Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - The Field Museum

 Our last full day in Chicago, our friends Jeff & Jenn took us to the Field Museum. Where we spent most of our time looking at the animals of the world exhibit:

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - The Bean and The Pizza

 After wandering around the city all day, we wanted to get some authentic Chicago deep dish, so our friends took us to Pequods.

 It was delicious, but surprisingly not as cheesy as I had expected it to be.

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Walking around Chicago

 Our first morning in Chicago, M wanted to get breakfast at the White Palace Grill. It was typical diner, but definitely not mind blowing.

 This is our friend's cat, Simon. He's a little gentleman.

 Alf street art!!

Epic Road Trip Brew Tour Honeymoon 2012 - Chicago Bound

 We left Memphis the next morning, headed for Chicago. We drove through the flat farm lands of the midwest and watched dust devils kick up in the empty fields.

Finally, we made it to our friends' apartment in Chicago, where we were greeted by their amazing balcony view.

Chicago FAIL

 

We arrived in Chicago Thursday night, and on the drive in I felt like I was coming down with the cold M has had since Florida. Waking up Friday morning, it was confirmed, but I downed some medicine and had a full day walking around the city.

Waking up this morning was another story. Despite sticking to water when we went to the bar last night, I woke up feeling like an 18 wheeler ran over my head. I sucked it up and went to the Field Museum with everyone, despite feeling dazed and feverish. We came back to our friend's apartment around 5pm, and I took a nap while M and his friend went out to the record shop and beverage center.

That brings us to now: 9pm on a Saturday night in Chicago and I am sitting on our friend's couch watching reality television and trying to down a pint of orange juice. Too feverish to go out to dinner with everyone else, and definitely not up for going out to a packed bar on a Saturday night. 

Tomorrow morning we leave Chicago, hoping to hit Cleveland in time to grab dinner on our way through to Buffalo. I'm hoping staying in tonight and going to sleep early will help tomorrow be a better day.

Hometown Hearts: Chicago, IL

 Hello! My name is Hails and I've been living in Chicago for just shy of 6 years. I grew up in the 'burbs but my family has lived in and outside the city since they came over from Europe generations ago. I'm about to turn 26 (eek!) and work for a website because I'm obsessed with all things internet. I have a blog (retrotrash.blogspot.com), a tumblr (retrotrash.tumblr.com) and a twitter (twitter.com/retrotrash), obviously. 
I live in Logan Square with my boyfriend, a male roommate and my diabetic cat. It's a gentrifying neighborhood on the northwest side of the city with the largest and fastest growing collection of hipsters. Chicago is known for being cold and windy but no matter the weather, we always find time to get out and have fun. I still have yet to see so many sides of this city, but here are the places that I like the most and that get most of my hard-earned money.

 Alice's Lounge 

This bar is the BEST place to do karaoke in the entire city. The KJ (that's Karaoke Jockey), Fred, is fair, has a huge song selection, and has a bag full of props at his disposal. He also does some pretty good harmony and backup. There are usually free snacks, drink specials, and did I mention the smoke machine and laser lights? Karaoke is 4 nights a week and I'm usually there for at least one.

Kokorokoko

 This vintage store specializes in 80's/90's/00's fashion and unlike your run of the mill thrift store, they pick and choose only the best and will even fix a garment or accessory if it's broken before selling it. The owners are super friendly and will remember what you like and what to recommend the next time you stop by. I got an amazing vintage Swatch watch and Prada shoes so far, but my collection grows almost weekly. And they always remember my Patrick Nagel obsession.

Rudy's Roundup

 This tiny little store of awesome is a variety shop in every sense of the word. From paper goods, to perfumes, to clothing, to every little knick knack you can think of. They offer many vintage items as well as items from local Etsy sellers. I've found some amazing stationary here as well as all sorts of other things I had no idea I needed. They run their own etsy as well but the store if a real treat if you are in the area.

