Fatty Catty reading the Sky Mall catalog somewhere over Texas
Mike and I took our first vacation in a long time. After getting the house, not only were most of our weekends spent dodging day laborers in the Home Depot parking lot, working to pay for stuff at Home Depot, or using stuff from Home Depot, we had a lot of shit to do.
When we found out we had a couple weddings to attend in the midwest, it was the obvious choice to take a few days inbetween ceremonies to explore Chicago and begin our culinary quest for local flavor in hopes of devouring as much as is humanly possible. In all honesty, I don't really know Chicago all too well. Most of my life, I've only know Chicago through Ferris Bueller, Steve Urkel and Balki Bartokomous. If there was a way to funnel in all the amazing meat products the Windy City had to offer, we would have, but we had to settle for this trip.
Our 1st stop, Gino's East
After checking in to the hotel, our itinerary was as clear as the napkins we used to wipe our mouths with afterwards- we wanted Chicago style deep dish pizza. There are many arguments as to which pizza place has the "best" pizza, but my most trustworthy junk food connoisseurs all pointed me towards Gino's East, and I was not disappointed. Plus, we spotted Vince Vaughn there and he looks like a man that enjoys good pizza regularly.
My pizza paragon from Gino's East complete with a full layer of patty sausage
Since we had just devoured about 8lbs of pizza each, Mike and I decided to walk it off and parade our new engagement around the city with Fatty Catty.
Fatty Catty at the Bean
Fatty Catty at Hancock Observatory
Fatty Catty at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
After miles of walking and hauling the Cat, we built up our appetite for refreshment, and OK, more food. (Don't judge. Alright, fine go ahead, you disapproving food hippy) We decided to go to a brewpub in a different neighborhood, Goose Island. There, we found a handful of locals who just got off work, decompressing and violently cheering on the Bears game. Obviously, we were at the right place at the right time.
Gooseneck taps at Goose Island
We ordered plates of so many types of pork. Lots of pork happens in Chicago. More importantly, we cheered together with the bar regulars to cheer on the home team which felt really nice. It didn't matter that I was a 49ers fan really, but they gave me a high-five just for cheering and being there. They were friendly and welcoming and most bar patrons in LA are not.
The next day, we did more walking around the city and made sure that we made reservations at the one restaurant that all of our trustworthy foodies/locals alike recommended: Publican.
The next day, we did more walking around the city and made sure that we made reservations at the one restaurant that all of our trustworthy foodies/locals alike recommended: Publican.
Family style dining and pig portraits at Publican
Surround by hip people of all ages, we dined on rare secret beers (we were served beer that had a secret brewer) and such amazingly comforting foods like pork rinds, green beans with tuna, mussels, and a pork chop that made you tired of saying "wow, that's good!". And afterwards, we ate fig cake crusted with caramel corn and topped with goats milk ice cream and edible flowers. No big deal. (If you thought I thought that wasn't a big deal- you are being stupid.)
Mike and I like to eat a balanced diet. By that, I mean that we eat fancy then we have to balance it off with an assortment of junk food. The next day, we enjoyed dunkin donuts with coffee and 2 lunches that could be described as gross, greasy, and fatty by people who hate life.
Mike and I like to eat a balanced diet. By that, I mean that we eat fancy then we have to balance it off with an assortment of junk food. The next day, we enjoyed dunkin donuts with coffee and 2 lunches that could be described as gross, greasy, and fatty by people who hate life.
Best Chicago dog
A Chicago dog can be distinguished from hot dogs in other cities by its combination of 3 qualities: beef hotdog with a "snap" (eat one in front of someone, if you bite it and they hear it, it's the snap), a poppyseed bun, and neon green relish. For the most part it looks like the hot dog had slid down a slip-n-slide of condiments or the jump castle in my fantasy fixins theme BBQ. Mr. Beef and his dogs may have already done that because the Chicago dogs are top notch.
2nd lunch at Al's Italian Beef, a couple blocks from Mr. Beef
This place was featured on Man vs. Food. Mike was so intrigued by this place because you're told you have to eat at the counter standing a certain way so that the dripping cheezy beef doesn't fall on you or your shoes. But you, know I liked sitting and eating it while sitting seemed just fine. The stains were worth it despite all the judgmental glares.
So that sums up our trip to Chicago. Later, we packed our bags and stood in line with all the Amish people and hopped on a train to Kalamazoo. (Yes, really)
