Nothing Shy about Chi-town

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Just a few blocks from world famous Wrigly Field sits Cozy. One step inside this small Thai resturant and you'll know they live up to their name. The walls are lined with toys and knicknacks ranging from giant waving cats to old style wind up tin turtles. Each table has a base from an old sewing machine and the bathroom is decorated in dozens upon dozens of pez despensers.

However, it's the food Cozy has to offer that will turn you into a repeat costumer. Appetizers range from 3.50 to 5.50. While their entree portions are big enough that you don't need an appetizer I would recommend the satay chicken to start with. The chicken comes seperate from the sauce so you control how much (or little) you want to spoon on. If you are a lover of the peanut you might want to request a second cup of the sauce as it tends to go fast!

Main meals are all priced under 7 dollars. You won't be lacking in choice as the menu offers selections from stir-fry to curry's to traditional thai noodle creations. When you see these jumbo plates heading your way you might be tempted to check the price menu again. The portions are huge and both the currys and entrees come complete with jasmine rice.

Take heed; when they say something is spicy, they mean it. Those that love hot food will find themselves right at home here. My boyfriend had the Thai green curry. And while it is spicy they don't over power the flavor with heat. For those of you who don't want to sweat while you eat they have plenty of other options. I chose the mild curry. While the curry sauce and chicken were lovely my potatoes were undercooked. Really this was the only kink in our meal.

While Cozy offers a wide range of teas they are a BYOB, so be prepared to bring your favorite wine or beer. Business hours are Sun-Thursday 11am til 10pm and until 10:30pm on Friday and Saturdays. Lunch is served until 3pm with lunch specials each day saving you 2 dollars off entree prices. Take-out and delivery options available.

The resturant is small and while they do take reservations you don't really need them, unless you have a large group.

They accept most major credit cards. There is a second location in Evanston at 1018 Davis Street.
So what are you waiting for? Cozy up to a table now.

A trip to Chicago would not be complete with out a visit to one of the 30 Portillos located in and around Chicago. Portillos built their business based on their all beef, great tasting hotdogs. It is that quality that brings them the high success they enjoy today. The buildings are decorated in old fashion decor. Neon lights, old juke boxes, James Dean posters, vinyl booths and '60s music adorn many of the stores.

While the price has gone up over the years, this eatery is worth the few extra bucks. Their Italian beefs are made on fresh bread brought in daily. The hotdogs are still all beef and are definitely the best in town. The fries are crinkle cut and 9 out 10 times perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They offer ketchup to pump into small cups or you can go the cheese route. The cup of hot gold might not be real cheese but darn it's good. The menu has expanded over the years. Good choices are the combo beef and sausage, broiled chicken breast on croissant, and the onion rings. A recent addition to the Portillos family is Barnelli's Pasta Bowl, which serves up Italian dishes and chopped salads.

For that something sweet, you cannot beat their chocolate cake. Only your mother might be able to top this dessert. (And even then, it would be a close call.) Portillos is also one of the remaining few fast food joints to offer malted milk shakes. For those who can't choose, just combine the two for their chocolate cake shake.

And for the over-21s, Portillos serves beers on tap for dine in. A typical meal of a hot dog, fries, and a drink can run you upwards of $7. So save your pennies: it's worth it.

Lalos isn't the best Mexican food you can find in Chicago. But it isn't far off. This chain restaurant is known for its atmosphere, club-like bar area and killer margaritas. If you are after some great guacamole, you are in for a treat. The waiters make it fresh at your table, adding in only what you want. I wouldn't tend to recommend a reservation but for weekend nights, if you have your heart set on eating here, it's not a bad idea just to ring ahead as to avoid disappointment.

For starters...if you are a guacamole lover, it's a must. They also bring out chips and fresh salsa for you to graze on while you decide which margaritas to order. (I recommend the peach-yum!) Once you've ordered they bring out small cups of soup (ours was chicken noodle that night and this might only be a winter treat). Our guacamole was about $15 but there were 6 of us sharing. Most starters run around $7.

Mains... I always order the fleutas. Deep fried tubes of happiness, as my friends call them. They are filled with shredded beef or chicken. The last time I was there they were a bit dry... nice with sour cream, however. Two of my friends love the battered shrimp. I know, I know... shrimp at Mexican? All I have to say is-They are lovely! Another friend had the enchiladas, which came with a blanket of cheese on top. However, you really can't go wrong with the soft tacos and burritos. Your choice of filling, beef, chicken or bean. Mains run between $9-13.

Dessert... If you are not busting at the steams already Lalos has a pretty impressive dessert menu. From cheesecake to the traditional fried ice cream and many cakes in between. A favorite of mine is the fried ice cream, the shell always seems to impress and it's dusted with cinnamon and chocolate. One is enough to share with 5 others and it will run you $5. As is the price with most of the desserts.

Those lovely boozy margaritas I keep talking about; they will run you about $7 for a glass of regular or if you are with friends you can get the party pitcher for $25. This fills 5 glasses. I would recommend picking your designated driver before you head in.

