diversions
A Chicago Guy's
Guide to Chicagoland's
Food Drink Entertainment
& other
diversions
Whether you're a tourist or a native, welcome to a Chicago Guy's favorite Chicago links for food, entertainment, and other diversions that may have escaped your attention. Be warned, these recommendations are based completely upon personal taste and bias, discerning and cultivated though it may be. And the whole shebang (such as it is) is brought to you by:
A.I.M. specializes in reducing Workers' Comp insurance premiums for employers, without changing insurance agents or insurance companies.
But enough with the commercial, on with the food/drink/entertainment/enlightenment (?) type stuff.
To start off this highly personal sampling of Chicago area diversions, allow me to share a link to an establishment that covers all three of our subject areas--food, drink, and entertainment. For this establishment is the absolute finest Irish restaurant/pub I have found to date in the Chicago area (after decades of selfless personal research) The food is excellent, the libations varied and copious, service prompt and friendly, and the prices reasonable. This is no suburban shopping mall take on an Irish pub, it's the real deal. There is live Irish music on weekends, and unlike some other Irish establishments in the area, there is plenty of room to eat, drink, and enjoy the music. The place is Chief O'Neill's Pub, and if my word isn't enough, go and take a look at their own website. Then get over there for a pub experience that's authentically Irish and authentically Chicago, all at the same time.
If you're looking for a suburban Irish pub & restaurant, allow me to recommend The Ballydoyle Pub in Downers Grove. The food is tasty (especially the corned beef and cabbage) and they have live entertainment on weekends (not always Irish folk music though--on Fridays they will often have blues or other contemporary type music. This is a classic Irish pub transplanted to the Chicago suburbs, and it's become one of this Chicago Guy's favorite haunts for food, drink, and fun. The Ballydoyle is at 5157 Main Street in Downers Grove, and the phone is 630-969-0600.
Another great Irish pub in the western suburbs is McNally's Traditional Irish Pub, 122 S. York Street, Elmhurst . This is another loving recreation of an authentic Irish Pub. The food is quite good, and includes such traditional Irish fare as Shepard Pie, Boxty, Beef & Guinness Pie. Open seven days a week. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday only. Lunch and Dinner everyday. Eat in and carry out. They also have live entertainment on the weekends, often (but not always) Irish folk-type performers. the phone for McNally's in Elmhurst is (630)941-7100. Keep in mind that there is also a McNally's pub in St. Charles, at 201 East Main Street, The phone number there is 630-513-6300. McNally's website doesn't seem to be working at this moment, so you'll have to check them out the old-fashioned way for the moment.
Speaking of things Irish, would you believe that an authentic Irish pub has opened up within walking distance of the A.I.M. offices? Would you believe said authentic Irish pub is in Berwyn? It's true, if a little hard to believe. The James Joyce is at 7138 W. Windsor Ave in Berwyn, immediately south of the Burlington tracks and just a few doors east from Harlem Avenue. The place doesn't serve food, just drink and conversation (although appetizers can be ordered from a restaurant next door). There is occasional Irish folk music performed some weekends, but the place isn't overly spacious so don't expect a big band even when there is music. Mostly, it's a place to have a wee drink and soak up some conversation, listen to some music from the high-tech jukebox (which includes some decent Celtic music) and just enjoy the atmosphere. The phone is 708-795-1100.
And not much further away from the A.I.M.
offices, in the near-western suburb of Brookfield,
is the Irish Times Restaurant. This is a little gem of a place, tucked away
near what passes for the Brookfield "downtown". Inside, you'll find a very
authentic-appearing Irish pub with a tasty menu and reasonable prices.
Located at 8869 Burlington Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, the phone is (708) 485-8787. I understand they have live
music on Sundays.
