that capn jazz album title is imo the strongest argument yet made against the first amendment.
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michigan is right there I say we make it Quad State
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https://twitter.com/conner_omalley/status/1144303425838096389?lang=en
this is what i imagine yeso does when he’s not posting here
Literally everyone I met there.
That’s fair. It would be higher if I got along better with bigger cities. To be clear: it’s great for a big city, but I don’t know how to qualify it without insulting people from other big cities.
Another hot take: Chicago giardiniera is oily and much spicier, but everyone there thinks it’s the ‘right’ kind, as opposed to the vinegary kind you get literally everywhere else in the US.
he understands the region better than any of the second city types its true
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you should come back in October for the architectural Open House festivities
And of course I can tell you chill things to do so you don’t have to deal with any riff raff this time
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It’s funny you mention this because I was confused to what a tri-state area was when I was younger and just assumed it was the 4 corners situation where you have big old desert states with nothing in them so why not clump em together.
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That’s probably not a bad idea. I also unfortunately missed an architectural tour of the Monadnock by a day due to flight delays, so there’s that too.
structuring an architecture + relaxed pace visit around the Open House events would be a good way to approach a trip, especially with the intention to get out of the city center and into the (real) neighborhoods where I can’t imagine you’ll find any of the off-putting social pressure you encountered recently. Weather should still be decent on mid October, though I’m sure someone acclimated to Alberta won’t have a problem
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heading out to chicago for a couple of days next week – would love any good food recommendations. never had polish food before so whats good out there? we’re looking at the architectural tour and a couple museums. in general any suggestions welcome for things to do out there
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i bet @yeso knows some good polish food in chicago
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yeah I can hook you up, whereabouts are you staying and how long will you be in town?
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lincoln park, in total 5 days so not just a couple days actually lol
ah ok. How are you getting around? transit or will you have access to a car?
nope only public transit 
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OK I hope this isnt too disorganized but here are some suggestions
Summary
ok
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Polish food - I recommend Staropolska on Milwaukee. I think they have like a sampler plate on the menu so a number of these dishes may be included, but this is what you’ll want to try: pierogi, kielbasa, bigos, potato pancake, gołąbki, and it may sound strange to order soup in the summer, but try zurek and red borscht if those are available. Żywiec beer if that’s available
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If you’re going to try deep dish - I’d say go to a Lou Malnati’s. I wouldn’t mess with Pequod’s despite what you may be told. It’s not bad or anything but it’s a lot of rigmarole when it’s slammed. And maybe just get like a small so you can try it. If you make a meal of it it’ll put you in a coma
- however, there’s a kind of pizza called “tavern style” which is the more I guess authentic and what locals usually go for. The best place for that is pretty far on the south side at Vito and Nick’s, but there’s a pretty decent place called Pat’s that’s in lincoln park. Good beer food
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The other touristy food place I have strong feelings about - Al’s for italian beef. Get the sandwich dipped
An then here are some kind of disorganized recommendations for places to walk around/eat/hang out/take photos
Downtown —
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When you go downtown to the loop from lincoln park - you’ll want to take the Brown line and post up on the left side of the car - there’s a cool view down the river once you get close to the loop. Don’t take the red line because that goes underground and you can’t see anything
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Harold Washington Library is worth stopping by. It’s a neat-looking building, and then the top floor has an atrium reading room. Nice place to chill for a minute. Ask at the front desk about the art collection scavenger hunt thing they have it’s neat (if they still do it)
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Against all odds Xoco is a good not too expensive restaurant. Really good pozole
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Art Institute and the Field Museum are the best of the major ones downtown. Will be tempting to go on free admission days, but I would advise against this if at all possible because they get so crowded you might have a bad time. The aquarium is nice but it’s really expensive now a days. Obviously you’ll want to save the indoor activities for any bad weather days if any
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Siskel Film center is on State.
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Skip navy pier. it sucks ass
West Side -
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Take the Green Line from the loop out to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Good view of the west side + the Conservatory is quite nice of course
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Humboldt Park along division west of Western Ave is a nice puerto rican neighborhood to walk around
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There’s a good bookstore/comic/zine shop called Quimby’s on North Ave that’s worth stopping by if not out of your way. Neighborhood is a gentrification nightmare otherwise
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dont go on “the 606” its dumb as hell
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A few good restaurants in unfortunately gentrifying neighborhoods + they’re a little pricier but I would recommend them: Lula Cafe, Daisies, and Mi Tocaya Antojería all in Logan Square
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Probably too far afield, but there’s a Polish bakery on Lawrence called Delightful Pastries that’s really good. You can try pączki
South side -
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Chinatown - qing xiang yuan is a good restaurant. Make sure when walking around don’t just stick by the mall, take a short stroll south down Wentworth where there are lots more little shops, etc. There’s a little out of the way park called Ping Tom that’s worth checking out
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Good bar called Maria’s in Bridgeport. They have food, but also there’s a good restaurant down there called Duck Inn
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National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen is cool. There’s a nice restaurant called Cinco Rabanitos not far from the museum. Lots of street art to see in Pilsen, but because it’s getting gentrified (sad, familiar theme) a lot of that stuff is disappearing, but I think there are older ones along 16th street between Halsted and Wood or so. 18th street is the main drag for walking around, photos, otherwise
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Little Village is the non-gentrified Mexican neighborhood. There’s a good taqueria on Whipple called La Caparrita. The Numero Group record label is also down there and they have a little shop. Walking down Cermak between like Kedzie and Washtenaw is a lively spot for photos and looking at neighborhood stuff.
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birrieria zaragoza is on Pulaski that place is really good. They opened another location in Uptown, but idk how that one is never been there
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In Hyde Park (best to take one of the express buses from downtown rather than the L) - go to the Seminary Co-op bookstore, specifically the one on Woodlawn. You’ll love it. Robie House is a stone’s throw away so you can sign up for a tour there. Dusable museum and Science and Industry are also close by. Morry’s deli is a good place to eat. Can also walk out to Promontory Point and hang out. In fact the lakefront from there down to 63rd street beach is more relaxed than up north. Also in Hyde Park - The Oriental Institute is a museum attached to the university that’s focused on like the Mesopotamia olden times and has some cool stuff. Rockefeller chapel is another architecture thing
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Pullman is a neighborhood that’s also technically a National Park. Cool architecture and history there. Get a coffee at Pullman Club on 111th and have a walk around. Might be tricky to take CTA , but there’s a metra electric stop that works great.
North Side -
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Vietnamese food in Uptown. Everyone goes to Tank Noodle which is pretty good but I’m not an expert. There’s a bar called The Green Mill around there on Broadway where Al Capone used to hang out if you want to see that
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The Music Box is a cool repertory theater everyone loves it
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Devon west of Western is a lively Indian/Pakistani neighborhood with a million restaurants. Uru Swati is good vegan
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Lincoln Park Zoo is free and a pleasant walk
Suburbs -
- Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield. You can take the Metra out there. Enormous arcade. Might take too much turnaround time to be worth it though.
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and don’t waste money on a cab to/from the airport. The Orange Line and Blue Line work just great for Midway and O’hare, respectively!
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Man this is gold, thanks yeso. Very excited for this trip.
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chicago is so cool
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lmk if you have any questions or concerns. Make sure to get the 7-day CTA passes for getting around
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