|
The Chicago Sun-times is without a doubt the best paper in the city of Chicago. This says a lot about the writing as well as the simple fact it is easier to read and carry around with you because...
The Chicago Sun-times is without a doubt the best paper in the city of Chicago. This says a lot about the writing as well as the simple fact it is easier to read and carry around with you because of its tabloid format. It opens more like a magazine which just makes it easier to read whether you are on the train, in a cab or sitting in the lunchroom.
The sports is the best thing in this paper. Thankfully, this paper is not the Cubune and offers some fair and balanced reporting on the two sports teams in this town. The Tribune can hardly be called fair considering it OWNS the Chicago Cubs. I was suprised to find the Tribune put the Sox winning the World Series on the front page. I had always figured if that happened the Trib would put something about the Cubs latest blunder on the front page and bury the Sox story somewhere near the Classifieds.
The Sun-Times has the best columnists in the city. Neil Steinberg, Jay Mariotti, Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper are all my favorites. Their editorial pages are the ones I actually ready and enjoy.
Between the two papers in Chicago, the Sun-Times is the way to go, handsd down.
Hide
|
|
Wxrt
Category:
Uncategorized
Chicago, Illinois 60607
(773) 777-1700
WXRT is a station that has been steadfastly playing rock and roll in Chicago for more years than I have been alive. No matter the changes to the genre this station remains resolute and is one of...
WXRT is a station that has been steadfastly playing rock and roll in Chicago for more years than I have been alive. No matter the changes to the genre this station remains resolute and is one of the only stations left that still allows the DJs to pick the music they play.
Sure the station at times plays some stinkers. I certainly could do with a little less Grateful Dead and Phish. However, for the most complete look at rock and roll both old and new you can't go wrong with WXRT. The variety is fantastic and a lot of the time it's the only station that will play certain artists. How many pop stations play the new Shawn Mullins or Peter Himmelman song?
The radio talent has been there forever. As someone who dreams of working for the station this can be frustrating since no one ever leaves so there's never an opening. Still, you kind of get to know these people and it's through the music they play.
They just don't do radio like this station anymore and I'm glad it's here in Chicago.
Hide
|
|
Organica
Category:
Nutrition And Supplements
289 N Barrington Rd
Streamwood, Illinois 60107
(630) 872-2000
When you are like me and have food allergies, it's tough to just run out to the store and pick things up when you run out. Stores like 7-11 and White Hen just don't have the space or money or...
When you are like me and have food allergies, it's tough to just run out to the store and pick things up when you run out. Stores like 7-11 and White Hen just don't have the space or money or customer base to carry lactose and gluten free foods for guys like me. We are a pretty small niche market.
That's why it's nice when you can find a good-sized healthfood store out in the 'burbs that carries all kinds of food for all kinds of people. Organica is big and well-lit and very well-stocked. Loaded with gluten free and lactose free foods for people like me.
The people who run the store are very friendly and will recognize you if you've been in there before. They also seem to know a LOT about the products they sell and they sell a lot. From vitamins and supplements to the food they seem to have tried it all and can make excellent recommendations.
For all gluten-free fare you need to try the Gluten Free market in Buffalo Grove, but that place closes so early it's tough to get to during the week. Organica stays open later and is a great place to go to get a caron of milk or pick up a gluten free loaf of bread.
Hide
|
|
Gameworks
Category:
Amusement Parks
601 N Martingale Rd
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
(847) 330-9675
Gameworks is in the fabricated community known as The Streets of Woodfield. Just across the street from the enormous Woodfield Mall this place is an adventure in and of itself just to get to the...
Gameworks is in the fabricated community known as The Streets of Woodfield. Just across the street from the enormous Woodfield Mall this place is an adventure in and of itself just to get to the parking garage. It is generally so crowded with the restaurants, bars and movie theaters around that you need to have a kind of plow on the front of your car just to push people out of your way.
I was there just this past weekend (May of 2006) for a friend's bachelor party. It started out fine as we sat in the bar and waited over an hour for a table in the restaurant. We had fine views of the Sox game, so it wasn't too bad. The music was at a reasonable level and the music was decent.
