• Costumed representatives from the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Sky, and other businesses will compete in the relay race Freaky Fast 500 (hosted by Jimmy John’s) outside the Thompson Center. A cash prize goes to the winner’s charity of choice. (Oct 24)

• Ready for a real shopping scoop? Stop by the High Gloss Sample Sale where clothing samples and overstock are all discounted between 50 to 80 percent. You’ll find items from local designers as well as well-known labels from New York, Los Angeles, and Europe. (Oct 24-26)

• The 16^th annual Cocktails for a Cause benefits the Children’s Memorial Hospital and includes cocktails, appetizers, a DJ, and live and silent auctions. (Oct 24)

• The very first Windy City Comicon is a comic book convention that features everything comics, including statues, toys, games, writer/artist appearances, and—oh yeah—maybe a few comic books. (Oct 25)

• Just how much horror can you take? The Music Box Theatre presents Music Box Massacre IV, a 24-hour movie marathon featuring new and classic scary movies. (Oct 25-26)

• The second annual Eat, Drink and Be Scary—for Charity is a costume party and fundraiser at the International Museum of Surgical Science that benefits Normal Moments and the Foundation for Community Betterment. Expect cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction, a raffle, and a costume contest. (Oct 25)

• Fight breast cancer, literally. Tie on the boxing gloves for Knock Out Breast Cancer, and choose from a selection of fitness classes at Crunch Gym. All of the proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. (Oct 25)

• More than 400 dogs are expected to show up for Halloween for Dogs at Tails in the City. The fifth annual costume parade and contest awards prizes for “most original,” “best dressed,” and more. Proceeds go to Pets Are Worth Saving. (Oct 26)

• Love chili? Sample the wares of amateur cooks, and vote for your favorite at Sheffield’s Chili Cook-off. The outdoor competition also includes a separate buffet and draft beer pairings. Love to cook chili? Bring a large crock pot of your best recipe by 1 p.m. (Oct 26)

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) MBK (Marjie), SheWatchedTheSky

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

• Several local spas are taking part in the Pretty in Pink Fundraiser and offering fixed-price ($31) massages, facials, and other beauty treatments. Every participating spa and salon has made a donation to Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Be sure to mention “Pretty in Pink” when booking your appointment. (ends Oct 31)

• Want to see something spooky? Take the Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tour, featuring Hull House, the sites of the St Valentine’s Day Massacre and Eastland Disaster, and more. (RSVP required)

• Want to see something funny? Check out Friday the Halloweenth: the 3-D Murderous Musical! The play pokes fun at ‘80s slasher flicks and includes the usual victims: the Virgin, the Foreign Exchange Student, the Stoner… Be prepared to be splattered with (washable) blood. (Fridays, ends Oct 31)

• The 18^th annual Chicago Country Music Festival will feature local and national artists, including Gretchen Wilson and Taylor Swift. (Oct 11-12)

• The 19^th annual Chicago Humanities Festival “Thinking Big” celebrates history’s big ideas with 120 programs in 25 venues throughout the city. (ends Nov 16)

• The Horror Society Film Festival brings 12 hours of the most blood-filled, gory, intense horror on the big screen to the Portage Theater. With every ticket purchased, you will receive your own barf bag. Um, ew. (Oct 11)

• Two dozen restaurants and shops on the north side will take part in the 3^rd annual Andersonville Dessert Crawl. Two different “crawls” will each feature 12 dining stops. (Oct 12)

• Charlie’s Chicago hosts its very first Chicago Frito Pie Contest. Amateur chefs have re-invented this comfort food favorite. Five dollars earns you a taste of each; then you can vote for a winner. Proceeds go to the Howard Brown Health Clinic, Direct Aid, and Vital Bridges. (Oct 12)

Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Crystal Woroniuk, City of Chicago, (c/o Flickr) zol87

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

10. The Wiener’s Circle. Love it or hate it, this greasy spoon has got a “charm” all its own.

9. Gold Coast Dogs. All ten locations follow the Chicago-style recipe to the ‘T’.

8. Superdawg Drive-In. The winking hot dogs on the roof will be a sight you won’t soon forget.

7. Huey’s Hot Dogs. While serving up great dogs and burgers, this eatery is also well-known for its vegetarian-friendly dishes.

6. Portillo’s Hot Dogs. Both the nostalgia and the hot dogs are served up Chicago-style here.

5. Wiener & Still Champion. A good dog should be paired with good fries, and the freshly-cut ones here are among the best.

4. Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots. The shack’s outward appearance doesn’t stop hungry customers from lining up year round.

3. Gene’s & Jude’s. “Chicago-style” means no ketchup. In fact, this restaurant doesn’t even carry any at all.

2. fRedhots and Fries. Fred serves up rabbit, buffalo, and alligator. But don’t worry; he has plenty of good old-fashioned hot dogs, too.

1. Hot Doug’s. Folks line up around the block for the classic dogs and the duck fat fries.

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

The Chicago-style hot dog has seven essential toppings: a boiled or steamed all-beef dog on a poppy-seed bun with (1) mustard, (2) relish, (3) chopped onions, (4) tomato wedges, (5) a pickle spear, (6) sport peppers, and (7) celery salt. I’ve seen a few varieties on this (including lettuce, sliced pickles, cucumbers, and/or green peppers) but the “lucky seven” mentioned above are the components of a classic Chicago-style dog. And yes, the exclusion of ketchup is just as important as the ingredients that are included. Why? One could argue that the sweetness of the ketchup does not mingle well with the other toppings, but really, the ketchup ban is a legendary custom. It’s akin to messing with someone’s great-great-grandmother’s classic apple pie recipe.

