Chicago Take Two...

Trump Tower

Labor Day Weekend 2010 was spent in Chicago...the week leading up to it was filled with a trip through Indiana. My first night in Indiana I discovered one of the most delicious foods I have ever tasted. The Italian beef sandwich from Portillo's was unbelievable. I had my first one in Merrillville, Indiana. Portillo's started as a hot dog stand in Chicago and has grown into a chain of restaurants. They have satisfied many celebrities from Brian Urlacher, Henry Winkler, and many others. I would recommend Portillo's to anyone visiting Chicago/Merrillville, IN. Along the way through Indiana, I had the privilege of being greeted on a street corner by a man in an orange vest, and he was wearing a sign demanding Obama be impeached. The photo on this sign had Obama's face adorned with a "hitler" mustache. The gentleman was kind enough to provide me with some literature on why this impeachment needed to take place...needless to say the piece of paper was riddled with nonsense that strung together was not coherent whatsoever.

Despite the strong desire I had to meet more street corner Obama-haters, we headed off for Chicago as soon as possible. Friday night we hung out at Justin's Bar and enjoyed some delicious food and service. After closing down Justin's we headed out withe some of the staff and visited a 4 am bar, which opens late to accommodate the service industry. The following morning was filled with college football watching and relaxing. For dinner we visited Bull and Bear (allegedly home to Chicago's Best Burger) and watched the late games and started pre-gaming.

Saturday night marked my first trip to "Vision" a techno club in Chicago where Cosmic Gate was spinning (apparently a big deal in the techno scene). Vision was a ginormous club consisting of 3 levels with balconies and staircases all looking down over the main dance floor. It also had lounge areas where you could just hang out if dancing was not your thing. On the other side of the lounge was another 3 story dance club...the main stage was more of a trance scene and the other dance floor was a fusion of hip-hop/house. The club was packed and wild...see videos!

Sunday was a productive day...I walked the magnificent mile and saw the Hancock Tower and the Old Water Tower in Downtown Chicago. Also took a walk along the Riverwalk and heard some wonderful street drum music from what appeared to be a father and son. Sunday evening was spent back at Justin's and then out to another late-night bar.

A three day weekend of nights lasting until the wee-hours of the morning was out-of-control. I returned to the hotel via taxi at 6:30 am (watching the sunrise on lake shore drive was pretty excellent)...then it was off to Michigan for a week of work around Detroit!