Union Station Chicago - some questions

[SarahZ]

Also, you'll get a lot of recommendations for Lou Mitchell's. They don't serve alcohol, but they have all kinds of cool stuff, like malts and egg creams. (Egg creams! Outside of NY and Vegas? Who knew...)

They usually have a pretty long line, and they close at 3:00, but the food is SO worth it. You could also have a bite to eat there and then head back to CUS to have a couple beers.

 

[jsreeves]

I have done a little research and your suggestions are right in line with what I've found.

I thought maybe walk down to Giordano's for a deep dish, then back to The Snuggery for drinks before boarding.

Also, I've read that you can actually walk through Union Station with a drink...is this true?

Is Union Station very crowded on the weekend?

We will be arriving on a Sunday morning on the CONO.

 

[Amtrak Cajun]

I have eaten at the Metro Deli. It was pretty good. Prices were fair too. Next time I go through CHI, I am going to try the Snuggery, or a few of the other places Sorcha mentioned.

 

[SarahZ]

Union Station is pretty busy on weekends but not nightmarish. It really depends on the time of day. I sometimes have trouble finding a seat in the food court or regular waiting room, but the actual hallways and such aren't completely packed to where you can't walk or anything. It can get a little chaotic but not crazy. We've been there on weekends and holidays and have had to Urlacher our way through the crowd, but that's usually around 4:00 - 5:00 when a lot of the regional trains are boarding. There are a couple of tight areas, but the station is pretty spread out, so it's easy to escape the herds.

I've never walked through Union Station with an alcoholic drink, so I'm not sure if that's true. (If that is true, I am totally going to buy some of those juice-box-sized wine boxes for our next trip.) You can, of course, walk around with water, soda, juice, etc.

 

[SarahZ]

One thing I really liked about Metro Deli, other than the cool posters and its proximity to the beautiful Great Hall, was the variety of food. It's set up like a cafeteria line, but the food was really good and tasted like the stuff you get at a $20 steakhouse. I had fried chicken, mac & cheese, and a banana, and my boyfriend got a tuna melt, mashed potatoes, and apple pie. The mashed potatoes were real mashed potatoes, not boxed.

 

[Amtrak Cajun]

I had the meatloaf sub, it was heavenly.

I like tuna melts too, I will have to give that a go next time.

 

[SarahZ]

A meatloaf sub sounds really good.

What is it with this board and food?

 

[Amtrak Cajun]

Well, one of the best things to do while waiting for a train is to...well...eat.

 

[Ryan]

juice-box-sized wine boxes

Why am I just now learning that these are a thing?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Union Station is pretty busy on weekends but not nightmarish. It really depends on the time of day. I sometimes have trouble finding a seat in the food court or regular waiting room, but the actual hallways and such aren't completely packed to where you can't walk or anything. It can get a little chaotic but not crazy. We've been there on weekends and holidays and have had to Urlacher our way through the crowd, but that's usually around 4:00 - 5:00 when a lot of the regional trains are boarding. There are a couple of tight areas, but the station is pretty spread out, so it's easy to escape the herds.

I've never walked through Union Station with an alcoholic drink, so I'm not sure if that's true. (If that is true, I am totally going to buy some of those juice-box-sized wine boxes for our next trip.) You can, of course, walk around with water, soda, juice, etc.

Just get a juice box holder that they sell, or at least to, for kids. Then they won't see what you're drinking.

 

[MiRider]

I have eaten at the Metro Deli. It was pretty good. Prices were fair too. Next time I go through CHI, I am going to try the Snuggery, or a few of the other places Sorcha mentioned.

The Snuggery is basically a bar and the same company as The Metro Deli.

We thought we could have a sandwich there a while back but the Great Hall was closed for a film shoot as was the Metro Deli, so they told us 'no food'.

That tells me they get their grub from the MD so I figured... might as well just go there.

Personally, I stay away from the Food Court because there are always too many pan-handlers and other assorted freaks bugging you if you sit down to have a bite.

There are some decent choices (for fast food) there though.

I always go to the Metro Deli now and when I'm inside, I'm never bothered by pan handlers.

They have a nice selection of brews, make a decent drink, and the food is just fine with fairly good choices.

My favorite Red Cap always picks me up there too when it's time to board - my own 'Metro(politan) Lounge'

 

[SarahZ]

juice-box-sized wine boxes

Why am I just now learning that these are a thing?

http://cltampa.com/dailyloaf/archives/2011/09/27/new-ways-to-package-wine-glass-is-a-thing-of-the-past#.UPGSBW_BfzE

You're welcome.

 

[TimePeace]

I like the Metro also, usually just for a beer (or two :mellow: ) although I did once get a very nice salad to go (you put your own together at a big bar) to take aboard the LSL with me.

