Thurston / November 3, 2006 8:34 AM

Lucia's on North and Honore, for their delicious yale sandwich.

Marilyn / November 3, 2006 8:36 AM

I have lunch at least once a week, often more, at Dao, on Ohio St. just west of Fairbanks. They have great Thai food and know me pretty well.

mike / November 3, 2006 8:51 AM

Pasta Palazzo on Halsted.

Oketo! / November 3, 2006 9:00 AM

RR#1 on Ashland at Chicago. Great shop with misc goodies in an old pharmacy that is beautiful.

Justin / November 3, 2006 9:11 AM

The guys at Sultan's recognize me. Sometimes Olivia's, Alliance a couple mornings a week. The weekday lunch woman at the Ashland/Irving Park Subway (I like how she slices avocado), the Always Thai waitress who remembered after two months I eat no meat.

Patrick / November 3, 2006 9:12 AM

Myopic Books in Wicker Park...I browse that place at least once a week for the latest jewels.

Brainstorm Comics on North Ave. is my weekly fix for comics as well.

MAf / November 3, 2006 9:22 AM

Vaughans Pub on sheffield and Panes Sandwich shop right down the block.

Tyler / November 3, 2006 9:27 AM

I love Guthrie's on Addison/Lakewood and Nisei Lounge on Clark/Sheffield. They are my fave bars.

I love that used book store on Clark/Wellington. Does it have an actual name? "Rare, Medium, Well?"

miss casual / November 3, 2006 9:28 AM

letizia's on division for coffee and pink cupcakes.

also piece. if i dont drink a beer from there once every week or two i start to shake and my palms get sweaty.

Pete / November 3, 2006 9:30 AM

At Thayer Brothers Deli in Joliet (Tom Thayer's family) they always seem to recognize me, although they don't know my name. I was four bucks short on cash the last time I was there to pick up dinner, and Mrs. Thayer said it was no problem, I could just pay the rest of it the next time I stopped in. Nice!

amyc / November 3, 2006 9:31 AM

Sam & Willy's pet supply store on Paulina -- I went in there the other day for the first time since my dog died last year, and the owner remembered my name. I also get recognized when I go to my other Roscoe Village haunts, like Hard Boiled, Sacred Art, Victory's Banner and MoJoe's.

I shop local first as often as I possibly can, and getting to know my neighborhood shopkeeps makes me feel more like a part of the community. It's kind of sad how hard that is in the modern world, you know?

missmolly / November 3, 2006 9:40 AM

the chipp inn @ fry and greenview; bialy's cafe on chicago avenue; mercury cafe @ chicago and armour; RR#1 @ ashland and chicago...and many others!!

the chipp, bialy's and mercury know me by name.

J / November 3, 2006 9:41 AM

I heart Penelope's in Wicker Park and Krista K and Red Head and Jake in the Southport corridor. Of course, more often than not I am browsing and not buying at the latter (pricey) three places, but their clothes are just so, so unique and beautiful!

Spook / November 3, 2006 10:15 AM

I use to frequent Streetside , before they yupped it all out, Now I get ma drink on at Weegee's on Armitage and Lawndale

anne / November 3, 2006 10:19 AM

The family of Paper Boy, Fly Paper and Uncle Fun on Belmont and Southport. They're the best places for unique and locally-made cards, gifts, knick knacks and tiny plastic thingamajigs.

NORM! / November 3, 2006 10:29 AM

There's this bar in the eighties located underneath a seafood place in Boston. I go there to take a break from all my worries. It sure helps a lot. Everyone there knows my name.

Alison / November 3, 2006 10:39 AM

From the first time I went into Gallery Cabaret on McLean and Oakley, the owners and some of the patrons made a point to say hi. Every time since, they remember me, which is amazing given how drunk some of them seemed at the time.

Allan / November 3, 2006 10:48 AM

Hey everybody I think NORM! is the Norm from the television show Cheers. If you read his post very carefully you can slowly piece it together. The clues are ever so subtle but they are there. Wow...the fictitious television character Norm from the popular NBC situation comedy Cheers posting in this forum. What are the odds.

Marilyn / November 3, 2006 10:49 AM

There isn't an antiques mall I won't go into. My favorite is Edgewater Antiques Mall. I also like Lincoln Antiques Mall on Irving Park. There's another one on Damen near Lawrence (can't find the name) near my hair salon I pop into if I have time. They've had a movie poster of a James Cagney movie for the longest time that I covet, but it's out of my price range.

kate / November 3, 2006 10:51 AM

Alison - I'm a Gallery regular. They know my name, my drink and to hand me the cop hat when I'm drunk enough to wear it.

