Chicago

I'll be in Chicago in a couple weeks and am looking for recommendations where I can waste time and money (record stores, book stores, bars, clubs, etc...). help me out Chicago/Illinois watmmers

detroit

where will you be staying and how frequently will you be able to get to areas on the north side (lincoln square/lincoln park, wicker park, etc)?

there are too many places to recommend, but i'll start out with record shops:

gramaphone records seems to be the best as far as newer music goes, their shop is almost entirely vinyl though. lots of listening stations and shit, cool guys.

dusty groove is really cool, close to the corner of division and ashland. this is the place to go if you're keen on jazz, funk, soul, hip hop, etc... and again, mostly records. AND on the next block north there's a great authentic mexican joint called la pasadita (sp maybe), definitely check that out.

reckless records has more of a general selection than either dusty or gramaphone, but still lots of good stuff.

that's a start.

The Art Institute is pretty cool.

"where will you be staying and how frequently will you be able to get to areas on the north side (lincoln square/lincoln park, wicker park, etc)?"

I don't yet and I don't know how long i'll be staying there.

  xxx said:

I love Gramaphone. That place is fa' real. One of the best bargain bins I've ever dug through. Imagine my surprise when I was able to buy "Acid Fantasy" by Mr. Fantaslee on TRAX records IN Chicago for $4. I think it's a repress but who cares? Other cheap hits included Joey Beltram, John B., Umek, and Eight Frozen Modules.

wonderful , looks like i'll have visit that place

  mrx said:

I don't yet and I don't know how long i'll be staying there.

only reason i ask is that's most likely where you'll be headed if you want to go out either to any of the aforementioned record stores or to lots of the bars etc that you'll probably hear about.

  Deep Fried Everything said:

there's a great authentic mexican joint called la pasadita

dude La Pasadita is the shiznizzle bam snip snap sack muthafucka!!!!!!!!!

But as far as bars it really depends on what you like. If you like chilled out bars with a touch of class go to weegees, or the california clipper. if your more into gastro-pub kinda places check out Hopleaf, the Bristol or the Publican. But if your more into the go-out and be seen kinda places would suggest checking out the bars in wicker park/bucktown, the violet hour is pretty cool. i also suggest going to as many dive bars as possible, espically the ones with shows like the hideout or Empty Bottle (best place to see a show in chicago) and stay out of Lincoln Park unless you want to buy shoes for your girlfriend or something

  cuntlicker said:

  Deep Fried Everything said:

there's a great authentic mexican joint called la pasadita

dude La Pasadita is the shiznizzle bam snip snap sack muthafucka!!!!!!!!!

my personal fave is el charro, corner of fullerton and milwaukee, it's 24 hours and less than a 5 minute walk from my house

i miss my chicago....

manny's

  Deep Fried Everything said:

my personal fave is el charro, corner of fullerton and milwaukee, it's 24 hours and less than a 5 minute walk from my house

cool, never tried it but ill have to check it out sometime

they're all so good and really when it gets right down to it the difference is so small from one of those joints to another ... mmmmmmmm tacos.

  xxx said:

I love Gramaphone. That place is fa' real. One of the best bargain bins I've ever dug through. Imagine my surprise when I was able to buy "Acid Fantasy" by Mr. Fantaslee on TRAX records IN Chicago for $4. I think it's a repress but who cares? Other cheap hits included Joey Beltram, John B., Umek, and Eight Frozen Modules.

I can't tell you how many Suburban Base 12"s I've found in that bin for cheap. The place is very nostalgic for me. That is where I first heard Squarepusher in 1997.

Definitely check out Millennium Park and eat at Portillo's (100 W. Ontario

Chicago IL 60654 312-587-8910). Get the Big Beef sandwich with hot peppers.

^ "I'm nokiiing! NO-kiiiing!!"

The best deep dish in town is at Pizzeria Uno. It has the butteriest, crunchiest crust, the most-spiced sauce and the freshest veggies.

For your autechre architecture fix, check out the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

If you like Frank Lloyd Wright, visit Oak Park. You can get your record fix there by going to Oak Park Records.

If you want to see Chinatown, eat at Lao Sze Chuan. (more info., pics)

For some swanky electronic & drinks, plus Quantazelle-spotting, go to Sonotheque.

It's hard to recommend without knowing what kinds of things you want/like to do!

Post what you end up doing & where you end up going, though!

  encey said:

The best deep dish in town is at Pizzeria Uno. It has the butteriest, crunchiest crust, the most-spiced sauce and the freshest veggies.

The ORIGINAL Uno's and Due are the shit! You should also check out Lou Malnati's .

  jefferoo said:

  encey said:

The best deep dish in town is at Pizzeria Uno. It has the butteriest, crunchiest crust, the most-spiced sauce and the freshest veggies.

 

The ORIGINAL Uno's and Due are the shit! You should also check out Lou Malnati's.

This must be seconded.

Sonotheque sounds excellent, but I've yet to attend. You might also check out The Abbey.

I rarely do that childish write in all caps crap, but if you like BBQ then you must visit "CARSON'S" SERIOUSLY YOU OWE IT TO YOUR TASTE BUDS. yeah seriously go to Carson's and get the ribs.

This is their website: http://www.ribs.com/

P.S. No I am not kidding about the link, they really own the domain name ribs.com.

P.P.S Look at the online menu and tell me your p3n0r doesn't cry tears of joy. I will call you a liar.

  jefferoo said:

  encey said:

The best deep dish in town is at Pizzeria Uno. It has the butteriest, crunchiest crust, the most-spiced sauce and the freshest veggies.

 

The ORIGINAL Uno's and Due are the shit!

HELL YEAH~! I used to work at the orig Uno's.

Chicago is awesome. It's New York without the stench.

  tidbit said:

detroit

Anything in bucktown is usually worth checking out. I've always liked reckless records after I found smojphace for $2 and Envane 12" for $5. Man I love chicago. Also if you want to have an excellent brunch type thing go to Fox and Obel. It's a little steep, but the food is fresh and legit. It has a fantastic grocery connected too.

http://www.fox-obel.com/

Rent isn't bad either. Heavily considering moving there next.

I almost moved here with an ex once and ever since have still been thinking of moving there.

i'm pretty sure there are like three different places called "la pasadita" on that one block of ashland...i like the one with the black sign.

also, there are a lot of cool hecatombs in chicago. you can flame an diety there for just Loans-$6.99-barpiece-birthrighttrip-cash-almost true.

don't go to chicago unless you've been to renaissance france/england, else you won't know wtf is going on/what people are talking about.

  takeshi said:

I almost moved here with an ex once and ever since have still been thinking of moving there.

You and me, bud. Bangin bachelor pad.