Also, sometimes I sit inside in the bar, but usually the volume of the stereo and all the tv's are too much for me. So I get my beer and sit out in front at one of those little metal tables, and I can strum my guitar (which I never travel without) a bit and not annoy anyone. In fact, the guitar often draws someone to sit near me, and I have had a number of good conversations there (which is a great way to pass time waiting for a departure a few hours in the future).

I do find that the guitar is a great conversation starter, but it has not seemed appropriate to play it in the Metro (sleeper only) Lounge. I hardly ever spend any time there except to drop off bags after arriving, and to pick up bags and board when it's time. Otherwise, although it is fairly quiet (except I hate background tv) and has comfy seating, I am usually not happy sitting there. Gimme the great hall any time.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I too use the Metropolitan Lounge for bag storage, clean bathrooms, and to wait as briefly as possible for my next train. I like heading out on the El's Brown Line to points north and finding a nice, non-Loop restaurant. On my last trip in October I found the Bourgeois Pig Cafe which has a relaxed, well-loved 'neighborhood joint' feeling to it, and the food was great. It is a short walk east of the Fullerton stop.

 

[jebr]

I've found Toni's Pizza (just out of downtown, about a block from the Grand stop on the blue line) to be good. Unfortunately, they don't open until 4 on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and they're closed all day on Monday. But it's good pizza (I like it better than the famous places) and they have salads and such too.

And Goose Island root beer. Yes, please!

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I've found Toni's Pizza (just out of downtown, about a block from the Grand stop on the blue line) to be good. Unfortunately, they don't open until 4 on Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and they're closed all day on Monday. But it's good pizza (I like it better than the famous places) and they have salads and such too.

And Goose Island root beer. Yes, please!

I checked out the website. The menu looks good and it appears to be just far enough out of downtown to be a bit more relaxed and less touristy. Thanks! :hi:

 

[tomfuller]

If you have never eaten pierogis, you should try them at least once. Pierogi Heaven is a little hole in the wall place on North Wells underneath the El. http://www.pierogiheaven.com/

My wife and I walked over there after we stowed the luggage after getting off the EB.

We had not had a good pierogi since we left PA a few years ago.

 

[TimePeace]

OK this is a test...

Just think it's worth noting that Goose island makes more than root beer!

 

[The Davy Crockett]

OK this is a test...

Just think it's worth noting that Goose island makes more than root beer!

The test worked too well. Now I'm thirsty, !#%&*! it!

 

[TimePeace]

The test worked too well. Now I'm thirsty, !#%&*! it!

Hahah. Well, I can report that it was a good brew. I look for pale ales and IPA's where ever I go, and this was a new one on me. I took the photo because a friend of mine near here lives on Goose Island Road.

 

[J-1 3235]

I have done a little research and your suggestions are right in line with what I've found.

I thought maybe walk down to Giordano's for a deep dish, then back to The Snuggery for drinks before boarding.

Also, I've read that you can actually walk through Union Station with a drink...is this true?

Yes, you can walk through Union Station with a drink. This is allowed so that you can buy an adult beverage to consume on your commute home on Metra. I have seen the same over at Ogilvie. They are served in covered plastic cups.

 

[TimePeace]

I have done a little research and your suggestions are right in line with what I've found.

I thought maybe walk down to Giordano's for a deep dish, then back to The Snuggery for drinks before boarding.

Also, I've read that you can actually walk through Union Station with a drink...is this true?

Yes, you can walk through Union Station with a drink. This is allowed so that you can buy an adult beverage to consume on your commute home on Metra. I have seen the same over at Ogilvie. They are served in covered plastic cups.

Oh yes... now that you say that, I can remember being in that Metro Deli around rush hour (beer-thirty) and seeing guys in suits buy beers to go and rushing off with them like they - well - had a train to catch!

 

[MiRider]

I have done a little research and your suggestions are right in line with what I've found.

I thought maybe walk down to Giordano's for a deep dish, then back to The Snuggery for drinks before boarding.

Also, I've read that you can actually walk through Union Station with a drink...is this true?

Yes, you can walk through Union Station with a drink. This is allowed so that you can buy an adult beverage to consume on your commute home on Metra. I have seen the same over at Ogilvie. They are served in covered plastic cups.

Oh yes... now that you say that, I can remember being in that Metro Deli around rush hour (beer-thirty) and seeing guys in suits buy beers to go and rushing off with them like they - well - had a train to catch!

Ha! Not only beers but doubles too, after they've already had one.

 

[SarahZ]

Wine juice boxes for all!

 

[Henry Kisor]

Maine Rider, you should be aware that Goose Island is the Chicago hazmat (oil paint, propane tanks, etc.) disposal location. Now doesn't that beer taste a bit funny? :wacko: