Oct 20, 2009

Hyatt at Pittsburgh Airport, Pittsburgh PA - October 20

Rating - 7.8

First impressions (mean a lot to me) - Ruby was very friendly at check in, flat screen tvs in the room and its QUIET in the room.....HOWEVER on the negative side there were no king beds, no Regency Club, no cups in the bathroom (second trip in a row), no digital thermostat in the room (old school one from the 1960s), goofy parking situation and a crappy work service dominated by a small fridge with no power outlets for my pc.

It is strange to park here, although well marked, because you have to enter the long term parking lot and head to the hotel parking sign. I guess I will have to pay for it when I leave tomorrow (it was $11), but I don't know and there was nothing on the web site about it. It is also a bit confusing because you enter the property by an "entrance" sign, but really you are in the back by the meeting rooms. It is not well marked, and very awkward, to get to the front desk.

I arrived just after 5 pm and there was a line of 3 in front of me, but it moved quick because there were three people working the desk. Ruby checked me in and she was GREAT, but I was a bit ticked when told I had two doubles instead of a king bed....I just asked to be in the most quiet room they had. I was told it was, and I am in room 1127. I am surprised by how quiet it has been to this point (no plane noise at all, although I can hear hallway noise under the door).

The work space is AWFUL: there is a Haier fridge on top of the desk (don't understand why it is not under it) that takes up 1/4 of the desk. Most people I know work at night at the desk in the room. In addition there is NO power outlet to plug in my computer. I tried calling the "guest request" line and there was no answer, same outcome dialing "0", I finally got through to the front desk and the girl who answered was nice, but told me the outlets were in the corner by the window, by the clock on the nightstand and behind the dresser the tv sits on......all in a matter of fact way...when I said my power strip wouldn't reach she said there was nothing else she could do for that, but could she help me in any other way.....

I hung up and tried to move the dresser (no go), so I was getting ready to call the GMs office and dialed "0" again. This time I got John, he was friendly so I explained the issue again, and he immediately offered to send an extension cord up...why the first girl could not I don't get at all...the engineering department came right up, plugged it in, and let in less than a minute. Great service.

Went to the gym around 8:30 and its decent. 4 tread mills, 3 ellipticals, 4 bikes, few weight machines and dumbbells up to 50 lbs. Don't come here looking for a good lifting session. In addition, the controls on each of the ellipticals were broken......kinds of sucks.....

Headed down for breakfast and it was EXCELLENT!!! Great service from the host, excellent service from Allisa my waitress, and the food was really good. I had the buffet and selection was wide and varied, and there were only a few people having breakfast at 9 am. Very good, and and I would return for sure.

Overall, I liked the property, but am having issues getting past a few of the things that bothered me. There are many different choices just off the property, but it was easy for having 5 people fly in and join me for the ride downtown.

Total - $159.00 taxes = $181.26

Post Office Deli, Wexford PA - October 20

Rating - 10.0+++

This is a GREAT deli located in an old post office. I arrived around 3:30 pm after an appointment for a late lunch. There were no other customers in the place, and the two women behind the counter were VERY FRIENDLY!!

I got the special for the day: turkey, swiss, and bacon on a roll along with the home made chips. The sandwich was HUGE with real/fresh turkey meat and a great/tasty roll. I ate all of it because I couldn't help myself, but I only ate 1/2 the home made chips that were just as good.

EXCELLENT lunch spot, wonderful service.

Sandwich $6.95
Chips .95
Gatorade 1.60
Brownie 1.65 (for Fabian)

Total - $11.93 -- not enough for how GREAT it was!

Southwest Airlines 3224, Chicago to Pittsburgh - October20

Rating - 6.4321

Bought the "business select" package because I was buying a ticket the day before the flight....$15 more each way for free drink and "priority" boarding..........AA only has 2 or 3 direct flights.

