DaBearsBlog heads to Chicago this week as your 2006 Chicago Bears host the Miami Dolphins. So we need a list of joints to hit while we're in the city for a couple days. Preferably the types of places where this conversation could take place:
Me: ...but to be honest, Mark Carrier could have fit right in on that '85 team.
Guy: Okay, okay...but Hilgenberg or Kreutz?
Me: Cheers.
(We drink.)
Two quick stats through seven games:
-Rex Grossman is the least sacked quarterback in the NFL through seven games.
-The '85 Bears' opponents had the exact same record as the '06 Bears through seven games.
#2 nick said . . .I was in Chicago for the massacre that was the 49ers game. I stayed at the Travelodge and it was cheap and very close to the stadium. They suggested a pizza place and I wish I could remember the name of it for you. The pizza had to weigh like 10lbs and it was probably the best pizza I have ever had. So if you want some good pizza go to the Travelodge and ask them where to get the 10lber.... GO BEARS!!
November 1, 2006
#3 stu said . . .Gotta hit up some eateries though.
Pizzaria Uno's, its on East Ohio street. Just hop in a cab and they will know where to go.
Also try out Ed Debevics. Cool little joint in the heart of Down town.November 1, 2006
#4 District Selectman said . . .Check these out some funny Bears t shirts
November 1, 2006
#5 jeff said . . .My Chicago knowledge is perhaps a bit dated, since I moved away a few years ago. But one place that I would make a major point to hit up would be Rossi's (on State between Hubbard and Kinzie). Here's what the Trib says about it:
Welcoming everyone from the hip to that haggard, Rossi's is an equal opportunity dive bar. "My favorite memory is when I saw (Cubs catcher) Todd Huntley sitting on one end of the bar and a beggar-type guy on the other end," recalls bartender Kevin Coutts. "That's the beauty of Rossi's." But with a huge selection of beer and tequila--$2.50 Old Style to $6 shots of Patron--there's something for everyone. The bar itself offers a semicircular bar that helps you get to know your fellow drinkers as well as a strong jukebox selection. At lunchtime, Rossi's attracts a crowd for its free hot dogs and bowls of chili in the winter. The bar also features an on-site liquor store incase you want to take the party home.
I can't tell you how many times I got wasted there and left my bag, and next time I went in, Desiree, the bartender, was always smiling and handing it to me. I also once had a drunken Indian give me a novel after I bought him a shot. GREAT place.Where are you going to be hanging out? In general, www.metromix.com is a really good resource.
November 1, 2006
#6 nick said . . .don't have specifics in mind. i'm actually embarassed by my lack of knowledge of the city.
November 1, 2006
#7 District Selectman said . . .Gotta try an Italian Beef too. Al's is one of the best and its fairly close to down town. It's on Taylor street. Neer UIC.
November 1, 2006
#8 jeff said . . .Criminal Appeal would probably have some good input. I used to live over by the Grand Ave. stop on the blue line. It was nice and scrappy in my day, but I hear it has yupped out considerably. In general, the very near north is the old money, further north in Lincoln Park and around is the post-frat-searching-for-a-spouse and Maclaren stroller set, Bucktown/Wicker Park (NW) is hipster country, and beyond that is a great deal of the city that most tourists and transplants neglect.
If you're just visiting and not that familiar, I have to recommend Rossi's. It's just across the street (to the west) from the IBM building, which is the big black monolith on the north side of the river. You'll probably be cruising around downtown/near north at some point anyway, and you're going to want to wet your whistle. Rossi's is the place to do it.
November 1, 2006
#9 Pat said . . .thanks, DS. do me a favor and drop me an email at HughesReviews@aol.com
November 1, 2006
#10 Fred said . . .Damn, I'm jealous. I was just there in September for the Lions and can't wait to get back.
I'd recommend South Loop Club at the corner of State and Balbo, a pretty short walk from Soldier. Lots of beers, pretty cheap, and damn good food. They have something there called tornadoes that are basically deep fried taquitos. I think we went there three nights in a row to get some. A nice little midwestern take on Mexican food.
Don't get the name wrong- no membership required. it's pretty blue collar and they serve late.
Oh, and he's not kidding- Ditka's pot roast nachos really are great. That place is worth having a beer or two at just to see it.
Have a great time and Bear the fuck down.
November 2, 2006
#11 Actually From Chicago said . . .TAILGATE BROTHER!!!!!
Get there as early as possible. Eat, drink, grab some to go beers and roam around, check it all out.
Bears fans know how to get things going before a game.
