Hong Kong Vs. Chicago

Servio · 06-03-2007, 11:44 PM

how is a 9% sales tax high?
Here in the Netherlands u'll pay 19% mostly and in other European Countries it might be slightly lower but nowhere near 9%..
Of course 0 is alot better than 9 hehe.

entropyfan · 07-03-2007, 01:27 PM

I remember the Muffin Lady!

She always went to Lava Lounge before it closed. My cousin would always procure "muffins" from her.

BTW, Lava Lounge has reopened in a more hip location.

It's super cold here in Chicago, below 0 degrees C. You guys aren't missing anything.

Mariposita · 07-03-2007, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by bli:

the following real-life conversation witnessed at a south side fried chicken joint would probably not occur in HK:

Hefty woman: "I'd like the 100 piece chicken platter" (obviously referring to the party catering menu)

Cashier (looks up): uh...is that for here or to go?"

Hefty woman (does the side to side head bob with attitude): "Be'scuze me, motherf**cker, do you think i can eat that whole bucket 'o chicken by myself?"

Cashier (without looking up): Pause..."Shut up, bit*h, i dunno how you live..."

hilarious....

Hahah, I also remember several conversations that ran like that at Wiener's circle which i love having in the wee hours of the morning. And do you know that really neat crepe place near there too? Mmmmm

Boy, do I miss the scariness of the southside....driving all the way to get Louis's ribs at this shack that has (get this), THICK bulletproof glass. Basically the cashier/servers stand protected behind this counter/glass and you pay by dropping your money in a rotating slot that they pick up on the other side. That was a truly mind-boggling experience, as if a shooting was about to take place any second!

Mr.Bing · 07-03-2007, 06:09 PM

Mariposita- completely agree.
as for weiner's circle, i actually have two former coworkers, albeit very drunk ones, who actually managed to get kicked out of weiner's circle for 1) asking the big mommas behind the counter to give them a "warm chocolate milkshake with extra froth" and 2) writing "fu*k you" on the walls with french fry grease!
yep, say it together, people: ....."claasssyy...."

most of my sheltered WASP coworkers never ventured further south than Madison street (amateurs) but IMO southside rocks- and the westside (i love that mexican flea market on sundays- seriously when you walk in you feel like you're in mexico- and the only place in chicago to buy the compilation dvd set of "Ghetto Fights 1-8"...
my filipino partner and i never had a problem riding our bikes through these areas, not until our whitest white friend came along one day and then judging by the reaction of those around us we felt like we were going to get shot!
LOL...

punk · 07-03-2007, 06:14 PM

Amazingly accurate depictions of the city. I go back to the days when Wicker Park was actually latino, and gang deaths were a weekly yawn. And Dreamers was a punk bar instead of the yuppy dream it became.

Still the midwestern stigma is real. Yeah, down to earth, but somehow provincial too. And real mean come March when it's been cold and grey for way too long. And yes, large. Do not miss those women. Not.

But the music scene is really underrated. The Green Mill Lounge 230 am for free with excellent local jazz. There used to be Club Negril up the road in Uptown. Heated up from 1a to 4a with Bush Doctor and The Irie Generation. And an African one called Hollywood Club. There were 3 or 4 places you could see live reggae EVERY NIGHT. Some were yuppy, but some first rate on a good night.

Can't forget the Cabaret Metro, where I stage dived weekly for many years. Oooh, the tiny Get Me High Lounge in Bucktown for great jazz in a neighborhood scene. Joanne's Piano Bar in Old Town for a crazy lounge vibe with red velvet wallpaper. God, I became a regular with the other show tune crooners(!).

The New Checkerboard for blues on the Southside, or, better, The Cuddle Inn for blues with danger. The Rainbow Club and the rest of the Wicker Park bars. It was so nice in the early 90's.

All this might happen in ONE NIGHT. I would mix like 4 completely different places. And my friends from way back.

HK is completely different. Surprisingly appealing in ways you could not imagine. Dirty air, tiny art and music scenes and still fun?

So much. Go figure.

punk · 07-03-2007, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by chicago32:

Does anyone remember the "muffin lady" who used to go around to bars in Bucktown/Wicker Park and sell "special muffins"? Think she got arrested a couple years ago!

Remember The Busy Bee diner under the Damen subway stop?

punk · 07-03-2007, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Barks:

Not so sure I've ever seen a redneck in Chicago. That is, if you think you've seen rednecks in Chicago, you probably haven't traveled much. At least not South of. . . Chicago. As for the midwestern mentality: I guess it does suck being around overly friendly, earnest people with values.

Dude. Urban rednecks. I've seen plenty in Chicago. Sporting the mullet. Think Wrigleyville.. Not a good thing.

punk · 07-03-2007, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Barks:

Not so sure I've ever seen a redneck in Chicago. That is, if you think you've seen rednecks in Chicago, you probably haven't traveled much. At least not South of. . . Chicago. As for the midwestern mentality: I guess it does suck being around overly friendly, earnest people with values.

Dude. Urban rednecks. I've seen plenty in Chicago. Sporting the mullet. Think Wrigleyville..

Mr.Bing · 07-03-2007, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by punk:

Dude. Urban rednecks. I've seen plenty in Chicago. Sporting the mullet. Think Wrigleyville..

Or that other great annual Mullets of the World Unite Convention, otherwise known as the Taste of Chicago...

blueagles · 07-03-2007, 10:05 PM

Have vistied Chicago quite often...

Miss the food: Reza's, Taste of Chicago, Wrigley Field hot dogs, Costa's, Blackies, Giordano's, Lou Malnati's, Pete's Pizza....

Miss the museums, strolling by the lake, walking down Michigan Ave, Broadway, State St...

I don't miss the bad winter weather, looking for parking...