Big Jones -7/9/25

Photo of Big Jones - Chicago, IL, United States. Cute Font

A Southern, Breakfast & Brunch Bar – Breakfast from 11:00 till 2:00. Indoor/outdoor dining.

Happy Hour – Every Monday – Friday from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

5347 N Clark St Chicago, IL ., (773) 275-5725, bigjoneschicago.com – a few doors down from Calo’s. Big Jones offers: Wine/Beer/ Full Bar/Tea

Both Q’s had: their Happy Hour $5.00 light Beer – Dovetail Kolsch.

Shared the Cornbread.

Both Q’s had: I had the Fried Chicken (Dark Meat) – One thigh and one leg, gluten free and fried crisp in canola oil, served with red beans and rice, sweet potato puree, sweet chili sauce. Gluten free.

Fried Chicken
Corn Bread
Crawfish Etouffee
Photo of Big Jones - Chicago, IL, United States
Beignets served only at Brunch
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Poker Face

A mystery-of-the-week series following Charlie Cale, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road in her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve. Guest stars are plentiful throughout, from Ellen Barkin and Adrien Brody to Luis Guzmán and Chloë Sevigny. An inverted detective series, also known as a “howcatchem” and popularized by “Columbo,” the crime and perpetrator are shown at the beginning of each episode, and follows Charlie as she tries to solve the mystery. Peacock

Q-tips say: We watched several episodes but we were really not thrilled about Poker Face. There was only one episode that was good but the rest, just so so. But once you realized every episode would be the same, it’s predictable and almost belittles the intelligence of the audience. But if you’ve seen one of them, you’ve really seen them all, which is an insult to intelligent people everywhere. They better change it up. Because – Yawn.

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The Bear

A young chef from the fine dining world comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop after a heartbreaking death in his family. A world away from what he’s used to, Carmy must balance the soul-crushing realities of small business ownership, his strong-willed and recalcitrant kitchen staff and his strained familial relationships, all while grappling with the impact of his brother’s suicide. As Carmy fights to transform both the shop and himself, he works alongside a rough-around-the-edges kitchen crew that ultimately reveals itself as his chosen family. series –Disney+ Hulu

Q-tips say: Yes, we did enjoy this series “The Bear.” Enjoyed the scenes of Chicago, restaurant cooking & it also delves into the personal lives of the workers. A tad bit of cursing but nothing we have not heard before. Well written, well shot, the characters have depth and are complex on every level. The Bear tells a compelling story of human struggle, relationships, and the unpredictability of life.

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Calo’s

Photo of Calo Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge - Chicago, IL, United States

www.calorestaurant.com – 5343 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL

7/4/25 – Valentina‘s drinks at Calo’s are the best restaurant drinks around.

Happy 4th!

We shared the delicious bread.

The Q tips had: usual Libations – Old Fashion & Perfect Manhattan.

Each Q had: a cup of soup – Mr. Q had: Clam Chowder

Mrs. Q Had: Minestrone soup

Q’s shared: half slab of BBQ Ribs. and a baked potato w/toppings on the side to share.

Delicious Bread
Minestrone Soup
Grilled Salmon
Vongole

Penne Pasta w/meat sauce
Wild Mushroom pasta

inside seating
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Beard & Belly

6157 N Broadway Ave Chicago, IL – (773) 754-7429, beardandbellychicago.com

Beard & Belly and Honeypie Bake Shop - CHICAGO, IL 60660 (Menu & Order  Online)

7/2/25 – Both Q’s had: Drinks: Old Fashioned – Maker’s Mark – demerara, Regan’s orange bitters, angostura bitters with an orange swath- dirty ice on the side. Mr. Q also had a glass of Wine.

Yes, enjoyed the ambiance- Sandwiches can be big at times so we share sometimes.

Q’s shared: the Baked Pretzels. Two fresh baked house-made pretzels, buttered & sprinkled with maldon salt, and served with homemade cheese sauce and Düsseldorf mustard.

Mrs. Q had: Savory Chicken Handpie – Flaky, buttery pastry crust with savory filling… A Wisconsin classic! Served with fries & a soup or side salad.

Mr. Q had: Chili – “Lunch Lady” style, with sour cream, cheese, chives, & crackers.

Baked pretzels
Pastrami Ruben w/ fries.
Chili
Chicken pot pie
Inside seating
The outside heated tent space. The heaters are those tall lamp-like objects.
Cute bar
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LINCOLN PARK Z00 7/1/2025 – IT IS FREE !

LINCOLN PARK ZOO – 2200 N Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL 60614, (312) 742-2000, lpzoo.org

The exterior of Lincoln Park Zoo in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago.  This zoo is free to everyone year round and features 1,100 animals Stock  Photo - Alamy

Mrs. Q-SAYS: YES, GO AND ENJOY! IT IS FREE! – FREE IS GOOD.

Decided to thru the zoo instead of around the hood.  Had a great walk & beautiful weather.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO is a wonderful place to visit – old and young alike enjoy the wonderful zoo & lakefront.  Found free parking on the street but there is a parking lot & pay the fee just in case you can’t find free street parking. Many animals to see and they were active due to the sunny beautiful weather.  The Zoo offers little people train & all restaurants were open.  Restaurants and sidewalk vendors are available as well as areas to picnic either under shelter or on the grassy areas. The small working farm was not open along with a few other venues but most are open. The day we went the animals were very active, which adds to your enjoyment.

