Hubbuzz's Chicago, IL Blogs

That Little Mexican Cafe - A Little Café With Big Flavor

K.Lloyd — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:19:28 -0600

In the shadows of the Northwestern University campus in Evanston lies a restaurant called That Little Mexican Café. My husband and I stumbled upon this local spot while driving around looking for a place for dinner. When we walked in, the atmosphere just took us away. We sat down at the bar for a drink and waited anxiously for our table. The margaritas are delicious and seemed to be the choice of most patrons. It is a busy restaurant but the turnover is pretty quick.

Once we were seated, we ordered the homemade guacamole. The guacamole is “smashed” right at the table. This was the coolest part of our night. They came to our table and let us pick from six different ingredients and you tell them how much you want of it put into your guacamole. We choose extra garlic. They also had cilantro has an ingredient. Once you make your choices, they prepare it fresh right in front of you. This guacamole was the most delicious kind I have ever tasted in my life. Served with warm chips you really can’t go wrong.

Our meals were fresh, delicious and so tasty. I had the Steak Tacos and my husband got the Steak Fajitas. They were so much better than your average Mexican Restaurant. This place is something special. They put a spin on Mexican and out turns a delicious café of food one can’t resist. They are located at 1010 Church Street and they do take reservations.

What's Cookin' in Chicago

CityBuzz — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:24:38 -0600

Getting tired of your go-to neighborhood eatery these days? Never fear, new restaurants are here! Check out these new and redeveloped hot spots:

• DMK Burger Bar at 2954 N Sheffield and Wellington Avenue in Lakeview and Wrigleyville – Recently opened, this place serves up ‘healthy’ burger options. Think smaller, grass-fed beef patties cooked on a griddle, gourmet cheese options, and vegetarian options, too. Of course, they also have all the unhealthy (but oh so wonderful) traditional sides like malts, fries and beer.

• Big Star Taqueria and Bar at 1531 N Damen Avenue and Pierce in Bucktown and Wicker Park – Also new to town is this authentic Mexican joint complete with extensive whiskey and tequila lists, spit-roasted pork dishes and dulce-de-leche milkshakes (ay carumba!)

• Brand BBQ Market at 2824 W Armitage Ave at Mozart in Logan Square – If you’re hankerin’ for some smoky southern cookin’ then don’t miss the savory roasted meats and unique BBQ sauce blends here (don’t forget about the bourbon creamed corn and the sweet potato fries, too).

• Hearty Restaurant at 3819 N Broadway in Lakeview and Wrigleyville – A great place to duck into on a blustery winters eve for succulent meats, hearty casseroles and decadent old-school desserts.

• Belly Shack at 1912 N Western Ave in Bucktown and Wicker Park – This asian-latino-mediterranean fusion super spot is worth the adventure of just stepping inside. Eat outside the box.

Visit hubbuzz.com for more insider information about Chicagoland, including neighborhood profiles, interactive maps and apartment rental listings.

This Weekend in your Chicago Neighborhood

Murphy Applegate — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:49:02 -0600

The Daily Candy, the uber-cool, witty and sometimes cheeky urban newsletter, has sought out the top to-do's this weekend in Chicagoland. Check out our modified list below to see what's going on in your Chicago 'hood:

FRIDAY OCT. 9

"Everything is Terrible" is a mashup of funny castoff VHS clips resulting in a great date night feature film at the Music Box Theater in Lakeview and Wrigleyville. 10:30pm. For tickets: www.ticketweb.com

SATURDAY OCT. 10

Check out indie songstress Via Tania's intimate performance at Workshop Boutique in Pilsen near University Village. 8pm

Catch a late dinner of seasonal French fare at newly opened LM Le Restaurant (formerly Tallulah) in Ravenswood near Lincoln Square.

SUNDAY OCT. 11

The Original Alps Pancake House is back in action with it's infamous pancakes, omelets and burgers, perfect for a lazy Sunday brunch in Irving Park near Avondale.

For details about these events and to signup for Chicago newsletters to keep you in the know, visit the Daily Candy website.

For more information about Chicago apartments and neighborhoods, visit hubbuzz.com.