More food & fun with an Irish brogue can be found at Cullen's Bar & Grill, 3741 N. Southport Ave, in Chicago. It's just steps away from the Music Box theatre., as well as more nightlife than most of us know what to do with. The food is tasty (favorites are the Buffalo Wings appetizer & the Shepherd's Pie). Plus on Tuesday, Thursday, & weekend evenings it has live music from an incredible Irish jam session of musicians. This is Irish music of the instrumental variety, not the vocal pub-song sing-along type, but for lovers of jigs and reels (like yours truly) this is truly something to hear. Phone is 773-975-0600.
Even though this Chicago guy is partial to all things Irish, by some ironic twist of fate my younger son is partial to all things British---so for his twenty-first birthday we went to Chequers of La Grange, at 100 W. Burlington St., La Grange, and we both had a grand time. The interior was a pretty good recreation of a British pub, with lots of dark wood paneling and all that, and the food was quite tasty as well. We both had some pork chop entree with apple seasoning and it was delicious. So was the trifle we had for dessert. Prices were reasonable, and my only quibble was that our particular server seemed a little less friendly than is the norm. Still, our visit was quite pleasing, and I would definitely recommend the place for good food and interesting atmosphere. You can phone them at 708-482-9570.
If you're in the mood for Mexican cuisine (and fun) in the western suburbs, check out Coyote's Mexican Grill at 100 E. Roosevelt Road in Villa Park (Phone 630-834-7755). The food is great, so are the margaritas, but the part we liked best is the outdoor patio they have, complete with live entertainment. It's tucked away right behind the Outback Steakhouse in a strip mall, and on a pleasant summer's eve you'll find this a wonderful oasis in the heart of suburbia.
And for something a bit different, you definitely want to check out the Sand Bar, in the wild western suburb of Brookfield. It's an intimate restaurant and lounge, with unique decor (a little retro, a little art deco) trendy cuisine at reasonable prices, and live entertainment on the weekends. It's at 3733 Grand in Brookfield, phone (708) 485-0091. This is the kind of place you'd expect to find hidden away on the north side of Chicago, not out in the suburbs. For a definite change of pace, you should be sure to stop out and experience the Sand Bar. You'll feel like you've just stepped into a movie.
Speaking of movies, here's a well known Chicago spot that has been featured in the movies--albeit in somewhat altered guise. The Twin Anchors pub in Old Town was used in the movie "Return to Me" as the fictional O'Reilly's Italian restaurant. The real Twin Anchors is at 1655 North Sedgwick Street, two blocks north of North Avenue in Chicago. Phone is 312-266-1616. Be sure to try the ribs, if you're a lover of the finer things in life as this Chicago Guy is.
Another favorite place of ours is a friendly Chinese restaurant in the western suburbs, TAE FU RESTAURANT at 321 E. St, Charles Rd, Villa Park, IL Phone (630)832-2269. The food is flavorful, plentiful, and reasonably-priced, the atmosphere is enjoyably oriental, and I definitely recommend the Aku-Aku drink (complete with flaming volcano in the middle of the serving bowl) for those who want to leave their cares behind, if only for a while. Again, it's not trendy, it's not hip, (it's even a bit kitsch, if truth be told) but it is definitely a nice place to enjoy good Chinese food in a fun setting.
Speaking of hip and trendy, nestled in the glitzy western suburb of Berwyn (what, again?) lies the wonderful music oasis known as Fitzgerald's. Take a look at their website to get a feel for the wonderful and eclectic mix of music styles and artists they present and you'll quit worrying about hip and trendy neighborhoods. This Chicago area entertainment Mecca has also been featured in some Hollywood films, such as A League of Our Own. Go check it out and see if you recognize the place from the big screen.
For when your mood (or your appetite) are in a more refined state, there is Bistro Zinc, at 1131 N. State Street, in the River North nightlife district down in Chicago proper. Here the menu is French cuisine, sophisticated and sublime, yet moderately priced ( most entrees range in price from $15.00 to $25). The atmosphere is intimate and inviting, but not stuffy or pretentious. Their Southport location has recently closed, but the State Street Bistro Zinc remains open to delight your palate. The phone for the State Street Bistro is 312-337-1131. The above link at the moment displays information about the Southport Bistro, but hopefully this will be updated soon to provide information about the State Street location.