The drive from Western Suburbs to Midway SUCKS........and so does parking at Midway.......I parked in the attached $28 a day lot....and as I look my ticket a guy handed me a blue flier saying the lot was full and to go to long term. As anyone knows that is a total pain to go over there, par, and take the shuttle. Anyway I found a spot......

Going through security at 10:30 am was a breeze, and I went right to the gate. Wouldn't you know that I was on the only delayed fight that SWA ever had???? About 15 min late, lined up in my group and boarded, HATE this process.

Got an emergency exit seat and had a nice flight!

Total - $359.20 (round trip)

Oct 18, 2009

Tom's, Huntley IL - October 18

Rating - 10.0++++++

Outstanding pumpkin patch and farm!!!!!!!!!!!! We had such a GREAT day........arrived around 1 pm and went right inside to buy their World Famous donuts and taffy apples....had to have something to snack on. This is a family tradition, and while development has been creeping in all around the farm, they still have enough land to feel like you are in the country. And everyone who works here is very friendly and will go out of their way to help. Parking is in their paved lot and in the grass fields. There were a lot of people there but it never felt crowded.

I headed to the ticket booth and unloaded some dough....$5 for each of us to get into the corn maze, petting zoo, kids stuff.......and 20 tickets for rides (only $15).

The kids LOVED the corn maze, and the little guy loved the train, animals, hay pile, but most of all the huge pile of corn that all the little ones could play in. We probably spent 2 hours there...

Then we went to the ride are and rode the pumpkin train (lots of fun and worth the 20 minute wait), pumpkin jumpy/bouncy, and train slide/fun house, and Kara had her face painted.

Then it was finally time to pick some pumpkins......and the display was HUGE.....every size and shape. You could ride the hay ride into the field, but there were more than enough on display....and they were pretty cheap at $3.99, $5.00 and $7.99 (although I don't know how much pumpkins cost elsewhere).

Then I made the mistake of going inside to pay......they have all kinds of neat Halloween "stuff' and we bought some candle holders and other nicknack's........

A great day of family fun!!!! If you have little guys this is a great place to spend a few hours.

Total - $135.00 (for all of our stuff....I asked the girl who was at the register if that was the record for the day and it was!)

Capri Ristorante, Yorkville IL - October 17

Rating - 10.0+++

Excellent dinner experience. We arrived around 6:45 pm and the place was PACKED with Yorkville high school students......it was prom night. So we happily headed to the bar....love the bar with the flat screen tv and excellent service......

Bar was pretty crowded with all the adults waiting for tables....but the bar tender is excellent and had drinks in front of us right away.....then papa brought some bruschetta in (it was GREAT). We waited about 45 minutes and then were seated......same table as last week.....

The place was packed when all the adults were seated....but service was good (better than last week)....although the waiter forgot to put in one of the orders and the entire tables dinner was delayed by 20 minutes....but Andy made up for it with a bottle of wine on the house.....

Food was spectacular! I once again had the chicken parm, 2 others had the lobster diablo (they LOVED it...I think Mike licked the plate) and Allison had the salmon special (it was great, I almost always get it)......I also had the tortilla soup (fantastic)......and we finished with chocolate cake and cannoli (exceptional).

We then headed to the bar for a "night cap" that I didn't need....and to listen to "Gigolo Johnny" who was AWESOME......just a lounge lizard who was funny and worked the crowd. A great night!

Pre Dinner Drinks
Bottle of Cannonball $30
2 Heiny's $8
Total - $38


Dinner for the 4 of us
*no itemized bill, but maybe 2 more bottles of wine, many beers, dinner for all (includes salad and soup) and 2 deserts
Total - $200.00


After Dinner Drinks
2 chocolate martinis $12
Beers
Total - Don't really know (except that I had a lot less cash in the morning)

Halsted Street Deli, Chicago IL - October 16

Rating - 9.0

Headed over at 1 pm for a sandwich and chat outside the office. They had a good crowd, but there was no line to order. I had #11 Big E (the beef sand), it was HUGE and EXCELLENT!!

