Sweet home Chicago

[softwateronly]

On 3/10/2022 at 1:19 PM, slonezp said:

An elderly woman was beaten to death with a hammer 2 blocks from my dads house on Tuesday. Happened right across from our favorite pizza joint. We were there eating pizza Tuesday evening and 2 of the plain clothed officers who were on scene earlier in the day also frequent the pizza joint were discussing it. I overhead the conversation and it's just really sad. Crazy thing is, this neighborhood is probably one of the safest  neighborhoods in Chicago. A good percentage of the residents are police and firemen. 

 

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/70-year-old-woman-found-beaten-to-death-in-chicago-suspect-in-custody

Moretti's?

 

d**n!  That's some crazy and real sad.  I've got family w/ kids on one of the "O" streets between NW highway and Touhy.  They had a attempted break in on their block a week ago Thursday, neighbors heard the screaming and wrestled the dude to the ground and handed him over to the cops.  That guy wasn't right in the head either.  Did some facility shut down recently?  That neighborhood is literally nothing but CPD, CFD, and teachers. Not a place to get out of line at all.  I know the CPD soft strike has sucked resources from the good hoods, but this more just mentally ill type stuff.

 

scott

[slonezp]

15 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Moretti's?

 

d**n!  That's some crazy and real sad.  I've got family w/ kids on one of the "O" streets between NW highway and Touhy.  They had a attempted break in on their block a week ago Thursday, neighbors heard the screaming and wrestled the dude to the ground and handed him over to the cops.  That guy wasn't right in the head either.  Did some facility shut down recently?  That neighborhood is literally nothing but CPD, CFD, and teachers. Not a place to get out of line at all.  I know the CPD soft strike has sucked resources from the good hoods, but this more just mentally ill type stuff.

 

scott

Pizza Boy. https://www.pizzaboychicago.com/

[softwateronly]

Just now, slonezp said:

Pizza Boy. https://www.pizzaboychicago.com/

Never had it.  It's on the list, thanks!

 

scott

[slonezp]

2 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Never had it.  It's on the list, thanks!

 

scott

They've been open less than a year. The owner Carlo comes across as your typical Chicago dumb Dago but he's a really nice guy and a fantastic cook. Comes out and talks to the guests all the time. He ran his fathers restaurant(the name escapes me), they had a falling out and he went on his own. Pizza crust is fantastic and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients on the pizza. They have no liquor license so it's BYOB. It's a small joint, maybe only 10 small tables and seating on stools along the window facing Northwest Hwy.

 

How we (dad) found the place (82 and recently widowed), he was at one of the bars on NW Hwy having a beer last summer and the music was too loud. He left and was walking to Firewater which is more of a neighborhood tap than a club. He saw an attractive young Italian woman walking down the street with an insulated pizza bag(Mom was Italian). Dad talks to everyone. Got to talking to her and she told him that she and her husband just opened the restaurant. Since mom passed, dad and I go out for dinner every other week. I asked him where he wanted to go and he tells me this elaborate story how he met this woman carrying pizzas and we had to stop in and try the pizza.

 

They have thin crust, stuffed, deep dish, and Detroit style which I had never had before. We've tried it all and it's all really good but I prefer the thin crust. The Edison Park Deluxe to be exact. 

 

I used to deliver pizzas for that Moretti's 30 years ago. I needed a cash gig to offset the child support payments. Moretti's is good but I'd hardly call it great. I've got 2 near me, one in Hoffman Estates and one in Elgin. If I eat there once a year that would be a lot.

[softwateronly]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

They've been open less than a year. The owner Carlo comes across as your typical Chicago dumb Dago but he's a really nice guy and a fantastic cook. Comes out and talks to the guests all the time. He ran his fathers restaurant(the name escapes me), they had a falling out and he went on his own. Pizza crust is fantastic and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients on the pizza. They have no liquor license so it's BYOB. It's a small joint, maybe only 10 small tables and seating on stools along the window facing Northwest Hwy.

 

How we (dad) found the place (82 and recently widowed), he was at one of the bars on NW Hwy having a beer last summer and the music was too loud. He left and was walking to Firewater which is more of a neighborhood tap than a club. He saw an attractive young Italian woman walking down the street with an insulated pizza bag(Mom was Italian). Dad talks to everyone. Got to talking to her and she told him that she and her husband just opened the restaurant. Since mom passed, dad and I go out for dinner every other week. I asked him where he wanted to go and he tells me this elaborate story how he met this woman carrying pizzas and we had to stop in and try the pizza.

