by "Tristan" (casselts)
Published 08/10/2017 at 15:23
by "Tristan" (casselts)
Published 08/10/2017 at 15:23
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STARS: 2
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
08/10/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 5
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 2
This shit makes my blood boil. A couple of weekends ago, we went to a suburban restaurant, which had its own parking lot - not a terribly big one, but not tiny, either. 5:30 on a Friday (we have a 1 year old), and it was about half full - and the valet people had blocked off 2/3 of the lot, including EVERY close in space.
YOU’RE A VALET! YOU CAN WALK/RUN! USE THE FAR AWAY SPACES FFS!!
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/10/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 4
Sometimes, I think this is done to punish you for not opting for the valet while ensuring that the valet customers get their car as fast as possible.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 3
Oh absolutely! It’s also laziness on the valet’s part - - but I think the main angle is to make it hard for you to *not* valet.
I’m fine with valet in the city, where there’s no parking - and I’m ok with paying for it then. But in the suburbs? GTFO. And heaven help you if your car has 3 pedals.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
08/10/2017 at 15:45, STARS: 0
Hmm... which came first, the valet sign or the tire marks?
"haveacarortwoorthree2" (haveacarortwoorthree2)
08/10/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 1
I’d park where I wanted and then ask why they only have a single space saved for valet parking.
"Tristan" (casselts)
08/10/2017 at 16:38, STARS: 0
It’s not about the ridiculous number of spaces, it’s about the burnout marks in the valet lot.
"Tristan" (casselts)
08/10/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 0
I used to work as a valet... Definitely the sign.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 18:01, STARS: 1
That’s why I’m actually glad (sometimes) to have a disability and a handicapped placard. I just wave that them while flipping them off and go park.
I will never, ever use valet parking. No one but myself is driving my car.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 18:06, STARS: 0
I hear you, but if I’m in the city (Chicago) I’m ok with turning over my car to the valets - it can save 10-15 minutes of driving around. But I don’t take the 3 pedal car down for that - no way in heck.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 18:08, STARS: 1
When I went into Chicago I just parked near the center of the city and walked the rest.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 0
It depends on where you’re going, though - in the city center, there are plenty of parking lots. Not cheap, but they’re available. Depending on the neighborhood you’re in, parking can be plentiful or non-existent (Lakeview and Lincoln Park are particularly bad).
"haveacarortwoorthree2" (haveacarortwoorthree2)
08/10/2017 at 18:42, STARS: 2
Meant to reply to WilliamsSW’s post. But yes, those burnouts are exactly why I never valet park either of my cars where I cannot see exactly where they are being parked (and even then, I try to avoid valet parking).
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 18:51, STARS: 1
I was going to that one tower, the one everyone goes to. Not the Sears tower. And then we went to Navy Pier (despite the strong objections from my Aunt’s friend saying it is a stupid tourist trap, but was overruled since it was my first time in Chicago).
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 19:00, STARS: 1
Ha! The John Hancock building is what you’re referring to. It’s not quite as high as the Sears Tower, but it actually is in a better location for great views than the Sears Tower - so that’s a win.
As a local, yeah, Navy Pier is a tourist trap, but you have to go once.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 1
Plus we weren’t paying to go up the Sears tower , at least we got a drink at the Hancock.
That’s what my aunt said. Now that I’ve done it we can focus on other things.
The other funny thing that we did that even she said was stupid was buy something in the center of town since the taxes are ridiculous. And what’s even worse is it was at the Disney store, which I have at home, but it was worth it to bring my mom home something fun.
What do you recommend while being in Chicago? Next time I go out my aunt wants to stay in town so we have more time (she lives in the suburbs so part of the day is eaten up by just driving in).
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 19:04, STARS: 1
Oh and the Hancock tower was flipping awesome because we got sit at the edge, so it was totally worth it!
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 19:08, STARS: 1
Hmmm, I’m gonna have to think about this one... Which direction is she in from the city? Offhand, the Art Institute is awesome, and there’s approximately a billion great restaurants.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 19:13, STARS: 1
Coming in from the West.