The bread was amazing, the beef was thinly sliced and great, and the mozzarella cheese melted just right, smothered in tasty beef gravy (it also had a marina sauce that it didn't need).......and it was HUGE. I did not need to finish it, but I did.

It is a nice place to have a conversation also, comfortable with many other full tables, but quiet enough to have a private chat.

This is also the home of the Original Rainbow Cone.........you HAVE to try that (even though I have not yet).

#11 Big E $5.00
Combo $1.89

Total - $8.79

Oct 15, 2009

Boudin Bakeries, SFO - October 15

Rating - 9.9

Walked over to the United terminal to meet my buddy, and they have a great food court.....lots of different places to eat, clean and new.....completely unlike the AA terminal.

I had a turkey/cheddar on the sourdough and it was EXCEPTIONAL.....great fresh sourdough roll, it was large enough that I am still full on the plane. Worth a walk over there.......

1 turkey sand 8.29
1 root beer 2.19
1 chips 1.39

Total - $12.97

Harding Park Golf Course, San Francisco CA, October 15

Rating - 10.0

We played the course the Thursday after the Presidents Cup and arrived around 7 am. It was busy in the club house and they had a sign posted that you had to check in 1/2 hour prior to tee time.....what a great concept. There were a bunch of guys there who were trying to get out and were on the waiting list, we had made our tee time a week prior with no problem. It was pitch black at 7, but they told the first group to head to the tee. Only problem was the grill didnt open until 8 am, and our tee time was 7:50.

There had been a terrible rain storm on Tuesday, and they told us they had lost a bunch of trees and there was debris on the course....it was true, but the course was in GREAT shape.....except for the long wet rough that I was in all day.

It was a strange day, sun, mist/rain, clouds........and very damp. Being off the fairway was brutal and my score showed it (92). I would give one piece of advice, I am a 12.2 handicap and I played the blues at 6500 yards and slope of 125---it plays much longer and much tougher!! It was really cool to get to play with all of the bleachers and corporate tents still in place!

As for the course itself it is solid, a very good muni track. On the front side there are 3 holes that run side by side like a traditional muni course, and balls were all over the fairways, but it was in great shape. 17 and 18 are great finishing holes.

Best part of all was the pace of play.....we walked and finished in just under 4 hours!!!! Never felt rushed and only waited a few times for the groups in front of us.

Oh, and the course hot dog at the turn was SPECTACULAR......a great roll and huge dog.....

At the price point however I would be tempted to play Presido instead.......

Total - $135.00

Buena Vista Cafe, San Francisco CA - October 14

Rating - 8.5

Headed in for a night cap around 8:15 pm.....the place was packed....no seat at the bar and almost every table filled....we found a table at the back. It is kind of funny because if your party is small (we had two) they will sit others at the table.

We had a GREAT waitress who got us a couple of beers. She was friendly but gave us our space.

Its a historic old place, that in 1952 became the inventor of Irish Coffee-----I am not a coffee drinker but most people in the place were. Its right by the end of a cable car line and the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory. Neat spot to have one and move on.

Once again I didn't have to pay the bill.....Pete has too much left in his expense budget (mine was gone around June)

In-N-Out Burger at Fishermans Warf, San Francisco CA - October 14

Rating - 10.00

AWESOME chow....the BEST BURGERS anywhere.....and great hand cut fries....and exceptional service....and clean place.....and fast service.

Have the #1 (Double Double) and be set for the evening.

I love it so much I bought the $14.95 t shirt.

It is worth it to fly to California and have lunch/dinner here!!!!

2 #1
2 Dbl Dbl 6.60
2 fries 2.78
2 drinks 3.00
1 shirt 14.95

Total - 29.33

Pasta Paradiso, San Francisco CA - October 14

Rating - 9.994

Excellent lunch spot. We took a customer out for lunch and the first place we tried was packed so we walked to the Bay and tried a little Italian spot he had heard good things about.