 

They have thin crust, stuffed, deep dish, and Detroit style which I had never had before. We've tried it all and it's all really good but I prefer the thin crust. The Edison Park Deluxe to be exact. 

 

I used to deliver pizzas for that Moretti's 30 years ago. I needed a cash gig to offset the child support payments. Moretti's is good but I'd hardly call it great. I've got 2 near me, one in Hoffman Estates and one in Elgin. If I eat there once a year that would be a lot.

I definitely need to try it now.  Moretti's/Nonno is what my SIL/BIL get when we're there, decent to good.  Condolences and nice new tradition.  Mecca was always a quieter weekday watering hole, more my speed.

[slonezp]

36 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I definitely need to try it now.  Moretti's/Nonno is what my SIL/BIL get when we're there, decent to good.  Condolences and nice new tradition.  Mecca was always a quieter weekday watering hole, more my speed.

I haven't "hung out" in Edison Park since the mid 90's and, I moved out to the burbs in 98 or 99. Couldn't tell you what bars/restaurants existed back then except Moretti's and EPI's I miss the Chicago I grew up with...or maybe I was just too young and stupid to know it was just as bad then as it is now.  I love Chicago and hate it just as well. 

[Mike L]

9 hours ago, slonezp said:

your typical Chicago dumb Dago

Really??

Dat der is a fightin word where I come from pal 

 

 Arrivederci 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[slonezp]

13 hours ago, Mike L said:

Really??

Dat der is a fightin word where I come from pal 

 

 Arrivederci 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I have an extended family that comes across as a bunch of dumb Dagos. We all have the same circle of first names. When someone uses the names Pauley, Mikey, Joey, Jimmy, Frankie, Dominic,  and Giuseppe clarification is needed to know which one we're talking about. Tradition is to name the first born male after the paternal grandfather and the rest of the males after Catholic saints. My mother broke tradition and just named myself and my brothers after Catholic saints. My brother should have been named Joe. My son should have been named Jim after my father but I named him Joe after my paternal grandfather. My sister named her son Jim after my father. 

 

I've got family on the southside by Midway but my stomping grounds in the 80's and 90's was Harlem Ave on the northside which was 100% Italian back then. Polish and Hispanic have moved into that neighborhood. Same thing with Elmwood Park and River Grove where I lived for awhile. Most of the other Italian near west burbs have turned to crap. Maywood, Melrose Park, Bellwood were all real nice neighborhoods at one time and as the west side spreads further west...the garbage moves with it.

 

I think I've brought this up before with you. I used to cruise Marquette Park in the 80's Wouldn't be caught dead their now. The one positive thing about me crippling myself is I no longer have to work in the crappy neighborhoods. I don't miss working on the south and west sides one bit. I drove a UPS style truck for a uniform and towel company in the 90's. My route was on the west side. Trucks had no air so we drove around with the doors open. I'd come to a stop light and the hookers would just step up into the truck. When I was doing refrigeration work, I had a few altercations working in some of the hoods where I was able to handle it. Now that I'm in my 50's I have no desire to even have to deal with the BS. 

 

Funny thing is, the 2 times I was robbed at gunpoint were both in "good" neighborhoods. 

[Mike L]

11 hours ago, slonezp said:

I have an extended family that comes across as a bunch of dumb Dagos. We all have the same circle of first names. When someone uses the names Pauley, Mikey, Joey, Jimmy, Frankie, Dominic,  and Giuseppe clarification is needed to know which one we're talking about. Tradition is to name the first born male after the paternal grandfather and the rest of the males after Catholic saints. My mother broke tradition and just named myself and my brothers after Catholic saints. My brother should have been named Joe. My son should have been named Jim after my father but I named him Joe after my paternal grandfather. My sister named her son Jim after my father. 

 

I've got family on the southside by Midway but my stomping grounds in the 80's and 90's was Harlem Ave on the northside which was 100% Italian back then. Polish and Hispanic have moved into that neighborhood. Same thing with Elmwood Park and River Grove where I lived for awhile. Most of the other Italian near west burbs have turned to crap. Maywood, Melrose Park, Bellwood were all real nice neighborhoods at one time and as the west side spreads further west...the garbage moves with it.

