Our RV park was much further away from Chicago than we had anticipated. And with the price of gas we knew we’d only be visiting the Windy City one day. Our driving tour of Chicago IL began with an absolutely MUST EAT item – Italian Beef.
Chicago Skyline shot from Chicago’s Little Italy
Another view of the spectacular Chicago skyline
The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) stands above all the skyscrapers that make up the Chicago skyline
Before we headed out from Peotone to spend our day sightseeing in Chicago, we each made a list of what we wanted to see and taste. With only one day to do it all, we knew that a fine dining dinner was off the list. I was disappointed because I really wanted to have a meal at one of Stephanie Izzard’s restaurants. I did understand because we had an hour and a half drive to get back to Peotone. Oh well, that just means we need to return, but to a park that’s much closer.
Joe’s Beef, home of the “Best Italian Beef Sandwich in Chicago”
So, not counting Chef Izzard’s food, I just had to taste an Italian Beef sandwich. Through research I learned that Johnnie’s Beef in the Elmwood neighborhood had a reputation for serving the best. That’s where we headed first. We needed sustenance to continue our driving tour of Chicago IL!
Fortunately it was late July, but overcast, so not too hot. There’s no indoor seating, but there are lots of tables and benches outside. I saved our table while Steve stood in line to order our sandwiches and an order of fries.
Presenting the Italian Beef sandwich from Joe’s Beef
He returned to our table with lunch in hand. The Italian Beef sandwich is served on a soft roll with lots of very juicy roast beef, and topped with hot peppers and giardiniera. The fries were golden, crispy and served in a brown paper bag which made them virtually grease free.
Did we love the sandwich? Let’s just say we were looking for something that was more like a Philly Cheesesteak. It wasn’t that. It was good. Perhaps even the best of its kind. But I wouldn’t say “I can’t wait to have another one”. Sorry Chicago!
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Chicago home and studio
Lovely garden in front of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in the Oak Park Chicago Neighborhood
From Joe’s Beef in Elmwood, we drove to Oak Park, a neighborhood not too far away. Oak Park is the home of architect extraordinaire Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio. Luckily we were able to park a house or two away, and snap some photos of his beautiful place in Chicagoland. It’s so different from his Talesian West, that we toured in Scottsdale AZ, several years ago. The building was certainly more urban than suburban like in Scottsdale.
Lots of glass and steel in the Chicago skyscrapers
Grids and glass soaring to the sky
One more spectacular view of Chicago’s gorgeous downtown buildings taken from the passenger seat of our Jeep!
The Picasso, an untitled sculpture commissioned by Richard Daley and created by Pablo Picasso
From there, we headed downtown to see the skyscrapers that line the city streets. One magnificent feat of architecture after another! Lots and lots of steel and glass. Jaw dropping edifices soaring to the sky. Gorgeous and spectacular! But so was the traffic. Gridlock so bad, that we just wanted to get outa there. But not before we got lots of great photos to record our time there.
Greektown neighborhood of Chicago
University Village, University of Illinois Chicago
Saint Ignatius in University Village Chicago
Mural of Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln Park, Chicago
When we finally made it out of the downtown area and enjoyed driving through Chicago neighborhoods. We drove through Greektown and University Village, which is the Chicago home of the University of Illinois. It was a beautiful city campus.
Steve’s ready for his “shift” at Firehouse 51, home of Chicago Fire TV series
If Firehouse 51 looks like a real firehouse, it’s because it is!
Behind those red doors are Engine 51, Squad 3 and Ambulance 61 and the actual firehouse where Chicago Fire is filmed
Chicago skyline from Chicago Fire’s Firehouse driveway
Next up was a fun destination, the actual firehouse used in scenes of one of our favorite TV shows, Chicago Fire. What fun it was to the vehicles, station and those bright red doors leading to the Truck, Squad and Ambulance bays. And it came with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline.
Still on our list were Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and Lake Michigan. So we continued to zigzag across the city until we had crossed off each landmark. And once we saw Soldier Field we decided it was time to drive back to Ladybug and our sweet little Hershi waiting patiently for us in Peotone.
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