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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Institutions by bike
So I finally got around to replacing my old bike from Working Bikes (which met a sad, rusty end attached to a no parking sign all winter), with another new old bike from Nearly New. It's been my way of building exercise into my day while I study for the bar. It's also been inspiring me to break out of my patterns a little bit, stopping at shops and restaurants that I wouldn't have passed by if I had taken the el. This week I decided to visit a few Chicago institutions that are both easily accessible by bike and not too far out of my way to and from class.
Monday: Hot Doug's. Everyone's favorite gourmet hot dog shop, and one that can be loved even by encased meat skeptics like myself. As a poultry eater I had multiple tasty options to choose from at Hot Doug's. I went with the Mandarin-Teriyaki Chicken Sausage with Chili-Garlic Mayo and Crispy Fried Onions and a side of cheese fries. Delicious. The line on a Monday afternoon was short, and Doug, (owner, mastermind and cashier-man) told me about his desire for cult hot dog fame in Finland after I told him about the derivation of my name. Distance traveled away from normal route: less than 3 miles round trip.
Tuesday: Margie's Candies. Serving homemade candy and ice cream since 1921. On a Tuesday afternoon there was ample seating and the other patrons were mostly old men, with a few moms and kids interspersed. The turtle sundae sounded great when I ordered it, looked amazing when I poured my personal little pitcher of hot fudge over the ice cream and caramel piled high in a clamshell dish, and tasted great while I ate it, but on the bike ride home I remembered why you usually eat dessert after a meal. Distance traveled away from normal route: About half a block.
Wednesday: Lovely. Okay, this isn't a Chicago institution, but if it sticks around long enough it could become one. It's a bakeshop, cafe, and now a lunch spot. I had a fantastic turkey sandwich (with an amazing garlic and shallot spread) and a cup of roasted red pepper soup. And, at a friend's recommendation, three chewy macaroons. I'm not much for studying in cafes, but this place (in the early afternoon on a Wednesday at least) had the perfect study vibe. Airy, light, not too crowded, and almost everyone in the place had a laptop or a book. Distance traveled away from normal route: The width of Milwaukee Ave.
15:32 2 comments
Comments:
Kuma's gets an honorable mention too. :) It wasn't on may way to or from class, but hell, it's a mile from my house, so at least the out of the way factor is minimal. And the delicious ness factor was high as always. I did give them a shout-out in my eating in Logan Square post last month. :)
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