The Chicago Traveler

August 14th, 2008

Weekend Quickies (Aug 15-17, 2008)

• The Croatian Fest features a huge roast of 75 lambs and over 10 whole pigs at the St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church. The festivities include homemade foods, ethnic dancing, and a beer garden. (Aug 15)
• This weekend marks the 50th Annual Chicago Air & Water Show. Arrive early and claim your spot at either […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

June 3rd, 2008

"Top Chef: Chicago" Has Much at Steak

This season of the Bravo Network’s Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
The last Quickfire Challenge tested the five remaining contestants’ butchering skills. Each chef was given 20 minutes to cut and clean seven “tomahawk” […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

December 31st, 2007

The Best of The Chicago Traveler 2007

It’s time to say good-bye to 2007. The year has treated me very well. I moved to a new apartment, did some traveling, and, best of all, began writing The Chicago Traveler! Many thanks to Mary Jo and everyone at b5media who has been so welcoming and helpful.
Even though The Chicago Traveler is only a […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

November 27th, 2007

U.S. Cellular Field

The relationship between the White Sox, the city of Chicago, and U.S. Cellular Field has just as much of a rocky history as that of the Chicago Bears.

By the 1980s, Comiskey Park was the oldest park in baseball and was slowly falling apart. Even with a new video board and luxury suites, several structural engineers […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

November 15th, 2007

Weekend Stuff

• The Young Women’s Leadership Council will be hosting its 2nd Annual Fall Fundraiser featuring a performance by Spitfire Comedy, a raffle, and a silent auction at the Mad River Bar & Grille. Selective complimentary drinks and food are included. (Nov 15)
• Jimmy Eat World performs live at the Riviera Theatre, while Ralph Stanley […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

June 1st, 2007

Let’s Boogie!

First opened 30 years ago, Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes is a specialty store on the south side of Chicago that is still going strong. Owner Neil Keller has been in the business long enough to watch music transition from eight-tracks to vinyl records to cassettes to compact discs to mp3s. And while music may […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

May 27th, 2007

Gio’s Café & Deli

Most people only head to Bridgeport on the south side of Chicago to go to White Sox games at U.S. Cellular Field. That’s quite unfortunate because they’re missing out on the historic working-class neighborhood which has been home to Lithuanian, Italian, Mexican, and Irish immigrants.
One hidden gem is Gio’s Café & Deli, which has only […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

May 10th, 2007

Hot Dogs & Wings

When it comes to food, I’m pretty easy to please. Give me a good Chicago-style hot dog, and I’ll be happy. A Chicago-style dog is a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog (usually Vienna Beef) on a poppy seed bun. It’s then topped with mustard, onion, sweet relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, sport […]

By Matt B -- 7 comments