Small Bar Logan

 This is the closest bar to us that also sells food and we're lucky that it's also really sweet. They have a huge tap list consisting of almost exclusively micro brews, with a few imports thrown in. The kitchen is tiny (hello, it's a "Small Bar") but they consistently pump out tasty bar grub. The boyfriend and I have become regulars and are on a first name basis with at least one bartender so we are always given great service with a smile. 

 

The Whistler

 So you want a fancy drink? This here is the place to go. They have zero tap beers because this dark bar is made for cocktails. They have seasonal menus with different cocktails made with all types of liquor. The price is always $8 a drink and for the amount of booze you get, it's quite a deal. The bar also serves as a music venue and the owners run a record label as well. Just get there early or you'll be waiting outside!

Belly Shack

 This restaurant previous was an amazing brunch spot and I mourned it's disappearance when they lost their lease. But thankfully this latin/asian fusion BYOB popped up in it's place and I've yet to be disappointed. This tiny spot under the loud train offers a rotating menu of dishes of Puerto Rican and Korean influence. Which sounds nasty but is so delicious you will want to try everything. Also, it's BYOB which means it's nice and cheap!

Logan Theater

 My grandma told me that she used to go to this theater when she was a kid. Yeah, it's that old. And it's still awesome. This is a second-run theater, so that means nothing is exactly new but all the movies are only $4, which for Chicago is basically free. I think it's been run by the same family for decades and it's rarely crowded. In fact, usually we show up a mere 10-15 minutes before the movie with time to get snacks and great seats. Go if for no other reason than the "ladies lounge", a total throwback to the bathrooms of yore.

Labrabbit Optics 

I am kind of biased since the owner is a friend of mine but if you wear glasses (or sunglasses), you need to visit this shop. The owner, Coyote, is a certified optician and while he isn't an eye doctor, once you have your prescription he can hook you up with some amazing frames and a variety of lenses. He specializes in vintage frame, deadstock, as well as rare brands that you won't find at your local Lenscrafters. He is quick to cut a deal and will always be honest if those frames make you look totally awesome or like a total tool.

Smart Bike Parts

Before I started dating the equivalent of a free bike parts bin, this was my go to shop. The owner, Eric, is amazingly high energy and most likely has not one, but two bluetooth phones going at the same time. He's honest, fair about prices, and will remember every minute detail (he always asks how my mom is doing because he met her one time!) It's a tiny storefront but they do most of their work online and can order any crazy part you can think of, usually without paying shipping. It's a true service based shop which is rare these days.

Barbara & Barbara 

This hair salon is the newest on my list but has already won a place in my heart. It's a small three chair shop, independently ran, and you usually have to make an appointment. It's pretty no-frills but the prices are right on the money: $20 for cuts, $30 for extra long hair, and bang trims are a mere $7 . That's it. Simple. The music is always great, it's right on the square so the people watching is fantastic, and you are in and out without any pressure to buy product. Oh and the stylists always listen to you and I have only had great cuts since.

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Thank you so much Hails for showing us another side of Chicago!

If you would like to share your hometown with the world, please email us:

windshielddiaries at gmail dot com

Hometown Hearts: Chicago, IL

 

I left New York State last summer after 20-something years -- my entire life -- to go to graduate school in Chicago. I'd only visited the Windy City once before but I'd fallen for its midwestern charms and it's comparatively low rents. Well, and I just needed a fresh start - I'd lost the job I loved, ended a long-term relationship and frankly, I needed to try something new. I've been a reporter for several years now, for the Associated Press and other publications, including www.alloveralbany.com. When I'm not busy with graduate school, I blog about gluten-free living (lifeofmymouth.blogspot.com) and walk my little dachshund-mix Ruby Tuesday Weld along Lake Michigan. I also tweet: @jmpasko96.  Random fact: I've known Capow since high school and we even did a stint as roommates a few years ago.