How to Avoid the Swine Flu for Apartment Dwellers

CityBuzz — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:23:52 -0600

The ever-so-scary swine flu is really just an intense and elusive version of the regular flu that we have all had at some point in our lives. However, because the swine flu is more resistant to medicine and is highly contagious, it’s important for people to be aware of how to prevent any type of cold or flu—especially those living in close quarters with many other people, such as apartment renters.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe and healthy at your apartment this flu season:

1.) By far the #1 most important and effective way to prevent illness is to wash your hands. And not just after you go to the bathroom, either. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands after working out at the community fitness center, shooting pool in the clubhouse, using the business center computers or even just pushing the elevator buttons.

2.) It’s one thing if you want to cover your own apartment in germs, but PLEASE, if you have to cough or sneeze in the hallway, laundry room or any other public areas of your apartment building, make sure you turn your head into your elbow or shoulder! No, it is not sufficient to use your hand to cover your mouth because then you will spread your germs to the next surface you touch (unless, of course, you run straight to a bathroom to scrub your hands ?)

3.) Get a regular flu shot. There is much debate about what time of the season you should have the flu shot administered, but most health professionals agree that getting a flu shot is a solid step towards preventing illness. Go one step further and work with your apartment manager to organize a flu shot clinic at the community to encourage your neighbors to get one, too.

4.) If you live with roommates, make sure you all pitch in to clean your apartment at least weekly. Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters with an anti-bacterial cleaner and a clean sponge and/or paper towel. Also, regular vacuuming and sweeping cuts down on dirt particles that can aggravate allergies (which cause sneezing and germs).

If you still get sick this fall, do your best to stay at home so you don’t infect your neighbors and/or co-workers! Don’t use the community amenities during your down time, including the fitness center, hot tub or TV/game room, and make sure to wash your bedding and toss your toothbrush once you’re back on your feet again.

And, if you're really worried about getting H1N1, maybe you should invest in a neat face mask like the one in this picture.

You can find more information about swine flu on the Center for Disease Control website.

Looking for an apartment to rent in Chicago? Search apartment rentals by neighborhood now on hubbuzz.com!

New map sites help you navigate your Chicago neighborhood

Murphy Applegate — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:20:14 -0600

I’ve noticed a lot of new mapping tools floating around the Web lately and a few of them seem like they would be very handy for people living in apartments and/or people who are living in a new city or neighborhood.

One is YardSaleTreasureMap.com which lets you enter an address, search radius and day of the week to generate a list and a map of local yard sales taking place around Chicago that day. The listings are pulled from craigslist ads and not only show the location of the sale but also details about what sort of items will be up for grabs.

If you have recently moved into a new house or apartment in Chicago and need some new furnishings this could be a very helpful tool that will save you time and money. And if you’re not familiar with Chicago, don’t worry, the site helps you map a route and lets you print directions so you don’t get lost.

Another great site is MapMyFitness.com which has a ton of fitness tools, including articles from popular fitness magazines, local running paths, fitness plans, and a ton of other cool tools for fitness buffs.

This tool would be especially helpful for someone who has just moved to a new Chicago neighborhood and needs to create a new fitness routine, or even for someone who travels a lot and needs to change their routine often for different locations.

You can also hook up with other members to join fitness groups in Chicago on the ‘community’ tab. There are so many links and resources on this site that you could spend hours browsing and planning. Related sites include MapMyHike.com, MapMyRide.com and MapMyTri.com.

Free Music at Millennium Park

dimlylit — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:29:38 -0600

In a title focused on the positive, a jazz tribute to Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, Echoes of Dreams and Inspiration, kicks off a new round of free concerts at Millennium Park at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

According to the posting on the website of the Jazz Institute of Chicago: "Celebrating the convergence of two historic moments rooted in the art of democracy, composers Elbio Barilari and Kahil El' Zabar present tributes to Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, featuring the Chicago Improvisers Orchestra with special guests Orbert Davis, Maggie Brown, Henry Godinez and a host of others."

The event starts at 6:30pm. So be there and be inspired! And, if you live in an apartment in The Loop, you can walk there and back...

The best Mother’s Day gift, guaranteed response

TipsnTricks — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:00:56 -0600

Go to your local bookstore.

Buy a copy of a Billy Collins book of poetry – check the table of contents to make sure it includes the poem, “The Lanyard.”

Choose a nice little bookmark, something that your mother will like.

Insert the bookmark into the book at the page where the poem appears.

Have the bookstore wrap this up, if you can’t do it yourself.

Buy a card.

Sign it with love.

