Work Trips - WCSboard food advice

[happycamper]

I have a pair of week long work trips coming up - one in Chicago, and one in NYC/Jersey City. I'm going to be travelling quite a bit in each area, doing surveys of different buildings for boring work reasons.

The upshot of that is, I'm going to be busy all day but I'm going to be all over in both places and will want to grab lunch and dinner 4 or 5 times each week.

@tailingpermit do you have any good lunch/dinner recommendations for Chicagoland? Most of the buildings are downtown but the footprint is large, as far west as Aurora and as north and south of downtown in a circle. Also, how public transport-y is Chicago? I have to imagine to hit the suburbs I'll want a car but will a backpack o'engineering stuff and two chevrolegs be enough for hitting 4-5 buildings a day downtown?

@stanfordchef any good food recommendations for the city/Jersey city? I'm not totally sure how much I'll be in NY itself vs Jersey but based on the maps of boring work buildings it will probably include a bit of lower manhattan and Brooklyn and maybe a bit of Staten Island. 

[stanfordchef]

On 11/4/2024 at 8:01 AM, happycamper said:

 

 any good food recommendations for the city/Jersey city? I'm not totally sure how much I'll be in NY itself vs Jersey but based on the maps of boring work buildings it will probably include a bit of lower manhattan and Brooklyn and maybe a bit of Staten Island. 

Ask @gordonsolie  he lives there. I’d recommend Jackson Hole bc that place is dope but he knows that city and its food places a lot better than I do. 

[gordonsolie]

On 11/4/2024 at 11:01 AM, happycamper said:

I have a pair of week long work trips coming up - one in Chicago, and one in NYC/Jersey City. I'm going to be travelling quite a bit in each area, doing surveys of different buildings for boring work reasons.

The upshot of that is, I'm going to be busy all day but I'm going to be all over in both places and will want to grab lunch and dinner 4 or 5 times each week.

@tailingpermit do you have any good lunch/dinner recommendations for Chicagoland? Most of the buildings are downtown but the footprint is large, as far west as Aurora and as north and south of downtown in a circle. Also, how public transport-y is Chicago? I have to imagine to hit the suburbs I'll want a car but will a backpack o'engineering stuff and two chevrolegs be enough for hitting 4-5 buildings a day downtown?

@stanfordchef any good food recommendations for the city/Jersey city? I'm not totally sure how much I'll be in NY itself vs Jersey but based on the maps of boring work buildings it will probably include a bit of lower manhattan and Brooklyn and maybe a bit of Staten Island. 

I can give you a ton

[renoskier]

On 11/4/2024 at 8:01 AM, happycamper said:

I have a pair of week long work trips coming up - one in Chicago, and one in NYC/Jersey City. I'm going to be travelling quite a bit in each area, doing surveys of different buildings for boring work reasons.

The upshot of that is, I'm going to be busy all day but I'm going to be all over in both places and will want to grab lunch and dinner 4 or 5 times each week.

@tailingpermit do you have any good lunch/dinner recommendations for Chicagoland? Most of the buildings are downtown but the footprint is large, as far west as Aurora and as north and south of downtown in a circle. Also, how public transport-y is Chicago? I have to imagine to hit the suburbs I'll want a car but will a backpack o'engineering stuff and two chevrolegs be enough for hitting 4-5 buildings a day downtown?

@stanfordchef any good food recommendations for the city/Jersey city? I'm not totally sure how much I'll be in NY itself vs Jersey but based on the maps of boring work buildings it will probably include a bit of lower manhattan and Brooklyn and maybe a bit of Staten Island. 

too many to name in Chicago

the trains are great but you're gonna find so many great options within walking distance of anywhere in downtown that it won't be necessary

the trains reach well into the burbs, don't really think a car is needed

 

[Chile_Ute]

Chicago:  for high end steak place, Bevette’s Bar and Beouf.  Can go casual to dressed up.  I’ll have a hard time not eating there any time I’m in Chicago.

Pequods for deep dish.  Does not disappoint.

Broken English Taco Pub…great tacos.  Solid Paloma.

Bought CTA train passes (work for bus line too) for the week we were there.  No issues getting anywhere you want to get to with the L or busses.

Oh, and Industry Ales brewpub was a solid beer/lunch joint.

