Things that are a must do when in Chicago

Gern Blansten

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Indifference71

Gern Blansten said:

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Do it!  It's a very underrated stadium with reasonable prices and great food/beer selection.  

wsimon74

shoot, didn't even look at the schedule, makes sense with the PJ show. Silly me. LOL. 

PJ_Soul

know1 said:

pjhawks said:

not necessary a tourist question but what is the bar situation before the show around Wrigley?  do-able or too crowded for the Monday night show?

For the past three Wrigley shows, we've found the Wrigleyville bars incredibly crowded. You basically either couldn't get in, or if you did, your could barely move and it would take 15 minutes or more to get a drink from the bar. The last show in 2016, we just went in to Wrigley early and drank expensive beers from the concession stands. This year, we're planning on just bar hopping downtown instead and heading up closer to the start of the show.

I only went once, but when I did all the bars were packed just like you said, and it took forever to get served drinks and food (I actually had to run off to a hotdog shack while I waited for the meal I ordered in the bar - I was just too hungry to wait for the hour+ it took to get a sandwich at the bar!). However, if you get to a good place earlier in the day and stake a claim on a table there, that would probably work for you - get in before it's standing room only. Just don't go to a place that isn't prepared for crowds, i.e. has good service ratings. The place I went to seemed very weirdly unprepared for it to be really busy, even though it being really busy was a given - they were even warned that a huge PJ crew would be coming days and days ahead of time. I don't know if half their staff didn't show up or they are just stupid. Also, their A/C was broken, so it was basically hell on Earth, lol.

bbiggs

Gern Blansten said:

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Don’t worry. You can get tickets the day of. They sell out about 50% of the seats these days. 

jerparker20

Get_Right said:

Nobody recommended the chocolate shake at wieners circle?     

Kind of surprised no one has brought this place up yet...

bbiggs

My suggestion for show days is to experience more of Wrigleyville than just Murphy’s or Cubby Bear. There are so many great bars/restaurants within blocks of the stadium. Much more to see than just the two aforementioned spots. And all of them will be packed with PJ fans...such an awesome vibe. 

HesCalledDyer

I can't really add much that hasn't been said but definitely go to a Sox game if you have the time.  It's a great park (it's just facing the wrong direction).  Be sure to check out the brick plaza at the main entrance behind home plate.  And the original Comiskey home plate in Lot B, by the skywalks.  And while you're down that way, hit up Johnny O's just west in Bridgeport for a "mother-in-law" sandwich!

2-feign-reluctance

"drop a lou" at Lou's pizza joint. Maybe not day of show though.

Gern Blansten

HesCalledDyer said:

I can't really add much that hasn't been said but definitely go to a Sox game if you have the time.  It's a great park (it's just facing the wrong direction).  Be sure to check out the brick plaza at the main entrance behind home plate.  And the original Comiskey home plate in Lot B, by the skywalks.  And while you're down that way, hit up Johnny O's just west in Bridgeport for a "mother-in-law" sandwich!

I saw that 500 level tix were $5

mschostok

TC282314 said:

How is Kingston Mines these days? It’s been years since I’ve been, but was great. Still worth the cab ride on Sunday night between shows?

Definitely. Great blues musicians play there all the time. 

mschostok

Get_Right said:

Nobody recommended the chocolate shake at wieners circle?     Great town, wish I was coming in for these shows.
Pequods for deep dish is the call.  Just keep in mind that it takes almost an hour to get your pie.  Not the best place to go when you have a buzz from the show and you are hungry. You are practically asleep and sober by the time your food arrives.
Also for chicago style hot dogs, I am a fan of superdawg over portillos.

Lol...chocolate shake at Weiner's Circle if you're feeling up for it.

HesCalledDyer

Gern Blansten said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I can't really add much that hasn't been said but definitely go to a Sox game if you have the time.  It's a great park (it's just facing the wrong direction).  Be sure to check out the brick plaza at the main entrance behind home plate.  And the original Comiskey home plate in Lot B, by the skywalks.  And while you're down that way, hit up Johnny O's just west in Bridgeport for a "mother-in-law" sandwich!

I saw that 500 level tix were $5

The best part is there will only be about 1500 people at the game so you can grab those $5 tickets and pretty much sit wherever you want.

bbiggs

And may I suggest for those that are set on getting a Chicago style hot dog, go to portillos as people have already mentioned, but bypass the dog and get an Italian beef. If you really want to get crazy, get a combo (Italian beef and Italian sausage). Hot dogs are overrated. If you need to have one to say youve had a Chicago style dog, I get it, but eat it as a chaser after your beef sandwich. The beef is killer. 

KC138045

bbiggs said:

And may I suggest for those that are set on getting a Chicago style hot dog, go to portillos as people have already mentioned, but bypass the dog and get an Italian beef. If you really want to get crazy, get a combo (Italian beef and Italian sausage). Hot dogs are overrated. If you need to have one to say youve had a Chicago style dog, I get it, but eat it as a chaser after your beef sandwich. The beef is killer. 

Looks like there is a Portillos a 13 minute walk form my hotel.  I'll go with your suggestions.

bbiggs

KC138045 said:

bbiggs said:

And may I suggest for those that are set on getting a Chicago style hot dog, go to portillos as people have already mentioned, but bypass the dog and get an Italian beef. If you really want to get crazy, get a combo (Italian beef and Italian sausage). Hot dogs are overrated. If you need to have one to say youve had a Chicago style dog, I get it, but eat it as a chaser after your beef sandwich. The beef is killer. 

Looks like there is a Portillos a 13 minute walk form my hotel.  I'll go with your suggestions.

You won’t be disappointed bud. 

lolobugg

2-feign-reluctance said:

"drop a lou" at Lou's pizza joint. Maybe not day of show though.

  I was about to recommend this.

and def not the day of the show. might end up like our friend FMe

I actually prefer Giordanos or however f it is spelled.

HesCalledDyer

KC138045 said:

bbiggs said:

And may I suggest for those that are set on getting a Chicago style hot dog, go to portillos as people have already mentioned, but bypass the dog and get an Italian beef. If you really want to get crazy, get a combo (Italian beef and Italian sausage). Hot dogs are overrated. If you need to have one to say youve had a Chicago style dog, I get it, but eat it as a chaser after your beef sandwich. The beef is killer. 

Looks like there is a Portillos a 13 minute walk form my hotel.  I'll go with your suggestions.

Get a chocolate cake shake, too!

Dug1200

bbiggs said:

Gern Blansten said:

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Don’t worry. You can get tickets the day of. They sell out about 50% of the seats these days. 

Buy the cheapest ticket at the box office and you can sit lower level....so ive heard

elvistheking44

Dug1200 said:

bbiggs said:

Gern Blansten said:

wsimon74 said:

Visit Wrigleyville (Murphys) and then catch a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. Pippins pub. Grant Park.  Homeslice Pizza. 

Cubs aren't playing home games but the White Sox are....thought about going there the 19th

Don’t worry. You can get tickets the day of. They sell out about 50% of the seats these days. 

Buy the cheapest ticket at the box office and you can sit lower level....so ive heard

Not true. South side ballpark is strict about letting people into the lower concourse without a proper ticket. The park is designed so you have to pass an usher before entering at any section and they will be checking tickets.