It's a blast.November 2, 2006
#12 Southside Julio said . . .You can get good deep-dish in the South Loop at Edwardo's, although others will claim that Lou Malnati's or Giordano's are better. They're all good - Pizzaria Uno is a tourist trap, Ed Debevic's is NOT in the heart of downtown, it's across the street from where the Planet Hollywood used to be, a block from a really ugly McDonalds. If you want Mexican, get to Pilsen and go anyplace on 18th, Nuevo Leon is good.
Have you conversation at the original Billy Goat - underneath Michigan & Hubbard. Go on a weekday late afternoon, hopefully you'll miss the tourist busses. Sit at the bar, the regulars are cool.
Chicago has too many good bars to count - get west of Ashland or south of State and the yuppie quotient drops way down - just about any old grimy looking place is the right place.November 2, 2006
#13 Dave said . . .Actually from Chicago thanks for mentioning Pilsen and Nuevo Leon. It is hands down the most authentic mexican restaurant in Chicago. I have to disagree with the pizza choice--you have to go to Giradanos and get some of their deep dish. If you have time, try Manny's--its a jewish deli on Roosevelt and Jefferson (www.mannysdeli.com). Lastly I am a beer snob and hands down the best place to grab a pint--the Map Room on Armitage and Hoyne (www.maproom.com).
November 2, 2006
#14 al said . . .Travelodge? Shit you may as well stay at the city dog pound.
Holy crap and this is a fellow Bears fan and he recommends the Travelodge and some greasy ole pizza?
Man what a friend he is.
Go Pats!
November 2, 2006
#15 big rob said . . .check out these countdowns to all the games this season...each one let's you sign up for it or add a countdown for a specific game on your own site/blog/etc...
November 2, 2006
#16 James said . . .Come on now, I went there to meet your Mom Dave.....
And unless you want to pay $400 a night for a place to pass out drunk the Travelodge is where it's at, they also have a $$ diner that has a great breakfast for the morning of the game... Southside Julio knows the place... Giradanos, there deep dish is $$, you better have about 4 people to eat one of their deep dish pizzas. BTW Dave, when I saw your mom, I puked in my mouth... GO BEARS!!
November 2, 2006
#17 upstate NY bears fan said . . .can't tell you about a hotel, but stay the fuck away from Pizzaria Uno's. The fact that we have them plastred all over New York, should tell you something. It sucks here and it sucks in Chicago. Lou Malnati's or Giordano's is where its at.
the most Josie Wood's like bar i know in chicago is Half Day Inn, but that's all the way up in Vernon Hills where i used to live. So i don't know if that would work for you.
November 2, 2006
#18 District Selectman said . . .I made the trip to Chicago for the Bills slaughter with some friends. My friends (they were cheering for the Bills, the poor suckers) and I knew next to nothing about the Chicago area and were lucky enough to land at Giordano's. Fantastic pizza and atmosphere.
November 2, 2006
#19 Superbowl Bound said . . .I second Map Room. Manny's is way good, but you've got great delis in NYC. If you don't want to go all the way down to Pilsen for Mexican food, the blue line out NW has plenty of options that will do just fine.
If you end up checking out Second City (recommended), don't miss the Old Town Ale House across the street. And if you want to go harass Packer fans (also recommended), Will's Northwoods Inn is the place. It will be packed at 11 AM on Saturday for the Badgers-PSU game. Go get yourself a Leinie's and enjoy the antler chandelier.
November 2, 2006
#20 Midway Monster said . . .A bit off topic, but I just read an absolutely awesome article on Urlacher. Check it out for yourself:
November 2, 2006
#21 Brian said . . .Super Bowl Bound, Great read & ya gotta love:
"...Bill George, considered to be the NFL's first true middle linebacker, gave it to Dick Butkus, perhaps the NFL's greatest player ever, who passed it to Mike Singletary, the heart of the NFL's best defense ever, who passed it to Urlacher... "
November 2, 2006
#22 Sout' Sider said . . .As a lifelong resident of Chicago I can say I am impressed with the recomendations from the group. You need to get Lou Malnaties...(Edwardo's Blows) and you really should go to Ditka for the Pork Chops....Harry Carry's is also a cool spot to hang out and talk Chicago sports.
