OT: Calling all Chicago MGoFriends!

Submitted by MGoJen on

Hi you guys! I hope you're having a great week.  I come to you with an interesting request! One of my best friends, a 38 year old single male, recently dropped everything and moved to Chicago for a sweet new job.  He lives in the South Loop? (idk what that is I hope it makes sense!) He is Detroit-born, Cincy-raised and a life-long Wolverine. 

He's been in Chicago for about a month, and doesn't know anyone there.  I know a lot of my MGoFamily lives there and was wondering if y'all would be interested in meeting a new Michigan friend! He likes trying new beers, current events and every sport imaginable.  He's super outgoing and a really great guy.  Haha this totally sounds like a dating pitch!

Anywayyyy if you guys are interested in showing him the ropes or hanging out or even are willing to be put in touch with him via e-mail, drop me a line at [email protected].  (PS, he did not ask me to do this, in fact I'm most certainly going to be in trouble but welcome to my life!) Thanks in advance! Take care of yourselves and each other xo

 

Rhino77

April 12th, 2016 at 9:23 PM ^

Was thinking this was a dating profile (until I got to the dating pitch part).

Listen, I moved to Chicago 13 years ago. I didn't know a soul. Just had a pipe dream to attend Second City and get a TV gig. I did both. Along the way I met friends, had a kid, and assimilated to the lifestyle.

I moved here right before the 2003 NLCS. Wrigley was a blast. I was at the home opener yesterday and it was electric. If your buddy wants to meet people I would suggest he snatches up some Cubs tickets. Invite friends, girls, co-workers, ECT. Hit Wrigley and enjoy the potential special season.

If he wants beer make sure he hits Lagunitas. It's like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for beer.




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LSAClassOf2000

April 12th, 2016 at 9:48 PM ^

My wife has family on the near north side and the last time we visited, one of my morning walks took me past the intersection of State and Rush. That might be one of the few times in 12 years of marriage to date that I was pretty sure I was the only married person within a 2-3 block radius. 

03 Blue 07

April 13th, 2016 at 4:27 PM ^

Yeah, it's called the Viagra Triangle for a reason: It's populated by older men and women who want to be with older men, usually younger women who want to be with older men (you don't see a lot of single 65 year old women there; you do see a ton of 65 year old men there without wedding rings on; gee, I wonder why?). I'd bet that around half of the people you saw were actually married. The atmosphere you describe of "no one being married" would occur on Hubbard Street (a mile south of Viagra Triangle) around 1 am on a weekend; would also occur at Damen/Milawukee at same time.  

leftrare

April 12th, 2016 at 10:08 PM ^

So much to work with here. I grew up in Oakland county and moved to Chicago after graduation. It's a great town with something for everyone! Oh, never mind.

Edit

That seemed weird so I'll go laundry list

The Bean, where selfies were invented
The Lodge
Billy Goat Tavern
Wrigley
Comiskey ("the cell")
Greek Town
China Town
Little Italy
Noble Square
Wicker Park
Buck town
Boys town
The pump room
Lizard lounge
Schuba's
Lincoln park zoo
The United center for anything
Northwestern Memorial Hospital because you're going to end up there at some point and might as well get acquainted with it.
Cafe BaBaReBa.
Arlington Park

B-Nut-GoBlue

April 12th, 2016 at 10:45 PM ^

Nah Hoplear...it's like, down the street around the corner to the lef....

hah!  There are still a few beg beer bars I need to get to, Fountainhead being one of them.  Hopefully this summer while making a few trips into the city!  (Heard good things about Atlas a couple years back as well.)

Croatian_Blue

April 13th, 2016 at 9:46 AM ^

I have to agree with Hopleaf and Half Acre, but I live in Andersonville, so I'm a little biased. 

Half Acre does a brewery tour on Saturdays at 10am. $10, 3 beers, only the first 60 allowed in.  Andersonville in general is awesome. Several great bars and restaurants with a small neighborhood vibe.

 

Rodriguesqe

April 12th, 2016 at 10:24 PM ^

Southside is an interesting place to start. Lincoln park is usually a good beginner neighborhood. West of 94 is generally a section that people discover after living in Chicago a few years.

My advice: euchre league. Great way to meet people and make friends, and theyre always filled with ex-detroiters.

Gunga Galunga

April 12th, 2016 at 10:28 PM ^

Nah, fuck that. You don't wanna go that way. Tell him to go down half a block and look for the Torino with no wheels on it. And inside that Torino is my cousin Jackie and tell him you my boy. He give you directions. You don't wanna know from me. I'm from the west side of Chicago here on vacation.

Kmaize

April 12th, 2016 at 11:22 PM ^

South loop is a pretty exciting area on it's own. If he wants to venture north everyone on here has given pretty good ideas. Even being a Detroit fan he could take in a few events at the UC. That'd be fun. Expensive at this point but fun. (has second round tickets woohoo). Also I guess it can depend on where he actually works and that area as traffic sucks after work travling in the city or loop areas. 

I'm in the burbs near oakbrook so it's a pretty sweet idea to get out and see what's in the neighborhood. I've been a Chicagoan always and lived all over the place. I would also BEG him to go get Portillo's and a big beef with moz cheese hot/sweet peppers dipped with a chocolate cake shake and cheese fries if he's into that. He'll thank you and possibly propose to you. The food scene here is really second to none. The weather is breaking slowly so he'll have time soon to go visit the neighborhood festivals and meet the locals. 

Good luck adapting and have a blast!

killerseafood3

April 12th, 2016 at 11:34 PM ^

Somewhat related, I just got to Chicago as I'm staying at and attending the MBAA conference at the Palmer House Hilton. Never been to the city, anything cool within walking distance for me to check out?




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Block M

April 13th, 2016 at 8:04 AM ^

If you're looking for Chicago Style Pizza you will have plenty of options, but a favorite of mine is Pizano's on Madison which is a one minute walk from the Palmer House.

There is a ton of other things within a five minute walk from the hotel including the Art Institute, Chicago Cultural Center, Milennium Park, etc. and if you're looking for drinks the Chicago Athletic Association has some different bar options including Cindy's which has solid views of the park.

Yinka Double Dare

April 13th, 2016 at 11:02 AM ^

Miller's Pub is right next to the hotel basically if you go out the Wabash side and usually has a good selection of beer drafts, although pricey since it's in the loop area. 

If you're trying to grab lunch, the 7th floor of the State Street Macy's (a couple blocks north of Palmer House) has a food court that has a ramen counter from Takashi, a Rick Bayless tortas counter, and some other stuff, but really just go to the Bayless or Takashi counter.