Where to meet in Chicago?
October 19, 2011 10:01 AM Subscribe
Looking for suggestions for a convenient (and delicious?) place to meet a friend traveling through Chicago with a small dog.
A friend is driving through Chicago (coming in on 80W) with his girlfriend and small dog on Friday around noon before he heads off to Wisconsin. I plan to drive up to Chicago from Champaign to meet them. We will probably want to grab a quick bite to eat. I am almost completely unfamiliar with Chicago, and am looking for some suggestions about a convenient place for us to meet that maximizes the time that I get to interact with the dog (we used to share custody and I miss him, dangit! Plus, he's elderly, and this will probably be the last time I see him). Cheap, delicious, and fast are pluses. Non-food-related options also welcomed.
A friend is driving through Chicago (coming in on 80W) with his girlfriend and small dog on Friday around noon before he heads off to Wisconsin. I plan to drive up to Chicago from Champaign to meet them. We will probably want to grab a quick bite to eat. I am almost completely unfamiliar with Chicago, and am looking for some suggestions about a convenient place for us to meet that maximizes the time that I get to interact with the dog (we used to share custody and I miss him, dangit! Plus, he's elderly, and this will probably be the last time I see him). Cheap, delicious, and fast are pluses. Non-food-related options also welcomed.
How about Big Star taco in Wicker Park? Outdoor seating on the large patio if the weather is nice. Then go to the actual Wicker Park around the corner for some dog time.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:43 AM on October 19, 2011
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:43 AM on October 19, 2011
Best answer: The Lincoln Mall area of Matteson would be a good spot. It has all the usual food spots one finds in a suburban retail area - Cracker Barrel, Applebee's, Olive Garden, plenty of fast food options - plus a Petsmart where you could visit with the dog. There are also a few hotels in the area with a little bit of open space if you wanted to take him for a walk.
Exit from 57 northbound at Lincoln Highway, go east. Everything is right there at Lincoln Highway and Cicero Avenue. From 80, exit 57 southbound and Lincoln Highway is the second exit. Then your friend can take 57 north into the city and meet up with 94, or take 80 east to 294.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:33 PM on October 19, 2011
Exit from 57 northbound at Lincoln Highway, go east. Everything is right there at Lincoln Highway and Cicero Avenue. From 80, exit 57 southbound and Lincoln Highway is the second exit. Then your friend can take 57 north into the city and meet up with 94, or take 80 east to 294.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:33 PM on October 19, 2011
There is also a Panera Bread right there too, a Starbucks and an iHop.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:34 PM on October 19, 2011
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:34 PM on October 19, 2011
Response by poster: We met at the Panera in Matteson, and it worked out really well! Thanks!
posted by quiet coyote at 1:31 PM on October 21, 2011
posted by quiet coyote at 1:31 PM on October 21, 2011
Glad to help! That's my go-to meeting-up area with friends from downstate.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:03 PM on October 21, 2011
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:03 PM on October 21, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
The only hard part will be the dog. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find any restaurant that would allow you to bring a non-helper animal in with you. Might have better luck if you bring him in a little puppy duffel. Alternatively, Lao Sze Chuan has large windows all the way around, so you could tie him up outside and easily keep an eye on him. (Might be pretty chilly, though.)
posted by phunniemee at 10:23 AM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]