Visiting Chicago

I don’t really remember when my infatuation with Chicago began but I chuck it up to me being a city girl, and if I ever lived in another city which I will, it would be Chicago. If you can get past the alarming crime rate, Chicago is truly a beautiful city.

I visited for the first time last year for The Taste of Chicago but didn’t get a chance to really see the city. Probably because I was busy stuffing my face. But that’s neither here nor there.  I really got the chance to see Chicago this time and I got to plan my first food trip for my friend, Marcy. Full Itinerary in tow, we ran across the airport to make a flight to the windy city….

First thing we did was go to brunch at Yolk which I couldn’t wait to return to

.I never had stuffed French toast before and I was dying to try this. The raspberry jam on top intertwined with the cream cheese that was gushing out of this baby had me rethinking returning to New York.

Wanting to do something a little warmer than our cold trip to see Jordan, we headed over to the Sears tower (now the Willis Tower) to see what the hype about the Sky Deck was. Marcy and I also spent the day doing impersonations of our fake selves who worked in the tower doing Telecommunications. It was hilarious.

Sky Deck became so fun when we found these hats in the gift shop downstairs.

After the tower, I really wanted to go to Harold’s which just might be my favorite chicken spot ever but my friend, who is from Chicago, insisted that we try Sharks Fish and Chicken Despite hating my meal at Sharks, Marcy had devoured her shrimp. It had this seasoning on it that she couldn’t get enough of. I’ll pass.

After Sharks we still had to make it to the Bean, they had an ice skating rink under them. I wish we had more time. But we were too busy trying to catch the after work “$6 grey goose special” at Tantrum.

That night we went out to Lumen night club and I got my Harolds! I wish I could show you a photo of it but I devoured it immediately. Remember, it’s all about where you get the Harold’s FROM and be sure to get mild sauce, pepper and salt on it, Jo! I went to Englewood for mine. Judge me later.

The next day after brunch, we went shopping! As if we hadn’t overpacked already, we were running around Chicago buying things we didn’t need. We came across an exhibit on the way. After that, we took a long, cold walk to the Navy Pier. I swear we got frostbite heading over there but we made our own fun.

By this time we were eating at restaurants back to back with no shame. If it was on the list, we went and we ate and we went somewhere else. A Food Trip on steroids for sure. At some point we stopped at Garrets popcorn to try the “Chicago Mix”, and this we ate in the car.

Not because it wasn’t good, but we were seriously ripping and running.

The day was complete after we went to Shedd Aquarium where Marcy and I suddenly turned 6 and 7 years old. I could have spent the entire day there and I definitely want to bring my childrent here some day. I saw some really amazing stuff and they give you a discount if you bank with Bank of America!

It was an amazing trip with great company and awesome food. If you plan to visit Chicago soon, take me with you, go to these places which truly make it worth it.