Come on, oh baba don’t you want to go
Oh come on, oh baba don’t you want to go
Back to the same old place
Sweet home Chicago *
So some of my teammates and I are heading back to Chicago this weekend to attend the Ex-Awards gala on the evening of May 3rd and find out if we’ll walk away with the coveted prize. Although, Chicago is not our base, the city has the kind of energy that makes me feel right at home.
Of course the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue provides ample opportunities to satisfy any shopper’s fantasies. It is truly a Shopper Marketer’s heaven. But beyond my professional inclination I just love that town. Let me share a few of my favorite spots.
On the restaurant scene, if you are a sports fan, particularly a baseball fan but more specifically a Chicago Cubs fan, a stop at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse on West Kinzie Street is a must. The place is filled with sports memorabilia and the food (for meat lovers) is out of this world. To top it off, if you have an urge to stand up to sing the 7th inning stretch, no one will bother.
On the other hand if you want to stay away from meat and you’re looking for a taste of the South, I HIGHLY recommend the wood fired Three Cheese Mac 12 at Table Fifty Two. Oh my God! This is a mac & cheese like you’ve never had before. They sell it as a side order but I make it a main dish and often order two bowls without any shame… And their desserts!!!
Okay, one more on food. This one is not as fancy but if you like good old style markets and café atmospheres make a stop at Fox & Obel. They’re on 401 E. Illinois. Shelves and displays are packed with exquisite and exclusive food items to satisfy the most demanding connoisseur. Couple this with smiling personnel providing outstanding customer service and you will ask yourself the same question I had: ‟Maybe I could land a job here?” Not only can you do your groceries at Fox & Obel but you can also sit down for a bite to eat. If takeout is your thing, leave with their famous brown box which contains the daily homemade meal special. And while you’re at it, pack in one of their devilish cup cake from the bakery counter.
All will agree that Chicago offers a lot more than food. So if you need to digest and burn extra cals, I suggest a walk down the historic Navy Pier or a visit to one of the many museums. There are so many to choose from. Whether you do that, walk the Magnificent Mile, take a cruise on the Chicago River, go to a Sox, Cubs, Bulls, Hawks or Bears game, or anything else the Windy City has to propose, I am pretty sure you will fall in love with the city.
As for us, if it so happens that we win The Ex-Awards grand prize, not only will I adopt the city as my own, I may also conclude the evening with my impersonation of the Blues Brothers’ classic…
Oh come on, baba don’t you want to go-oh-ooh
Come on, baba don’t you want to go
Back to the same old place
My sweet home Chicago *
*Excerpts from Blues Brothers Sweet Home Chicago lyrics, Songwriters: Gravenites, Nicholas Geor
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