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So I took the advice of a roommate, and I started an account, my primary account at Corus Bank. I get interest on my free checking account because I have direct deposit, which is nice, though not...
So I took the advice of a roommate, and I started an account, my primary account at Corus Bank. I get interest on my free checking account because I have direct deposit, which is nice, though not that lucrative, due to my starving writer wages. The customer service is always nice, and they never seem to mind that I always forget my account number. The monthly statement includes copies of the few checks i write, and those are only for things that I can't pay online. The online services are free, and make online banking easy. My biggest complaint is that there are only four branches in the city, not counting suburban branches, which I am not about to visit. The downtown branch is fine, but the outside atm doesn't have a deposit function, which can be a pain when I don't feel like going in before my day job. I did get a nifty little car tool set for opening an account, because I had a referral from my roommate, and she got something too, but I can't remember what...as if this makes a difference. To sum Corus Bank up, a very good bank if you live or work close by a branch.
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A small storefront on Halsted, next to 7-11, The Chicago Diner caters to vegetarians and the vegetable-friendly. There is nothing that I have had here that I didn't like. The salads are plentiful,...
A small storefront on Halsted, next to 7-11, The Chicago Diner caters to vegetarians and the vegetable-friendly. There is nothing that I have had here that I didn't like. The salads are plentiful, the sandwiches are vegetarian takes on the typical diner food. The servers are cute, little girls, not bright, but friendly and enthusiastic about the food. They are very helpful, and if and when it comes to dietary concerns, the Chicago Diner is more than accommodating. The ingredients are fresh and focused, and the portions are generous. The prices are reasonable, fairly cheap, but it can add up when you have to order a mixed juice or smoothie, and then when you add on a vegan dessert. But it's good food, and it's good for you.
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Gaymart
Category:
Gift Shops
3457 N Halsted St
Chicago, Illinois 60657
(773) 929-4272
I think it may just be a stereotype that gay men love kitsch (think John Waters on the Simpsons), but this store feeds the stereotype. All kinds of TV and movie memorabilia fill this store on...
I think it may just be a stereotype that gay men love kitsch (think John Waters on the Simpsons), but this store feeds the stereotype. All kinds of TV and movie memorabilia fill this store on Halsted in the heart of Boystown. Everything you could need or desire from all of your favourite tv shows from 30 years ago, as well as more current fare. If you need a Family Guy doll, go to Gaymart. A life-sized Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas, go to Gaymart. It's kitsch, it's camp, and there is a lot of it. Give yourself plenty of time, and go with the right person, and this shopping experience will be a lot of fun. Or take in your great-aunt from Iowa, that'd be funny, too. There is lots of gay paraphernalia as well...I mean, it's called Gaymart.
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Firefly
Category:
Restaurants
3335 N Halsted St
Chicago, Illinois 60657
(773) 525-2505
FireFly is darkly lit, with tall walled booths, and lots of fabric. It's nice inside, romantically dim, I suppose. The menu isn't extensive, but you'll find something good, or at least decent. ...
FireFly is darkly lit, with tall walled booths, and lots of fabric. It's nice inside, romantically dim, I suppose. The menu isn't extensive, but you'll find something good, or at least decent. The cuisine is american "comfort", and again I became distracted by appetizers, and skipped the entrées, which didn't really capture my imagination. The soup, a lobster bisque, was really quite excellent once i added just a touch of salt. Nothing else stood up to the bisque, but I wasn't disappointed with the remainder of my meal, either. The server was polite, and helpful when I started asking questions. The prices weren't astronomical, but they weren't cheap, either. If you skip martinis (good luck), it won't be more than forty bucks with tip.
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Nookies Tree became my usual spot for a late breakfast or lunch when I lived in the area. The menu has a little bit of everything, as well as some daily specials. I am a creature of habit, so I...
Nookies Tree became my usual spot for a late breakfast or lunch when I lived in the area. The menu has a little bit of everything, as well as some daily specials. I am a creature of habit, so I fell in love with the Turkey a la Normandy, a turkey burger with a ton of blue cheese crumbles and fresh spinach leaves. The sandwiches come with a cup of soup, or some other stuff that I never order, like fries. Nookies has salads and regular burgers, more typical sandwiches, as well as really good breakfasts. They usually have unique selections of pancakes or something in the comfort food category. The service is adequate, with a few bright spots here and there, but the place is usually quite busy, so I guess they do their best (I try to think the best of people, a problem, I know). Prices are reasonable, with a lunch or breakfast for two running around $20. Oh, and get the juice. It's fresh-squeezed, and really tasty.