It’s a guaranteed win.

No kidding.

Here are some flickr photos of a lanyard, in case you don’t remember making these in Cub Scouts or Brownies or whatever group you were in when your parents were still trying to socialize you.

Renters with pets need the Pup Head

Murphy Applegate — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:19:56 -0600

Imagine trying to rush a pup with a full bladder down 33 flights of an apartment building in an elevator that makes multiple stops.....pretty much impossible! A better option for pet owners in apartment: The Pup Head. It's a patch of artificial grass that dogs can pee on to help avoid accidents on the carpet. Oprah is an (unofficial) fan of the product....Use the link below to read Mason's blog about puppy pee pads and a random run-in with Miss O.

http://www.masonagainsttheworld.com/2009/03/norman-and-oprah.html

Looking for a pet friendly apartment in Chicago? Check out the selection on hubbuzz.com.

Getting Small in a studio apartment

TipsnTricks — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:10:32 -0600

Here’s how you’re going to start – in your closet.

Pick a Saturday morning and have a good breakfast so you have lots of energy. Pick out some music you really like. Make your bed, because that’s going to be your organizational landing pad. Open your closet door and stand there for a moment. What’s most out of control? For some, it’s the shoes. For others, it’s the lingerie. For others, it’s the purses and bags. Whichever it is for you, start there. There’s great strength to be gained in starting with what’s obviously your weakness.

Take that particular pile of shoes or purses or lingerie, regardless of what it is, and put it on the bed. Organize it into groupings that make sense to you. For instance, maybe you have dress shoes, business shoes, workout shoes, casual shoes, summer shoes and winter shoes. Now comes the decision time. Make less of all of your shoes! You’re going to have to find a new home for some of them, because you need the space they’ve been taking up for some other stuff that isn’t fitting in your new smaller closets.

How? Can you combine categories? That helps cut down on duplicate colors and styles. Can you identify shoes that really don’t fit or don’t feel good? They just have to go, period. And do you really need your "Everything's Bigger in Texas" t-shirt handy now that you're living among Yankees? Figure out what your secondary storage area is (like under the bed in a stylish storage container) and face the fact that these items take up too much room and are unnecessary. You can do this! You’ll also learn some things about yourself, like what really matters.

When you’re done paring back the pile to something more manageable, take them back in the closet and put them away. Can’t do that successfully? During lunch, sit down at the computer and take a look at The Container Store website. They have ideas that can make organized closets easy. If you don’t have the money to do something like that, get a smaller packing box or a bunch of shoe boxes and put them away in that.

Then move on to the next pile. Are you getting the hang of this? You know that you’ll be better for being smaller – we’re all going to have to get small. And you’ll save the things that really matter, that look good on you or that serve a specific important need. The rest of it’s gotta go! And think about how happy someone else will be when they find your Texas t-shirt at the Goodwill store – where they’re shopping for their move to Dallas. You know that’s the way it works.

Looking to rent a studio apartment in downtown Chicago? Check out the great selection on Hubbuzz.com HERE!

Hamburger Hot Spot at Jury’s Food and Drink

K.Lloyd — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:38:49 -0600

We all love a great hamburger. One of my favorite spots is Jury’s Food and Drink in Chicago. When I first moved to Chicago I lived in the Ravenswood neighborhood with my sister. One night we decided to try Jury’s and I have been hooked ever since. They have been noted as having the 10 best hamburgers in the world listed in National Geographic Passport to the best “The 10 Best of Everything”. Other local magazines have rated it high as well. I highly encourage one to go to Jury’s if in the area.

When walking in to Jury’s you will notice the crisp, white table cloths and beautiful place settings. Believe me; this place is very casual, comfortable and friendly. Ok, on to the great food. My husband loves the chili appetizer, spicy and thick. Their salads are fresh and filling. And they offer steaks, sandwiches, pastas and really great hamburgers. They have outdoor seating as well for those warm Chicago nights. Jury’s is located at 4337 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Visit their website at www.jurysrestaurant.com for more information.