 

I think I've brought this up before with you. I used to cruise Marquette Park in the 80's Wouldn't be caught dead their now. The one positive thing about me crippling myself is I no longer have to work in the crappy neighborhoods. I don't miss working on the south and west sides one bit. I drove a UPS style truck for a uniform and towel company in the 90's. My route was on the west side. Trucks had no air so we drove around with the doors open. I'd come to a stop light and the hookers would just step up into the truck. When I was doing refrigeration work, I had a few altercations working in some of the hoods where I was able to handle it. Now that I'm in my 50's I have no desire to even have to deal with the BS. 

 

Funny thing is, the 2 times I was robbed at gunpoint were both in "good" neighborhoods. 

Yes you did!

I was kinda fun, interesting and nostalgic hearing about places from you and others that I know and places I forgot all about. 
(see other posts)
 

As I brought up to you before being born and raised in Little Sicily, the inner city was my security.

I wouldn’t go nowhere near Englewood now. When we moved to West Lawn we were 2 blocks from Marquette Park on Whipple St, it felt like being on the moon. The different nationalities, customs…everything changed.
Wouldn’t go nowhere near there now either. Everybody moved to the South and NW suburbs and most are still there. 
 

Being a 2nd generation Sicilian/American and a first born, I am named after my Great Great Grandfather (spelled Michele in Italian)

Since my Dad’s 2 brothers also named thier first born sons Michael,  It got so confusing that everyone in my family had a nickname…Tutti, Subby, Mundi, Sally, Mikey etc. 

 

Being about 20yrs older than you, my generation never tolerated being labeled. We just didn’t. 
I know, I know it’s common place nowadays, As my kids and grandkids keep telling me….I get it. 
 

My smart a…s remark was just a reaction. 

 

Point is, I know exactly what and where you speak of. If there ever came a time where we could sit together and share memories it would probably take all night. 
 

Peace Brother 

 

 

Mike

 

 

[Eric 26]

On 3/10/2022 at 8:02 AM, Ski said:

Chicago was safer when Al Capone ran it.

Chicago was safer when either one of the Daley’s ran it. Hell it was safer when Rahm Emmanuel ran it. Mayor Lightfoot is quickly proving herself to be in over her head in my opinion. I’m from the south west suburbs born and raised in Tinley Park so I’m nowhere near as educated on the city as most of you guys on this post, but I worked down town for a couple years walking from the Lasalle street metra station to the blue cross blue shield building with quite a bit of my travel underground and I always felt “safe”, nowadays you couldn’t pay me enough to walk that route.

[clayton86]

I was asked to go to Chicago for work the other week most of us asked gave em a hard no haha. We have to carry for work but NY doesn’t have reciprocity with Illinois so we have to lock our gun up in a safe only the branches have a key to I guess. However asked our guy who went what he does with the gun since that was policy he said it’s in his safe when not on the clock. Still not able to legally carry when not working nah rather not in Chicago. 

[slonezp]

Illinois doesn't have reciprocity with any state. I believe you can get an IL. CCL as a non resident but be prepared to give up some hefty cash.

[clayton86]

7 hours ago, slonezp said:

Illinois doesn't have reciprocity with any state. I believe you can get an IL. CCL as a non resident but be prepared to give up some hefty cash.

That’s how NY is we don’t offer non resident though and don’t have reciprocity with other states gotta jump through hoops to carry in NY. 

[Junk Fisherman]

On 9/30/2021 at 12:20 PM, gimruis said:

My brother lives in West Chicago (Lincoln Park).  For the life of me I can't figure out why anyone in their right mind would want to live there.  The only time I have visited him in the 15 years he has lived there was when he got married and I was the best man.  I have no plans to return, ever.

I dated a girl for a summer about 15 years ago that lived in Lincoln Park.  I had an absolute blast hanging out with her and spending time in the city.  We NEVER spent time at my boring home in the suburbs.  I definitely would not want to live there now at my current stage of life but if I was fresh out of college I would love to live in that area.  Note- I am not really sure what the crime status is in that area nowadays, I hear things but people greatly exaggerate,  but it was safe when I used to spend time there. 

[gim]

2 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Note- I am not really sure what the crime status is in that area nowadays

The area he lives in is not a high crime area. It just has an absurd tax rate and ungodly bad traffic all the time.