Since Lalos is a chain you can find them in Oak Park, Berwyn, Glenview, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Midway Airport and several Chicago locations.

The menu at Francesca's is printed on a legal size photocopied piece of paper. Sound tacky? It's the best option to accommodate a menu that changes weekly. They still have their set daily specials and the dessert menu doesn't seem to vary too much. (Why change a good thing, right?).

I've been to the Elmhurst location twice in one weekend. To start I recommend the caprese: fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil. They also provide fresh, warm bread and real butter. But don't fill up on this! The main portions are huge and you'll need a mostly empty stomach to tackle them. The wine list is impressive and the bar tenders (and waiters) seem to know their types and which one will go best with your meals or your mood. They also make great cocktails, but they cost $10-12.

I can't recommend a main for the simple fact that every time I've been there I've had new choices. I can say they have all been good. I am a huge fan of creamy sauces and they don't disappoint. Please note, their creamy sauces tend to be on the rich side. The seafood options that friends have tried always taste fresh, never "fishy" tasting and like I mentioned above, the portions are large. If you are thinking of desserts I'd recommend a doggie bag. They also have pizzas for those pickier eaters, or those wanting a lighter meal. Mains cost $12 to $25. The pricier side are your steaks. Pizzas tend to cost around $8. Desserts... I've tried a few. The tiramisu has just the right amount of chocolate, espresso and cake. The crème Brule is extremely creamy (and cold). And the banana bread pudding with banana ice cream is fantastic. All cost around $6.

Francesca's has locations all around Chicago and the suburbs. They even go as far west at Naperville. So chances are you can find one not too far from where you are.

Formerly known as BIG WIGS, Four is hoping its swank inside appearance will help it establish a name for itself. Unless you are there for a private party, don't bother arriving before midnight. The place only starts to fill at 11pm. The club features three bars and a very open-air plan. It has a bit of a warehouse feel to it. Walk in and immediately you are at bar number one on your left. Walk 15 feet and you are at bar number two on your right. The third is in the back room past the toilets. Men, don't think you'll just breeze in and out, since when I was there, both the men's and ladies' toilet lines were at least four people deep and moving nowhere fast. Small tables with covered bench seating occupy a space on your right (across from bar one) and in the back on your left (across from bar two). We got there just after 10pm and already there were reserved signs on the tables.

The DJ booth is upstairs. To get up there are two sets of stairs on either side of the main dance floor. We got up there early and claimed a seat. However, as the night went on, it seemed only VIP and those wanting to get bottle service could go up.

That Saturday night men were $10 and ladies got in free. And with drinks of T$T and White Russians priced at $7 a piece and full bottles of vodka for $150, it's not the cheapest club in town. Then again, the bartenders do know their drinks and do a darn fine job of making them strong. Waitresses wear skirts that would otherwise occupy men's shirt pockets.

Tunes on that Saturday were mostly popular hip-hop and dance songs. There was some fairly decent mixing of tunes, but don't expect to get a request in. With the DJ all the way on the second floor, it's not likely you'll get up there to actually see him.

If you are in the area and in need of a stiff drink, I'd recommend going, but I wouldn't search it out. Four is open until 4am Sunday to Friday and 5am on Saturday.

Just two blocks from the heart of Chicago's busy Rush and Division club scene sits The Hunt Club. Decked out in white lights for the holiday season, the Hunt Club boasts an atmosphere of slight sophistication and their website states they are one of the "hottest sports bars and night clubs in Chicago." It's a strong statement for a small club.

Walking into the main level you are immediately in front of the first of three bars. Towards the back of the club you'll find two sets of stairs. One leads up; the other, down. Upstairs to boogie. Downstairs to chill. In either direction you'll find another bar.

There is fairly amply seating with chairs at the bar and high tables and chairs scattered around the main level. The downside to this is that on a Friday/Saturday night past 11:30 you will be hard pressed to find an open seat and it's a lot harder to get to the bar.

The music is mostly popular rap and R&B. Mixing isn't stellar but they do keep your feet moving. And if you choose to dance near the railing you can keep an eye on who you choose or try to catch the eye of those you want to impress.

There is no cover and drink prices range from $3-$4 dollars for domestic bottle beer to $6 dollars for a plain vodka and sprite. (However, they do tend to make those mixed drinks strong.)
The Hunt Club is open til 4am during the week and til 5am on the weekends. They are open during the day for lunch or dinner.

I would suggest this club to those who are tired of going to the same bars again and again on Rush and Division. The Hunt Club seems to have a bit of an older clientele than say Bar Chicago and usually isn't as crowded as Hang Ups.

A 10-minute ride north of Wrigglyville is BIG MIKE'S bar. This corner street bar is a hidden gem in Chicago. Definitely considered a local in its neighborhood, this bar holds more personality than your average dive bar.