Small place and your order at the counter when you walk in, get a number, find a seat and they deliver lunch. We sat outside on the sidewalk and lunch was promptly delivered.

IT WAS EXCELLENT.......all three of us really enjoyed our meals......exceeded my expectations by a long shot. We sat and talked for 1 1/2 hours and never felt rushed, staff did a great job of clearing the table, and it was very comfortable.

I would return here in a second and would have the salmon again for SURE....it was large, perfectly cooked with excellent flavor. So big I couldn't finish it all.....

Chicken Sand 6.65
Daily Pasta 7.95
Diet Coke 2.00
Daily Fish 9.50
Snapple 1.50

Total - 30.55**** ****an EXCEPTIONAL value, cheapest but most productive lunch of the year!!!

Tadish Grill, San Francisco CA - October 13

Rating - 10.00

We had a customer to take out for drinks after work and headed to the hotel bar across the street from Wells Fargo, but there were no seats at the bar or tables. So we headed out for a walk.....I am always "up" for trying a new spot to have a beer.

We wandered into the Tadish and found 3 seats at the bar around 5:30 pm. This is a classic spot, been there since the 1850s and I don't think much has changed. At part of the long circular bar you can eat and drink, and at our spots you could drink.

Excellent bartender, friendly, good drinks, and good conversation....but not too overbearing. Easy for the three of us to chat, and we all had a cup of soup. I had the Clam Chowder and it was EXCEPTIONAL -- so good I wanted another.

We stayed for about an hour, and after several cocktails and the soups the check was under $100 (hard to believe I didn't have to pay).

We did ask if we could have dinner where we sat, and the answer was only for apps, and the wait was 20 minutes (they don't take reservations).......so we headed out to find another spot....

Oct 13, 2009

Whole Foods, San Mateo CA - October 13

Rating - 8.6

Ran in here for a quick bit to eat before a 1 pm meeting, and it was packed with people. I had never been in a Whole Foods and got lost pretty quick, but a very helpful person who was stocking shelves walked me to the power bars. I picked out a couple, got a few drinks (couldn't find the Diet Coke----got some "natural" lemonade) and headed to the registers......they were packed and the line was long.

I walked around to see if there were any others, couldn't find any, and headed back to the front. They did have some decent looking pizza, but I had no time. The kid who helped me find the power bars rang me up, and when I told him one of them was so bad I couldn't finish it, he said I didn't have to pay.....what GREAT SERVICE. I don't shop very often, but I did think the place was expensive......

Sportscap $1.19
crv .05
Org Whole Almonds 5.49
Simply Lemonade 1.99
crv .05
White ma .99

Total - 9.76

Ristorante Ideale, San Francisco CA - October 13

Rating - 4.3

Just walking from the financial district back to the wharf and found this cool little spot for dinner. Arrived around 7:30 pm and seated at a 4 person table away from the window (there was a 2 person spot there). Probably 10 tables in that room, and 4 in the other....

Neat spot, very quaint, with decent service and decent food. We had a great bottle of wine, the bread they served was not warm and just ok, salad looked ok (Pete destroyed it) and for main course I had the "special" sea bass --- marginal at best, WAY TOO MANY bones for me, but Pete had some special pasta that he loved.

Cool spot in the "North Beach" neighborhood with the "Hustler" strip club......I would return but not eat the sea bass.

1 bottle of wine
pasta special
fish special (nasty sea bass)

Total - $ 112.23

Hyatt Fishermans Warf, San Francisco CA - Oct 13

Rating - -1000000000000000000000 (that's right its negative) -- subject to revision after check out

Horrible experience with the front desk at check-in........I feel like a piece of GARBAGE......on my Hyatt profile I have "quiet room that is high"......and I always ask the front desk if it is a quiet room. I had really enjoyed the room I had the last time at this property, and I asked if it was available.....they asked if I knew when I stayed or the room number. I did not, but thought it was strange they couldn't pull it up. The lady who helped me was friendly and said if I didn't like the room I could call down and change it.

