Comments on: Chicago in the Summertime

By: Arnulfo Bozell

Arnulfo Bozell — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 03:45:01 +0000

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By: Travel Week! | afrobella

Travel Week! | afrobella — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:51:23 +0000

[...] up to me. And so I’d like to welcome you to travel week on Afrobella. If you’ve read any of my travel guides before, you know what to expect. Fun, honest reviews of the hot spots I’ve [...]

By: Rolling the Dice On My Life | afrobella

Rolling the Dice On My Life | afrobella — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:56:19 +0000

[...] you’ve been reading for a while, you already know I love the city. My in-laws live there, we’ve got wonderful friends who live there, and I honestly see it as [...]

By: Worth a Click | afrobella

Worth a Click | afrobella — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:24:33 +0000

[...] submitted this photo to I Can Has Cheezburger right after we got back from Chicago. The house seemed to be in perfect order until we visited the upstairs bathroom and discovered the [...]

By: flygyrl72

flygyrl72 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:38:53 +0000

Hey Coco, what about the Harold’s on E. 53rd in Hyde Park?! That’s the one I always go to. However, will co-sign with you about the ones on Cottage Grove & Balboa & Wabash, that one, I used to always go to when I worked over on S. Wabash & Roosevelt…LOL…memories…

By: notjustfoxybrown

notjustfoxybrown — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:36:21 +0000

Spent one of the best summers of my adult life in Chicago. Such an awesome place. So much to do (and eat). I’d definitely be a size or two larger if I lived there!

By: coco_fiere

coco_fiere — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:06:49 +0000

Not surprised about your Venetian Night experience, as our local government leaves a LOT to be desired in their attempts to include everyone in city events. Summerdance used to include deep house music (NOT techno crap) and was a beautiful peaceful thing and now it focuses on polka (!), swing, etc. They still include a little latin dance but not much. Despite Kanye’s influence, our mayor would not likely include hip-hop, etc, in a city function. I co-sign with incredulity at the Ford City shout out: I used to frequent it 10 years ago when a friend of mine owned a shop there but the last time I tried to go there I left in under 10 minutes-literally! The environment was swarming with negativity and unbelievably ignorant teens–fights and all on a weekday. I was appalled and haven’t returned since that day 3 years ago…it was that bad of an experience.
The Weiner Circle is something you have to be prepared for so you don’t snap off on the girls behind the counter or the fools in line with you. As far as Harold’s goes, not all Harold’s locations are created equal. It’s a franchise but not like McDonald’s where all the fries are the same and sauce is the same no matter which location you hit. My faves: 22nd(Cermak) & Wabash, Balbo & Wabash, 87th & the Dan Ryan expressway (on the Marshalls side), 51st & Prairie (a little hood, a little scary but good), 63rd & Cottage Grove (like the last one mentioned), 70th & Stony Island, and 103rd & Halsted. The one on 89th and Stony Island is the one Common waxed rhapsodic about but last time I checked, they closed that location. I’m a bit of a Harold’s fanatic, lol.
Definitely hit up Hyde Park and Bronzeville next visit for good food and culture. To size up the real style of our city, skip the magazines that portray us as conservative dullards and check out Lincoln Park for the LA-trend influenced (think wannabes as styled by Rachel Zoe), Bucktown and Ukrainian Village for edgy, out of the box chic. The boutiques in these neighborhoods will make your shopping dreams come true. You’ll find normal prices and some ridiculous ones (especially if you hit p45, etc.) on all kinds of unique finds. Michigan Ave has all the mainstream stuff you can find in any big city (Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman’s, Gap) so it’s not as special, imo, and it’s crowded. I hope you can check out Carifete or the African Fest (always Labor Day weekend) next year because the food, people, music and shopping is AMAZING!

By: dominican_enigma

dominican_enigma — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:46:17 +0000

I just came from Chicago 2 weeks ago. I’m obsessed with that place and want to move there badly.

By: Los Angelista

Los Angelista — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:26:53 +0000

Aww, I’m so glad you had a great time in my hometown! It is absolutely magical in the summer and sooo romantic in the fall. That Hawk though, I don’t miss it not one bit! I’ll stay in Los Angeles during the winter!

By: p1tey1

p1tey1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:28:38 +0000

Glad to hear that you had a good time in the Chi Bella! I grew up there. My job relocated me from Chicago to Cali in 99, and I haven’t been back since. I miss Chicago in the summertime and I especially miss STEPPERS SETS!!! They try to step here in California, but NOTHING can take the place of a Chicago steppers set. You can’t replace that vibe!!