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Chicago

Old Chinatown in Chicago

August 27, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Chicago’s Chinatown was just about what I expected.

Every big city has its own cultural diversity, each has their own neighborhood where they live, shop and gather. If you have never been to China or a metropolitan Chinatown then it’s an experience not to be missed. Now that my son is living in Chicago I have the opportunity, and excuse, to visit Chicago on a regular basis, and I’m going to play tourist whenever I can find the time. This trip we took in a boat ride, Billy Joel in Wrigley Stadium and Chinatown.

It’s easy to get to Chicago’s Old Chinatown from the Chicago CTA, just take the Red line to the Cermak-Chinatown stop and it’s only one block from the station.

Chinatown Chicago

From the CTA Station you turn right and go into a very modern shopping mall that looks very much like every other shopping mall, but the signs and decor is oriental in nature.But just to the left is a walled and gated shopping area and when you walk through the gates it feels like China, or what China might look like in Chicago anyway.

Shopping in Chinatown
Shopping in Chinatown

The signs are in Chinese characters, the smell is different, the food is distinctly authentic Chinese and you can buy everything from dried sardines, duck, Dim Sum, to Chinese herbs in the apothecary herbal shop. Some stores were trendy tourist traps with trinkets, but these are items you won’t find at Walmart or Target, so it was fun!

Shopping in Chinatown
Buying China in Chinatown

My favorite shop was the candy, or snack shop. Small bulk bins of wrapped candy, unwrapped dried fruits, sugared plums of all flavors, and for the more adventurous pickled duck tongue, and dried anchovies. Most of the bins had a small sample bowl for tasting, and all four of us had fun tasting and deciding what to buy.

5pcs Japanese Bamboo Chopsticks Gift Set Multi Color Design (MNT)5pcs Japanese Bamboo Chopsticks Gift Set Multi Color Design (MNT)Japanese Chopsticks Gift Set Rice Paddle IncludedJapanese Chopsticks Gift Set Rice Paddle Included5 pair Japanese Style Chopsticks Gift Set Crane5 pair Japanese Style Chopsticks Gift Set Crane

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We timed our visit for the summer festival and the main street and vendors, food booths packed the street. You could buy everything from straw hats to live turtles. It was noisy, it was crowed, and I expected more Chinese entertainment. On their website saw Chinese musicians, acrobats, and the infamous Chinese parade dragon. Maybe those were scheduled events and we got there at the wrong time. The stage was in the middle of the street and there were no bleachers to sit and watch.

Old Chinatown Chicago
Summer Festival in Old Chinatown Chicago

We ate at the Flaming Pot and sometimes you eat at a restaurant for the experience. Because of the crowds, their only English speaking waitress was very busy and did not have the time to fully “coach” us in how to properly prepare our food. It was very good, and a great place to go if you are in a group of people.

Plastic Ninja Chopsticks for kids - 12 pcsPlastic Ninja Chopsticks for kids – 12 pcsFred Chopstick Kids Chopsticks Holders (colors may vary)Fred Chopstick Kids Chopsticks Holders (colors may vary)

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This is a hot pot style of dining where you chose your flavored broth, meat, and vegetables and then you dipped the food into the boiling broth to cook. About halfway through we decided to just dump everything in and fish it out with a ladle. Much easier. A variety of sauces were available for flavoring the food and in that way it was very much like Hu Hot.

Flaming Pot Restaurant in Chinatown

Although the Flaming Pot was very clean and modern, it is apparent some of the buildings and markets in Chinatown are very unkempt and not up to standard American standards. We even saw a large rat (no I didn’t take a photo) running along side a building during the middle of the afternoon. Those things don’t freak me out. I’ve been to Europe and I understand life is not sterile.

Fortune Coin Green Money Toad/ Frog /Chan Chu - Feng Shui Chinese Charm of Prosperity Decoration Gift US SellerFortune Coin Green Money Toad/ Frog /Chan Chu – Feng Shui Chinese Charm of Prosperity Decoration Gift US SellerBrussel's Lucky Bamboo, FenceBrussel’s Lucky Bamboo, FenceBrussel's CT9005CE Chinese Elm BonsaiBrussel’s CT9005CE Chinese Elm BonsaiDeluxe Coolie Hats - Deluxe Traditional Asian Conical Coolie Hats - Pack of 2Deluxe Coolie Hats – Deluxe Traditional Asian Conical Coolie Hats – Pack of 2

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We all had fun and spent the afternoon at the festival, bought gifts and added to our cultural experience. Now I want to explore the “new” Chinatown which is located in North Chicago, I can see it from the Red Line train and it looks very authentic. Bet I can get some good food there and it’s closer to my son’s apartment. I bet they deliver.

