2019 Cubs Convention

[weis21]

Wasn't sure if I should bump the 2018 Cubs Convention thread since I'm going to start out this one the same way...but the girlfriend surprised me with tickets to the Cubs Convention this year!

 

Super pumped since it's been 29 years since I've been to Chicago (was 7 at the time). so, any advice (well, anything more than what was posted last year) is appreciated!

 

We are getting in the night before the convention and leaving the Monday after so we will have a bit of time beyond the convention itself to eat/tour/drink/etc.

 

We're staying at the W Chicago Lakeshore. Thoughts about that hotel? They apparently have a shuttle that runs from that to the convention so that'll be taken care of. Anything in particular within walking distance to our hotel? Maybe that's crazy talk because I'm freezing my ass off in eastern NC at the moment and it's 31 degrees...

 

Any of you all planning on going?

[ConstableRabbit]

The W Lakeshore is excellent. They recently renovated the entire thing. Most of Chicago’s hotels are either in the Loop or Streeterville, the latter of which is where this W is. The surrounding area tends to be quieter at night but it’s close to a lot of the bigger attractions for visitors. If the weather isn’t too bad, you can easily have a nice, scenic walk to the convention.

 

Staying there, you’ll be tempted by two things, which I recommend avoiding:

1. Visiting Navy Pier — it’s fine if you must, but know it’s a tourist trap

2. Eating at a subpar restaurant — there are a lot of B- places in Streeterville since it’s where the hotels are when you can get to some great ones with a short Uber or bus ride. Check online reviews and you should be fine.

[SouthSideRyan]

What type of food are you looking for? Nice steakhouse, Chicago pizza, grab n go local food? All of the above?

 

ETA: Agreed with Constable on the walk, it'd probably quicker as well.

[weis21]

thanks guys! as far as food, the first thing i said (and she was excited) was we have to get chicago pizza - but we are open to anything, honestly.

 

probably want one nice (read: expensive) dinner but otherwise just something moderately priced for most? we are pretty much walking into this blind. we love to eat just about anything.

 

we are both just excited to go and are walking into it completely blind. we both are pretty simple in so much that we don't need to "do" a whole lot to have a great time so we're flexible and open to whatever (know that really helps in no way haha)

[Sammy Sofa]

So you wanna talk pizza, hmmmm?

[weis21]

So you wanna talk pizza, hmmmm?

my bad.

 

mods plz merge with bryce harper thread

[Bertz]

Here's some food recs. Unfortunately, none of these are all that close to your hotel. That being said, I think what makes Chicago's food scene great is the mid tier places, so I think it should be a good fit for what you'relooking for. I'm honestly not a big fan of a lot of the high end but not super high end places here.

 

Nice place - I would probably try and make Girl & the Goat or Monteverde work, but if you can't I would say don't overthink it, just go to one of the many awesome steakhouses near your hotel.

 

Mid Tier

 

Au Cheval - My favorite burger. The waits are often absurd, so my recommendation is to go for a late lunch (1:30+) on a weekday. Usually the wait is less than 30 at that point, even if they quote you more.

 

Revival Food Hall - Only open on weekdays until 7, but a fun food court with a number of smaller versions of Chicago staples. Great lunch spot if you're doing touristy stuff in the Loop (it's ~halfway between the Sears Tower and the Bean, for instance)

 

Tacos - Antique Taco and Big Star are both fantastic, and close by each other in Wicker Park. If you don't want to go out that way, Big Star has a second location across from Wrigley now, and Antique Taco has a stall at Revival. Velvet Taco is also pretty solid.

 

Pizza - I don't have a ton of input here except that as much as I like Pequod's, I don't think it actually counts as Chicago style deep dish

 

Ramen - Slurping Turtle and Ramen San are both in river north, and both quite good. They're also across the street from each other, so I usually go with whichever has a shorter line

 

Smoque BBQ - The best bbq in the city, but unfortunately a ways away from downtown

 

Honey Butter Fried Chicken - Awesome chicken joint, but unfortunately also pretty far from downtown

[ConstableRabbit]

Here's some food recs. Unfortunately, none of these are all that close to your hotel. That being said, I think what makes Chicago's food scene great is the mid tier places, so I think it should be a good fit for what you'relooking for. I'm honestly not a big fan of a lot of the high end but not super high end places here.

 

Nice place - I would probably try and make Girl & the Goat or Monteverde work, but if you can't I would say don't overthink it, just go to one of the many awesome steakhouses near your hotel.

 

Mid Tier

 

Au Cheval - My favorite burger. The waits are often absurd, so my recommendation is to go for a late lunch (1:30+) on a weekday. Usually the wait is less than 30 at that point, even if they quote you more.