Things to do this Halloween in Chicago

hubbuzz — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:54:15 -0600

October in Chicago is always full of fun fall events to celebrate Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Day of the Dead, Dia de Los Muertes or whatever you want to call it. Here are a few picks from the Hubbuzz staff to help you narrow down this years choices:

Event: Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Contest
Date: Saturday October 18
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Location: Margate Park in Uptown at 4921 N. Marine Drive, Chicago, 60640
Details: Dress up Fido in a creative getup you might win a prize for "Best Homemade" or "Best Store Bought" costume. Free to attend, $5 to compete and all proceeds go to park maintenance.
More info: www.uptownupdate.com

Event: 12th Annual North Halsted Street Halloween Parade
Date: October 31, 2008
Time: Starts at 7pm
Locations: 3190 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, 60657 in Lakeview and Wrigleyville
Details: One of Chicagolands most popular (and outrageous) Halloween parades is a must-see this year with live music and $5,000+ in prizes. Free to attend!
More info: www.lakeviewcitizens.org/halloween

Event: The Passion of Dracula
Dates: October 4 - November 2, 2008
Times: Times vary, see website for details
Location: First Folio Shakespeare Theater in Oak Brook at 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook, 60523
Details: This stunning and slightly sexy performance will delight theater-goers of all ages. $18 - $30 for tickets.
IMore info: www.firstfolio.org

Event: Dead Man's Ball at Crobar Chicago
Date: October 31, 2008
Time: 9pm - 5am
Location: The Crobar at 1543 N. Kingsbury St. in Goose Island
Details: If a raging dance party is your idea of a good time even when it's not Halloween, this one's for you. Slip into something spooky or naughty and head down to Crobar for some fun on the darkside.
More info: www.crobar.com/

Know of any other cool events going on in your Atlanta 'hood? Post a comment to this blog and tell us about it. We heart user feedback!

Octoberfest Traditions at Mirabell

K.Lloyd — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:22:31 -0600

Autumn is here and that means its time for Oktoberfest. The German Oktoberfest is the tradition of beer, music and German cuisine. One of my favorite restaurants to visit is Chef Werner’s Mirabell located in the Irving Park / Avondale area. They are celebrating their 31st Ocktoberfest on October 17th and 18th with the Phenix Band and The Perlen Band. They are offering a special Oktoberfest menu and Oktoberfest beers, dinner and dancing.

When I walk in to this establishment I feel like family and I know everyone feels the same way. Upon opening the door, you are greeted by a lively bar, friendly faces and lots of good German beer to choose from. The usual bartender, Jeff Heil, is always happy to recommend a great German beer on tap. And located in the bar is music on the juke box which always ends up being played late into the night. Don’t forget about dinner which can be eaten in one of three dining rooms. They serve German American and Vegetarian food that is traditional German and very delicious. I love the Original Wiener Schnitzel which is breaded and pan fried served with Spatzle. They also offer sauerbraten, bratwurst, sandwiches, soups and much more.

Oktoberfest is the time to go and be a part of German tradition no matter what your background happens to be. Tables are moved together so you can sit in rows. Everyone orders giant beers, enjoys live music, sings and has a great time. They do recommend making reservations for these special Oktoberfest nights. What more could you ask for in this great city but a fun time for all ages. The Mirabell is open every day but Sunday. It is located at 3454 West Addison Street in Chicago, just east of the Edens expressway. An easy commute for city dwellers and suburbanites and parking is right across the street.

Visit their website at www.mirabellrestaurant.com for more information.

Glorious Chicago Botanic Gardens

K.Lloyd — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:22:29 -0600

Chicago and the entire North Shore have so much to offer. One of my favorite spots this time of year is the Chicago Botanic Garden. Located in Glencoe, it is a quick drive up the Edens Expressway off Lake Cook Road. It is a 385-acre garden, surrounded by lakes, located on nine islands. They have 23 gardens and three native habitats. If you love flowers, plants and learning about gardening, this is the place to visit. There is something for everyone here, no matter how old you are. Sometimes I just go and take a long walk with my children. Other times I bring family or friends from out of town to visit and see all the beautiful gardens, fountains, bridges and enjoy a day in the sun.

One of my favorite spots is the Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America. There is a small entrance fee, but it is worth it. The exhibit is only offered May thru October so check their website to make sure its running. This outdoor exhibit takes you from New York to California with model trains representing America’s landmarks. Of course, there is a miniature Wrigley Field. The trains are continually running and a delight for the little ones. It’s an adventure to follow the trains around the bridges and tunnels and see how they travel. Everything is intricately handcrafted with all natural resources.

