2019 Visiting Chicagoland Resource Thread

Good question. I was actually craving one and was wondering why I haven't seen Half Acre's Sticky Fat out yet this season. Did I miss it, are they planning on doing it this year, if so, when?

 

Had a great time in Chicago, and managed to hit a number of places. A few thoughts:

-How is Metropolitan not a must-hit?? Excellent lagers, great setting (especially on a nice fall day).

-Trader Joe's turned out to be a great place for picking up singles. Reasonably fresh limited releases from Pipeworks, Pseudo Sue, and a few other goodies.

-I liked Half Acre much more than Revolution. If you only have time for one, I'd say go to Half Acre. Thought their hazy/limited release IPAs were really good, while Revolution's were hit-or-miss.

-Pretty solid beers at Cruz Blanca and some great tacos to be had alongside them. Really enjoyed this place.

 

Just noticed Metropolitan's location...do they have outside seating overlooking the river?

 

Because their IPAs and stouts aren't very good...one would almost say non-existent.

 

Yup. You can also bring your yacht.

 

Wait, who has a dock there? Did Metropolitan get permission to put one in? What's the liability on one of those for a brewery? You are basically going to have drunk people walking down it and stumbling into the water. I give it less than 5 years before a drunk patron falls in and dies.

 

There have been bars up and down the rivers in Illinois forever. No different for a brewery. And that's not exactly an only Illinois thing. Most navigable bodies of water(both rivers and lakes) have bars/restaurants on them. Fox Chain. Cal Sag. Fox River. Illinois River. It's pretty damn common. My assumption is the brewery got the permits and put the docks in for that reason. To draw in the boater crowd. Smart business, IMO.

 

Huh? They don't make any IPAs or stouts. They never jumped on those bandwagons. They make wonderfully crafted, clean, beer-tasting German-style beer.

 

I'm pretty sure that was his point. Look at the last sentence...

 

I did. "one would almost say non-existent." implies that they exist. And he said they're not very good. Again, implying that they exist.

 

Sarcasm is hard.

 

I don't think the North Branch of the Chicago River gets much boat traffic. The article I looked up says the docks Metropolitan wanted to put in was for canoes and kayaks. I don't think anyone off the lake is going through the lock and making a 40 minute trip up the river when they could get off their boat at Belmont Harbor and take a bus there in 20. North Branch of Chicago River isn't analogous to those other rivers listed. How little use does it get? They are putting a walking path over 2 miles of it to get it some use.

 

Fair enough. Even with kayak/canoe traffic, though, they're inviting people off the river to stop in for a beer or two, increasing their customer-base. If there weren't docks, everyone floats on by. The river, though, is seeing far more traffic(both north and south branches) than in the past. I'm a boater, FYI.

I don't see it as a bad idea to have the docks there. No reason not to, considering they're right on the river. Any traffic is good traffic.

 

Hey guys. I’ll be heading down to Chi for a few days on the end of my HONEYMOON!! Wondering if the beer crowd had any recommendations for great hot dogs and sushi in the Lakeview area. Staying in an AirBNB there and willing to take an Uber to get the goods. Thanks all.

 

Nothing says how can I impress my date, yet still wear a baseball cap like hot dogs and sushi...

 

You have perfectly encapsulated my palate. But to be clear these are separate meals. Can’t promise separate days. Lol

 

This is Chicago, so I hope you are being bashful about the sushi, not the hot dogs.

For the latter, try the Wiener’s Circle, have your partner order the chocolate shake, and tip well.

 

I'm partial to Hot G Dog...the special sausages, particularly.

http://www.hotgdog.com/specials.php

However, I can't speak to their regular fare, as I always go back to the specials.

 

Appreciate this and so will she. Cheers.