Chicago.

I'm going to Chicago in two days for a short three day trip, which is essentially broken down into three lunches, two breakfasts, two dinners and a multitude of snacks.  One of the dinners will be spent with an old colleague, but the rest is fair game.  I don't think I accurately blogged our trip this past July, but I will try to do better this round.  I have been planning a serious itinerary for this trip as I am heading out there solo and cannot hold anything against my travel partner - because it's just me!  In all honesty, I think traveling alone is my preferred method of travel 85% of the time (listen, no one really likes to eat Friday or Saturday night dinner at some jumpin' restaurant by themselves - or do they?  I don't even like to be OUT on a Friday night generally), but Adam is the only person I can take 90% of the time, so it works out either way.

I must have a hot dog, and I must see their beaches during the 'winter season.'  I'd rather the beaches be covered in snow and ice and have to wear my Bean boots and the skyline be aglow in the background, but I will take what I can get, and I will definitely take it all in.

Yeah, I fucking get there is no Real Comparison between New York and everywhere else in this country, but when this is what I know, it's really difficult and, frankly, uncomfortable, to readjust.  This serves as a constant problem in almost ever single place I've ever been for more than a few hours or days, except Tokyo and Seoul.  This happens when I am in central New Jersey or driving down some road in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  It is not me, it never has been, and it most likely never will be.  Bright lights, big city - the individuals (and trust me, there are some freaky ass normal individuals), the cultures that thrive in them, and the hectic nature of it all.  Those three things in combination provide an incredible amount of ease, and when any of those decrease (same people, same culture, slow pace), the only thing I start to feel is sick.

I'm going off on a tangent, and I must get back on track because we need to talk about food.  There are so many neighborhoods in Chicago, so many options, and so many places I want to go in three days.  Do you have any idea how much time you have to factor in to commuting for food?  A hell of a lot of time.

I'll let you know how it goes.

p.s. Adam and I ate at a horrible barbecue place the other night, but their cornbread was off the hook.  I won't name the establishment yet, but I will just say it is what is bound to happen when you venture one too many miles away from any city.

Go, Cubs, Go.

Chicago was amazing.  I want to go to there, again.  

And never leave.

Hot Doug's was closed, as was Frontera Grill.  Apparently people really fucking love America out there, and Rick Bayless takes his entire staff to Mexico for an annual culinary retreat of some sort, and because he's awesome.

Smoque, however, was open and delicious.  Adam had the half rack of back back ribs with macaroni and cheese, beans and coleslaw.  After eating a pulled pork sandwich at the Taste of Chicago earlier in the day, I opted for a chopped brisket sandwich.  An hour wait, with a line out the door and inside, a "How is everything?" from Barry, and a bottle of sauce later, we called it a night. 

Welcome to our first night in Chicago.

Chicago: Hot Doug's

While perusing my Fodor's Chicago 2011 book, I came across Hot Doug's.  Adam and I love hot dogs.  Love them.  Rutt's Hutt in Clifton, NJ deep fries their hot dogs (until the skin splits - called "rippers"), and there is absolutely nothing like it.  You have to mentally and physically prepare to eat there, obviously, because you should eat at least two rippers.

Hot Doug's amazingly has a 4.5-star rating on Yelp, which is by no means an accurate view of anything but can prove to be pretty useful, out of 1568 reviews.   FYI - Rutt's Hut has 4 stars out of 162 ratings.

Their menu is hysterical (The Keira Knightly) and fancy (Foi Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de Sel).  I get pretty overwhelmed with new restaurants and extensive menus, so I will have to decide over the next two months what I plan on ordering, other than the DUCK FAT FRIES.

Chicago, here we come!

Since Adam's vacation was finally approved, I can really start planning our trip to Chicago.  I love to plan my meals, why would I not love planning my vacation?   It's not to say I create strict daily schedules or stick to the loose itineraries we do have, but I like to do my research and plan ahead.

That being said, not only we will be in Chicago for the Crosstown Classic, which I have obviously already purchased tickets for, we will be there during the tail end of the Taste of Chicago!!  That is amazing!  I'm sure it will be hot as hell and the crowds will be crazy, but what a great coincidence.  I should have planned our entire vacation around it.

Busy.

Work and life have been keeping me away for a whole week, but here is a gem of a cookbook that I absolutely did NOT buy and did not consider buying for even a second:

I have a story to share soon about a horrid experience at my local Applebee's.

On another sidenote, I will be going to Chicago this summer for four days, so I've got a lot of food planning to do.  Since I will be staying outside of Chicago, at a yet to be determined motel/hotel that offers the option of free breakfast, I will be able to spend more money on fun, and by fun, I mean food and other memorable experiences.

Did you know McDonald's USA First Store Museum exists?  Because it does, right outside of Chicago. And I'm going.