When I got up to room 422 it was nice and on a corner. Unfortunately the corner of a busy street. I immediately knew it would be too loud for me, and I called right down to the desk to ask for another room. The person who answered was a bit hard to understand, but said she would find a room on the inside for me. She offered to have a bellman bring the new key up, but I said I would headed back down. The person who had checked me in was busy, and so the girl on the left gave me the new key and said it was a handicapped room and they were all out of king beds. I said no problem as long as it was quiet.

I got to room 452 and it was not updated like the first room, and on an interior corner of the property. This usually means its loud at night as others head to their rooms. I unpacked and headed down to meet my buddy for a beer, I also had to return the original room key (I had left my bags in there).

When I got down to the front desk, I offered the key to the woman on the left, and she snidely said "what is this for". I said I was returning the key, and she challenged me and said "why, what is this all about?". I let her know I had changed rooms and said I was disappointed by the new room because it was on the corner, and she said "we are sold out and there is nothing I can do". That was total BS because it was about 4:30 and I knew a majority of people had not checked in yet, and they can always swap rooms as no one knows where they are headed until they check in.

IN ADDITION, why would she give me so much sh** when they say at check in "let us know if we can do anything". Maybe I was being a whiner, but I don't need attitude from the front desk. Last time I stay here!!! I had to run with my buddy or I would have asked to speak with the GM. Then when I headed back up to the room at 9 pm people were still checking in!

I also had a problem connecting to the Internet. I was on the phone with Tmobile for a long time and they told me to check with the hotel. You can imagine how excited I was to speak with the front desk, and I got to speak with Natalie. She was AWESOME, very friendly, and let me know my sign-in id would not work because the property had my middle initial in with my first name. She fixed it and I was able to log on.......she was so effective and pleasant I was pleasantly surprised.

I had breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Knuckles, in the morning. Service was EXCELLENT, and the food was awesome.....I had 3 pieces of french toast from the buffet.

1 two eggs sunny side up, sausage, wheat toast 14.00
1 juice 4.00
1 coffee 4.00
1 regular buffet 18.00

Total - $43.80

I also got to try the work out facility around 6 pm in the evening. It had very few free weights, and no weight machines, but 5 ellipticals, tread mills, and bikes. It was pretty empty, although my buddy said it was crowded at 6 am.

As for the room itself, its large and VERY QUIET.....but it has a really small closet, and no cups in the bathroom.

More to come

Go Go Inflight on AA, Chicago to San Fran - October 13

Rating - 9.54

There are coupons in the Admirals Club for free wireless Internet on certain AA flights......had it on the flight to SFO and it is really good (once you get connected).....super fast with no interference.

Only downside is this is the time I used to read books in the past....but a great way to stay caught up on a 4 hour flight!

Its usually $12.95 so I am not sure how often I will use it in the future.

Tilted Kilt, Chicago IL - October 13

Rating - 10.00

What the heck, why not three times in the past week. My brother in law Pete had an interview at Morningstar and after I took him to lunch.

We arrived around 12:45 and were seated immediately.....it was not nearly as crowded as Friday. But the service was the same (exceptional), the chips as good as always, and the food even better. Once again I stuck with the Irish Dip and loved every bite, but this time I only ate 3/4 of it!!!! Small steps are victories for me......

I don't know what Pete had, but we had a great chat, excellent grub, and pleasant sites.

Best of all he paid!

Total - $??.???

Capri, Yorkville IL - October 10

Rating - 10.00 (I am on a streak of perfect "10s")

We finally found the new place that Andy, Mamma, and Papa opened down in Yorkville. It is exceptional space, large, light, airy, and decorated in an "Italian" decor. A bit hard to get to via the GPS in the car, but only 20 minutes from Farnsworth and I88.