Most importantly is the Tailgate....if you have a parking pass, great. If not, I suggest the 31st street lot, 1 block south of 55 on LSD...Get there early though (7:30 at the latest) because it fills up quick and the party gets out of control! I will be the one is the Tommy Harris jersey pissing by the railroad tracks every 25 minutes or so. BEAR DOWN!November 2, 2006
#23 jeff said . . .Hey, go to the south side. The rest of the city is pretty much yuppie trash. If you go downtown you pay for "ambiance" that really doesn't compliment the Bears; go to the north side and its likely people won't speak your language. Go to the southside (vicinity of western ave and 103rd to 115th streets) and you'll be in Bears Country. Cheersssss to da Bearssss.
November 2, 2006
#24 District Selectman said . . .great rexommendations all around. see what i did there?
November 2, 2006
#25 Midway Monster said . . .Fantastic article, SB. That description of him reminds me of the way they used to talk about Payton.
November 2, 2006
#26 Chad said . . .Besides Soldiers Field, think any of these resturants will serve up some Fish?
November 3, 2006
#27 Chad said . . .Yo "Actually From Chicago" the when one visits a town that often times makes them a tourist. So your obnoxious post makes no sense. For someone one who doesn't live in Chicago, you should send them to all the places that makes Chicago famous. The grizzly hole in the wall is for residents and you should keep it that way.
And DAMMIT, Unos is still the best pizza in Chicago!
Oh and Dave, its cool to come talk trash on other people's boards but I don't get why you would come here for it? I go to a Colts board and talk trash to them. They deserve it.
November 3, 2006
#28 Dave said . . .Oh Memo to James:
ANY Unos outside of Chicago is franchised and garbage.
November 3, 2006
#29 nick said . . .Chad-So what. I've read your "trash talk" and it ain't much.
Anyway, I really don't care where or who you trash talk.
And by the way, Unos pizza is the biggest barf wafer you'll ever find.
They're is enou grease on them to slid an elephant dick into Chad's ass.
Don't deny it Chad, you probably have a stake in th eplace and use this site for free advertisement.
But my recommendation is stay away from Unos.
November 3, 2006
#30 Still said . . .Kruetz, three more years and one more HOF'er for the Bears.
November 3, 2006
#31 James said . . .You have to go to Ditka's for the pot roast nachos. You brought those up and we are expecting a review...
November 3, 2006
#32 Jamie said . . .can't argue taste, but in my opinion Uno's sucks everywhere in the world, including Chicago. Not a big fan of Eduardo's. Giaordano's is great and so is Lou Malnati's.
November 3, 2006
#33 jeff said . . .Malnati's is by far the best pizza in Chicago, trust me. I have lived here all my life. Don't bother with Uno's or Due's, as they are all hype. Also, you're a fool if you don't go to Ditka's Restaurant and order the prime rib.
November 3, 2006
#34 Mike said . . .final decision: malnati's, ditka's and a lot of the bars mentioned....word
November 3, 2006
#35 Chad said . . .If any of the readers want to try it out after the discussion...Malnati's will Fedex you a partially cooked deep dish pizza packed in dry ice. Good stuff. My parents used to send me those during college.
http://www.tastesofchicago.com/
November 3, 2006
#36 DTB said . . .Wow Dave, you got me real good. Damn your smack is so fresh. Maybe its time for Amateur Night on Showtime at the Apollo for you!
November 3, 2006
#37 nick said . . .31st street was a great fucking call for tailgating! Hands down the best environment for true Bears fans. All other lots are overpriced and full of Cadillac Club posers. The only thing you'll find in the designated lots are wine tastings and BMW's, so fuck that. Once you pay make a quick right and go about 100 feet, then get to the very front of the lot. You'll find a van owned by a couple that has been tailgating there for nearly two decades. You'll see a bar splilling out the back of the van (no bullshit), a mini trampoline and a chants of burying Farve next to his father, despite the weeks opponent. The walk from the lot to the game is priceless, in the tunnel with 2000 fans singing 'Bear Down'. Its the only way to experience the tailgate.
As far as Pizza, its Giradano's stuffed crust, period. Nothing compares, I've been craving it for years now. And bars. Too many to pinpoint one, just go to Clark and Addison and pick one or twelve. For a non-sports bar recommendation, A Live One. Classic.
Enjoy the city, Im fucking jealous. Bear Down!
November 4, 2006
#38 Dave said . . .DTB, Giordanos, completely slipped my mind.... so friggen good.
Gino's East is good too.
Can you still write on the walls?November 4, 2006
#39 stu said . . .Thanks Chad, sorry you couldn't get in. Maybe in acouple of years.
Even though you suck, still keep trying.
November 4, 2006
click on stu for some funny ass bears shirts crown their ass whooooooooooooooooo
November 7, 2006
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