BG318

I had to risk it for the brisket!

Yeah, I even had room for these -

It was. I only ate about a third of it because I had a lot of stops to make. It was 10 AM when I had it.

Thanks again for the recommendations.! Really great food and baseball pilgrimage! Love to have a smoke out there! There's probably someone from the CTA enjoying my Lancero as we speak..

This was at Geno+Georgetti. Gene, excuse me.

The guy at the next table and I opened a small catering business with his slice!

Best Deep dish . Second best.. Biggs for a cigar after returning back to the hotel to confront the horrible reality of the missing CoLa, and grabbing the travel humidor. Chicken Vesuvio, apparently a Chi Town exclusive. Never seen it anywhere else. Great trip, made better by my FOH brethren.

2008 Lusi in the Viagra Triangle. Actually walking back to the hotel afterwards. Oz Park Mr Beef. Combo sandwich light dip. Here is approximately where I lost my leather cigar case. 1 CoLa, 1 '08 Lusi, and 1 '08 VR Famoso. (sob)

Just got home! Great trip, made even better from all the suggestions. Really, I thank you all. I looked into most of the suggestions as well as a few of my own ideas. Time, location, operating hours, and availability determined what I wound up doing. I wanted to try the classic, iconic places because the world is quickly changing and I want to see them before they vanish. I also tried to get into some newer places, but was beaten to the punch . Gives me a reason to return, which I will. Some pics Cafe Meli. Rolled into town @ 430AM. Spectrum (bar) next door still rocking. Went for a short walk of about 20 minutes. By the time I returned the place was shut, chairs up, lights out, two guys outside finishing off a bottle of Patron. Garrett's Popcorn. I don't even like popcorn but that stuff rocked! Wrigley Field. Don't go changing. Gibson's. Best steak. Seriously.

Monte 4 was one of my first CC's. I remember saying that I would have one of these for lunch every day in heaven. It is eternally etched in my cigar smoking DNA. I didn't even get to try a RASS until a couple of years ago. I really like them, but I feel that in many ways a Monte 4 is the essence of the CC experience, including the inconsistent quality. Monte 4.

Really want Partagas.

I'm in at Gibson's, and on a wait list for Bavettes. I'm very satisfied with the scenario because there's so many things to do anyway. It'll give me something to shoot for next trip. Love Rick Bayless as a chef - I went to Topolabampo the first time I was in town. I am definitely thinking about Au Cheval if my stomach can handle it.

I'm sitting on around 2000 sticks. 150 are NC, 138 of those 150 are Nudies. Trying to keep a ceiling of 2500 sticks. Trying.

He won't be saying "Oww, F#$kn Penguin!"

So, a day filled with Wrigley Field, steak, donuts, hot dogs, Italian Beef sandwiches, Guinness, martinis, and caramel cheese popcorn to top it off. That's like 135000 steps. Bring it on.

Wait. Polish lemon donuts? Do tell.

CoRo.

Yeah, buying cigars that way is pretty much the entire source of my NC collection.

Thanks for the info! Being relatively uninitiated makes it hard to get my bearings. I'm staying in Lincoln Park because I wanted to be close to taking the Red Line to Wrigley, which was the original reason I wanted to visit Chicago. I'm trying to get to all of the baseball parks. It looks like a good location for lots of walking as well as being able to get back via train or bus. Gibson s was on my radar, and is now a must go on account of a certain favorite cocktail of mine. Hope I light up in the right park in the Triangle! I may try Biggs but wasn't sure if they allowed guests.

Thanks again. I'm going to check out Iwan Ries.

Thanks for all the suggestions.I know that Chicago has a great culinary reputation. I aim to scratch the surface in a short visit. I won't concentrate on the higher end - Michelin stuff this trip. I'm looking at the stuff that gives Chicago it's rep. Could be a deli, donut shop, any ethnic cuisine, etc. So far I have been to:- Lou Malnati for deep dish. I'm down to try another pizza spot. Uniquely Chicago. Johnnie's Beef - fantastic and uniquely Chicago. Topolobampo- real good. That's about it.

Already filled up on the days I will be there, so it must be popular. It looks like a great spot. I'll keep trying because it looks like it will be worth it. I'm looking for some of the typical places people who live there would go to. I have a list and was hoping to add to it.

We can be friends because they're playing the Sox this weekend!

I'm thinking about heading to Chicago for a few days, to take in a ball game, have a smoke or two, and eat in a few of the many iconic places in town. I was hoping that there might be some FOHers in Chicagoland who could have a suggestion about where to go. I have been to the city, most recently about 7 years ago, but my knowledge of the area is generally weak. Appreciate any insight at all. Thanks in advance!

Absinthe claims another one of our finest artists.