Visiting Chicagoland Resource Thread (Autumn/Winter 2018)

Great for people who don't mind dropping $90+ for a bottle of 2015 Rare.

 

Do you even speculate on crypto-currencies, bro?



Anyways, the guy asked for BCS so I’m telling him where to find BCS. If he asked for cheap and affordable BCS in a warm and welcoming environment, surrounded by the laughter of children, the light of success, and the warmth of piano-driven, cerebral jazz, I’d invite him over to my house, ask him to bring some Nut Goodies, and have some peppermint Bon Bon all dished up for his arrival.

 

In another fit of shameless self-promotion, we're holding Publican's 10th Anniversary beer dinner on 10/28. Info is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cheers-to-ten-years-sunday-supper-at-the-publican-tickets-50709831471

 

You probably should have just said "Cantillon" and "Hill Farmstead" and provided the link.

 

What fun would that be?

 

I went to Beer Temple on a Friday night and I must say, their partnership with Ttowa is a game-changer for me...I only tried the quail eggs on skewers, but it was such a perfect snack that I'm dying to try the rest of the menu.

 

I'm flying into town late Friday night and heading to the football game in South Bend Saturday. I will definitely stop at Three Floyd's on the way to the game then returning to Chicago late Saturday. I have all day Sunday in Chicago and would like to do a brewery hopping thing. I am leaning towards Corridor, Revolution, Half Acre. Staying in the South Loop and have a car if needed but since brewery hopping is the plan probably stick to public transportation/Uber. I am traveling light so I am looking solely for on premises options. Are there any can't miss draft releases or brewery options I should look for this Sunday?

 

I think those 3 are a great plan. I'm not aware of anything big happening on Sunday, other than Prop Day, which you already have to have gotten lucky to acquire tickets. Someone else may know better than me, though.

 

I'd include Dovetail if you have the time, out of all the breweries downtown, their beer just really blew me away when I visited recently, it is pretty close to Half Acre and Corridor. That is if European style beers are your thing...

 

Depending which Bourbon County Goose Island taps on Friday, they seem to sometimes last through Saturday and Sunday

 

Thanks. I will look at Dovetail. I like most beer styles with the exception of light wheat beers.

 

Is there a real time tap list somewhere so I can look Sunday morning?

 

https://untappd.com/v/goose-island-brewpub/881/ is your best bet. I would keep an eye on the recent activity on the left and and you can see when people last checked in a beer

 

Thank you.

 

Thanks again for the great tip. I would have probably skipped Goose Island if I just looked at there tap list. Thanks to your tip I was able to have Rare BCBS 2015 and BCBS Tart Cherry. The Rare was incredible and they were both excellent!

 

Going to be downtown in the Loop for work Sun-Wed (staying around Madison & Lasalle). It definitely isnt the most happening part of down, I know, but i like being able to walk to the Office.

Won't have a car, and obviously out there for work, only have a few hours each night. Anything decent walkable down there, or short uber/cab away? I know there is a handful in the west loop - can I walk there safely (about a mile it looks like)? Anything in River north?

Flying into O'hare, so if there is anything right off a train station on the way downtown Sunday or way back Wednesday?

Not beer related, but best steakhouse downtown? (My birthday is Tuesday and love me a good steak!..lol)

 

I work down here and my fave beer bar in the area you'll be is Monk's Pub (who also has some of the best burgers downtown) at Wells and Lake. Franklin Tap at Franklin and Jackson usually has some nice offerings as does Jackson Tavern which is a block away. Jackson Tavern has pretty good food as well. Those are all within 5-6 blocks of Madison & LaSalle. A little farther and a short Uber will get you to great places like Timothy O'Toole's and others in the West Loop and River North. Binny's Grand is probably your best bottle shop nearby if you are looking for stuff to take home.

This question could probably start a fight as there are so many great steakhouses here and people are passionate about their favorite steakhouses. If I could only pick one I'd go with Benny's Chop House. Besides great steaks I love the vibe there and the service is really great. But you can't go wrong with Chicago Cut or Gene & Georgetti's.

 

Steakhouse (not downtown) - bouefhaus. Do cocktails at Sportsman’s club beforehand. Then you can end up at Map Room or Links for beers after.

And make some quick jaunts to Forbidden Root, Cooridor, Rev...

 

Another solid place in the Loop with good taps is Stocks & Blondes on Wells. It’s basically a dive, but does have food.

Also, you can take an Uber to any of the breweries in the city. Corridor, Half Acre, Revolution, Forbidden Root, Goose Island, etc. it’s really up to you what you feel like doing.

As for steaks, just look up places and find one you think looks good. As @CaptainFleeker said, there will be a ton of different opinions. I don’t think I’ve been to Benny’s, I thought Chicago Cut was good, and I’d never recommend G&G. I prefer places like Joe’s or Morton’s. Yes, they are both chains, but they’re great IMO. Gibson’s is a great spot for a Chicago classic and it’s got a nice vibe, but they’ve never blown me away either.

 

Completely agree with Joe's and Morton's. The prime rib at Morton's is a real treat. Harry Caray's prime rib is pretty good too.