After all the exploring and sightseeing, be sure to eat lunch at the Garden Café. They offer a wide variety of sandwiches, soups and desserts and have indoor and outdoor seating. They support locally grown products. They also have free wireless access so bring your computer and hang out for the day.

Chicago Botanic Garden also offers classes, camps, plant shows, gardening help, library and gift shop. Admission to the Garden is free to the public and parking is a nominal fee. For more information, visit www.chicagobotanic.org or call 847.835.5440.

New Chicago Deal Site - Startup

ChiTownKnows — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:49:16 -0600

A new Chicago startup (http://groupon.thepoint.com) may interest you. It is launching in just a week, and you can sign up for free now to get notified when we launch.

It is called GroupOn (Group + Coupon) and it offers a new local “thing to do” in Chicago everyday for a heavy discount with limited availability. If the daily deal sells out, or "tips," then everyone who signed up for the deal gets the discount. If not, no one gets the deal.

Typical deals include, but are not limited to the following:

* Places to eat & drink (restaurants, bars)
* Something to see (concerts, sporting events, tours)
* Something to do (wine tasting, cooking class, dancing lessons)
* Somewhere to stay (hotels, bed & breakfasts, ski resorts)
* Something to buy (wine, gadgets, groceries)
* Something to join (professional networks, gym memberships)
* Services (pet trainers, dry cleaners, cleaning services)
* Pampering (manicures, messages, haircuts)

A Trip to the Farm

K.Lloyd — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:57:32 -0600

If you live anywhere near the north side of Chicago you must visit the historical Wagner Farm in Glenview. In the middle of houses and a mile or two from the local forest preserve sits an 18.6 acre farm owned and operated by the Glenview Park District. It is open to the public daily for free. There are horses, cows, pigs, chickens and ducks to see. The kids will love the close up view of these animals. My kids love to adventure to the farm for a visit. Sometimes we go just to get that open feel of the country.

In addition to the outside farm animals to visit there is a small museum inside to explore. The kids can milk a replica cow, gather eggs, sweep hay and lift it up. There is a replica store from the 1920’s to see and a car from that era too. Surrounding the perimeter of the museum are interactive games that let your child see why corn might not grow or information on apples. There is also a store to get souvenirs of your trip to Wagner Farm.

My favorite time to visit Wagner Farm is September or October. It is a time to enjoy the crisp air, walk across the fields and see the leaves all full of color and be outside before it’s too cold. We pick out our annual Halloween pumpkin from the many rows for sale. It is the perfect place for Autumn pictures among all the pumpkins.
Wagner Farm also has tours for groups and they have a farm story time at 4pm each Thursday (call to confirm). They are located at 1510 Wagner Road in Glenview.

Unique Gifts and Clothes for Babies

K.Lloyd — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:55:55 -0600

I just recently stumbled upon this store called Babydreams while walking with my kids in Chicago. They saw all the huge Sesame Street characters in the window so I said we would go and have a look. This is the cutest baby store in the area. I was excited to check out all the merchandise. Immediately we were drawn to a huge teddy bear where I took many pictures of my kids. The person working in the store says everyone comes in and their kids go crazy for this huge bear.

After looking some more, my kids saw a large train set for playing. This kept them busy for a while so I could look around. Their best items by far are the clothes. They only go up to 24 months so beware it’s a baby and toddler store only. They have knit sweaters, tye dye, characters from television shows and hand sewn sparkly designs that spark the interest of what the child is interested.

They also have hand painted furniture, shoes, baby shower gifts, toys, burp cloths that have that homemade special touch with beautiful fabric sewn on. The prices are high, but quality shows. They strive for personal attention, private shopping and schedule appointments. If I was to have another child I would be excited to get a gift from this shop. They have two locations. One is at 1858 N. Damen in Bucktown in Chicago. The second location is at 448 Central in Highland Park. Go check out what cool items this store has to offer.

All Kinds of Music at your Fingertips

K.Lloyd — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:51:59 -0600

Before music was digitized online and mega stores decided to only sell “mainstream” artists, there used to be a record store in every part of every city and town. One block west of Chicago in the Village of Norridge sits a unique music store that caters to all kinds of tastes. From rare bootlegs to the latest Carrie Underwood CD, Rolling Stone has just about everything.