This is the third Capri on this side of the family, the one in Naperville that I have blogged was owned by Andy's brother Joey and it may be closed. Andy was given a rough time on some of the blogs I read, but I have never had an issue with him, and his service is always excellent!

We walked in around 7:30 pm on a Saturday night and the hostess said there was a live band playing in the bar with tables, or we could sit in the dining room. We walked into the bar and it is really cozy. There was a three piece band playing and all the tables were full in there......and the hostess said it would be a 30 minute wait. So we decided to sit in the main room. There are probably 20 tables in here and we got a great one by the window. It was dark and hard to see outside but there is a patio with tables that overlooks a lake.

As soon as we sat Papa saw us. He came over to our table to greet us and insisted on giving us a tour. They have a second room that is next to the dining room and there was a large party of about 20 having dinner in there, and then he led us to the patio. He seemed to be genuinely happy that we had made the trip and even got Mamma from the kitchen (which is larger than his last place he told us). We also saw Andy, but he was busy waiting tables in the bar, and while he was friendly it was not quite like before with him.......

Unfortunately our waiter was pretty busy and it took a while for him to get our drink order. For the rest of the evening the service was slow (even later when the place emptied), but he was friendly and we could deal with it. There was a great crowd when we arrived and it did empty as time went on, by 8 pm it was maybe 1/2 full.

As soon as the food was delivered, we both smiled, and knew we had found our old friend. The bread served first was very good, the soup (me) and salad (Katie) were very good. But our DINNERS were EXCEPTIONAL!!!! I had the chicken parm (OUTSTANDING), and Katie's homemade rigatoni with mamma's vodka sauce was EVEN BETTER. Wow, what a great meal. We finished with two very small cannolis.

We then headed into the bar for a drink before driving home, and to listen to the band. The bartender was very friendly without being overbearing, and the Chocolate Martini was excellent (so reports Hot Mamma). The bar area stayed pretty full (there were probably 10 people sitting at the bar, and 6 tables of 2-4). The band was a family affair with Dad as the lead sax player who liked to do solos, but the crowded seemed to really enjoy. The bar crowd was interesting - a mix of couples who had finished dinner, some old ladies (really too old to be "Cougars") and a few young people. Drink prices were cheap!!

I believe that Andy always wanted to run a bar/nightclub.........Papa and Mamma had left around 9 pm....and it is a perfect spot for a drink before heading home.

When we left at 9:45 there was one table still in the dining room and around 15 in the bar.

Great spot, love the way the place looks, food is excellent, and prices are moderate. The one thing you can never beat at Capri is the service, it is top notch (even when slow)

Dinner
1 Bottle of Cannonball Merlot
Chicken Parm
Homemade Rigottoni
3 beers
2 mini cannolis

Total - $83.94 (before tip)


Drinks
Heineken $4.00
Chocolate Martini $6.00

Total - $10.00 (I am embarrassed - this is the lowest bar tab I have ever had!!)

Du Page Childrens Meseum, Naperville IL - October 10

Rating - 10.00

We then headed over to the kids museum and arrived around 12:30. There was not much of a crowd, but the little guys LOVE the place and could spend all day here. They always find something new to do, and the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.

Total - $0.00 (bought a family membership)

2 Toots, Downers Grove, IL - October 10

Rating - 10.00+++++

This is the greatest place in the World to take a 4 1/2 year old boy who loves trains and his 12 year old sister.......they loved it.

We arrived Saturday at 11:30 am and sat right down. First time ever that I didn't need to wait. The young kids who work the counter are great, and the food is EXCELLENT and CHEAP.

My son could eat here every day (I could too).