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Usually my gay friends insist on Las Mananitas, but I never complain. It's got a great patio, it's right in the heart of Boystown, so there is always something to laugh at, and don't forget the...
Usually my gay friends insist on Las Mananitas, but I never complain. It's got a great patio, it's right in the heart of Boystown, so there is always something to laugh at, and don't forget the margaritas, which are big and strong. The dishes are entrée-based, with the requisite beans and rice on the side. Appetizers, and well, everything is standard for the cuisine, so don't expect anything too special or unique here, other than the majority of the patrons are flaming. So i guess if that turns you off, well, you shouldn't be living in Chicago in the first place. The atmosphere is festive, and I am not trying to call out anyone's stereotype, it really is energetic and everyone seems to be having a good time, thanks to the tequila and the friendliness of the place. The guests are friendly, and the servers and bartenders are friendly, so it can seem like one big love fest, but like i said, thank you, tequila. The prices are reasonable, considering the huge portions in both food and drink. It can get really busy, so expect to wait a while for a table, but just get a drink and sit in the crowded bar. They will come get you shortly, and most likely, gay-ly.
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Cozy Noodles N' Rice is a tiny store-front on Sheffield that serves good Thai food, but nothing extraordinary. What makes Cozy unique are the toys. There are all sorts of vintage toys everywhere,...
Cozy Noodles N' Rice is a tiny store-front on Sheffield that serves good Thai food, but nothing extraordinary. What makes Cozy unique are the toys. There are all sorts of vintage toys everywhere, even in the tables. The place can get noisy when it is full, but I am an expert at going at off-times, so I find Cozy to be quiet, and well, cozy (sorry, i couldn't resist). The menu offers the typical Thai fare, pad Thai, pad see-uw, spring rolls, which I really like. There are rice dishes as well, and I recommend the curries. Everything is flavourful, and well-prepared. the Thai Iced-tea is a favourite of mine, too. The prices are pretty standard, which translates to cheap. I used to get take-out a lot as well, when I lived a block away, and they were always really fast. The staff is nice, and they can be helpful is you ask it of them.
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This place almost slipped my notice, tucked away, almost under the El at Addison, but across the street from the station. My roommate took me here, and walked me through it. It's good to get the...
This place almost slipped my notice, tucked away, almost under the El at Addison, but across the street from the station. My roommate took me here, and walked me through it. It's good to get the special, which is a gi-normous piece of pizza and a soda for $5. The base is cheese or pepperoni or sausage, and the pizza slice can be modified with any ingredient. They put the slice in the oven for a bit, so you get it hot and gooey. You have to wait a couple of minutes, but you can spend that time getting a soda or watching the tv's hung around the room. It gets a little tight at the counter when it gets busy. If you are prone to add red pepper or oregano, you have the shakers right where you pick up your slice, which is also where the person behind the counter cashes you out. Other than that, it's a decent slice, with the added ingredients especially (think large slices of mushrooms, not the canned pieces), quite crusty, and cheap.
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Salt and Pepper Diner is good for breakfast, but good luck getting a table. I usually wait until quite late in the day for my breakfast, and still the place is packed. I grab a seat at the bar...
Salt and Pepper Diner is good for breakfast, but good luck getting a table. I usually wait until quite late in the day for my breakfast, and still the place is packed. I grab a seat at the bar when I get impatient, which is often. The breakfast is the proto-typical breakfast that all of us Americans are supposed to love and crave: lots of eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, hash browns. It's fairly cheap, I mean, it's only breakfast, so how much can it set you back? The service is too busy to pay you much attention, so either don't need anything, or anticipate needing something so you can ask for it when you do have the server's ear. It's good for people-watching, especially on the weekends, trying to decide who has gone home and slept in their own bed, and who hasn't.
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The Pepper Lounge is a nice spot if you are trying to impress a girl over dinner. It's quaintly romantic and cozy inside, with the tables set up for forced intimacy, though sometimes with those at...
The Pepper Lounge is a nice spot if you are trying to impress a girl over dinner. It's quaintly romantic and cozy inside, with the tables set up for forced intimacy, though sometimes with those at the table next to yours. But when the place isn't full, it's really quite nice. The food is like so many other restaurants in this town, same ingredients and preps, but it is quite good, so don't let me deter you from trying the place. The menu is just big enough; I had a hard time picking just one appetizer, so I convinced my friends split four instead. The service was very good, though I can't remember his name. The place is bit pricey, but the ingredients are definitely fresh, so I guess that makes it worth it, right?
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