Meatup with Meathead in Chicago?

[Meathead]

I'm contemplating a Meatup with Meathead in Chicago. Informal like the ones in TX and NC, not as fancy as the Memphis plan that was canceled because of covid.

I'm looking at THU July 13 through SAT July 15. SUN July 16 is the last day of the Windy City Smokeout which you can stay over for. It is a LOT of BBQ and music.

There will be no charge other than hotel, meals, transportation, Smokeout, and other entertainment which you pay directly.

We'd have to limit it to about 50 members and spouses.

At this late date I can't find any downtown hotels for under $250 that have enough rooms left so we will all have to find our own hotels. If we want to stay in the same hotel maybe we try for autumn or next year. We'll carpool or take Uber, Lift, taxi, bus, train. I will book restaurants if we get enough of a response below. Here's my tentative itinerary.

Bring your book for me to sign.

I could use some help in pulling this off so if you want to volunteer, let me know below.

THU July 13
Meeting at hotel, cocktails
Dinner – Weber Grill or Smoke Daddy or Green St. BBQ

FRI July 14
Breakfast at hotel
At liberty
Lunch – Sun Wah
At liberty
Dinner - Smoque
Optional: Cubs v Boston at 7:00 p.m.
Optional: Grant Park Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet 6:30 p.m.

https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2023-season/prokofiev-romeo-and-juliet

SAT July 15
Breakfast at hotel
At liberty
Lunch – Honey 1
At liberty
Dinner – Honkey Tonk
Optional: Grant Park Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet 6:30 p.m.

https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2023-season/prokofiev-romeo-and-juliet

SUN July 16
Optional: Windy City Smokeout $78

https://www.windycitysmokeout.com

RESTAURANTS BEING CONSIDERED
Smoque, 3800 North Pulaski Rd., Chicago, 773-545-7427, Barry Sorkin owner. Absolutely brilliant brisket, the best outside of Texas and better than most in Texas. Pork and ribs are excellent, and the sides are way above average. The dining room is small and there are often lines to get in.

Honey 1 BBQ, 746 E. 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653, 773-227-5130, Robert Adams Sr., wife Patricia, son Robert Jr. opened in 2003 on Division St., moved to Western Ave, and now they are located in Bronzeville. A cut above the rest of the Aquarium pit joints. Delta shade tree-BBQ in a no frills joint. Outstanding old style ribs with a fine bark, seasoned minimally and sauce on the side, it is all about the meat. Don’t miss the hot links. Rib tips are their best seller. This place is the essence of Chicago BBQ.

Honky Tonk Barbeque, 1213 W. 18th St., Chicago, 312-226-7427. Willie Wagner, owner, and an all round cool guy. Good food, funky vibe with fun garage sale paintings on the walls, lots of tats on the staff, great music, too.

Sun Wah Barbecue. This James Beard American Classic Award winner does Chinese barbecue right. Click the link to see my pix and my review. https://amazingribs.com/one-nation-u...ah-wins-beard/

Weber Grill, Downtown Chicago, 539 N. State Street Chicago IL 60654 312-467-9696. Steakhouse.

Green Street Smoked Meats, 112 N. Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607. 312-754-0431. Very hip vibe. Good que.

ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS WHEN AT LIBERTY OR FOR FAMILY
Adler Planetarium
Art Institute of Chicago
American Girl
Art Fairs
Blue Man Group
Blues/Jazz/Gospel
Buddy Guy’s
Cabaret ZaZou
Chicago Architecture Foundation Tours by Foot, Boat, Train
Chicago Board of Trade/Mercantile
Chicago Cultural Center
Chinatown
Comedy: Second City, IO, Zanies, Improv Kitchen
Driehaus & Newberry Museums
DuSable
Elevated tour
Field Museum Natural History
Frank Lloyd Wright Home
Gallery District
Hellenic Museum
Historical Society
Holography Museum
House of Blues
Hull House
Library
Lincoln Park Streets, Zoo, Conservatory
Loyola U Museum of Art
Merchandise Mart
Mexican Fine Arts Center
Millennium Park
Money Museum
Morton Arboretum
Museum of Broadcast History
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemp Photog
Museum of Science & Industry
Navy Pier
Notebaert
Peace Museum
Pritzger Military Library
River Walk
Robie House
Roger Brown Residence
Rookery
Scholls Museum
Sears Tower
Segway Experience of Chicago, CitySegway Tours
Shedd Aquarium
Shopping on Magnificent Mile /FAO/Nike/Apple
Sports: Bears, Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks, Red Stars, Fire, Minor League Baseball
Surgical Science Museum
Theatre
Trolley
Vietnam Museum
Water Taxi
Water Tower/Fire Museum
Mndr Museum in West Loop
Wrigleyville
Writer’s Museum

[CaptainMike]

Looks like fun, but after 5 weeks totin' our 5th wheel from sea to shining sea then back to shining sea again I think I better sit this one out and get after the hunny-do list at home. I'll definitely be following this!

[gboss]

I'm interested.

[WayneT]

We are scheduled for a trip to WI in July so this may work out. Following.

[mrteddyprincess]

If you have a need to stay near Indy, Amanda and I would love to host an evening of wine and good food!

[WayneT]

mrteddyprincess That’s a generous and tempting offer, Brian. I will keep you posted as our plans evolve.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

It is a great opportunity.....

I am cooking for a Fundraiser

[Bkhuna]

Another retirement bucket list item. Hopefully this will become a repeating event. I haven't been to Chicago in 45 years and there are lot's of vittles on my to eat list.

[Jfrosty27]

I'm right up the road so absolutely!

[Sid P]

I don’t know that I’ll be staying downtown for three nights, but I’ll definitely participate in the eating 😀.

[STEbbq]

The better half and I would like to attend a lunch or dinner on one of those days. We will know more about which days we can make in a few weeks.

[glitchy]

My wife would love me if I offered to take her to a Cubs game, but I hate baseball in July in the midwest. It’s late and I’ll rethink this after sleeping, but would love the opportunity to shake your hand and express my appreciation for this community.

[Mosca]

The pitch clock has changed everything, the Pirates and Rockies played a game in 1:55 last week.

[JLR]

Attending a game is much more exciting that watching it on TV. I love one but hate the other.

[WayneT]

Wrigley Field is an experience in itself. If a ball game breaks out that’s better. Then you get to drink an Old Style and be a part of something greater than the sum of its parts.

[Mosca]

I would love to do this. I’m not sure I can pull it off, so don’t put me on a list just yet. We got quite a full plate this summer already.

[Elton's BBQ]

Im in Gran Canaria in that periode so no can do…

[troymeister]

I'm in..I have my own Hotel though....Expensive Cook County Property Taxes....

[MarkN]

We will be passing through Chicago that week and since there is no up front charge, would it be possible to participate for one of the days? Or is this an all or nothing meetup?

[Meathead]

Dunno yet.

[RichieB]

Great idea. I'm getting back from Cape Cod that Thursday so, I'll have to pass. Enjoy if you get it done.