It's a magical little oasis of inebriation that I refer to as "my Cheers".

ms. ultimate / November 3, 2006 11:07 AM

Ditto on Piece, miss casual. It's the C.U. peach pit. The delivery folks at zen noodles on north are also beginning to recognize me, thanks to my being banned for life from pennys. i'll know i've really made it when the folks at intelligentsia in the monadnock building know my ~3 p.m. fix on sight.

NORM! / November 3, 2006 11:10 AM

Allan, your theory is farfetched, but would explain why those fucking cameramen harrassed me for years.

Bill V / November 3, 2006 11:16 AM

All baby and gifts for my nieces and nephews at Little Threads in Roscoe Village. They have some super-cool rock n roll shirts right now. I can shop and down a couple of pints at the Village Tap down the block.

bartleby / November 3, 2006 11:19 AM

Oddo's on Pulaski south of Addison has the best pizza in the city.

Mike x DbRA / November 3, 2006 11:29 AM

Gallery Cafe @ North/Wood... pretty good hand-roasted coffee and cheap eats... you can get a lrg + pastry for the same cost as a non-fat-venti-pumpkin-spice-latte at BarStucks...
...and free Wi-Fi if you're into that kinda thing...
word up

ahn / November 3, 2006 11:31 AM

marilyn, if you're talking about the antiques place next to lather, i think it closed. or maybe moved.

i'm at the leadway on damen and farragut at least once a week. used to go to t's on clark and winnemac but haven't been there in a while. the guy who owns the corner store by my apartment always says hi to me. and the awesome barristas at the intelligentsia in the pedway.

this thread is a bit too good for stalking.

Marilyn / November 3, 2006 11:34 AM

AHN - Nope. This one's still open, unless it closed within the past two weeks. I was just there.

kiki / November 3, 2006 11:56 AM

TAC - the thai place on sheridan and irving park. amazing thai food for cheap.

p / November 3, 2006 11:58 AM

Mt. Greenwood Hardware on 111th & Albany is the best hardware store in the citaaaaaaaaay.

Waxman Candles on Lincoln are major violators on romance instigation.

Poochie's on 106th & Ewing has the frostiest steins in towwwwwwn.

Sorted.

Where can I find the plushest towels/bathrobes in Chicago? I'd like to be known there.

Spook / November 3, 2006 12:12 PM

Gallery Cabaret! The ugly person's bar! The men all look dead and buried and the women look like old zombies. And they all act depressed like heroine addicts moving very slowly. And does that creepy vampire owner, ever wash those plastic pitchers! Yea four stars.

Allan / November 3, 2006 12:40 PM

By now I am sure all of you are wondering " Where the !#@$#! is Allan's post detailing his favorite neighborhood establishment". Well people... until now I didn't realize that I don't have one. Not a !#$%#@ one! I get my coffee at Dunk'n Doughnuts. My lunches at McDonald's or his Mexican cohort Chipolte. Panda Express, Quiznos or Sparro are just as likely candidates. I usually hit 7-11 once week for my signature Slurppe cocktail. Dinners are usually eaten in in front of the tele. If there are coups in the Sunday paper I trek to Popeyes and bring it back home. My cooking consists of Encore dinners, Tombstone Pizza's or Ramen noodles and hot dogs ( only Kosher) or some kind of Campbell's soup. I buy my clothes at whatever unthreatening store is closest usually a Target. When I drink it is usually alone at home or lunchtime at work the park weather allowing. Bars intimidate me because I am awkward in social situations which is ironic considering my love of drink. The worst part is I don't feel bad about this.

Your Mom / November 3, 2006 12:48 PM

I'm sorry to say that the people at the Oakwood recognize me.

Anthony / November 3, 2006 1:09 PM

My Thai in the DePaul Center, Gourmond, Intelligentsia on Jackson (everyday), Matchbox, Skylark, Hackney's, Dusty Grooves, Oysy, Sia Cafe, Hannah's Bretzel, the Bottle, the newsagent on Van Buren and Financial, yogaview, moksha, old jerusalem, kozy cyclery. I used to go into Active Endeavors on Armitage and check on the sales regularly -- but I move and now my lady buys all my clothes from the thrift store.

kate / November 3, 2006 1:09 PM

I'm not trying to start some ridiculous argument... however, an ugly person's bar?

Seriously?

It's a neighborhood bar. It doesn't cater to those who expect diamond-encrusted pitchers served by models. People go there to hang out, not to judge a beauty pageant.

Anthony / November 3, 2006 1:14 PM

ms. ultimate...

that's what time I go there! i have big curly brown hair, glasses, a beard and occasionally wear cowboy boots. say hi one time.

Veronica / November 3, 2006 2:01 PM

I go to Unabridged very regularly, but I don't really talk to the people there (I'm kind of shy and not good at striking up conversations) so I don't know if they know my name. I'm sure they recognize me, though. If there's one thing I've learned it's that people remember the girl with the crazy curly hair.