Learn More About the History or Chicago’s Chinatown

Chinese in Chicago: 1870 – 1945 (IL) (Images of America)Chinatown Chicago, Illinois Original Vintage PostcardLing Long Museum: the Highlights of Chinese History and Chicago’s Chinatown

Explore Other Chinatown Cities Across the Country

Chinatown Sees Yet Another Harbinger of Gentrification …

Today, the New York State Tenant Protection Unit served a subpoena on Marolda Properties, investigating allegations that the landlord had harassed tenants in an attempt to make them leave their rent-regulated Chinatown …

Explore Oakland’s Chinatown

Chinatown, Oakland: The Oakland Chinatown StreetFest will commemorate the Year of the Horse with a two-day street party this weekend. The festivities include lion dancers, live bands and other performers taking to a pair of stages, while small …

Toni On! New York: 10 Things To Eat Under $5 In Chinatown

This week, WLNY’s Toni Senecal is going cheap and scouring Chinatown for the 10 best foods for under $5. Follow along as we score Chinatown’s best cheap eats. You can catch up with Toni on her blog, and loyal Toni On! followers can score a sweet VIP …

Filed Under: Travel Adventures Tagged With: adventures, Chicago, chinatown, chinese, dining, family, midwest, tourism, tourist, travel, traveling

The Great Chicago Pizza Debate and Where are the Best Chicago Pizza Places

August 26, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Best Chicago Pizza Places

4 Lou Malnati's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (2 Sausage & 2 Pepperoni)4 Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (2 Sausage & 2 Pepperoni)

Mention food in Chicago and many people automatically think pizza. The discussion and debate on what is the best Chicago pizza places in the city.

I grew up in Connecticut and we had some pretty mean pizza there. You know the kind, deep dish pizza from a family owned pizza restaurant, rich in tradition and so big it had to be cut in squares?

The difference between Chicago and New York pizza is the crust and how thick the pizza pie. The Chicago deep dish pizza restaurants basically compete for bragging rights. 

Start a conversation on the Chicago metro on where the best Chicago pizza place in the city is located and you can start an all out war. People are passionate about pizza in Chicago. With good reason.

 

Chicago: Best Pizza Places

People love to talk about food and when you mention you are from out of town the conversation normally goes like this

Best Chicago style pizza chicago
Giordano’s Meat More Meat pizza

 

“Are you going to get some pizza”,

“Of course, but I haven’t decided yet from where”,

“Well you can’t go wrong with Giordano’s or Pizano’s“

Those two places are mentioned the most, which makes sense, both are ranked highest on Chicago’s 10 Best Pizzas list by Thrillist.com. So on my weekend trip to see my son the deciding factor was who would deliver to his apartment. Giordano’s won.

My Review of Giordano’s Famous Stuffed PizzaReview of Giodano pizza in Chicago and how to ship Giodano pizza anywhere in the United States.

We decided to get Giordano pizza delivery.

This is a massively thick double crust pizza, you can tell it has some meat just by the weight. I judge the cheese quality by how an individual piece pulls apart from main pizza.

It should leave a string of cheese trailing back to the pizza and you should have to grab it to claim that mozzarella for yourself.

This is a massively thick double crust pizza, you can tell it has some meat just by the weight. I judge the cheese quality by how an individual piece pulls apart from main pizza. It should leave a string of cheese trailing back to the pizza and you should have to grab it to claim that mozzarella for yourself.

The crust should be soft and moist, not dry and hard. You should want to eat the last bit of crust as if it were a stand-alone Italian bread. Last but not least, the toppings should stay on the crust, not slide off (that’s a sign of a cheap pizza). On all these accounts Giordano’s passed with flying colors.

It is expensive, our large Meat & More Meat stuffed pizza pie (with tip) came to $30, but it did feed four of us with leftovers for the next day.

This pizza is so popular they will even ship Giardano pizza nationwide to anyone missing that “back home” pizza they remembered living in Chicago.

Yes, you can get Giordano mail order pizza!

Now that’s some serious pizza dedication. The price actually isn’t bad. A four pizza pack is $89 (not including shipping), packed in dry ice and delivered in two days.

