Chicago

Hey guys, Pat again.
I know what you're thinking, but don't skim over this post like my previous ones: I have some travel related things to discuss today (for once.)

I'm going to fill you all in on my experience in the Windy City. Chicago.

The Accommodation

 Source: (http://www.venere.com/img/hotel/1/9/1/8/328191/21619_39_b.jpg)

When there in 2010, I was there on a school trip, and so shared a 2 bedroom apartment at the Affinia Chicago (now the MileNorth) with 2 other guys. In previous cities, this meant one would sleep on the floor each night.
However, the beds there were not to be passed up, the Affinia Group priding themselves on having the most comfortable beds in the country, let me just leave a picture here:

Source: (http://www.worldwidehotelsonline.co.uk/hotels_images/USAffiniaChicago61.jpg)

No one put their hand up to sleep on the floor, so we took turns sharing beds. This was not as uncomfortable as you'd imagine two +6foot guys in a double bed would be - the beds were so fantastic and so comfortable, I still remember them to this day, amazing is the only word to describe the beds.

As I rarely interacted with staff there, I can't say to much about the service, but when I forgot my school blazer and school shirts in the cupboard in the room (I should point out I was just pulling into the airport with the group and we were 45 minutes away from the hotel with a flight in 1.5 hours); they quickly searched the room, grabbed the items, put them in a cab, and sent the cab to the airport drop off zone where I was told to wait (yes I'm forgetful.). Of course I had to pay the cab, but the fact the hotel organised that meant I didn't have to pay $300+ for air freight fees.


The Cuisine
Back to amazing things and less about my idiocy, the food in Chicago is amazing, and I'd like to focus on two of the most amazing experiences I had in Chicago.
Firstly, Gino's East; right next-door to the Affinia, and a piece of sacred ground in Chicago, it even has its own Wikipedia Page.

I'll let the soothing voice of Adam Richman do the rest. (And yes we wrote on the walls, the roof actually, in the same function room Adam sits in to eat his pizza, and the staff didn't like us standing on chairs and each others' shoulders to do so.)

Next up, Sweetwater Tavern & Grille, home to the greatest burger to ever touch my tongue. The excerpt from the website is 100% accurate:

"One of the finest Michigan Avenue restaurants, Sweetwater Tavern and Grille offers full views of the city in a warm and cozy atmosphere ... With a diverse selection of menu items to choose from and over 80 craft beers, Sweetwater is the perfect destination..."

Now I'm going to leave this burger description here:
SUNNYSIDE UP – cheddar, mozzarella, bacon, caramelized onions, fried egg, steak sauce.
And just think that this burger is roughly the size of a human head, made with reaaallly fresh ingredients (down to the burger buns) and served with the most perfectly fried chips, and you have the greatest burger I have ever tried, and I have been to some reputable burger joints in my 18 years. A must-try for anyone in Chicago.



There is so much more to talk about in the Windy City, but I have picked just some of the things which will come in handy to those who are going to stay there, this post's intention was not to convince you to go there, however, that being said, it is my favourite city in the world outside of Sydney, and I recommend it to all.

I'm hungry, so I'll wrap it up here. (Sidenote: I could go a wrap right now).

Pat signing off, thanks guys and gals.