Let's start with the sounds. It's the city of Kanye, Jennifer, Chaka and the R-uh. Its soundtrack is the blues, dusty steppers soul, house music all night long and hip hop's edge. Chi-town, Chi-life, UpSouth, whatever name it goes by, Chicago is my kind of town!
Officially situated in the Midwest, Chicago has the sophistication of the North with the warmth of the South. Aesthetically, Chicago is an absolutely breathtaking city on the water. It's a city filled with beaches, a river that runs through it, sweeping architecture (have you ever seen a graystone?), and clean streets scattered with public art.
Next is the food. I seriously gained some poundage here -- let's talk about Garrett's popcorn (you have to do the caramel-cheese mix), real pan pizza (with the sauce on top), its famous hot dogs (no ketchup here) and scores of world-class restaurants. Black businesses abound -- it has long been a place where African Americans such as John Johnson (founder of Ebony and Jet), have done well. There's also Oprah's Harpo, Burrell, Flowers Communications and so many more. In fact, Chicago was founded by an African American, Jean Baptiste DuSable, and has long hosted a thriving black middle and upper class.
Next is the food. I seriously gained some poundage here -- let's talk about Garrett's popcorn (you have to do the caramel-cheese mix), real pan pizza (with the sauce on top), its famous hot dogs (no ketchup here) and scores of world-class restaurants. Black businesses abound -- it has long been a place where African Americans such as John Johnson (founder of Ebony and Jet), have done well. There's also Oprah's Harpo, Burrell, Flowers Communications and so many more. In fact, Chicago was founded by an African American, Jean Baptiste DuSable, and has long hosted a thriving black middle and upper class.
Though it has many claims to fame, Chicago's most recent coup is that it produced our first African American president. He still keeps a home there to this day -- right in Hyde Park. My 13-year-old daughter and I did Chi-town this summer. Check out our pictorial spread!
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Chi Town Is My Kind of Town!
What happens when a 13-year-old and her mom hit Chicagoland during the summer? Read on...
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Comments: (12)
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By: RL Brown on 8/17/2009 11:49AM
I love your pictures and your comments on Chicago being a great city, but the fountain you mentioned is the Buckingham Fountain not Millennium Fountain.
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By: Mylinn on 8/17/2009 12:52PM
Hey... Being a Chicago native who now resides in Phoenix. I agree Chicago is a fun place to visit not to live. The next time you visit be sure to go to the Negro League Cafe, Home Run Inn and Italian Fiesta...
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By: Maceo on 8/17/2009 3:28PM
Ahhh yes... my hometown Chicago!! In the summertime it is a spectacular city filled with rich Black history and events that leave you wondering what to do and where to go next! The lakefront to me is the crown jewel...it was my escape as a child and even today I marvel at its beauty. As a lifelong southsider you hit a couple of my spots and LOL to the shout out to Harold's Chicken! Growing up they were ALL OVER every Black nieghborhood!!
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By: D. Brown on 8/17/2009 4:07PM
Chicago is not the home of Stax...that's a Memphis legacy.
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By: Rees on 8/18/2009 2:06AM
I believe Chess Records was here in Chicago. Right on Michigan Ave, a few miles south of Johnson Publishing Company (Ebony, Jet, etc). Long gone now.
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By: ADP on 8/17/2009 6:46PM
I, too am a Chicago native now residing in Cali. I go home every chance I get. Chicago is an amazing city with all the cultural accoutrements of L.A., ATL and NY in one city. I always bring an empty suitcase to take home my White Castle, Fox's Pizza (w/sausage - thank you very much), Fannie Mae candy and Garrett's popcorn. I prefer Leon's Chicken Wings/Fries/White Bread slathered with BBQ sauce. Don't forget DiCola's fish. I'm salivating as I'm talking. The Southside rules.
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By: sankore on 8/17/2009 10:07PM
Aww man this article brought back memories!! But who could forget House Music. I am now living in clarksville Tn and it has nothing on the Chi. I try to get back home every year. She mentioned my favorite spots. Harolds chicken, Gino's pizza. But lets not forget Home Run Inn and Italian Fiesta pizza. The Chi is a very cultural place and there is alot to do. I can remember our family having picnics at Rainbow beach and later on in the evening listening to the musicians play there drums. If you had bus fare and a packaged lunch you could head to the lake front and just chill(I dont recommend getting in Lake Michigan though, yuke)
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By: Brynn on 8/17/2009 10:22PM
Hello everyone, just visited Chicago for the first time because my daughter is stationed at Great Lakes. I loved it. However, need assistance from all you great folks from Chicago. She needs to get her hair done. She likes braids. Please help. Thanks.
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By: Rees on 8/18/2009 2:03AM
Quite frankly, any braid shop will do. I've been to a lot of them on the westside, northside and south-eastside and currently I am getting them braided in the western suburbs. She won't go wrong no matter where she decides to go. They are all pretty reputable.
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By: aniholl4 on 8/17/2009 11:33PM
After my mother and my grandmother died I went to Chicago and lived there for 2yrs near some of my relatives.I had my own place there was blessed with a job as soon as I got there.I had a good time, met a nice man and could have been married by now that was 20 plus years ago. I was a little overwhelmed because the city was large and returned home.I used to always say I was going back to find me a husband from there I found most of the men I had met were nice.
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