Romance on a budget in Chicago....
Jul 19th, 2009, 02:05 PM
#21
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Well, I'm so glad that you made your budget.
No, I was just talking about regular everyday appetizers at a lower- to mid-range place being in the $9-13 range. Soups and salads too. Cups of soup usually run $3.95-$4.95 at these places and bowls a buck or two more. Although you can go to some fast-food places such as Soupbox (nothing fancy, but good offerings), where the small soups run $3.95-$6.25 a bowl and large soups run $4.55-$8.00.
Amuse bouche, etc.: Of course, it depends on the place, but since it's likely you are discussing a higher-end establishment, you are talking in the mid-teens, etc.
I do have a question for you: Did you tip for those drinks included on the Chicago Architecture Tours?
No, I was just talking about regular everyday appetizers at a lower- to mid-range place being in the $9-13 range. Soups and salads too. Cups of soup usually run $3.95-$4.95 at these places and bowls a buck or two more. Although you can go to some fast-food places such as Soupbox (nothing fancy, but good offerings), where the small soups run $3.95-$6.25 a bowl and large soups run $4.55-$8.00.
Amuse bouche, etc.: Of course, it depends on the place, but since it's likely you are discussing a higher-end establishment, you are talking in the mid-teens, etc.
I do have a question for you: Did you tip for those drinks included on the Chicago Architecture Tours?
Jul 20th, 2009, 04:35 AM
#23
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exiledprincess: The Chicago Architecture Foundation arranges for both the drinks *and* the tips, in advance. Apparently it didn't work so well when the tips were separate - people forgot or purposely didn't pay the tip! CAF ensures the drink plus 15% is taken care of.
On our first happy hour tour, we only had drinks and so paid nothing.
On our second, we tipped on the drink and food we bought.
We also often just share an app and a main, as at Edwardo's -- although after 15 years together, we still have trouble finding a combination of pizza toppings that we both prefer! We ended up compromising on a marguerita pizza because it was the special of the day.
We'd intended to go back for lunch on Friday to try the individual deep dish pizzas (lunch special) but my husband's work commitment ran overtime . And, we had leftovers from breakfast to eat up anyway.
Based on our experience, I think we'd have done okay even if we'd eaten out more. One regular restaurant meal plus one chain or take out, per day, seems to suit us well. Two restaurant meals takes up a lot of time away from sightseeing!
On our first happy hour tour, we only had drinks and so paid nothing.
On our second, we tipped on the drink and food we bought.
We also often just share an app and a main, as at Edwardo's -- although after 15 years together, we still have trouble finding a combination of pizza toppings that we both prefer! We ended up compromising on a marguerita pizza because it was the special of the day.
We'd intended to go back for lunch on Friday to try the individual deep dish pizzas (lunch special) but my husband's work commitment ran overtime . And, we had leftovers from breakfast to eat up anyway.
Based on our experience, I think we'd have done okay even if we'd eaten out more. One regular restaurant meal plus one chain or take out, per day, seems to suit us well. Two restaurant meals takes up a lot of time away from sightseeing!
Jul 20th, 2009, 01:52 PM
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Jaysfan, thanks for responding back. I knew that the CAF docents didn't accept tips (and it was very nice of you to get a soft drink for yours in thanks) but I just didn't know about the drinks on those Happy Hour tours. It makes sense that they simplified that issued - plus keeps everybody happy. Which is what we like in the Windy City!
You know, the thing is that a number of visitors get shell-shock from Chicago's prices (not to mention our taxes), although Chicago's prices (not the taxes, though) are a lot less than some other major metropolitan areas (such as NYC). It's difficult to make generalizations about price ranges but you want to inform others of what to expect to pay for entertainment, dining, etc.
Of course, I want to help others and I don't want to be mentioning price ranges that are not accurate. Although I don't usually get appetizers, soups or salads, I do know what the prices are at the places where I've been to recently. And I do check online menus at others just to keep current.
Not to get OT: The other day I saw a review stating that one of the more inexpensive restaurants in town (which I go to somewhat regularly) was "overpriced" - when, in fact, it's really much lower-priced compared to others of the same level. Needless to say, that reviewer would probably be having fits if they saw the bills for a mid-range, expensive or very expensive restaurant. And in another review, another indicated that they had to pay an exorbitant cover fee of $15 pp (!) for a live music venue. Well, gosh folks, other venues are much higher - and it all depends on the performer, as well, as some command higher prices than others.
