MEAT MEAL #14: Historic Chicago Walking Tour
Pat and I hopped on a southbound bus and made our was to historic Maxwell Street. The moment we got off the bus, Pat reached into his bag and handed me a thick packet entitled "A Guide to Chicago's Maxwell Street & Little Italy Neighborhoods."
I said, "What is this?"
Pat replied, very matter-of-fact-ly, in a way only Pat could or would speak, "It's a book."
I opened this "book" and found that Pat had printed out Wikipedia articles about Maxwell Street, Little Italy, Express Grill, and Jim's Original. This meaty meal had been upgraded from a lunch to a walking tour. I couldn't be happier.
Pat and I took the scenic route everywhere. We walked down Maxwell Street and stopped to read the tourist information stands explaining how this area used to be and showing off photos of the bustling market that once stood here. Pat pointed out where the two competing Polish sausage stands once stood before we rounded the corner and walked a block north to where both restaurants now stand.
There is something so fun about 2 practically identical restaurants that have been competing for decades right next to each other. It is like something out of a cartoon. It's the Hatfields and McCoys. Signs hang stating that they are not affiliated with any other nearby sausage stands. Meanwhile, the bluest of Chicago's blue-collar workers line the walls at the standing-only counter-tops intended for you to wolf down your food and get back to work.
And wolf we did. We ordered and split a Polish sausage with mustard and onions from both locations. Each one was fantastic. As I understand it, people are very loyal to one or the other. If I had to pick right now, I'd lean toward Express Grill because the onions are a bit better and the sausage was thicker, but I would honestly be happy with either one. I'd give an extra point to Jim's for the fries (both sausages came with free fries), so that brings me back to it being a toss up. I think what I would do if I ever came back for more meat is just eat at both again. Why choose?
We then meandered over to the location of the original (est. 1938) Al's #1 Italian Beef. I expected a hot and juicy beef sandwich similar to what I used to get back home at the Red Osier stands during Rochester sporting events. While conceptually similar, Al's is very unique and out-of-control delicious. Pat had me order a big beef, extra juicy (or "dipped," meaning that the entire sandwich is dipped in oil), with sweet peppers. This thing was huge and sloppy. We propped ourselves up at the standing counters just before the lunch rush flooded in. Everyone walking in, possibly frustrated or miserable from the work day, just looking to get a little pick-me-up in the form of a greasy, warm, delicious sandwich. America. Chicago.
We rounded out our walking tour across the street at Mario's Italian Lemonade, a small Italian ice shop. A perfect end to a sunny trip around some historic Chicago staples.
Pat has always done his best to represent old Chicago to all of us, the goofy transplants who knew nothing about this city when we moved here. He takes great pride in his city, and rightfully so - I love this place and have only recently realized I've seen less than 10% of what it has to offer. As a native, Pat went out of his way to show me a side of Chicago I never would have seen. As a friend, Pat went out of his way to show me a good time and to make sure he and I got some solid 1-on-1 time in before I move away.