Lou Malnati Pizza

Since I published this article I’ve gotten several other additions to this list and Lou Malnati’s keeps coming up as another favorite.

2 Lou Malnati's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (1 Sausage & 1 Pepperoni)2 Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (1 Sausage & 1 Pepperoni)4 Lou Malnati's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (4 Cheese)4 Lou Malnati’s Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas (4 Cheese)

You can also order and ship Lou Malnati’s pizza anywhere in the country.  Ok, you may have to plan a little bit, but if you order on Tuesday you can have Chicago pizza for your weekend party. I

I’m actually surprised it’s not as expensive as I thought. We ate a Pizano’s in Lincoln Nebraska and paid the same for one Primo pizza as having two Chicago pizzas delivered. So if you are native Chicagoan, have moved, and crave your favorite pizza, you can still get your fix.

Favorite Chicago Pizza From People Who ACTUALLY LIVE in Chicago

What Chicago Pizza is Your Favorite? Add a comment below and I’ll add it to the list.

  • Giordano’s
  • Bacinos
  • Lou Malnati’s
  • Rosati’s
  • Leona’s
  • Suparossa
  • Connie’s
  • Pizano

Make the Best Homemade Pizza

If you can’t get to Chicago or New York then check out my best homemade pizza recipe. It’s not hard and it’s a lot of fun.

The Great Chicago-Style Pizza Cookbook to make pizza like the best Chicago pizza placesThe Great Chicago-Style Pizza CookbookGebardi Deep Dish Chicago Pizza KitGebardi Deep Dish Chicago Pizza KitIronwood Gourmet 28214 Pizza Peel, Acacia WoodIronwood Gourmet 28214 Pizza Peel, Acacia WoodBeginner's Pizza Making KitBeginner’s Pizza Making KitMake pizza like the best Chicago pizza downtown with an authentic Chicago Metallic Non Stick 14-Inch Deep Dish Pizza PanChicago Metallic Non Stick 14-Inch Deep Dish Pizza PanPan Gripper Deep Dish ModelPan Gripper Deep Dish Model

Filed Under: Food, Travel Adventures Tagged With: best chicago pizza places, Chicago, chicago pizza, dining, ethnic food, Food, restaurant, restaurant review

How Edgewater Chicago can change your mind about Chicago being a friendly city

August 24, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Weekend Trip Chicago Style
Not For Tourists Illustrated Guide to Chicago (Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago)Not For Tourists Illustrated Guide to Chicago (Not for Tourists Guide to Chicago)

Chicago has the reputation of being a dangerous town, a corrupt city, and a dirty city. Even though it is the third largest city in the United States you don’t hear people talking about taking a trip to Chicago like New York City or Los Angeles. But visiting Edgewater can change your mind about Chicago.

Chicago is ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, and even the most depressing city in America.Where Edgewater Chicago can change your perception about visiting Chicago

But after visiting this summer I do believe the people of the Windy City really want to change this reputation.

I know my impression of has changed, and I want to go back. Most of what I hear about Chicago is depressing, the crime, the corrupt politics, the unemployment, yet I knew there had to be more.

Downtown is very much like any city, tall buildings, lots of shopping, restaurants, museums, and like New York, Chicago has a very efficient metro train system.

For $15 we bought an unlimited three-day metro pass which included the train, bus, and subway system.

Where Edgewater and Chicago Meet

Where Edgewater Chicago meet and how they are different
View outside the Chicago apartment

After researching online for the best places to live in the Chicago metro area my son picked an apartment in Edgewater. I helped him move in January. He researched on Reddit and searched the various websites which have neighborhood statistics on crime. He learned Edgewater Chicago Crime is one of the lowest crime rates in Chicago. After spending time there I certainly believe it.

The neighborhood is clean, and the residents take pride in the area where they live. The flower beds were blooming with color, restaurants have inviting outdoor seating with flower boxes and umbrellas.

There is a relaxed atmosphere, almost park like and yes, my son says he feels as though he’s living in a twilight zone when he steps out of his apartment. Considering he lived in a Marine Corps barracks in Yuma Arizona the previous three years seeing green and trees is probably a shock to his system.

Edgewater Chicago neighborhood
Midnight after getting off the Chicago CTA train

At night there is a police presence on the corners and they regularly patrol. We parked our car at the hotel and either walked or took the CTA trains everywhere.

Not once did I feel as though I was in danger, or threatened. Remember this is NOT the south side of Chicago, which from what I hear is a whole other world.