We finally got a table and I ordered a Cobb salad without the bleu cheese, please. It came with bleu cheese and had to be sent back. Several friends had game cards from previous visits. They were told that the machine to check how much was still on the cards was down so they would either need to buy new cards or come back next week. So, were we to move back the wedding by a week? A $20 card will cost you around $23 after the activation fee and taxes.
Most of the games were broken. The auto racing game that allows about six people to sit in Indy Car simulators had two cars down. The huge game where to sit in a chair and shoot hot air ballons and shoot up nearly three stories also had a chair broken. The basketball hoop game had a broken station. The Skee Ball area had several broken down machines.
Then, at some point some idiot who looks a lot like the rapper LudaCris took a microphone and began SCREAMING into it and asking people to do insane things like jumping jacks to earn a free game card. The music turned into this thumping, annoying, indecipherable house music like we were at a rave. At some point a friend of mine and I tried to find a spot that was quiet and we both tried to figure out which orifice we could insert the microphone into the raving, not-funny moron with the mircophone.
Dave and Busters is just a short ride south on 355. The food is better and I have never been there and found so many games not working.
Hide
|
|
WCKG is a radio station that has suffered as of late. For a while things looked good, if a tad dated. They had Howard Stern in the morning, Kevin Matthews doing middays and radio legend Steve Dahl...
WCKG is a radio station that has suffered as of late. For a while things looked good, if a tad dated. They had Howard Stern in the morning, Kevin Matthews doing middays and radio legend Steve Dahl in the afternoon. Well, Howard left for Sirius satellite radio to grouse and moan about who not all of his listeners want to spend hundreds of dollars on a radio and then $12 a month to be able to listen to it. Kevin Matthews is certifiable and now is acting like a lunatic in Michigan.
The replacements have been less than stellar. The idiotic Rover in the Morning show is just, well, idiotic. Even the promos for this show are not funny. Midday guys Stan and Terry are great as part of Steve Dahl's show but unlistenable during a full shift by themselves. Money screamer Jim Cramer is also unlistenable.
I have grown to like Penn Jillette's one hour show from 1- 2 pm except that all he seems to talk about is how great it is to be an athiest. No, the reason to listen to 'CKG is for Steve Dahl who is still going strong from 2 - 7 every afternoon.
Steve has been through a lot including bouts with drug and alcohol addiction and the break up of the long-time legendary team of Steve and Garry. Still, these days I do think he is better than every. He gets grouchier every year, but the team of Steve, Buzz Killman and Wendy Snyder manages to keep me interested and make me laugh every afternoon.
WCKG is located at 105.9 FM on your radio dial. Tune in about 2 o'clock in the afternoon and then hang out for a few hours. I guarantee you a good time.
Hide
|
|
It's hard to review a chain store in my opinion. Generally speaking going into one Starbucks or McDonald's is generally the same the world over. The people at the chain stores that do things for...
It's hard to review a chain store in my opinion. Generally speaking going into one Starbucks or McDonald's is generally the same the world over. The people at the chain stores that do things for your cars are especially frustrating. The men who do the work are generally young and seem surly. They seem to be acting like they are just putting in their time until NASCAR comes calling or they can open their own garage.
Therefore, any switch in that temprament in worth noting. I ended up at this Park Ridge Illinois Jiffy Lube because the one I usually go to had said they ran out of oil filters for my Jeep. How does a Jiffy Lube run out of oil filters? I don't know. A little advice to those of you who run any kind of store? If you seem to be running out of something, order some more.
Anyway, I ended up at this Jiffy Lube on Higgins, a stone's throw from the tollway. Let me tell you, the service was so friendly, so convivial that I found myself using the word "convivial" when describing it like I just did now. They called me "Mr." They talked to me like I was not an idiot even though I am the first to admit I am when it comes to cars. They explained everything and well, geez, they were just so damn friendly.
They gave me an accurate estimate on how long it would take and I ended up leaving with a smile on my face. I recommend this particular Jiffy Lube if your car needs and oil change. It's probably the first time I ever enjoyed having my car worked on.
Hide
|
|
There are certain restaurants that just seem to exude class. Restaurants that because of their nature seem like very old and very traditional places. The kind of places that are dark in the bar...