[slonezp]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

The area he lives in is not a high crime area. It just has an absurd tax rate and ungodly bad traffic all the time.

As does most of IL. 

Lincoln Park is considered Northside. West Chicago is a suburb about an hour west of the city limits. Lincoln Park is still nice and very affluent. The riff raff from other parts of the city have been moving outside their comfort zones. They are getting bolder.

 

When I lived in the city proper I spent most summer evenings at the lakefront either fishing, swimming, drinking or all three. I also spent 1/3 of my adult life working in some of thee crappiest neighborhoods in the city. I've been robbed at gunpoint twice and had a few "scuffles" with people. The tone has changed and/or I have just gotten older. I don't care to go to the city unless I have to. I've been in the burbs for close to 25 years now. The only thing missing from the burbs is the lakefront and what a beautiful lakefront it is.

 

[Deephaven]

Lincoln Park is still super safe...but holy unaffordable.  Chicago is my favorite city in the country with San Fran a close second.  That being said I moved away as it isn't someplace I want to live as I don't want to live in a city.

[waymont]

On 2/23/2022 at 2:36 PM, gimruis said:

I'll never go back.  Ever.  I'd rather spend my nights in jail than live in or visit that city again.  It was an absolute nightmare trying to get from point A to point B for the 3 days I was there, and the cost of everything was outrageous.

 

I can't even imagine trying to raise a family there.  The cost of daycare alone would bankrupt you.

There’s no nightmare traveling.

there’s traffic, but there’s traffic everywhere in large cities. LA has traffic as does Philly. Cities offer a lot, why bother dissing Chicago?

[Bird]

Only time I was in Chicago was for a Cubs game.

I was once an AVID baseball fan and felt it absolutely necessary to visit Wrigley field and look up and see the legendary Harry Caray......THAR'S A DRIVE. lol

 

The Cubs were legit then with Dawson and Sandberg and the place was electric.

[QED]

Things I liked about Chicago:  Italian beef sandwiches, deep dish pizza, and Chicago dogs.  Was never there long enough to try out the haute cuisine, which is purportedly pretty good, though we have many fine 3-Michelin star restaurants, including the French Laundry (which deserves its fantastic reputation}, here in the greater SF bay area so that wasn't a big deal.

[Mike L]

30 minutes ago, QED said:

Things I liked about Chicago:  Italian beef sandwiches, deep dish pizza, and Chicago dogs.  

Best in the world!!

 

 

 

Mike

[slonezp]

We also have the best thin crust. Chicago thin crust is cut into squares rather than big floppy triangles like they do on the east coast. You have to order them well done from a pizza joint that offers well done on the menu. 

[VolFan]

This is true - I like the deep dish but my wife introduced me to the Chicago thin crust a I am hooked. That stuff is addictive 

 

[gim]

On 6/25/2022 at 7:17 PM, slonezp said:

Chicago thin crust is cut into squares rather than big floppy triangles

My mother in law cuts her pizza into squares too.  I can't stand it.  There's nothing to grab but gooey greasy cheese on the pieces that aren't on the edge.  With triangles there is always some crust to grab on the end.

On 6/25/2022 at 7:24 AM, waymont said:

LA has traffic as does Philly. Cities offer a lot, why bother dissing Chicago?

I don't visit those cities either unless there's a mandatory layover at the airport lol

[softwateronly]

On 6/25/2022 at 5:12 PM, QED said:

Things I liked about Chicago:  Italian beef sandwiches, deep dish pizza, and Chicago dogs.  Was never there long enough to try out the haute cuisine, which is purportedly pretty good, though we have many fine 3-Michelin star restaurants, including the French Laundry (which deserves its fantastic reputation}, here in the greater SF bay area so that wasn't a big deal.

 

There's a definite uptick in haute cuisine here, but you're already around some of the best in the world.  What Chgo does is give room for experimentation and innovation by younger chefs out in the neighborhoods because the cost of living is so absurdly cheap compared to other large US cities and there's a culture to support/fund them and their restaurants.  So when you're back out this way, look in this direction for something new.

 

scott

On 6/25/2022 at 8:17 PM, slonezp said:

We also have the best thin crust. Chicago thin crust is cut into squares rather than big floppy triangles like they do on the east coast. You have to order them well done from a pizza joint that offers well done on the menu. 

 

I have family that consistently forgets this when ordering.  They're killing me.

 

scott