Chicago is Friendly

People were exceedingly friendly. We met a young black lady on the train who was taking her three young nieces and nephews to the fountains Saturday night to watch the fireworks.

She spoke with pride about her city and how “…so many people talk bad about Chicago, there is a lot the city offers, people just need to get out and experience it, there are a lot of family activities and events.” This is true, I had no idea Chicago had such wonderful beaches.

Our hotel and my son’s apartment was only blocks away from Lake Shore Drive and the softest, sandy beaches I’ve seen in the Midwest. It’s not the ocean, but Lake Michigan does have its own tide, and small waves.

Dog beach on Lake Michigan, Chicago
Dog beach on Lake Michigan, Chicago

It’s the perfect place to people watch and the dog beach is very fun. Dogs of all shapes and sizes playing in the water, playing fetch and enjoying the summer day.

The Chicago Park system is quite extensive and encourages people to get out and enjoy the trails with rental bikes, trikes (if you look closely in the photo below you can see the trike to the left of the bench) or bring your own roller blades.

I met the friendliest pit bull during our morning walk, his eyes just yelled: “Oh pet me, please pet me I’m so happy to see you”. The owner fit the pit bull breed stereotype, rough. But his eyes said the same thing. Don’t judge me by my looks. Where Edgewater Chicago meet is one of the best places in Chicago to visit. The Edgewater Chicago neighborhood has a lot to offerWe had a nice conversation about the pup, who was only 8 months old and already interested in a twig and a nearby bird, so off they went.

We also met a very wrinkled, larger old lady in a bikini walking her hairless Chihuahua. Yes, I said it a bikini.

The phrase of the day “You know when you get old and you don’t care what people think? I don’t think I can care that little”

Chicago Sightseeing Boat Tours

Part of the girls Chicago weekend trip to see my son included touristy things that he just doesn’t have time to do with his school and work. One of them was a lake and Seadog lake and river boat tour.

Chicago sightseeing boat tours and Chicago River cruises boat tours
Seadog boat tour in Chicago

It was a BLAST, seriously Chicago sightseeing boat tours can be boring and slow, but Seadog gives you speed on the lake beforehand.

It was here that we met the fourth very friendly Chicagoan, who was so excited to be sharing his city. Up until the week before he had never done a boat tour and he had lived there all his life. He recorded part of it on his iPhone and said we were in for an exciting trip.

His words were “Chicago has heart!”

Based on the people I met on this one weekend, Chicago is a friendly city and the people do have a heart.

The thing that topped off my respect and faith for the city of Chicago was when I misplaced my gift bag from Chinatown in the restroom of a restaurant. We were rushing to get on the Navy Pier bus at 4:00 pm and I wasn’t thinking.

More than four hours later my kids convinced me to go back, maybe it’s still there. You see I don’t get souvenirs that often and this one had special meaning.

So we made the trip back, I asked at the desk, I looked in the trash, I asked the bartender if anyone had turned anything in, no luck. Out of desperation I opened the door to the stall and in the corner sat my bag.

Yes, Chicago has a heart, Chicago is full of friendly people, Chicago has honest people.

Our girls weekend to visit my son was wonderful! We went to the Billy Joel Concert in Wrigley Field, ate Chicago pizza, went to Chinatown, did a boat tour, sat and watched a free concert at Millennial Park, watched fireworks, and visited Navy Pier (which I was very disappointed) But best of all got to spend time with my son who is going to school at Tribeca Film Academy and making quite the name for himself in a very short time.

Chicago sightseeing boat tours are fun and meet at Navy PierThere will be a next time, Shea Aquarium, a few museums, and maybe even a show or two. Someday I’ll actually sit on the beach for an afternoon, watch the dogs and the sailboats on the lake. Sounds like another great trip.

Yes, I know about the gang mob violence in Chicago. Like any big city, there are certain areas you avoid, there are precautions you take on the train, a certain way to behave, stay alert, not draw attention to yourself and stay safe.

I had a drunk guy fall over on me on the train, but I also witnessed people applaud when my son killed a flying bug and “saved” a little boy who was scared.

So how about you? Have you been to Chicago, do you live there? What do you like, what would you suggest for my next trip?

 

Filed Under: Travel Adventures Tagged With: Chicago, city, family, illinois, midwest, tourism, travel, Travel and Tourism, Vacation

Silent Sunday #25

January 19, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

image

Filed Under: Travel Adventures Tagged With: Chicago, family, Silent Sunday, travel

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