The Billy Goat Tavern.

Sorry, Sandi, I didn't notice you'd asked where it is. As Exiledprincess mentioned in her post above, it's on Michigan (actually, sort of under Michigan) near the Wrigley Bldg.

Chezzborger, chezzborger.....I admit it...we ate there last Tuesday.((Y))

Was back there a few years ago with my fave bro in law (Mrs Kal's baby bro-She was off running somewhere) and we were in the bar from about 11 pm. until we looked at the clock and it was 2:15.

We asked Nick the bartender what time he closes. Told us <i>&quot;2 O'Clock&quot;</i>.
Told him why didn't he tell us-final bill. Told us <i>&quot;You guys are cool-Don't worry&quot;.</i>

At about 3:15 we thought it was time to get out. Asked him for our final bill and thought a while and said <i>&quot;Call it 30 bucks&quot;</i>. Left him $60.

Great time. The best part was crawling up to No Mich and seeing it with no traffic/people.
Finally flagged down a cab. He was doing about 70 down No Mich.

Right under the Wrigley building. Follow the Phil Stafani Steak sign and go down the stairs and be nice!

The chezzborger guy will try and upsale you...so give him a bad time. ;)

Thanks for the info...and advise.

One last question: We still need a place to stay for 2 nights. Would love to be very close to the campus, even walking distance if possible. I called UIC and they gave me info for a Marriott on Ashland. I can get a rate of $165. per night w/ 2 double beds. Anyone know of someplace that's a little less expensive?

This is my opinion, and I attended UIC. Don't stay on Ashland. Stay downtown. You can get hotwire.com or priceline.com rooms much cheaper than that. I just got the Hotel Allegro next to the Cadillac Palace Theater for $76 a night- 2 nights early December on Priceline.

The neighborhood near UIC is changing for the better but I really do not think you should stay on Ashland- it will not be an optimal experience.

what about the Metro Crown Plaza on Madison for $119.? I just don't know enough about the layout of the city to know where we should stay. Need to be able to either walk or take the train to the campus if possible..preferably.

There is no safety risk staying at the Mariott on Ashland, it just doesn't offer walking access to downtown attractions (although it's just a couple of blocks from the El). So maybe you want to prioritize--price, proximity to campus, and proximity to other Chicago activities.

If you stay downtown, I would stay in the Loop so you can easily catch the Blue line subway to UIC.

HTH,
Racy

Yes, LOOP location- not River, North Michigan Ave. or Watertower. LOOP location and the very short el to the campus.

You can walk to the campus from the Metro Crowne Plaza, but I don't know anything about it other than location. It was recently purchased by Crowne Plaza and used to be a Quality Inn (?) or something like that and not very nice looking AT ALL.

That said, it's in Greek Town, so there are lots of food options, but not much else. Only the Sears Tower is within walking distance, if you want to see the major attractions. Suggest you look at the Crowne Plaza Silversmith or the Palmer House, or the Monoco/Allegro if you want to be closer to that action.

Avoid the Congress--it's craptacular and you'll have to cross a picket line.

HTH,
Racy

...craptacular..sounds lovely. Consider it avoided. I'll see what I can find. Hopefully the hotel's description will indicate whether it's &quot;in the loop&quot; or not.

Thanks

I can't say for sure that these are the only Loop hotel options, but these hotels are in the Loop area:

Best Western Grant Park
Burnham Hotel
Club Quarters Chicago Central Loop
Club Quarters Wacker
Essex Inn (doesn't look so hot to me, but haven't stayed there)
Fairfield Inn
Fairmont
Hard Rock
Hilton Chicago (actually south of loop, and a few blocks from el in not particularly pleasant area, though probably not terribly unsafe)
Hotel 71
Hotel Allegro
Hotel Monaco
Hyatt Regency on Wacker
Palmer House Hilton
Renaissance
Silversmith Crown Plaza
Swissotel
W City Center

You can look at this map:

http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/F2005D.html

The area inside the loop of train tracks (middle of the map) is the Loop. You can look up any hotel's address and see if it fits within this area to know how conveniently located to public transport it is. :)

I just did a www.hotwire.com search for Chicago Nov. 10-13. There was a $98 a night 3.5 star Loop location (on the el tracks) description.

It's probably the Hotel Allegro or one of those smaller ones right in the theatre district.

The N. Michigan Ave. ones are prefered by most of the &quot;shopper/eater&quot; tourists but for what you would want to do- I would go for it.

Don't be afraid to use hotwire or priceline, unless you are very picky and need to control everything. You will know your hotel and location exactly ahead of time and have some money left over to do all kinds of things. Definitely go to Greektown near campus. Greek Islands is my rec.

thank you all very much. I'll let you know what we've decided.

if you want the best hotdogs, you gotta go to the suburbs..but boy is it worth it. gene and judes in river grove is the best hot dog joint around here.

Would love your collective opinion on this apartment. www.vrbo.com/71108
It's for only 2 nights, and we can stay there for $180. a night.

Any thoughts?

You would be a little too far North for what I do, but I think it does look marvelous and many travelers love the Water Tower area.

Now don't forget that if you aren't walkers in cold windy weather, you will probably be taking a cab, bus or train, anyway. Your access to restaurants would be fabulous.

Only you could answer if you are going to be &quot;there&quot; much or not. I doubt if you'd be cooking. LOL!

If you have a car, this lodging will probably charge you every time you take it in/out and also by the day.

It's a good price, that's for sure.

But if you are going to U.of I. campus you will have the entire LOOP, River and a myriad of other things between you and your campus destination. You need to access the red line el, I believe, and that wouldn't be too difficult.

we're walkers for sure. The email I got back said they were 1 block from the red line, so that's good. You're right, we won't be cooking but a high-rise view could be cool and it's cheaper than staying in a regular hotel.

Just note that the Red line is not the line that goes to UIC, thus you will have to transfer at Washington/State. Not as convenient, but do-able.

It's good location and looks like a nice apartment, but did you note the $50 cleaning fee? If you like that area, I recommend the Talbott, just behind the Bloomingdales building. I send many people to the Talbott and I live here.