She does like to rub it in my face that there are shit ton of good places to eat in the city. But the only thing I’m really missing out here in CA is deep dish. I have to drive several hours for good deep dish, the rest is all shit in Southern California.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 19:18, STARS: 0
Ha - I’m kinda west/southwest myself (south of Oak Brook).
Southern California has awesome food, too- I’ll be in that area in about 10 days myself.
I gotta think more about recommendations- - Oak Park has some neat history (Frank Lloyd Wright, Hemingway), the whole lakefront is cool (and much quieter down by the U of Chicago campus), Wicker Park/Bucktown is a really fun neighborhood (used to live there). Wrigley Field...
"Tristan" (casselts)
08/10/2017 at 20:51, STARS: 0
I worked as a valet in Minneapolis for a couple of years... I don’t valet my own cars at all if I can help it.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 22:14, STARS: 1
I must have looked at the wrong place because my aunt is actually west of North Chicago, so we’d be coming from the north. Whoops.
I saved those recommendations, so thank you for that.
Are you going to be in the LA area or more in the San Diego area? LA has great food for every taste, but my favorite is Mexican food.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/10/2017 at 23:01, STARS: 1
Millennium Park and the Museum Campus are great, too. There are things to see and do all over Chicago, though, not just downtown.
We’ll be up north of LA, kind of a family related thing- around Thousand Oaks. Chicago and LA both have great Mexican food, but with different twists. Anything worthwhile up that way?
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/10/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 1
And there’s never enough time to see it all.
Haha, I live in the same county as TO!
What a small world. Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack (most locals shorten it to Snapper Jack’s. My family and I refer to it as just Snapper’s , and maybe a few others) is your typical Southern Californian white washed Mexican food, but I quite like it. My favorite there are their nachos (chicken). I would say there’s nothing special about them, it’s just very good food for a decent price.
Another good option around TO would be Yolanda’s . That is some good restaurant style Mexican food and my absolute favorite Mexican food.
In-N-Out is a popular recommendation for “tourists.” Apparently, there is quite the debate going between Five Guys and In-N-Out. I’m not a die hard In-N-Out fan but I think it’s excellent and much, much better than Five Guys.
The most important thing I think you need to try, though, is the local produce. I do know the one thing my aunt is absolutely jealous of is how fresh and wonderful everything is here. You will probably need to drive over the grade and into Camarillo or Oxnard, but it is well worth it. I think there may still be some farms growing strawberries, but there is a farm on the 118 at Lewis road where you can pick your own produce (I think it’s mainly for bringing kids, but it’s still fresh). My aunt really freaked out over the strawberries which are picked down the street from my house and they sell direct. I was surprised because obviously I’m spoiled and have always had fresh produce.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
08/11/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 1
OK, I typed out a long reply to this hours ago, then accidentally deleted it - so trying again now that the work day is over.
I’ll have to check out Yolanda’s and Snapper Jack’s - they sound good. I love Mexican, and we’ve been to Sabor Cocina (at the Lakes) a number of times- would be nice to branch out a bit.
I’ve had In-N-Out, and it’s fine, but overrated, IMHO (and I don’t eat Five Guys at all). When I first had it 15-20 years ago, I thought it was awesome, but it seems like it’s not as good now to me.
You are so right about the produce out there- - it’s phenomenal. I’ll have to check out that farm - my wife would love it.
Is there anything car-related worthwhile out that way?
There’s tons of stuff to do around Chicago next time you’re here - - if it’s summer, street festivals are the way to go. There’s several every weekend, pretty much - I can come up with more, depending on where/what you want to do.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/11/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 0
I like to try new things but hate being disappointed, that’s why I usually stick with what I know.
When I was younger I never appreciated InNOut. I was also a neandertal and wouldn’t put fresh tomatoes on my burgers. But then I grew up and started to appreciate fresh things and InnOut got much better. Still not my favorite, but it’s a nice quick bite to get. Also, animal style makes everything better. If you haven’t gotten your burger animal style or animal style fried you have to go when you’re out here.
The only thing I can think of is karting. There’s MB2 Raceway in TO . I was going to say you should also check out Jim Hall Racing because they have a longer track and use gas karts not electric, but it’s only for rich people that pay big bucks for a membership. So that makes me sad. MB2 is still a lot of fun, though.