1 Root beer Float $3.95 (I LOVE this)
1 Cheese Burger $6.55 (Its AWESOME)
1 kid chicken nugget $3.95
1 kids grilled cheese $3.75 (12 year old favorite)
1 train cup cake $1.75

Total - $21.50*** (a bargain)

Mike and Denises Pizzeria and Pub, Aurora IL - October 9

Rating - 9.3

Took the kids out on a Friday night and met up with two other families (6 adults and 10 kids) for dinner. We had a reservation for 6 pm and that was good because it was crowded. They have remodeled the place and it looks great, lots of flat screen tvs, and a comfortable/cozy decor. Looks like they have a decent bar on the other half of the place (the dinning room has its own little bar).

Service was great for such a large party on a busy Friday night and the beer and whine flowed.....while the kids spent a few million dollars tow quarters at a time in the "game room" - a space just off the dinning room where all the guys stood guard.

Pizza is excellent, crust is wonderful, and the beer cold and good (makes me want one now). Best of all is that after all the beer, wine, soft drinks, pizza, apps and taxes it was only$56.95 per family......what a GREAT VALUE.

Can't wait to return!!!!

Total - $56.95** (before tip)

Tilted Kilt, Chicago - October 9

Rating 9.9921

Excellent spot for a Friday afternoon lunch.....but make sure you arrive early. We entered at 11:30 and were immediately seated. At about 11:45 there was a line out the door. Best thing about the place being packed is that the SERVICE is still OUTSTANDING, friendly, and the food arrived about 10 minutes after the order.

I had to "pay up" a Sox/Cubs bet (who would have more victories), and of course the Scrubs won a bunch of meaningless games at the end of another meaningless season for them. They SUCK!

Anyway, back to the Kilt. Stephanie took great care of us; got us a basket of the very tasty chips as soon as we sat, brought another basket after Kristian whined, delivered huge drinks that were quickly refilled, and served tasty food. Tim and I had my new favorite "Irish Dip" - it really is too big to eat the whole thing- and Krisitian had the pastrami sandwich that he really liked (although he did loose his Man Card with a side Caesar salad).

Very crowded when we left, but everyone was very happy!! I could eat here every day, but I would weigh a few thousand pounds.

2 Irish Dip $17.98
Traditional Pastrami Sand, add side Caesar $11.48
2 Arnold Palmer $5.00

Total - $38.34

Tilted Kilt, Chicago IL - October 7

Rating - 9.4

Arrived with a buddy on a Wednesday afternoon around 11:30. We were immediately seated at a nice table and my friend was in shock at what a great spot this is for lunch. Lots of big screen tvs tuned to sports center and the best looking waitresses in the loop.

They now deliver an EXCELLENT basket of home made chips as soon as you sit and the service from Jazmin was excellent - quick with drinks and getting our order placed. We were both surprised how quick the food arrived.

I tried a new dish for the lunch, the IRISH DIP, and it is AWESOME, beef is perfectly cooked, cheese is melted and the dipping gravy is outstanding. Fries were a bit weak, but the sandwich is so large I shouldn't eat them anyway. Chris had the Big Arse Burger and he thought it was marginal at best (I feel the same way).

Great place for a casual lunch with an old friend. Friendly service and a great value for lunch.

I forgot how good the food is..........

2 Arnold Palmer $5.00
Irish Dip $8.99
Big Arse Bacon Burger $9.49

Total - $26.12

Halsted Street Deli, Chicago IL - October 6

Rating - 9.94

Great lunch spot in the Loop, right next to the Chicago Theatre at State and Lake (SE corner). I met a customer here at 12:20 and we stepped right up to order.....its a deli that features hot sandwiches......ordered, stepped down and paid, got a drink, a seat and the food was ready.

Lunch was excellent, I had a the meatball special and it was really too large, but the bread and meatballs were SO GOOD that I couldn't stop eating it!! Tom had the egg salad and he finished every bit. Great value as drinks and chips were included.

We sat and talked for at least an hour and while it was busy, it was never too crazy and was comfortable to talk.

This is the Loop location of the Original RAINBOW CONE.........you HAVE to try one.

Meatball $6.49
Egg $4.99
Drinks $1.49

Total - $14.46