For cuisine and atmosphere from another part of Europe, this Chicago guy also recommends Papaspiros Greek Taverna, in Oak Park (another western suburb, just north of glamorous Berwyn. Papaspiros is at 733 Lake Street in Oak Park, and the phone is 708-358-1700. The food and atmosphere are authentically Greek, and you would be hard-pressed to find better Greek food anywhere in town (and Chicago is a town with a lot of fine Greek restaurants). Not so much a tourist trap as some of the places in Greektown, Papaspiros offers excellent Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices (had some wonderful leg of lamb there the other night for around $15, if memory serves).
Returning to things Celtic, (as I often do) here's a link to the homepage of one of my favorite Chicago area music duos: Molly and The Tinker. They're a little bit Celtic, a little bit comic, and a whole lotta fun. (Heck, Molly even went to Roosevelt University, just like yours truly, and studied under an old friend of mine, former head of the Drama Dept. there, Yolanda Lyon. Small world, eh?)
Another Chicago band that I've enjoyed a lot is Arranmore. When I first heard them, perhaps ten years or so ago, they played strictly Celtic and Maritime music. There have been a few changes in band personnel since then, and nowadays they play a blend of Celtic, soft pop/rock, and soft country that's still very enjoyable (if a little less satisfying to this Celtic music fan than their earlier repertoire). Still, this is a band that I'll go out of my way to hear perform live (they do a great version of "South Side Irish", as well as an original song about the Illinois & Michigan Canal that is an evocative combination of Chicago history and Celtic melody.
Of course, there's more to life than good food and drinks. (So I've been told, at any rate.) So while I'm en route to sources of the above, or when I'm laying low and planning my next foray, I have been known to enjoy some of the special radio resources we enjoy in Chicago. Not your ordinary mega-corporate radio fare you find on most stations, of course. For the discriminating mind, this Chicago guy recommends:
Every Saturday night on WFMT-FM (98.7 FM) Chicago's only remaining classical music station transmogrifies into this mix of folk music, showtunes, comedy, and who knows what else. If you've never heard it, shame on you, for this Chicago radio institution is like nothing else on the air. (And they play Molly and The Tinker every once in a while, too!)
Another Chicago radio treasure is Extension 720, most every weeknight at 9 pm on WGN radio 720 on the AM dial (yes, Am radio still exists). Although about as far removed in tone and attitude from The Midnight Special as it is possible to be, this long-running program, hosted by University of Chicago professor Milt Rosenberg, is another unique Chicago radio diversion. Extension 720 is regularly and routinely the home of the most interesting, most enlightening, and most erudite radio discussion to be found anywhere.
One more radio resource you may have overlooked is WDCB radio, 90.9 on the FM dial. This public radio outlet is based at the College of DuPage, so it's broadcast reach isn't as wide as it could be, certainly not as wide as our other public radio station in Chicago, WBEZ. This station carries Chuck Schaden's great old time radio program now that WNIB has changed formats.
Even though recent winters have been fairly mild here in Chicago, springtime still gets me eager for the return of warm weather and the chance to get outdoors. Even mild winters seem to last forever and every March I start thinking about local spots to get away from it all. So here are some of the Chicago Guy's favorite outdoor spots:
Waterfall Glen is a wonderful forest preserve in Darien, out in the western suburbs. It surrounds Argonne National Lab and is a wonderful spot for hiking, birding, and just getting away from urban life without driving for hours.
Another great suburban getaway is McDowell Grove out in Naperville, another DuPage County Forest Preserve. It's an idyllic little spot, just east of Rt. 59, with picnic tables, trails for hiking, and fishing. It also has a canoe launch and I enjoy putting in my little canoe and exploring the west branch of the DuPage River.