 

Revival Food Hall - Only open on weekdays until 7, but a fun food court with a number of smaller versions of Chicago staples. Great lunch spot if you're doing touristy stuff in the Loop (it's ~halfway between the Sears Tower and the Bean, for instance)

 

Tacos - Antique Taco and Big Star are both fantastic, and close by each other in Wicker Park. If you don't want to go out that way, Big Star has a second location across from Wrigley now, and Antique Taco has a stall at Revival. Velvet Taco is also pretty solid.

 

Pizza - I don't have a ton of input here except that as much as I like Pequod's, I don't think it actually counts as Chicago style deep dish

 

Ramen - Slurping Turtle and Ramen San are both in river north, and both quite good. They're also across the street from each other, so I usually go with whichever has a shorter line

 

Smoque BBQ - The best bbq in the city, but unfortunately a ways away from downtown

 

Honey Butter Fried Chicken - Awesome chicken joint, but unfortunately also pretty far from downtown

These are all great recommendations. On Au Cheval, if you want their burger and don't require an egg on it, you can hit up Small Cheval, which has more than 1 location and typically doesn't have lines.

[Sammy Sofa]

horsefeathers BIG STAR.

[KingCubsFan]

For Chicago style pizza, Gino’s East is within walking distance of the W.

[ConstableRabbit]

horsefeathers BIG STAR.

Great for drinks and ambiance. Tacos are just ok.

[Sammy Sofa]

horsefeathers BIG STAR.

Great for drinks and ambiance. Tacos are just ok.

 

This is truth. Even some cheesy place like Taco Joint has better tacos.

[jersey cubs fan]

I went to broken english taco pub last time I was there and liked it

[SouthSideRyan]

Broken English is good, just tiny.

 

Smoque is great but I feel like other cities do BBQ better so I wouldn’t make it a destination.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Broken English is good, just tiny.

 

Smoque is great but I feel like other cities do BBQ better so I wouldn’t make it a destination.

eh, some of the worst BBQ I've ever had came from Texas and one of the best I've had was in Atlanta, which isn't really known for BBQ at all

[weis21]

I honestly really appreciate all the feedback and effort with these responses.

 

This is obviously tertiary to the hotel info and restaurants, but assuming I’m interested in the NFL conference championship games (I will be and will be awesome if it’s the Bears so you guys have another band wagoner onboard) any close places/bars that are kind of “laid back” and not super-busy to watch the games at? Cheap booze would be appreciated.

 

Give me an inch and I’ll ask for a mile.

[ConstableRabbit]

I honestly really appreciate all the feedback and effort with these responses.

 

This is obviously tertiary to the hotel info and restaurants, but assuming I’m interested in the NFL conference championship games (I will be and will be awesome if it’s the Bears so you guys have another band wagoner onboard) any close places/bars that are kind of “laid back” and not super-busy to watch the games at? Cheap booze would be appreciated.

 

Give me an inch and I’ll ask for a mile.

There’s practically one of these on every block in your hotel’s neighborhood.

[weis21]

I honestly really appreciate all the feedback and effort with these responses.

 

This is obviously tertiary to the hotel info and restaurants, but assuming I’m interested in the NFL conference championship games (I will be and will be awesome if it’s the Bears so you guys have another band wagoner onboard) any close places/bars that are kind of “laid back” and not super-busy to watch the games at? Cheap booze would be appreciated.

 

Give me an inch and I’ll ask for a mile.

There’s practically one of these on every block in your hotel’s neighborhood.

 

 

[Omar]

It is Monday. The convention starts Friday. Where is the schedule?

[Clem Fandango]

When they bring out Bryce Harper he'll be wearing a t-shirt with the schedule printed on it like a weirdo and then he's gonna be like "See, right here on the 23rd of May is when you'll be playing me and my Phillies here in Chicago!"

[jersey cubs fan]

sounds like matt garza will basically be there

 

[squally1313]

No Lester, no Rizzo. Guess they're just punting the convention along with the rest of the offseason.

[Cubswin11]

No Lester, no Rizzo. Guess they're just punting the convention along with the rest of the offseason.

Lester has missed in the past, IIRC, he does his charity golf outing around this weekend every year and Rizzo is on his honeymoon. I wouldn’t be surprised if the have some pre-recorded content with Rizzo they’ll show or like call/video him in for a segment via Skype or FaceTime or something.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

TinyFaceTime maybe

[Clem Fandango]

TinyFaceTime maybe

 

horsefeathers, that's good.