 

[tailingpermit]

On 11/4/2024 at 11:01 AM, happycamper said:

I have a pair of week long work trips coming up - one in Chicago, and one in NYC/Jersey City. I'm going to be travelling quite a bit in each area, doing surveys of different buildings for boring work reasons.

The upshot of that is, I'm going to be busy all day but I'm going to be all over in both places and will want to grab lunch and dinner 4 or 5 times each week.

@tailingpermit do you have any good lunch/dinner recommendations for Chicagoland? Most of the buildings are downtown but the footprint is large, as far west as Aurora and as north and south of downtown in a circle. Also, how public transport-y is Chicago? I have to imagine to hit the suburbs I'll want a car but will a backpack o'engineering stuff and two chevrolegs be enough for hitting 4-5 buildings a day downtown?

@stanfordchef any good food recommendations for the city/Jersey city? I'm not totally sure how much I'll be in NY itself vs Jersey but based on the maps of boring work buildings it will probably include a bit of lower manhattan and Brooklyn and maybe a bit of Staten Island. 

Tons of public transportation, Metra trains run as far west as Aurora and Elburn, buses and the elevated train (EL). But, Union Station to Aurora is like an hour and a half train ride. 
 

Would be happy to help, but it would be a lot easier for me to give recommendations on where you’re actually going to be. Fulton Market is my favorite area of Chicago, so many amazing restaurants there. My absolute favorite is Rose Mary, the chef and owner is a friend of my Wife and I, Croatian/italian. Book now if you want a table otherwise you can always wait for a seat at the bar. 
 

I could send you all the way out to Geneva for my favorite bourbon bar, Niche - but it’s not necessary. Just let me know where you’re going to be.  

[happycamper]

On 11/4/2024 at 1:18 PM, tailingpermit said:

Tons of public transportation, Metra trains run as far west as Aurora and Elburn, buses and the elevated train (EL). But, Union Station to Aurora is like an hour and a half train ride. 
 

Would be happy to help, but it would be a lot easier for me to give recommendations on where you’re actually going to be. Fulton Market is my favorite area of Chicago, so many amazing restaurants there. My absolute favorite is Rose Mary, the chef and owner is a friend of my Wife and I, Croatian/italian. Book now if you want a table otherwise you can always wait for a seat at the bar. 
 

I could send you all the way out to Geneva for my favorite bourbon bar, Niche - but it’s not necessary. Just let me know where you’re going to be.  

I think we're getting everything booked this week. I'll post on here when I know. Thank you! 

 

On 11/4/2024 at 12:09 PM, gordonsolie said:

I can give you a ton

I'm not going out there til the week after thanksgiving. so I'll bring this back up when the flight and hotels are figured out. 

[TSpoke]

On 11/4/2024 at 11:16 AM, Chile_Ute said:

Chicago:  for high end steak place, Bevette’s Bar and Beouf.  Can go casual to dressed up.  I’ll have a hard time not eating there any time I’m in Chicago.

Pequods for deep dish.  Does not disappoint.

Broken English Taco Pub…great tacos.  Solid Paloma.

Bought CTA train passes (work for bus line too) for the week we were there.  No issues getting anywhere you want to get to with the L or busses.

Oh, and Industry Ales brewpub was a solid beer/lunch joint.

 

Bavette's is awesome. I am not a chicago expert but used to go once or twoce a year before the kids. My wife and I randomly ended up there one night bar/restraunt hopping was very good. Agreed that casual or dressed up works. We just went in and sat at the bar and was very chill. Best old fashioned I have ever had was from the bar there.

[Chile_Ute]

On 11/4/2024 at 1:24 PM, TSpoke said:

Bavette's is awesome. I am not a chicago expert but used to go once or twoce a year before the kids. My wife and I randomly ended up there one night bar/restraunt hopping was very good. Agreed that casual or dressed up works. We just went in and sat at the bar and was very chill. Best old fashioned I have ever had was from the bar there.

Their dry aged strip has ruined steak for me at my previous favorite spots.

And agree, that old fashion is the bomb!

[Just_Chris]

On 11/4/2024 at 8:01 AM, happycamper said:

I have a pair of week long work trips coming up - one in Chicago, and one in NYC/Jersey City. I'm going to be travelling quite a bit in each area, doing surveys of different buildings for boring work reasons.