If you want to make sure you get a legendary Chicago dog and not some odd variation, Gold Coast Dogs is a good bet.

Now, I’m not usually one to write about chain restaurants (well, maybe occasionally), but this no-frills spot is well-known for its all-beef Vienna dogs and attracts tourists and locals alike. Man cannot live on steamed dogs alone, unfortunately. Gold Coast also offers char-cheddar dogs, char-Polish sausages, double char-dogs, double char-cheddar dogs, char-burgers, char-cheddar burgers, and char-bacon cheddar burgers. Noticing a theme here? Don’t worry; not everything comes with grill marks on it. The menu provides Italian beefs, burritos, gyros, nachos, and even a couple of unexpected vegetarian options (falafel sandwich and garden burger). And yes, you can get some hand-cut fries with that super-thick shake.

Gold Coast has ten locations in the Chicago area. Five of these are in major transit spots (O’Hare, Midway, and Union Station), which give the business a bit of a “touristy” rep among locals. However, Chicagoans can’t deny that GC follows the classic and tasty Chicago-style recipe quite well.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) Navin75

Gold Coast Dogs ($): 159 N Wabash Ave; 312-917-1677
Mon – Fri: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Street parking
Public trans: Bus # 2, 3, X4, 6, 10, 26, 29, 36, 62, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
Orange/Pink/Green/Purple/Brown Line train (Randolph)
Red Line train (Lake)
http://www.goldcoastdogs.net/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

However, you won’t be finding the salad bars and Hamburger Helper that were made popular during that era here. Owner and chef Jon Young takes traditional favorites and gives them a modern touch. The breakfast menu offers items like a low-carb egg scramble or French toast made out of huge bread slices and served with sautéed pineapple, banana, and peach compote. In a box or with a fox, you will like the green eggs and ham—scrambled eggs with spinach pesto, scallions, and smoked ham. There’s even a Twinkie tiramisu and a Pop-Tart sundae for those who have a morning sweet tooth. Brunch cocktails include the Chipotle Bloody Mary and a Tequila Sunrise. If you’re looking for breakfast on the weekend though, be prepared for a wait; the “Hangover Brunch” menu attracts a significant crowd.

Dinnertime isn’t quite as busy as brunch, but the menu is just as tasty, including Not Your Mom’s Meatloaf (lean ground beef, oatmeal, portobello mushrooms, and roasted peppers), fried chicken and waffles, and puff pastry pot pies (chicken and fennel, ginger beef, or mushroom duxelle). Need something to wash all that down? If you’re a fan of Pabst Blue Ribbon, have it for only a buck! Or try something funky, like the Purple Haze Ketel One Citron Lemonade or the Huggie Bear Cocktail.

You may find that living in the past—or at least eating in it—isn’t such a bad thing after all.

Photo credit: Travis Hornung

Kitsch’n on Roscoe ($): 2005 W Roscoe St; 773-248-7372
Tues – Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sun – Mon: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Street parking available
Public trans: Bus # 11, 50, 152 or Brown Line train (Addison)
http://www.kitschn.com/

Post from: The Chicago Traveler

While I was journeying back and forth, sampling different wares and foods, I came upon a small eatery I hadn’t noticed in the neighborhood before, despite the fact that I’ve lived in the area for a number of years. And yes, I know I’ve written about hot dogs before, but you can never have enough hot dog places, especially in Chicago.

I was drawn to Huey’s Hot Dogs by the bright red sign out front, as well as the numerous dining tables set up outside. Inside, the walls are appropriately painted ketchup-red and mustard-yellow. I stepped up to the counter and focused on the chalkboard menu above me. The hot dogs were Vienna Beef, as I expected them to be, but they could be served charred or steamed, an unanticipated but pleasant option. They could also be served any way you wanted, whether that be plain and simple or tasty (and messy) double chili-cheese. The menu included hamburgers (with bleu cheese!), grilled chicken sandwiches, and salads, and I later found that Huey’s is well-known for its veggie dogs and veggie burgers. I made my order: a Pokey’s Polish, with mustard and relish. What’s that you say? It comes with fries? Great! I ordered a fountain drink, paid for my meal, and headed toward the attached dining area.

I sat down at one of the tables in the dining room, figuring that most of the tables outside would be taken due to the festival going on. Looking around, I noticed there was even a mini-table that’s perfectly kid-sized. It wasn’t long before my order was ready and waiting at the small pick-up window that is embedded in one of the dining area’s walls. And just in case you do choose to sit outside, the staff uses an intercom system to call out orders when they’re ready.

The meal was great; the fries just the right balance of soft and crispy. I’ll be sure to head back again. Next time, I’m going to get one of the old-fashioned milkshakes I’ve heard about.

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) synaesthesia

Huey’s Hot Dogs ($): 1507 W Balmoral Ave; 773-293-4800
Mon – Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Street parking available
Public trans: Bus # 22, 50, 92

Post from: The Chicago Traveler