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Family Knows Best

August 20, 2010 by Hillary 9 Comments

Part VI: A Hidden Gem

Let us continue… after my memorable morning, my aunt and uncle [who are are currently travelling the parameter of the United States via RV], met up with – exhausted, yet ever so happy – me for a full day of Chicago adventures. Somehow, our day ended up revolving around food. Huh, I wonder why? ; ) If you didn’t know already, I’m not the only foodie in my family.

I climbed into their truck, and before I knew it, were were miles from the hotel in a quaint neighborhood – I’m convinced my uncle has GPS in his veins ; ) Our first foodie mission was Italian ice. With only an AllieBar in my stomach, I was up for a refreshing treat in the sticky heat.

I know what you’re thinking… Mario’s Italian Lemonade… it doesn’t exactly look like a destination for gourmet foodies. Well, this is one instance where you can’t “judge a book by its cover”.

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All natural. Real fruit. Real sugar. The real thing! This was no water park snow cone, folks. No no no.

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Original lemonade for my uncle. Watermelon for my aunt. Juicy peach for me.

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Chunks of lemon rind – oh, you are wonderful!

I give Mario’s an A++. I’m pretty positive my aunt and uncle would agree, as they were Mario’s #1 customers all week : )

* * *

Part VII: Pizza My Heart

Though tasty x 10, shaved iced isn’t a substantial snack. The afternoon was growing later, and we were due for lunch. I wasn’t about to leave Chicago without experiencing deep dish pizza. Enter Pizzeria Uno.

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A popular place, we had a 40-minute wait.

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Salad bowl and classic iced teas to share while our pies were in the oven.

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At last! We shared two small pies [though, one would have been plenty].

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My favorite was the Spinoccoli: spinach, broccoli, chunky tomatoes, feta, cheddar, mozzarella and grated romano.

The crust was my favorite part. I wasn’t expecting it to be buttery like a flaky pie crust or biscuit, but it sure was not chewy like I imagine pizza crust to be. I enjoyed every last crumb of butter + flour.

* * *

Part VIII: Walk. Eat. Repeat.

We ignored the fact that our waistbands were feeling a bit more snug, and forged on [by foot!] to our next place of interest: Garrett’s Popcorn. When I first told my aunt I’d be travelling to Chicago this summer, Garrett’s was one of the first places she mentioned was a must.

A few block up and down The Magnificent Mile, we spotted Garrett’s by its long line stretching down the sidewalk. We didn’t need a sign to know we had made it to the right place.

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We decided on a couple “small” bags of traditional caramel corn. Why would you want something else when you can have butter and sugar? Although stuffed with pizza ‘n’ treats, I was in desperate need of a pick-me up. Thank goodness you can find a Starbucks on almost every city corner. With our energy semi-replenished, and our thirst quenched, the walking ensued…

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I love that the Chicago River runs through the heart of the city.

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The Trump Tower was frighteningly tall + shiny.

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Boats returning from the Air + Water Show.

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Hiding out in the shade.

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Photo/rest stops were a plenty.

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Perhaps they have a job opening!? ; )

Our foodie excursion came to a close by late afternoon. The only thing we didn’t cross off were turtle sundaes. It’s an impossible task to eat all of Chicago in a mere few days, though we tried!

* * *

Part IX: Trains to Planes

To the Northeast corner of Illinois we drove through soybean and corn fields [who knew!].  There we slept for the night in their RV in “the middle of a soybean field” – firsts for me!

Monday was scheduled for another early rise. We caught the train [another first!] into the city, followed by my second breakfast at The Corner Bakery.

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Daily latte.

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Chilled Swiss Museli loaded with dried fruits, apples, almonds and fresh berries.

Fueled for a longgg day of travel, my aunt and uncle rode the ‘L’ with me to Midway Airport.

Train –> City –> ‘L’ –> Airport –> Plane –> San Diego –> Sacramento –> Shuttle –> Car –> 2 hour drive –> “Home”

Did I mention I had an unknown ear infection, runny nose, and “missing” luggage with my bag of caramel corn? A miserable way to end an epic weekend, but I don’t think anything could have ruined my trip. It was priceless.

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Garrett's Popcorn, Mario's Italian Lemonade, Pizza, Pizzeria Uno, Salad, The Corner Bakery

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Comments

  1. Sana says

    August 20, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Oh my goodness! I had an amazing weekend in Chicago as well but on the first connecting flight home I managed to spill my drink and get motion sick! It did not help that the plane was doing some seesaw action.
    I hope you are feeling better now!

    Reply
  2. Camille says

    August 20, 2010 at 10:55 am

    That pizza looks glorious!
    What an incredible trip, I’m so glad you had a good time!

    Reply
  3. Aunt and Uncle says

    August 20, 2010 at 11:26 am

    Looks like you covered it all, and yes, after the trip on the orange line back into the city we went RIGHT back to Mario’s. We are their number #1 fans.

    Reply
  4. Dorry says

    August 20, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    That is so fun that the timing worked out for you to see your aunt & uncle! Looks like y’all hit up all the right spots. I could definitely go for an Italian ice right now in this Texas heat. :)

    Reply
  5. Alex Zielinski says

    August 20, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Hillary!
    I went to Pizzeria Due (owned by Uno, same menu, just shorter wait!) while I was in Chicago in June. So so tasty. It’s funny seeing your photos from the city, I have a lot of similar shots.

    Reply
  6. Lana says

    August 20, 2010 at 8:08 pm

    What a fabulous trip!! It’s awesome that you were able to power through despite feeling under the weather (that might be an understatement, lol).

    Reply
  7. Erika @ Food, Fitness, And Fun says

    August 21, 2010 at 6:13 am

    I love Chicago Uno’s! Have you ever tried their ‘Shroom Pizza? It’s filled with mushrooms and spinach – YUM! :-)

    Reply
    • Hillary says

      August 21, 2010 at 8:41 am

      I’m not a mushroom fan.

      Reply
  8. mom says

    August 21, 2010 at 7:48 am

    Great job on chronicling your trip! You sure packed a lot into a short time! I’m so glad that you went!!! (thank you G & G! and thank you D & D for the personal tour!) Wish it were warm enough here to even be interested in an Italian Ice – oh, please come out Mr. Sun! The deep dish pizza looks delicious – may have to look up a recipe, though I’m sure it wouldn’t compare – guess I’ll just have to make a trip to Chicago myself sometime – I think I know someone who’d go back with me :)
    xo, mom

    Reply

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