     Chicago has a really unique feel about it, something that I'm not totally sure I can put into words. It's a big city and it has lots of big city sophistication, but it's also a lot less pretentious than many cities, namely New York City. It's got a far more laid-back feel to it. There isn't as much pressure to look a certain way or be a certain way, and there's a hometown pride among its residents that I've really started to love. Ask a Chicagoan which city makes a better pizza and be prepared for a tirade on the pros of deep-dish versus New York-style.

     There are over 70 neighborhoods and "community areas" in this city so I've only explored a small portion of it after six months of living here, but here are some of my favorite places so far:

(photo credit)

Edgewater

I really love my neighborhood, Edgewater, on the city's north side. One of the major issues in Chicago is that although the city has an incredibly diverse population, it's actually very segregated when it comes down to it. I'm fortunate to live in a vibrant neighborhood that's legitimately diverse and that hasn't quite undergone total gentrification yet. I kind of like the little bit of grittiness - most of the time. Back in the 1950s and 60s, Edgewater was where wealthier folks would come to spend their summers in Chicago, and there are still tons of towering condos and hotels along the beach. These days the elite has left those hotels and condos behind in favor of more exotic locales, but the buildings still stand, resplendent in their vintage quality.

Lake Michigan

 One of the things I love best about where is live is that the beach is right across the street from my apartment. There is little that makes me happier than being able to stroll along Lake Michigan with my dog. I had no idea how big the lake was until I moved here - you can't see to the other side - and on sunny days, the water almost looks turquoise.  It's even beautiful in the winter, when the snow and ice give it this amazing arctic look.

Andersonville

 Andersonville is the ying to Edgewater's yang. Or something. Technically Andersonville is part of my neighborhood, Edgewater, but it's really it's own little place. It's far more gentrified but none the less, very cute, chockful of cool houseware and vintage stores, cafes and great little restaurants. It's a short walk from my place and it's just such a charming little neighborhood. I love spending an afternoon here window-shopping, browsing and sipping coffee from the Coffee Studio. It was originally established by Swedish immigrants so many of the businesses still have that Scandinavian charm and the 'hood is even home to the small Swedish-American Museum.

The Chicago River Riverwalk 

This is one of those places I really like but don't go to enough. Hopefully that will change with the warmer weather. This photo shows the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day, when it was temporarily dyed green in celebration. I'm standing below on the riverwalk, the promenade that goes along the river. You have to walk down a big set of stairs to get to it and it's just so pretty down there. It's a great place to spend a little time strolling along and watching the hub-bub of the city up above.

Millennium Park 

Okay, it's a little bit cliche to include one of Chicago's most well-known landmarks on this list, but I can't help myself. I love Millennium Park. It's no Central Park by any means, but it's awesome in its own way. Outgoing Mayor Richard Daley helped establish the park next to Grant Park and it contains some amazing installation pieces. One of those most popular pieces is this large silver kidney bean-shaped sculpture that everyone takes their picture in front of. Technically it's called the Cloud Gate, but everyone knows it as just "The Bean." In the summer there are also sprinklers to run in and concerts on the lawn in the Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion.

Pilsen

 Pilsen is a great neighborhood that I never go to enough because it's quite a long trip on the L from where I live. Originally it was established by Czech immigrants but it's now home to a thriving Mexican population, serving as something of a central spot for the city's large Hispanic community. I love the taquerias here, the plenitude of beautiful murals and other street art, and the wonderful little array of shops. I love that when I go into a business here, more likely than not I will be greeted in Spanish. I love that I can buy fresh tortillas at the grocery store from a number of tortilla factories located in Pilsen. But more than anything else here, I love the National Museum of Mexican Art,  which was the first of its kind in the entire nation. It's free and their Dia de Los Muertos exhibit each fall is not to be missed.

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Thank you so much Jess for showing us your side of Chicago!

If you would like to share your hometown with the world, please email us:

windshielddiaries at gmail dot com