absolutely love how Chicagoans think catsup is this satan-like food when put on a hot dog. I PUT CATSUP ON HOT DOGS SOMETIMES, AND I'M PROUD OF IT! Then I go to the local Chicago-style dog place and I get mustard, relish and a pickle.

 

[Ace]

If you threw out the hot dog, that would be some good eatin'!

 

[Claws for Concern]

Go to Buddy Guy's Legends for a blues show. I always try to go when I'm in town and have seen legendary Otis Rush and local guitar slinger Carlos Johnson on past trips. If you go during the week and have lunch at Buddy's place, there's always the chance he'll walk in and he'll talk to you like he was nice enough to do when I was there the last time. I did this when I was in town to see a Bears-Vikings game a few years ago and he was about to get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

[friend of a friend]

And the best part about the Lincoln Park Zoo? It's free! At least it was the last time I was there.

 

[Oz]

You don't put ketchup on a hot dog because it kills the flavor of a hot dog. The mustard, celery salt and relish draws and enhances the flavor out. Don't forget the sport peppers, either.

For me, it's the opposite. I'll just have a cheeseburger next time I'm there, because I can't stand mustard or relish.

 

[Rambler]

Night games at Comiskey are usually safer than day games. In Illinois it's a parole violation to be out after sundown so most Sox fans have to stay home.

Spoken like a true Cubs fan. Hey, you have a big anniversary coming up--100 years of ineptitude. Congrats.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Night games at Comiskey are usually safer than day games. In Illinois it's a parole violation to be out after sundown so most Sox fans have to stay home.

Spoken like a true Cubs fan. Hey, you have a big anniversary coming up--100 years of ineptitude. Congrats.

I hope creole got what he wanted, because this appears headed for a threadjacking.

And it, how might you say, won't end well.....

 

[Rambler]

As the great American John Rambo might mumble, "He drew first blood."

 

[Sly]

You don't put ketchup on a hot dog because it kills the flavor of a hot dog. The mustard, celery salt and relish draws and enhances the flavor out. Don't forget the sport peppers, either.

For me, it's the opposite. I'll just have a cheeseburger next time I'm there, because I can't stand mustard or relish.

Go to Hackney's, then, for the inside-out burger. The bacon and cheese is on the inside and brings a tear to my eye every time I think of it .

 

[HeinekenMan]

I went to some bar one night, and they had bras pinned to the ceiling, I believe. They also allowed us to have a fight using wet paper towels.

I enjoyed Ed Debevics the first time I was in Chicago, but the novelty had completely worn off by my third visit.

I know a guy who swears by Gene and Georgetti's. I've never been there and can't offer a personal opinion.

The best time I've had in Chicago was a visit to Buddy Guy's Legends. It was spectacular. But it's not for children, really.

As for hot dogs, only a fool would use ketchup. There was a Food Network show not long ago that showcased Pink's Hot Dogs in L.A. They had some awesome options, including chili dogs. And who doesn't like a nice coney dog. I preferred mine from Top Boy, but that's now the hometown's DMV. The hot dog I plan to try is one that Bobby Flay created. It features BBQ sauce covered with cole slaw.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Gene and Georgetti's remains the best steakhouse in town, hands-down.

 

[Rambler]

Hmmm...I prefer Chophouse. Though Gene & Georgetti's is terrific.

 

[Big Buckin' agate_monkey]

If you and the wife get a chance to get out without the kids, and you like Japanese, I highly recommend Daruma on Golf Road in Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates.

 

[DanOregon]

Oh and another thing, take your kids to the Billy Goat beneath the Tribune building, they'll enjoy the burgers and you can have a few. Most of the bars in Chicago, allow minors inside so check out The Lodge, Murphy's Bleachers, The Blarney Stone, the kids will enjoy ****'s Last Resort, and of course Harry Carrey's