Thank you to the ones who offered info about Chicago. Much appreciated.
The rest of you feel free to continue to discuss relationships, spousal abuse, communication, etc. I’ve gotten what I need from this thread.
You think avoiding one of the most dangerous cities in the US is living in fear???
Yes
You’d be wrong. Take it from a former Chicago area resident who’s been robbed at knifepoint twice, once with the knife to my throat. I was shot at during a drive by when I was 11 years old. I’m 47 now, so we’re talking the mid 80’s. Here’s a clue, it hasn’t gotten better since. I’m not afraid of anything but I don’t go into cities if I don’t have to and I grew eyes in the back of my head in my youth. It isn’t fear that keeps me out. It’s common sense.
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Actually what I expressed is my opinion so no I’m not wrong. In the words of Al Pacino “you can get killed walking your doggy”. Sorry you’ve had so many traumatic experiences. Won’t prevent me from exploring Chicago if I make it that way again. If I don’t make it out well then at least I lived my life the way I wanted to
Amazing how many live in fear in this world. Pretty simple to live thru these times, just carry a freakin knife duh!
My headquarters are in Chicago like others have said navy pier area is cool and bunch of places to eat in that area…Wrigllyville is a blast but might be more of guy baseball thing but it is a spectacle on game days either way with lots to see and do. I didn’t see any drive by shooting the dozen times I have been walking around.
My god, this thread turned into a royal rumble! Lol
My god, this thread turned into a royal rumble! Lol
Chicago, minneapolis, football, covid, mille lacs, climate change, anything to with trump or liberals…. Basically as sure as death and taxes you can bet the good people of IDO will argue about those topics
Amazing how many live in fear in this world. Pretty simple to live thru these times, just carry a freakin knife duh!
Says the guy who doesn’t regularly carry a knife! 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>picklerick wrote:</div>
You think avoiding one of the most dangerous cities in the US is living in fear???Yes
You’d be wrong. Take it from a former Chicago area resident who’s been robbed at knifepoint twice, once with the knife to my throat. I was shot at during a drive by when I was 11 years old. I’m 47 now, so we’re talking the mid 80’s. Here’s a clue, it hasn’t gotten better since. I’m not afraid of anything but I don’t go into cities if I don’t have to and I grew eyes in the back of my head in my youth. It isn’t fear that keeps me out. It’s common sense.
Actually what I expressed is my opinion so no I’m not wrong. In the words of Al Pacino “you can get killed walking your doggy”. Sorry you’ve had so many traumatic experiences. Won’t prevent me from exploring Chicago if I make it that way again. If I don’t make it out well then at least I lived my life the way I wanted to
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You think your opinion can’t be wrong? I think I made a pretty good case as to why it was an incorrect generalization. You said if you avoid cities you’re living in fear. It’s definitely true for some people, but it’s not true for everyone. That’s all I’m saying.
My wife and her best friend are going to take a trip to Chicago. Wondering what part of Chicago would be safest to stay yet offer many places to visit and explore? It’s not a fishing trip (haha) but a girls trip so suggestions of places to visit and stay for a few days for a couple of 50yr old women would be great.
Thanks!
Here’s the Original Post, feel free to contribute to his questions or PM people you want to argue with. Pretty sure everyone is aware of the issues in Chicago, and not sure what the random thoughts on the topic of Chicago’s safety issues by internet strangers will do to help answer his questions.
10 Americans were killed in Afghanistan last year.
769 Americans were killed by homicide in Chicago last year.
I was totally shocked by these numbers actually. We all weigh risks every day.
Mrs Grouse has been to Chicago 30+ times on business. Onece she stayed at the Sofitel on the so-called Magnificent Mile, she won’t stay anywhere else in that area.
She’s taking me to Chicago twice and we’ve stayed there each time. Terrific hotel. Terrific location.
It’s really a crap-shoot when it comes to either Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s.When it comes down to food,the choices are endless.I wish Phil Smidt’s was still going,they had the best fish frys and frog legs.That was in Whiting,Ind.
Places to visit,the Mag Mile or Loop,Navy Pier or the 2 zoos.Museum of science and industry will eat-up a day.Most places are fairly safe if you stay on the main streets.We had no issues even going through Englewood on main streets.Side streets and alleys should be avoided.The GF’s cousin lives in Midlothian and he gave me the grand tour of the”best”areas like W Pullman,Englewood and Deering.But I thought Chatham and Fuller Park are bad/dirty.
As most have said, avoid the south and west side and you should be fine. Also, use common sense, don’t put yourself in a situation where trouble is likely to be. It’s bad, but, if you stay more touristy areas you should be fine.
Milemark- I guess I’ll have to put both places on my list. Thanks.
My dad drove truck for many, many years and has been through Chicago plenty, and he echoes a lot of the same things many of the previous posters have been saying- that it will probably be fine if they stay in the right areas. He said south side and west side should be avoided and downtown is generally pretty safe. Can’t imagine these ladies would have any reason to go to those spots anyways!