Mrs. Q says:  The Zoo was busy with families enjoying the Zoo. Go and enjoy, it may not be the largest Zoo due to lack of some animals but a great way to spend the day.  I miss the Elephants.
PS Lincoln Park Zoo has a great Ape House. So go and enjoy – say HI your distant relatives! 

Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States. Love the Zebras!
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States. Gorilla
Hi to my very very distant relative.
Photo of Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL, United States
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Shaw’s Crab House 6/29/25

SHAW’S CRAB HOUSE 21 E Hubbard St | Chicago, IL 60611 | (312)527-2722 –

Photo of Shaw's Crab House - Chicago, IL, United States. SHAW'S

http://www.shawscrabhouse.com 

A wonderful Anniversary Dinner at Shaw’s.

The Q’s shared: a Dozen oysters.

Mrs. Q had: Maker’s Mark Old Fashion & the other half had: A Maker’s Mark Manhattan. 

Mr. Q had: Lobster Bisque soup.

Mrs. Q had: a cup of Lobster Bisque soup.

Dinner:  Both had: Delicious Sauteed Soft Crabs.

Q’s Shared dessert: Shaw’s treated us to Creme Brulee for our anniversary celebration.

Shaw’s has some of the best Oysters/Clams.  Fresh, Fresh & Fresh were the Oysters, delicious Bisque Soup, bread & dinner entrees.

Q-Tips say: Shaw’s is one of the best Seafood, Sushi & Steak Restaurants around Chi-Town. You don’t find Seafood any fresher than at Shaw’s. Mrs. Q says:  It is one of the BEST restaurant not the least expensive – but worth every penny.  And we don’t have to “Shuck” our own Oysters. Best Lobster Bisque Soup and awesome Sautéed Soft Shell Crab when in season.

Mrs. Q says:  The downtown area was humming with many people out and about enjoying the beautiful Gay Pride festivities, dining & shopping scene in Chi-town.

                                                                   Delicious bread.

Oyster






Lobster Bisque
Creme Brulee
Sauteed Soft Shell Crabs
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Regalia Bar & Rest.

HOME | Regalia Restaurant

6/25/2025-  5959 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660, (773) 856-0175, regalia5959.com Yes, Indoor/Outdoor dining.

After enjoying Happy Yappy Hour at our place, the Q’s & long time friends, Eileen & Rich, had a wonderful time at Regalia.

Eileen had: Favorite Drink & a Pasta Dish.

Rich had: Favorite Drink & Special of the day: Halibut.

We shared the Bread.

Mrs. Q had: an Old Fashion. Mr. Q had: Perfect Manhattan.

Q’s shared: Caesar Salad – Romaine Lettuce / Parmesan / House Caesar Dressing.

Entrée: Both O’s had: Seared Tuna / Chipotle Aioli / Serrano / Crystalized Garlic / Lime / Soy.

Some entrees are large enough to share unless you are really hungry.

Photo of Regalia - Chicago, IL, United States. Complimentary house made focaccia bread along with an olive oil-cannellini bean dip!
HOME | Regalia Restaurant
Roasted Chicken
HOME | Regalia Restaurant
REGALIA - 101 Photos & 63 Reviews - 5959 N Broadway, Chicago, IL - Menu -  Yelp
Rigatoni Ragu Alla Rustico
Photo of Regalia - Chicago, IL, United States. The seared tina carpaccio rocks. It's topped with sliced serrano & crystallized garlic over chipotle aioli, lime & soy sauce.
Tuna Carpaccio
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Mas Alla Del Sol

MAS ALLA DEL SOL -5848 N Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60660, (773) 654-1900,  masalladelsolrestaurant.com

6/18/2025 – Life is good!

We began dinner by sharing the Complimentary Salsa– Guacamole & sauce.

Mas Alla del Sol – The Q’s shared: Carne Asada y Camarones  – Grilled skirt steak and jumbo shrimp/rice/ refried beans.

Mr. Q had: a Margarita. Mrs. Q had: A Margarita.

Mrs. Q says: MAS ALLA DEL SOL is NOT your local Taco Bell. Food and drinks are decent. A tad over -priced but worth every penny. Street parking. Street parking is FREE on Sun.

 Carne Asada y Camarones  – Grilled skirt steak and jumbo shrimp.
Photo of Mas Alla Del Sol - Chicago, IL, United States. Margarita
Margarita
Photo of Mas Alla Del Sol - Chicago, IL, United States. Complimentary salsa

Complimentary Salsa sauce &

we order a side of guacamole.

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A Dog’s way home –

As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog touches the lives of an orphaned mountain lion, a down-on-his-luck veteran and some friendly strangers who happen to cross her path.

Q-tips say: YES, we did enjoy this movie.

The movie was so sweet and told a great message for all about loyalty & compassion. A Dog’s Way Home is a wonderful adventure story of Bella’s journey, which has both very sad and very happy moments. Dog lovers will get all fuzzy and warm watching this pooch embark on a 400-mile journey to get back home to her beloved owner.

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