And one more favorite Chicago outdoors resource is the Illinois Prairie Path. This Chicago Guy is lucky enough to live within walking distance of this little ribbon of prairie restoration, so I get to walk and cycle through it pretty regularly.
Another way to enjoy the Chicago area outdoors is to toss a canoe into a lake or stream and forget about the stresses and strains of everyday life. To find out where to toss your canoe, check out the Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page.
Here's a Chicago area resource that combines a number of my interests. Fermilab is our own local cutting edge research facility investigating high energy physics. Located out in the far western suburbs, it stands as one of our modern day cathedrals of science and culture. Not only do the scientists here probe the deepest secrets of matter, energy, and the cosmos here, Fermilab also preserves prairie ecology, maintains its own herd of buffalo, and is regularly hosts concerts and other performing arts. I myself plan on checking out the Scottish folk dancing they host there on Tuesday nights, as soon as my kilt gets back from the cleaners.
And speaking of Chicago cathedrals of science and culture, we should not overlook our oasis of both out on the south side, the University of Chicago. It's funny, as a lifelong Chicagoan, I grew up not thinking much about the U of C. Maybe it's because, unlike some other Chicago area universities, University of Chicago doesn't have any high profile athletic teams. It wasn't until this Chicago Guy had two sons attend this university that I belatedly came to appreciate this amazing world class institution on the lakefront. Beyond the academic pursuits here, the campus and environs offer a rarified menu of diversions architectural, intellectual, and esoteric. Don't repeat my mistake of so many years and overlook this treasure.
There's another Chicago area institution of intellectual and cultural diversion that I have a personal, if tenuous, connection with. That's the Chicago Historical Society. This Chicago Guy went to college, many moons ago, with the past curator of architectural history there. You may have seen my old friend, Tim Samuelson, on television, or in the newspapers, as he's been active in architectural preservation since our days back at Roosevelt University. I see that Tim was awarded the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award in 2004 by the Illinois Humanities Council. And in keeping with the odd little connections on this web compendium, Tim was also active in the theater dept. back then, and studied under Yolanda Lyon also, when he wasn't busy haranguing the building management to take better care of the Louis Sullivan architecture the university was housed within. In fact, I understand Tim has a book out that you might want to check out if you have an interest in Chicago architecture: Above Chicago: A New Collection of Historical & Original Aerial Photographs of Chicago. Click on the graphic below to go to the right spot at Amazon.com to find out more and maybe even order a copy.
Only thing is, I notice that Roosevelt University's listing of distinguished alumni on their webpage fails to list Tim, or Molly (from Molly and The Tinker above), or even yours truly. Harumph.
But all three of us really did study there, and remember fondly our teacher Yolanda Lyon Miller, who now serves as an advisor to Next Theatre in Chicago. Retired Head of the Drama Department at Roosevelt, and Professor Emerita of same, Yolanda now serves on the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee.
And that reminds me of yet another long-lost friend from those halcyon days of yore at Roosevelt, Susan Nussbaum. Sue has gone on to be a playwright, actress, director and disability rights activist. She has starred in, written and/or directed productions at the Goodman, Victory Gardens, Blue Rider and other major Chicago venues. Her latest play, No One As Nasty, was very well reviewed. She also teaches at the Mark Taper Forum.
Whaddyaknow? Sue isn't listed on Roosevelt's website among their Distinguished Alumnae either. Sheesh.
And as long as we're exploring Chicago area sites with a personal connection to yours truly, let's not forget Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this landmark building was also where this Chicago Guy was married (the first time, at any rate).
More to come soon. Send any suggestions to EJP@dls.net. I'll be updating the page with more ramblings, suggestions, great thoughts and late night musings on a semi-regular basis. Let me know what your favorite Chicago links and resources are so I can think about including them.