While I understand and agree with some of the other sentiments in this thread protesting even going to Chicago, I also believe one should do as they please — with common sense — and not let fear be the determining factor. Have fun and if you want to see a certain place and it’s important to you, just go and do it and be careful!
Wishing the best for your wife and her friends on their trip, and I hope they have a good time.
If you feel so inclined, please report back on how it went! Take care.
Edit: gotta throw this in there- take what I said with a grain of salt. I have no personal experience so don’t really have any substantial, credible advice. I guess that was just my personal opinion, partially based on second-hand information.
I always hear so much good about Lou malnati’s. One guy I know from muskies inc stops there every time he goes through Chicago and brings a pile of their pizzas home to keep in the freezer. It must be something special… I’d love to try it- it’s on my list.
You can order them online to be delivered anywhere in the nation. They’re not cheap by any means and they’re kind of small. I’m assuming the ones they ship are smaller than the ones you buy in the restaurant.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>LabDaddy1 wrote:</div>
I always hear so much good about Lou malnati’s. One guy I know from muskies inc stops there every time he goes through Chicago and brings a pile of their pizzas home to keep in the freezer. It must be something special… I’d love to try it- it’s on my list.You can order them online to be delivered anywhere in the nation. They’re not cheap by any means and they’re kind of small. I’m assuming the ones they ship are smaller than the ones you buy in the restaurant.
They are smaller and not nearly as good as in restaurant. The frozen and shipped ones aren’t really worth the freight imo. There is a Giordano’s in Richfield that’s solid, but I haven’t been to a Chicago one to compare.
In my experience the biggest threat to women going on trips to Chicago is Chicago’s outrageous sales tax.
The prices are bad enough but then you have to add over 10% sales tax as I recall. There is some kind of local tax in effect in addition to Illinois State sales tax that brings it up to a whopping 10 plus percent.
The prices are bad enough but then you have to add over 10% sales tax as I recall. There is some kind of local tax in effect in addition to Illinois State sales tax that brings it up to a whopping 10 plus percent.
That’s correct. My brother always buys clothes and shoes here when he visits because there’s no tax on those items here.
My advice: don’t go. LOL. My only brother lives in Lincoln Park and the only time I have visited him is because I was the best man in his wedding. I can’t honestly think of a worse place within reasonable driving distance to visit. Its just endless people and cars there and everything costs and arm and a leg.
Ha ! Sounds like every big city in this country dude.
Ha ! Sounds like every big city in this country dude.
Probably. I haven’t been to every big city and really have no interest in doing so either!
I’m happy to report that my wife and her friend had a safe trip. They stayed at a VRBO in the Oak Park area. Visited the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff. Took the architecture boat tour, went to the miracle mile, and went to the navy pier. Stayed out most nights until 10:00 – 10:30. And their favorite meal was the Chicago style pizza I guess.
So all touristy type stuff and they felt safe everywhere they went.
Glad to hear they survived Lol. Seriously great to hear they had a good time and made it home safe. Thanks for letting us know. 
Good to hear they had a great trip! Might blow some minds on this thread that they, and the 9.46 million Chicago area residents, are able to survive! 
I would like to know where they got the pizza from? Not sure when I’ll be back but always like to hear about great pizza places.
Good to hear they had a great trip! Might blow some minds on this thread that they, and the 9.46 million Chicago area residents, are able to survive!
I would like to know where they got the pizza from? Not sure when I’ll be back but always like to hear about great pizza places.
I’m not one of those whose mind was blown that they survived and had a fun trip. But so far this year 445 residents have died in a homicide and another 2471 have been shooting victims – So I will not go as far as thinking or calling Chicago a relativity safe place these days
I’m also Glad they had a fun time and returned home safe. My daughter fly’s out to Chicago on Sunday for a 5 day visit with her uncle who lives out there. I can only hope her visit is also fun and safe. I’m guessing her visit will involve lots of good eating as she loves Chicago style pizza and her uncle is a restaurant owner who knows a lot of other restaurant owners in the city.
Glad it worked out.
Pizza place was Lou Maltani’s I guess.
Pizza place was Lou Maltani’s I guess.
Lou’s is a Chicago standard. If you have never eaten Chicago pizza, you need to start with Lou’s. Most people in Chicago are divided between lou’s and Giordano’s as the best. They are both incredible. I’ll also throw Pequods into the best mix. Just so many Great Pizza places in Chicago.
B-I-L who lives in Chicago western suburbs sent Lou Malnati’s pizzas to us for Christmas. While they are better in the restaurant, still darn good.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Weekender wrote:</div>
Pizza place was Lou Maltani’s I guess.Lou’s is a Chicago standard. If you have never eaten Chicago pizza, you need to start with Lou’s. Most people in Chicago are divided between lou’s and Giordano’s as the best. They are both incredible. I’ll also throw Pequods into the best mix. Just so many Great Pizza places in Chicago.
No no. Gino’s East is the best. Especially deep dish. Hmmmmm.
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