The music selection at Rolling Stone Records is enormous to say the least. Most of the titles are on CD but there is also a section dedicated to dinosaurs like myself who still own a cassette tape deck. Movies and Live Concerts are available on DVD and VHS. The great thing about this music store is that their selections aren’t homogenized like the big chain stores. I can still remember walking into the Rolling Stone in 1990 and buying my first Black Crowes CD. It was new and hip and absolutely amazing. For those on a budget, the “back wall” is loaded with tons of wonderful deals starting at 5.99 a CD. If you look hard enough you will always find a gem or two.

With iMusic being all the rage these days, it’s still nice to peruse the aisles of a music store. Every step showcases tons of artists that I’ve either forgotten about or have yet to listen to. When visiting Rolling Stone Records, the hard part is to not go too crazy. I never thought I’d have to explain to my children what a record store was and with Rolling Stone Records around I probably never will have to. Rolling Stone is open 7 days a week from 9AM to 11PM. They are located on 7300 W. Irving Park Road in Norridge, IL. For more information go to www.rollingstonemusic.com.

Mini-Wrigley Field with Players and Prices to Match

K.Lloyd — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:50:16 -0600

Being a 13 year old boy growing up in the north suburbs of Chicago, nothing was more sacred to me than the possibility of playing at Thillens Stadium. Young boys and girls have been playing at the stadium for over 65 years. Thillens is the Mecca of all little league baseball fields. With their finely cut grass, well manicured infield, 7 foot outfield fences, electronic scoreboard and signature Thillens brinks truck in centerfield, there really isn’t anything more exciting for a prepubescent teen.

I still remember crossing over the Skokie River and seeing the giant, life-size, Thillens baseball sign on the corner of Kedzie and Devon Avenue. Unlike most little league fields, Thillens is built like a miniature stadium. For children playing on the main field, it might as well be Wrigley Field. I had not been there in over 20 years and I’m happy to report nothing has changed. I had chills running down my arms walking on the field and can remember almost every play of the game that I played there back in 1986. Although, we didn’t win the game, the memories and friendships have lasted a lifetime.

The stadium is open all summer long and there is a game going on from 10AM on weekends to late into the night. Oh, I almost forgot, Thillens has lights that were probably installed some time around World War II. During night games, some of the hanging lights don’t cover the entire playing field and there are corners of the outfield that are somewhat dark. That only adds to the charm of the whole experience. Located on the outskirts of West Rogers Park with apartment buildings right across the street, there is a cozy feel to this Chicago landmark. Thillens doesn’t have a website that I could find, but it is pretty much open on any summer days during the weekend when it isn’t raining. You can get more information about it on the Chicago Park District website. Admission depends on the event but is never more than a few dollars. Thillens is located at 6404 N. Kedzie in Chicago.

Pet-A-Palooza 2008

Glenmuir Luxury Rental Homes — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:16:56 -0600

Hello Everybody!

I would like to extend an invitation to Pet-A-Palooza our first pet adoption fair!! Glenmuir Luxury Rental Homes with guest Dupage Animal Care and Control will be hostin this free event! just come on down and maybe you will be able to find your new companion or just donate to a very worthy cause! Please help us in our efforts to find these animals caring and loving homes!

Family Pizza Night at Barnaby’s Family Inn

K.Lloyd — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:22:12 -0600

To all the pizza fanatics in Chicago who like thin pizza its time to check out Barnaby’s Family Inn. My family and I love pizza, both thick and thin. Barnaby’s has that something special. When you walk in you are greeted by brick walls, dark booths and an atmosphere of pure family fun. There are no servers at this establishment. You place your order at the front and pick up your drink order after you pass them making your pizza. Finally, you go pick a table and wait for your number to be called on.

Bringing the kids along is of no concern to the owner’s of Barnaby’s. In fact, when we go we often see kid’s sports leagues gathering for a post meal celebration. There are flat screen televisions located on each wall of the restaurant. It is a casual and comfortable restaurant. Oh yeah, did I mention they have some of the best thin pizza anywhere? The pizza is incredibly thin and has a delicious cornmeal base. The tightly, twisted sourdough crust has some patrons eating this pizza backward. It is cut into small squares for easy sharing with friends and for the little ones. In addition to great pizza, they offer salads, sandwiches, wings, chili and soup. There is something for everyone.

In addition to the Niles location, at 7950 N. Caldwell Avenue, they have locations in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines and Northbrook. Wherever you may be traveling or working in the Chicago area there is a Barnaby’s to be found.