One of the women at Myopic knows my name, but that's because I interviewed with her and she really liked my cover letter. (I didn't take the job because it was for night shifts only and I don't have good pt to Wicker Park.)

paul / November 3, 2006 2:05 PM

You guys are making me thirsty.

And make mine an ugly person's bar. That way I don't have to stand in line to pay 20 bucks to get in so I could get a 9 dollar cosmo made with the well bottles.

Down by the office it's always Club Lago or Clark St. Ale house.

Near home in Evanston there are only 5-6 bars, so I might as well say all of them.

The Dominck's near me know my name too, and even call me Mr.

Allan / November 3, 2006 2:09 PM

With all the bars and restaurants you guys are going to when do you have time to masturbate?

CLIFF! / November 3, 2006 2:42 PM

I am familiar with that bar in Boston, been there a few times myself.

jennifer / November 3, 2006 2:57 PM

giraudon's on damen. chris (the manager) and I became friends when I danced on the benches, pretending that they were a catwalk. cute brown and pink mod heels + post-gym, sweaty girl + dance music + manual strobe lights (aka turning the light switch off and on) = too much fun.

I

jennifer / November 3, 2006 3:09 PM

that post was supposed to end with, 'I

Spook / November 3, 2006 3:13 PM

Kate;

There is no such thing as a ridiculous argument on gapers block, except sports related. I'm just in favor of diversity at local drinking establishments in west buck town and Logan Square. Its just nice to be able to drink around a variety of people including those pleasing to the eye and who believe in taking care of themselves by going to the gym. Don't get me wrong, the walking dead are more ideal than the yuppsters. So I do occasionally go to the Gallery. Its just when I lived around the corner years back it just got tiring.

p.s

Does any one think there exist a connection between Allan and Blagg the Axxman, distant cousins perhaps? Course Blagg is way cooler, so don't get me wrong. Id hate to be the Axxman's bad side. And by the way has any one heard from Blagg on
Which neighborhood businesses (boutiques, restaurants, bars, shops, etc.) he frequents regularly??

Alison / November 3, 2006 3:19 PM

If being ugly entails having a friendly, welcoming demeanor and actually taking the time to get to know your new patrons, the call me Steve Buscemi.

Gallery Cabaret is cool, and it's really close to my house.

unmikely / November 3, 2006 3:22 PM

The Edgewater Lounge and the Sunshine Cafe. Both places employ cheerful well-fed men named Paul who (a) serve up cool glasses of craft beer and (b) ladle me steaming bowls of comforting udon noodles. Mainstays. Both must stay in business for the remainder of my lifetime or I will be lost.

CARLA! / November 3, 2006 3:23 PM

Cliff is ugly! And so are you spook!
>>start laugh track here

FRASIER / November 3, 2006 3:30 PM

What's old or "tired" for Spook will always be new to someone else, and vice versa. I say live and let live.

Dutch101 / November 3, 2006 3:31 PM

I too enjoy the humble Nisei Lounge on Sheffield in Wrigleyville. I go there and people actually do say my name, just like Cheers. While my bar friends (on both sides of the rail) have been bought at the cost of several thousand dollars worth of disposable income over the last 5 years, I don't really regret it. It is a nice divey "real" and "neighborhood-y" place, right in the heart of the hell that is Wrigleyville.

Allan / November 3, 2006 3:37 PM

Arrrghhh spook sure as the Moons of Glamdore shine in the smogy moores of yore ye hath foundeth me out. It be true. I be the alter egoeth of Blagg. We both speaketh of the paineth and sufferingeth of ye mundane existence. A spewth from the mind of our great creator who be web savvy as the dagger in my goat boot which is slathern with the blood of rumbles yore. Alas ridle me this. When hast thou time to pleasure thyself of yore.

Paul / November 3, 2006 3:41 PM

I was in the bathroom while everything happened most of the time, but once i slept with carla. And i was there when we all chanted "Sammy got the bar back, Sammy got the bar back." I was there too when the Babe Kit got taken out for the bet with the french guy. And i was just as much the butt of Larry's Bar's jokes as cliff or norm.

CLIFF! / November 3, 2006 4:14 PM

Did I ever tell you kids about the first Thanksgiving? It took place between the ancient Egyptains and aliens from a distant galaxy.

amy / November 3, 2006 5:03 PM

Perfect Cup, Sweet Occasions, LeSabre and Hazel in the glamorous 'Montrose & Damen' corridor. Between Lincoln Square & Montrose you really don't need to go anywhere else for anything.

Then there is the guy who I buy my smokes from next to the Damen brown line. He hooks me up with free lighters / ashtrays / Camel related crap he feels he needs to share.

Too bad I'm quitting next week. I've actually thought, 'But what about Convinence Store guy?'.

leah / November 3, 2006 5:23 PM

Just my regular Polish on Western & Cortez. It says "cold beer" in polish on its Old Style sign.