There are certain restaurants that just seem to exude class. Restaurants that because of their nature seem like very old and very traditional places. The kind of places that are dark in the bar and have waitresses that look like they have been working there for most of their lives and the food has been the same since the Eisenhower administration. At times this can be a bad thing and I am willing to admit that. However, sometimes it's the fact that it's traditional and classy means that it's good. The old Berghoff restaurant in downtown Chicago was like that for me and my family but the Black Ram restaurant in Des Plaines is very special.
The bar is dark and there always seems to be older gentleman in there watching television. The place is generally quiet but pleasant for families. My family has had several full-family get-togethers there and we have never been disappointed. What brings us back? Well, it's not the prices, but the food.
My favorite is the rack of lamb crusted with bread crumbs and served with mint jelly. Where else do you find mint jelly served. I wasn't even sure they still made mint jelly.
The steak is fantastic, or so I have been told by my father. My mom also loves the chicken dishes. My dad is the most adventurous and he has affirmed that the menu is outstanding.
The restaurant is hidden and tucked away, sort of on a busy street full of hardware stores in Des Plaines and behind the forest preserve. If you blink and try to pay attention to the crazy traffic on Oakton you might drive right past it. I have been there several times and sometime I still drive right past it.
Find it. It's worth the effort. The food is excellent Try the lamb.
Hide
|
|
The Chicago Theatre started its life as a movie palace. Like in those classic movies where the theaters were owned by the movie companies and had huge ceilings and balconies. Most of those are...
The Chicago Theatre started its life as a movie palace. Like in those classic movies where the theaters were owned by the movie companies and had huge ceilings and balconies. Most of those are gone now, but you can still find the charm and feelings of nostalgia at the Chicago Theatre as it is now.
Revamped as a playhouse and concert hall this is still one of the coolest places to see a show. I saw a concert of The Flaming Lips and Beck and it had to be one of the strangest looking crowds for this classy theater. It's a great place to see a play as well.
If I were to ever write a movie screenplay or direct a movie and wanted to have the premier in Chicago, this is the theater I would have it at. It's like stepping back into the past. Plus, you have all of the charm and attractions available in downtown Chicago just a few steps from the door.
Hide
|
|
This little pub is hidden away, nestled into a neighborhood and far from the busy streets. This is probably one of the last of a breed of neigborhood pubs in the classic sense of the word. Imagine...
This little pub is hidden away, nestled into a neighborhood and far from the busy streets. This is probably one of the last of a breed of neigborhood pubs in the classic sense of the word. Imagine if that uncle you have who has a fancy wood bar in the basement decided to put that bar on the first floor and opened it up to the public. This is what the Newark Nook is like. It's like walking into someone's house and ordering a drink.
This is a no-frills kind of place. This is a place where people in and around the area of Chicago known as Norwood Park can literally walk to the bar and spend some time with neighbors and friends. No food, just booze. Decent selection, but nothing fancy. There's a TV for watching the games and enough fire department memorablia to make you think the guy who opened the place might be a retired fireman.
The cleanliness leaves a little to be desired. I remember thinking the bathroom could use a good cleaning.
Just for the charming aspect alone, it's worth finding. Good place to meet up with a friend, have a drink, catch the game and talk. No loud thumping music and nothing but people talking and drinking.
Hide
|
|
The area that this bar and restaurant is located in Glenview has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years. Almost literally over night an entire Wrigleyville-style community has been...
The area that this bar and restaurant is located in Glenview has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years. Almost literally over night an entire Wrigleyville-style community has been created. Restaurants, apartments, lofts and condos have all gone up in this one narrow strip.
The Yard House Restaurant has become may family's favorite among the various restaurants there. The bar is, to put it simpley, huge. There is more beer available here than just about anything in the nothern suburbs. While all of that is great and I can't imagine a more fun place to go for a drink afterwards, what brings my family back again and again is the food.
My parents are in love with the crabcakes. These things are so delicious they nearly defy description. They both love the pizza as well, but they recently brought back my dad's favorite bournaise burger and he is happy.
As for myself, the fish and steak selections are small but excellent. The sirloin comes with fries and a grilled portabello mushroom that is good enough to be a meal in its own.
Stop by for a drink, but try the food and you can't go wrong at the Yard House.
Hide
|