Do you think Chicago is awesome? Good. Because it is. Granted, I have never been there during the winter, where I think it would be slightly less than awesome. But the times I have been there? Totally awesome. It is a gorgeous city, one that makes you forget you are in the middle of a major metropolitan area. And this city comes alive in the summer. There are food festivals, music festivals, running and biking along the lake, park days, and rooftop bars. I hate winter so much, so I can only imagine how the natives of Chicago are itching to bust out get their daily dose of Vitamin D.
The friends we visit in Chicago are kindred spirits because they also like to eat a lot, drink things, and play board games. And our Chicago adventures always revolve around food. Much like my actual life. Which is how we spent most of the weekend. Chicago’s food scene is really becoming quite a force to be reckoned with and allows options to try so many new foods, not just Deep Dish Pizza. We started with Poke´ which is a Hawaiian dish consisting of meats, veggies, and rice. Essentially a bowl of sushi guts without the seaweed part. And oh, man. So good. Immediately after finishing I wanted to eat that again tomorrow. But we got donuts instead. I guess you can’t win ‘em all. Being from California, I’ve seen Poke´ before but discovering it in Chicago? Never thought that would happen. Way to go Chicago, you rock.
After wandering around the city, and buying treats for Ella to assuage our guilt for boarding her for the weekend, and after ice cream, it was definitely time for Deep Dish Pizza. Now as an ex-New Yorker, I’ve had my fair share of tasty pizza. But this deep dish thing that Chicago has going on is really next level extreme. Seriously guys, Chicago Deep Dish is ahhhhh-mazing. This pizza is filling so a whole pie can not be finished by 2 people. The sweet crispiness of the slightly burnt crust and the super cheesy cheese (can cheese ever be too cheesy) makes for the perfect combo. I do like a good NY slice. But guys, this deep dish is a force to be reckoned with.
Most major cities have bike share programs and it’s one of the best ways to explore any place. Hopping on a bike, riding the Lakeside path, and parking your bike to explore some more of the city. It’s actually one of our favorite ways to explore cities. Chicago’s Divvy Bike System is great and it allowed us perfect time to people watch before grabbing food and more food. And Pokemon catching. Lots of time for that.
Another first for us this weekend was boarding Ella since our friend’s building is not dog-friendly. To overcome the hassle of boarding her, since we’d need all her medical information, which seemed like over kill for a 2-day doggie overnight, we used DogVacay, which turned out to be the greatest discovery since naps. It is perfect because we took her to this amazing couple’s beautiful apartment where they played and walked her for the weekend. Ella was a little unsure and not too wild about being left in a stranger’s house, but so good knowing that we had an awesome couple watching her. Ella is older so she doesn’t stand for any of that puppy shit. I mean, the girl only like 1 other dog, so boarding her with 50 other yappy dogs who have no boundaries just doesn’t work for her. I hate the look on her face when we leave her, but we are people with lives, so when that happens, DogVacay is essential for that.
Chicago is quickly becoming one of our favorite cities to visit but I’m not sure I’d say the same thing if I was there in January.
Favorites in Chi Town
Bicoastal Surf 