As we wait for the cooler weather to stick around in Florida, it was a good time of year to make my first trip to Chicago. I’d connected through Chicago airports a bunch of times, but never had a chance to explore the city to hunt down the best deep dish pizza or catch a game at Wrigley Field.

• Had to be a typical tourist and take a bunch of pictures with the famous bean (Cloud Gate).

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• Hmmm what should I have for dinner tonight… beans?

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• Ta-dah, tourist.

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• Love this pic… the foliage was just starting.

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• Yikes.

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• There’s actually a little deli near Q105 that sells these in St. Pete. But I had to have a fresh one.

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• For years I’ve waited for this moment. A real Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza.

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• My friend insisted on bread… I passed. I knew this pizza would fill me up.

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• How beautiful is this thing?

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• Let’s do this.

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• Looks perfect. And it tasted perfect. Chunks of tomato swimming with that sauce and cheese with a slightly crunch crust.

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  My first deep dish slice from Lou Malnati's.

• Even though we have ’em in Tampa, had to get a meal at a Chicago Portillo’s.

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• Daaaaaaaaaah beers.

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• Many told me I had to get a mix of caramel and cheese popcorn from Garrett. It was good but I’ve had just as good from bags I’ve bought at Sam’s Club.

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• A few freinds suggested we take the architecture cruise. Chilly doing it at night, but the views were great!

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• Visiting this time of year is perfect – you get out of the Florida heat, but the frigid temperatures and snow haven’t arrived yet.

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• Chicago opened their own Riverwalk just like Tampa’s a few years ago.

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• Online reviews brought me here for lunch… it looked legit Italian.

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• I went with the Italian… great stuff.

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• Pretty busy spot… but it’s a short wait.

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• Time to unwrap and try it.

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• Good but I might be more of a fan of the subs at Mazzaro’s in St. Pete.

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• Don’t know what’s higher – the Sears Tower or gas prices. And yes, I know it’s not called the Sears Tower anymore. But I can’t remember the new name and a tour guide said most in Chicago still call it the Sears Tower.

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• Back again.

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• One more Lou’s visit… this time a latenight one so I went with the smaller personal size.

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• Game time.

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• Was unsuccessful in getting a “Let’s Go Lightning” chant going.

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• Seeing a Chicago Blackhawks game was a treat.

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• The other MJ.

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• They had Giordano’s at the game so figured I’d give them a try. But they only offered the crispy thin crust style.

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• Honestly… wasn’t impressed. Later in the night, I found out other sections sold deep dish.

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• I did finally try a different deep dish instead of just Lou Manati’s. Pequod’s is pretty well known. I liked it, but Lou’s is the best.

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• All the Chicago staples at this place near our AirBnB…. Italian Beef, Hot Dogs, etc.

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• Good dog.

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• Chicago was really expensive… unless you went to little Mexican bakeries like this.

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• Great stuff and so cheap!

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• Lots to choose from.

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• More…

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• Reviews brought me to this place for a great burger.

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• Honestly, it was just ok. Looked good in the photo, but a B-.

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• If I had my own restaurant…

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• Chicago style hot dogs are a bit much… but when in Rome.

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• Love old ballparks!

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