The upshot of that is, I'm going to be busy all day but I'm going to be all over in both places and will want to grab lunch and dinner 4 or 5 times each week.

@tailingpermit do you have any good lunch/dinner recommendations for Chicagoland? Most of the buildings are downtown but the footprint is large, as far west as Aurora and as north and south of downtown in a circle. Also, how public transport-y is Chicago? I have to imagine to hit the suburbs I'll want a car but will a backpack o'engineering stuff and two chevrolegs be enough for hitting 4-5 buildings a day downtown?

@stanfordchef any good food recommendations for the city/Jersey city? I'm not totally sure how much I'll be in NY itself vs Jersey but based on the maps of boring work buildings it will probably include a bit of lower manhattan and Brooklyn and maybe a bit of Staten Island. 

Don't laugh... there is a burger place in Jersey City called The White Mana. It's a shithole, I mean it really is but trust me. It's amazing. It's on Tonnele Ave 

Philippines Bread House is good for Filipino food

Quite a few good Indian joints 

If you like Spicy Chinese go to Chef Tan in Newport

A hidden gem is Freetown Road Project , it's Caribbean food 

There is some amazing food in North Jersey, great Portuguese food in Newark, amazing Dominican food in Union City, 

[gordonsolie]

On 11/4/2024 at 10:29 PM, Just_Chris said:

Don't laugh... there is a burger place in Jersey City called The White Mana. It's a shithole, I mean it really is but trust me. It's amazing. It's on Tonnele Ave 

Philippines Bread House is good for Filipino food

Quite a few good Indian joints 

If you like Spicy Chinese go to Chef Tan in Newport

A hidden gem is Freetown Road Project , it's Caribbean food 

There is some amazing food in North Jersey, great Portuguese food in Newark, amazing Dominican food in Union City, 

It amazes me how hilly it is between there and the swampiness that is the Meadowlands. 

[happycamper]

On 11/4/2024 at 10:29 PM, Just_Chris said:

Don't laugh... there is a burger place in Jersey City called The White Mana. It's a shithole, I mean it really is but trust me. It's amazing. It's on Tonnele Ave 

Philippines Bread House is good for Filipino food

Quite a few good Indian joints 

If you like Spicy Chinese go to Chef Tan in Newport

A hidden gem is Freetown Road Project , it's Caribbean food 

There is some amazing food in North Jersey, great Portuguese food in Newark, amazing Dominican food in Union City, 

We must have pretty similar tastes in food lol. Filipino, Carribean, spicy Chinese, and Portuguese sounds incredible. normally I'd be up for Indian food but my next door neighbors and work friend are Nepali, we get home cooked south Asian feasts about twice a month. 

[gordonsolie]

@happycamper do you like Thai food? 

[happycamper]

On 11/5/2024 at 10:16 AM, gordonsolie said:

@happycamper do you like Thai food? 

I love Thai food. I first tried it in the PNW and now I get it a lot less in the South as it just... doesn't hit the same.. But also when I was first trying it I was running around with a bunch of filipinos so when I ordered 3 or 4 stars I actually got them lol. now I get gringo stars. 

[HR_poke]

Chili's is always good.

[tailingpermit]

On 11/5/2024 at 4:45 PM, HR_poke said:

Chili's is always good.

Unfortunately the only Michelin Star rated is in Laramie. 

[stanfordchef]

On 11/5/2024 at 1:45 PM, HR_poke said:

Chili's is always good.

There’s an Arby’s by Times Square I went to one night. They have it all there. 

[HR_poke]

On 11/5/2024 at 6:12 PM, tailingpermit said:

Unfortunately the only Michelin Star rated is in Laramie. 

I assumed all chili's were Michelin star rated

[tailingpermit]

On 11/5/2024 at 7:21 PM, HR_poke said:

I assumed all chili's were Michelin star rated

Only Laramie.  

[Just_Chris]

On 11/5/2024 at 6:30 AM, happycamper said:

We must have pretty similar tastes in food lol. Filipino, Carribean, spicy Chinese, and Portuguese sounds incredible. normally I'd be up for Indian food but my next door neighbors and work friend are Nepali, we get home cooked south Asian feasts about twice a month. 

Jersey City has a decent Filipino population because of Jersey City Medical Center, that place is like something out of Gotham City