Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[macraven]

well, we put the air on yesterday as it was in the mid 80's.


i do check weather for where we used to live.
when i start missing not living there, i look at the weather on line and then remember why we moved.

the one thing i truly miss and can never find a replacement for is Tom Skilling on the news......


i booked a flight out of atlanta for 4.5 weeks from now.
going to see son and his family for a partial day and have set up 3 different appointments for my doctors up in chicago area.

i have not had success in replacing any of them yet.

i had a specialist in chicago that i also need to do a check up with so i need to get that appointment set up tomorrow.
he was the surgeon that did my surgery 10 months ago.
he removed my salivary glands on the left side of head and neck.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hopefully in 4.5 weeks the frost will be gone! LOL

 

[macraven]

so maybe i should bring my winter coat with me.......??


lol

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

AND a bathing suit, because it tends to switch from one day to the next! LOL

 

[macraven]

checked the weather up north.
doesn't look like it is bathiing suit weather...

 

[DebD4T]

Hello all, I am not living in Chicago, but my DD will be attending college there this coming fall. We just got back from a visit to your city and I just wanted to say that we LOVED it!! The people were so friendly and helpful and the city itself was amazing!!
DH and I were searching for the best Chicago deep dish pizza and most authentic Chicago hot dog.
We tried Giordanos Chicago deep dish pizza, Pizanos deep dish sausage and mushroom pizza and Weiner Circle hot dog.
Any other suggestions for the next trip??
Thanks

 

[macraven]

i guess you came on a good day to find all the people so nice......lol.... jk

flukys if a good place:

Fluky's began in Chicago in 1929 on Maxwell and Halsted Streets. Founded by Abe Drexler, the original stand is self acknowledged as the originator of the Chicago-style hot dog.[2][3] They sold what was known as a "Depression Sandwich," a frankfurter on a bun with mustard, pickle relish, onion, dill pickle, hot peppers, lettuce and tomatoes, accompanied by french fries, for 5 cents.[1] Today, Fluky's hot dog doesn't come with lettuce, but is much the same.

Still owned by the Drexler family, Fluky's maintains a stand in a Wal-Mart in Niles. The one-time chain had dwindled by the time the last city of Chicago Fluky's, 6821 N. Western Ave., changed its name to U Lucky Dawg on February 14, 2006; that site had been owned by a licensee for the previous ten years.[2]A later location in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, was open only a short time.

In the intro to the third season of the sitcom Roseanne, the daughter Darlene is seen wearing a Fluky's t-shirt; also, Season 2 Episode 14 Becky is wearing the t-shirt.

 

[Crissup]

Actually, the originators of the Chicago hotdog were actually two Jewish guys (I believe they were brothers, possibly rabbis) who wanted to enjoy the frankfurter craze that was popular at the time. Problem was, frankfurters were not kosher due to the fact that they were made from scraps and also primarily pork, both of which were not kosher in the Jewish faith. So they decided they would set out to create their own frankfurter that would be kosher. This meant no pork, no fillers, only quality cuts of meat (no animal scraps), etc. Thus was born the Kosher dog, otherwise known as the Chicago dog. Popular brands of grocery store Chicago dogs are Hebrew National, Kosher's Best, etc. But none are more iconic than the Vienna brand. The Vienna dog defines the Chicago dog. Everything else that makes up a Chicago dog was added over the years.

It is customary to eat apples (or applesauce) with pork, as it contains an enzyme that kills the bacteria that lives in the meat of the pork. In the case of a hotdog, generally catsup (or ketchup) is used instead to kill the bacteria and cover the taste of the pork scraps. Because the Chicago dog does not have a problem with bacteria from pork, and it is not made from meat scraps, it is considered poor taste to use a heavy condiment such as ketchup on your Chicago dog (would you put ketchup on your steak? A child might, but surely not an adult). It's also become a way to flip the bird to New Yorkers and their "pork scrap" dogs, that we do not need to bury the flavor of our hotdogs under heavy tomato sauce. Thus, it has become a major matter of pride to *never* be caught putting ketchup on a Chicago dog.

The best dog in Chicago, like the best pizza in Chicago, can be the subject of many a life long feud and can destroy friendships (sort of kidding). That said, most Chicagoans will agree that Portillo's has one of the best in town, even if they're not willing to declare them the best. Just remember that there really are no hard and fast rules around a Chicago dog beyond the basics. The rest are just guidelines. For example, the fluorescent green relish that is an accepted standard was not added until the 70's. Prior to that, it was just standard green sweet relish. So if you find a historic dog house, it's probably not going to use the 'correct' relish. In fact, Superdawg uses pickled tomatillo wedges.

As for Pizza, that's a whole 'nother book. Giordano's is the popular tourist spot for some reason (most people I know don't like it. It's a chain place). Avoid Uno's unless it's their original River North location, or best yet, just go find a Lou Malnati's and have one of Lou's deep dishes with their butter crust. You'll swear you died and went to Heaven.

 

[Big V]

I love going to Portillos when were in the Chicago area. I always end up getting the Italian beef sandwich, never had a dog there. Next time, I'll have to try one or two!

 

[Crissup]

I love going to Portillos when were in the Chicago area. I always end up getting the Italian beef sandwich, never had a dog there. Next time, I'll have to try one or two!

Yeah, I didn't even get into the Italian Beef discussion. I was just having this exact conversation earlier in the week as we had several colleagues in town for an Intel Security EBC. Italian Beef is a fairly new (relatively speaking, 20-25 years) addition to Portillo's menu, but very quickly became one of the best in town. Most people feel Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park is the best. I've yet to get to Johnnie's.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Yeah, I didn't even get into the Italian Beef discussion. I was just having this exact conversation earlier in the week as we had several colleagues in town for an Intel Security EBC. Italian Beef is a fairly new (relatively speaking, 20-25 years) addition to Portillo's menu, but very quickly became one of the best in town. Most people feel Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park is the best. I've yet to get to Johnnie's.

Johnnie's is the best, followed in a close second by Chickie's.

 

[Crissup]

Johnnie's is the best, followed in a close second by Chickie's.

I hadn't had Chickie's until they moved to their new location near Wolfe and 22nd. Now I'll occasionally make a quick run over there for lunch, or if I'm on my way back to the office after a client meeting downtown and still haven't had lunch, I'll detour past and grab a beef. I agree they're pretty good.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I hadn't had Chickie's until they moved to their new location near Wolfe and 22nd. Now I'll occasionally make a quick run over there for lunch, or if I'm on my way back to the office after a client meeting downtown and still haven't had lunch, I'll detour past and grab a beef. I agree they're pretty good.

We grew up going to their original location in Little Village. We'd scrape together 54 cents for a gravy bread when playing at the park nearby. Soooo good!

 

[macraven]

now i am hungry......

 

[Crissup]

now i am hungry......

Portillo's ships, as does Lou's as well.

 

[Bunchkin]

Why don't you people get together any more?? I didn't realize I was supposed to put someone in charge of meet-ups.
I've been gone 7 years!!! When's the last time Chicago area peeps got together??
Discuss.........................

 

[Crissup]

I've been gone 7 years!!! When's the last time Chicago area peeps got together??

Umm... The last time you came to town and rounded everyone up.

 

[Bunchkin]

Umm... The last time you came to town and rounded everyone up.

I suspected as much. Y'all need to get your act together and do something about that.

 

[Crissup]

Y'all need to get your act together and do something about that.

We are doing something. We're waiting for your return.

 

[KimRaye]

I'll be in WDW next week so don't meet then.