Barbara totally put the Spelling Bee on both TVs for my friends & I before.

She frequently gives us shots of random Polish liquors.

This bar was once held up by a man toting a ham sandwich. The regulars wrestled him to the ground until the cops got there.

Mikey / November 3, 2006 6:41 PM

WTF?! The guy was attempting a stick-up with a ham sandwich??

Sad too say, I am only known by name at bars--Matilda's and Waterhouse to be precise...

that bitch who never has her preferred card / November 3, 2006 7:20 PM

I am known at the Jewel as that bitch who never has her preferred card and insists that the cashier can just swipe the one they keep by the register, which always brings the head cashier over to lecture me about bringing my perferred card, which makes me ask them why they give a fuck about it in the first place.

we have a great relationship.

CC / November 3, 2006 11:25 PM

Cafe Selmarie - not so much that it has awesome food, but it's close by and it has comfy ambience. Service is good. I go to The Grind to study and I stop by the Secret Closet next door. I talk to the salesgirl, but we don't know each other's names. I am pretty shy too.

Hey Allan,
Aren't you concerned about your health? You're only 35 right? You should take better care of yourself.

CC / November 3, 2006 11:25 PM

Cafe Selmarie - not so much that it has awesome food, but it's close by and it has a comfy ambience. Service is good. I go to The Grind to study and I stop by the Secret Closet next door. I talk to the salesgirl, but we don't know each other's names. I am pretty shy too.

Hey Allan,
Aren't you concerned about your health? You're only 35 right? You should take better care of yourself.

Leelah / November 4, 2006 7:52 AM

Back in the day, Steve and I were both known by name at the Lincoln. I would walk in, and Jody, the best waitress ever, would bring me a cup of tea. That kicked ass.

confession / November 4, 2006 8:05 AM

for the past several months that I've been here in gapers block fuel land, I've thought that Blagg's Dark Lord was called Kanye... not Kayne.

bill / November 4, 2006 9:03 AM

pizza paninos on waveland between broadway and halsted. I refer to them as my personal chef, as I eat there for probably 20 out of 26 meals a week. When I call, they don't even say "paninos", they simply say, "hello bill."

capitalist / November 4, 2006 10:26 AM

I only shop at chains and corporate-owned shops and what-not, I support businesses that offer retirement plans, healthcare, paid vacations and other benefits to their employees instead of the self-satisfying "feel-good" fake benefit of "at least we're not corporate!"

Naw, just kidding. I love Letezia's on Division and Bite on Western.

leah / November 4, 2006 11:54 AM

Mikey--yeah, a ham sammy. It was in a brown bag & I like to imagine he ate a few bites out of it so it was more gun-shaped. A variation on the old pointing your finger in your jacket pocket technique.

meinemo / November 4, 2006 4:56 PM

Rique's for upscale or downscale mexican, Huey's for a great blue cheese burger and milkshake, Tweet for buttery crisp hashbrowns, and Pause for wifi, muffin and coffee.

Carlotta / November 4, 2006 5:32 PM

Intelligentsia, where they know my name & my drink preference. As they are always getting in newbie barristas the education process is continual!

They also know me by name at Jackie's (formally Jacqueline's), the Lakeview bar at Broadway & Roscoe, even though I don't frequent it very often any more.

Taylor / November 4, 2006 7:32 PM

Alive One. At this point I'm on a first name basis with almost the entire staff. Great bar. I'm usually in there once or twice a week.

Meems / November 5, 2006 3:29 PM

They know me way too well at Smith and Wollensky's. I work next door so it's kind of hard not to drink really good red wine for cheap. And they know me even better at the Clark St Ale House. We have sushi Sundays with the bartender and sometimes bring in Scrabble or the Crossword. This is tame compared to how Sundays used to be where we girls would end up making out with each other or something. We are so much more grown up now.

Li / November 6, 2006 12:02 AM

SKYLARK:
Photos of me and my husband have been posted at the bar since we first dated. We even held our wedding reception there.

Jess / November 6, 2006 9:23 AM

Minnies on Armitage & Halsted.
I don't eat there that much but I live above them, so they know me.
---
Clarke's on Lincoln. They know my order and my name. When you leave big tips they don't forget

Meghan / November 6, 2006 10:23 AM

Los Nopales on Western btwn Sunnyside and Wilson.
Best tortilla soup and fish tacos. I'm obsessed.

fluffy / November 6, 2006 11:18 AM

They know me at Simon's - I've been going there for about 8 years. They know me at Happy Village- everyone there is so nice. They used to know me at the Whirlaway, but I'm not seeing the guy that lives in Logan Square anymore, so scratch that place.
Oh, and they know me at Rossi's. I guess besides that, a whole bunch of little mexican grocery stores around the city, mostly Pilsen....a couple of art galleries...blah blah. I honestly don't know why people even bother.