Anyway, this was a good opportunity to give some price information.
I just want to leave with this thought and this is no reflection on this particular post - but in general:
The restaurants in Chicago; the cultural institutions; the entertainment venues - they all have to make "X" amount of money for overhead and so forth in order to exist. If they don't make it, they are no longer there.
Those free entertainment options and events cost money - a lot of money, to be honest. If people (and that means visitors and locals alike) don't start spending a *little* extra, then they will be gone as well. And pretty darn soon, too.
I'm not talking about wildly throwing cash around which you don't have, but a reasonable amount.
You know, the thing is that a number of visitors get shell-shock from Chicago's prices (not to mention our taxes), although Chicago's prices (not the taxes, though) are a lot less than some other major metropolitan areas (such as NYC). It's difficult to make generalizations about price ranges but you want to inform others of what to expect to pay for entertainment, dining, etc.
Of course, I want to help others and I don't want to be mentioning price ranges that are not accurate. Although I don't usually get appetizers, soups or salads, I do know what the prices are at the places where I've been to recently. And I do check online menus at others just to keep current.
Not to get OT: The other day I saw a review stating that one of the more inexpensive restaurants in town (which I go to somewhat regularly) was "overpriced" - when, in fact, it's really much lower-priced compared to others of the same level. Needless to say, that reviewer would probably be having fits if they saw the bills for a mid-range, expensive or very expensive restaurant. And in another review, another indicated that they had to pay an exorbitant cover fee of $15 pp (!) for a live music venue. Well, gosh folks, other venues are much higher - and it all depends on the performer, as well, as some command higher prices than others.
Anyway, this was a good opportunity to give some price information.
I just want to leave with this thought and this is no reflection on this particular post - but in general:
The restaurants in Chicago; the cultural institutions; the entertainment venues - they all have to make "X" amount of money for overhead and so forth in order to exist. If they don't make it, they are no longer there.
Those free entertainment options and events cost money - a lot of money, to be honest. If people (and that means visitors and locals alike) don't start spending a *little* extra, then they will be gone as well. And pretty darn soon, too.
I'm not talking about wildly throwing cash around which you don't have, but a reasonable amount.
Jul 23rd, 2009, 09:05 AM
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exiledprincess, oh your comments were well made and well-taken. We didn't find Chicago to be overpriced, as we live in Toronto, a big city of its own 
I hope I didn't sound as if I was complaining about prices! This particular trip just wasn't about the food or nightlife for us, it was about the walking tours, art and architecture. All of which was well worth what we spent!
I hope I didn't sound as if I was complaining about prices! This particular trip just wasn't about the food or nightlife for us, it was about the walking tours, art and architecture. All of which was well worth what we spent!
Jul 23rd, 2009, 09:17 AM
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Jaysfan, oh, I didn't mean you, but just in general.
I just took the opportunity to mention these things on this thread, since I had starting mentioning specific ranges above. I hope you didn't mind.
IMHO, there really aren't too many threads where the posters really get into the nitty-gritty of things, just mention generalities. I think it might be a good thing to do more often, to prepare visitors for the reality of their choice of destination.
I just took the opportunity to mention these things on this thread, since I had starting mentioning specific ranges above. I hope you didn't mind.
IMHO, there really aren't too many threads where the posters really get into the nitty-gritty of things, just mention generalities. I think it might be a good thing to do more often, to prepare visitors for the reality of their choice of destination.
Jul 23rd, 2009, 11:56 AM
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Oh, yes, I agree the specifics are good. I can pick up generalities from guide books, for instance, but really like hearing about people's actual experiences.
Of course it is possible to go overboard - on the Disney fan sites, there are lots of trip reports which include calculations, to the penny, of how much time/money was spent by each person on each thing....which can be information overload. But, also useful when trying to figure out which package is a 'good deal'!
I didn't mind the info at all. I'd rather have more information than less, to sift through and consider.
Of course it is possible to go overboard - on the Disney fan sites, there are lots of trip reports which include calculations, to the penny, of how much time/money was spent by each person on each thing....which can be information overload. But, also useful when trying to figure out which package is a 'good deal'!
I didn't mind the info at all. I'd rather have more information than less, to sift through and consider.
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