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Behind the humble facade of this small, unremarkable little shop on the south side of Chicago is one of the last of a dying breed: the beauty shop that's as much about hearts as about hair. Day...
Behind the humble facade of this small, unremarkable little shop on the south side of Chicago is one of the last of a dying breed: the beauty shop that's as much about hearts as about hair. Day after day for more than 40 years, Connie, Ella and Liz have been dishing out not just lots of beautiful hair styles, but lots of love. Many of the customers have been coming for 40 years, have mothers and sisters and grandmothers and granddaughters who have been coming to Miss Connie all their lives. This low tech, thoroughly non-modern salon (though customers range in age from the twenty-somethings to the ninety-somethings) is a place to be thoroughly at home and among friends, to share gossip and advice, to talk about the issues and the news, to encourage each other, laugh together, to share your life, your time and your heart. Most of us were heartbroken when they announced they would be retiring at the end of August. We know we'll never find another one like this one again.
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It's not always easy having a highly developed sense of taste: being able to detect the sliminess, gums, fillers, artificial flavors and textures that pack most commercial ice creams can make...
It's not always easy having a highly developed sense of taste: being able to detect the sliminess, gums, fillers, artificial flavors and textures that pack most commercial ice creams can make what other people consider a treat a trial for you. But even the most sensitive palates will find delight in the marvelous ice cream served up in heaping scoops at the Marble Slab Creamery in Skokie, IL. MS has some of the freshest, cleanest tasting ice cream I've ever had, it is my hands down favorite in the Chicago area. The ice cream is made fresh every day, and tastes like it -- no off flavors, sliminess or artificial tastes here, just clean, fresh, sweet delicious cold cream flavor. It leaves the palate clean and very happy. Flavors range from the popular and delicious Sweet Cream (a perfect medium for one of their dozen or so mix ins that are available, including junior mints, whole almonds and praline pecans) to the always wonderful Lemon Custard, Raspberry, Peach, Swiss Chocolate, Cookie Dough, Vanilla...are you hungry yet? And unlike some of the other cold slab mix-in shops, MS ice cream is delicious even without any mix-ins. Prices are high, calories higher, but its really so good that its worth it.
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Drive into the back alley that leads to Keiji's auto repair garage and you will immediately notice the long row of old, older and oldest Toyotas sitting on the lawn next to his door. It looks a bit...
Drive into the back alley that leads to Keiji's auto repair garage and you will immediately notice the long row of old, older and oldest Toyotas sitting on the lawn next to his door. It looks a bit like a Toyota graveyard, except that yes, these cars all belong to customers of Keiji who, with his help, well, just can't let go. "I tell the customers "Buy a new car, but..?" Keiji shrugs. No reason to replace them when you have the Toyota pro on hand to keep them in tip top shape. Keiji is a solo operation, he works alone, seemingly only on Toyotas and other Japanese cars. His prices are reasonable and he seems to be pretty good at keeping all those old cars running. Sometimes I've been a little troubled by his perhaps too laid back approach (is there such a thing as a mechanic who wants to do too little to your car?), but overall, I don't think anybody knows Toyotas better.
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The White Palace Diner is something of a Chicago landmark since it has been serving breakfast lunch and dinner at the corner of Roosevelt Rd and Canal for decades. Several years ago the old White...
The White Palace Diner is something of a Chicago landmark since it has been serving breakfast lunch and dinner at the corner of Roosevelt Rd and Canal for decades. Several years ago the old White Palace was purchased by new owners, demolished and rebuilt with a whole new look and feel. What it lost in ambiance and local color it gained in cleanliness and accessibility -- its now pretty much a standard 24 hour diner, quick, convenient and tasty food whenever you need it. Breakfasts are the strong suit here, a huge plate of waffles, eggs and ham goes for just over $5.25 and is worth every penny; and there's a very popular steak and eggs plate (grits or hash browns, your choice) for just under $10, and a wide variety of omelettes, skillets and the like. Food comes fast and hot, and while you're waiting you can try to identify who's who on the big mural of famous Chicagoans on the wall (hint: Mrs O'Leary's cow is the one with the bell around her neck).
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This charming and increasingly popular restaurant located in the heart of the thriving South Loop area (where Mayor Daley makes his home) opened only a few years ago and occupies the renovated...
This charming and increasingly popular restaurant located in the heart of the thriving South Loop area (where Mayor Daley makes his home) opened only a few years ago and occupies the renovated headquarters of the actual old Chicago Firehouse building. The interior is quiet, subdued and tasteful with dark green carpeting, lots of dark polished wood and big spacious banquettes. A large bar (with its own bar menu and seating) occupies the front of the restaurant with a small terrace available in the rear for outdoor dining. The food is good, homey American cuisine leaning in the direction of comfort food, with dishes ranging from a Philly cheese "chicken" sandwich to chicken with leeks and roots vegetables to meatloaf.
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