Every Friday night, Big Mike's plays host to turtle races. This is how it works. For every drink you buy, you are given raffle tickets (and not just one per drink; they will hand out a few). As the night goes on, they have four to five races. At the beginning of each race, a raffle number is called out. If your number is called, you get to go up and pick a turtle. There are six turtles, all with different names and numbers on their backs. The turtles are kept in a box until race time, at which point they are transferred to a table and briefly kept under a cake plate top. The countdown begins, the top is lifted, and, well, some take off and some stay staring into space.

To win, you want your turtle to reach the outside circle first. The loser receives a free drink. The winner gets a T-shirt and the chance to compete in the winner's race. If your turtle wins that race, you get put into the running for two free tickets to Vegas.

Even with a small crowd, this event is still fun. Where else can you yell and scream at a turtle to hustle its tail? The guy that MC's the races is quick with a comeback and great with the mic.

Mostly everyone gets into the races, and it's advisable to get there early to grab a table. The music when the races are not on is decent, and there is a jukebox. Drinks are reasonably priced and they have a standard range of beers, including Stella on tap. I asked for a glass of wine and received a raised eyebrow.

It's a small pub with only one bar on the main level. Up three stairs is the second level, where the toilets and races are. Off-the-street parking is available and there is never a cover charge.
It is a big of a hike but is well worth the trip.

There is a cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights that goes anywhere from $5 to $15 dollars depending on the night. You must be 21 years old to enter. Drinks are downtown prices too, with a bottle of domestic beer costing $5 to $6 and mixed drinks are $7 to $10.
There are four bars scattered around this fairly large club; three on the main floor and one upstairs. There is a large dance floor in the middle and upstairs forms a ring around the dance floor...where you will always find guys staring down. At the top of the stairs you'll find the DJ booth, but good luck requesting a song. Chances are unless you know sign language or have a pen and paper, he's not going to hear you. An interesting feature this club has is the two drummers, sat high off to one side of the dance floor. This has potential to work really well, however the poor music selection and shabby mixing doesn't really challenge these drummer boys and they are left to bang away basic beats.

The shot girls, the server girls, and the beer tub girls...All I'll say is if getting tips equals dressing like a hooker then these girls must be raking in the cash.

As for places to sit, unless you are lucky enough to be invited into the VIP area your choices are limited. There are a few black leather couches and tables but most have the "reserved" sign already on them. The club is connected to a restaurant next door. The first time I was there (yes, I'm a repeat offender) we were able to sit on the restaurant side (and pay no cover to the club). However that was St Patrick’s Day. The second time the restaurant was closed and cover was $10.

Final words, I'd only recommend this club if A) you are looking to hook up or B) really need to dance and can't be bothered to go downtown.

If you can find off-street parking grab it, otherwise they have valet at a standard $10. The entrance is down an alleyway off to the side. Upon entrance there is a coat check (which they say is mandatory but no one made me check mine) and immediately following, a bar. Drinks are a bit on the expensive side. A domestic beer runs $6 to $7 dollars while a standard mixed runs $8 to $9 and a cocktail runs up from $12 to $15. Take note, they do make 'em strong.

On the main floor you'll find three bars and a large dance floor. This is where the DJ's spin and you're treated to all sorts of light, laser, and smoke shows. The decor is mostly metal, glass, and mirror with a few lights behind the bars, stairwell, and a few lights in the floors.

Downstairs you'll find a bit more wood in the decor and another small dance floor. You'll also find three more bars and at least two areas to chill out in, complete with comfy chairs to relax in. The music mix downstairs is R&B, some pop, some techno, and some Spanish grooves.

We did get a few older men trying to pick us up but for the most part no sleaziness on the dance floor and most of the women were dressed tastefully.

I would highly recommend this club for those who are looking for great music, a good boogie, and a swanky night out. Make sure you have your dancing shoes on!

They have VIP rooms and can host small or large functions.

Dress to impress. Fridays 10pm til 4am. Saturdays 9pm til 5am. All major credit cards accepted.

The $5 entry fee and the upstairs dance floor remain the same, as does the fact that they have two massive bars: one on the lower level and one on the upper. And same is that rule they have to make you wait (if the bar is busy) to go upstairs. New is the addition of a "shadow box", where women (or men) can go and shake their shadows and still be anonymous, but the whole rest of the downstairs bar can see on a few of the TV sets.

While the Alumni Club wasn't that specular, at least it had the reputation of their name to fall back onto. The club that strictly checked for two ID's had every newly 21-year-old and college graduate wanting in.

Now, the attractions are the drink and food specials. Monday nights you can get $1 domestic draft beer and Wednesday there are half-price drinks. Thursday they have $2 burgers.

So bottom line: cheap drinks and food during the week and a large, darkly light dance floor for those wanting to groove (or pick up). But Irish? Well, you make up your own mind.
Hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am-2am. Thurs-Fri 11:30am-4am. Sat 11am-5am. Sun 3pm-2am. No valet parking.