Comments on: Chicago joys

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:59:28 +0000

Jon – Manny is your barber too? He IS the best. Scheduling my haircut today…

Your list is great – I would add two things, both from my love of the southside:

1. The small family owned Italian Restaurant. Italian Village is great, for sure, but travel to Bridgeport or some other local neighborhood places and there is nothing like Chicago Italian food.

2. The Public Transit & Metra. The city that works has such a great public transit system.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:39:17 +0000

Gejas is having their “sale” next week! Whatever number year of their anniversary is the percent you get off your bill. For example, if this year is their 45th anniversary, then you get 45% off.

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:08:57 +0000

I“ve never even had the pleasure of visiting Chicago, not for lack of wanting to though. Wherever your family and friends are, is often the best place for home. We’d love to move just a bit North of where we are, but all of the grandparents are here and that hour and a half would be too much right now.

PS if you ever do leave Chicago, remember that every public place in Washington State is smoke free. It’s even prohibited within 25 feet of entrances.

By: Ann Boyd

Ann Boyd — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:18:49 +0000

Deborah, we are going to miss you so much when you move! Too bad we can’t ship you some of that Geja’s fondue — I’m glad you’re going to get some before you go. And there are always Chicago visits, which we will depend on from you!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:50:57 +0000

We’ve been thinking about this a lot! I agree with many of the comments. The museums are wonderful – we’re trying to visit as many as possible before we move – and the food is great. We made a special point of having Mediterranean food in Andersonville, Lou Malnati’s in Lawndale, and we’ll probably try to get to Geja’s in July. I have many good memories of the Chicago Park District – so many free programs (movies, swimming, toddlers-tunes-turtles) and the Iibraries have been a good resource, too. I will miss the people in Chicago so much! Our neighbors are great, and our church has been amazing.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:06:15 +0000

Katrina — that’s such a good word about “each place has great things”! Thanks to all for your additional “joys.”

By: Katrina Goodwill

Katrina Goodwill — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:53:59 +0000

The thing we miss the most is the FOOD. Here we have two choice, which are sticky in our book. Really miss the Thai. The El was great too. Although there are many things I don’t miss:
$$$$$ everything is so expensive
People are not nearly as giving or friendly as in Wisconsin (at least wausau)
People are always in a rush and traffic is horrible. It took me two years to learn to drive 30 around the city and that it only takes 10 minuets to get to any place here, AWESOME!!

But at last each place has great things and you just got to love them as you get to use them. :-)

By: Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:45:18 +0000

I’d add the bike paths, both down by the lake and up through the forest preserve, as well as the museums and other cultural offerings, so many it would take too long to list them here. I agree — the flag is one of my favorite things. I still have trouble remembering what each star stands for, though. I really should commit that to memory, seeing as I was born and raised here!

By: Brad Farris

Brad Farris — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:11:06 +0000

Wow Jon, great list, but I can think of a few more…

1. The lake. Really an underutilized resource; but fantastic none the less.
2. The amazing diversity. Eat in any country in the world, many within walking distance.
3. Great Food, that doesn’t cost a lot, Pita Inn, Great Sea, Buffalo Joes, The Chief, Superdawg. These are Chicago Icons that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
4. Chicago Politics are pretty entertaining. (What’s your alderman, Marge?)
5. The big shoulders; a world-class city that always feels second fiddle, so we build really tall buildings and try to host the olympics… I do think it’s one of the characteristics that makes Chicago endearing.
6. Great cultural institutions, The Art Institute, Millennium Park, The Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Garfield Park Conservatory, The Chicago Botanical Gardens…
7. All of this and also STEEPED in history, which I know you value.

I could go on, but I need to get back to work. (Did I mention our mid-western pragmatism)?