It’d be amusing if the impromptu Dopefest turned out to be bigger than the actual one we have planned for the end of May. 
Is that possible? Who do we have on deck for end of May?
So strange, but funny.
It’s been my experience that you get a better turnout when you just pick a time and place and say “see y’all there”. Those Dopefests where you go back and forth and back and forth trying to fit every single persons schedule invariably please no one.
I am working on it. It’s Tuesday, it’s 7pm. The only thing I haven’t yet worked out is the venue, and that’s simply because I don’t know much about the area and am still trying to figure out what’s affordable and tasty and easy. I’m still new here, so while I don’t mind organizing, I’m going to be a little slow. I hope everyone is willing to bear with me.
I was actually on hold with the burger joint when you posted this. So, here’s what they had to say:
They take reservations for any other day of the week, but not Tuesdays because it’s always slammed Tuesday nights (it’s their busiest night of the week). I’ve always gone in earlier (5pm or so), so I didn’t realize it got that busy there. So, we’re welcome to show up and they’ll eventually get us seated OR we’re welcome to pay for our reservation, so they can make up some or all of what they’d lose for the hour ahead of our reservation that they’d have to keep the table free. Neither of those choices seem ideal, so I will poke around Little Italy tonight, and see what menus and prices look like. If someone has a suggestion, I am happy to take recommendations. (Or if you all want to try to get a table for 10 at that place without a reservation, I’m flexible for that too. It just didn’t seem fair to everyone.)
If not, I will post a place by Friday afternoon. Either way, there will be a set time and place before the weekend. I hope that works for everyone.
Thanks so much for doing this, BlueKangaroo. I hated the thought of spending some time in Chicago and not meeting a single Doper, especially since Chicago is kinda like our Mecca. 
If you need someone to hold down tables, by the time I swoop in and out of the Loop and get the little woman, I can be back in Little Italy in more than enough time to hold something down.
Of course, by the time 7 comes around, you might need something to hold me up…
Okay, so here’s the deal for the impromptu 'fest this Tuesday.
We have now two choices. My default will be a reservation at Leona’s. They have a full bar (it looked like), and the prices seem reasonable. There’s also parking, though I wasn’t sure how to get to the lot.
The other option is to attempt dollar burger night at Bar Louie. They have a small amount of parking, and there’s a lot across the street, but I don’t know how packed it will be. They, of course, also have a full bar and burgers are $1 all night, with $0.25 toppings and $1.99 baskets of tater tots or fries. They have other foods for the non-burger-eaters among us.
Leona’s will be easier (reservation, definite parking), but probably more expensive. Bar Louie will be cheaper (for most), but more of a hassle. I figure we can hold down tables for roughly the number of people who are there at any one time. So my friend, Mr & Mrs Bus Guy and I can probably hold down a table for around eight.
I’ve never been to Leona’s but I’m told it’s tasty. I’m happy either way, just post here or PM me for a “vote” and I’ll let everyone know what’s going on by early Friday. The addresses are in each link, though the Leona’s link is annoying.
Oh, and the Leona’s reservation would be flexible up to 60 people. I don’t expect that kind of turn out, but this way no one has to worry about if they aren’t sure they can come until last minute. Bar Louie would be flexible to number of tables grabbed.
Bar Louie (at least the one close to me) is pretty big. Leona’s is very good, and a nicer atmosphere probably. Bar Louie can be loud.
This Bar Louie doesn’t seem all that big to me, though it’s not that small. Loud, I could see, particularly if Tuesday is their busiest night.
I think I would lean more to Leona’s just because of the loudness factor.
ETA: Looking at the map, we would be coming south on the interstate 94 (Kennedy Expy) right around 6. What kind of traffic should we expect?
Fairly heavy, but it tends to move pretty well- the bulk of the rush is winding down by then, but it could still take some time getting in.
Leona’s, please. Bar Louie does get loud. Every time I’ve been there I could barely hear myself talk.
A DopeFest in Chicago on May 31st?
It’s almost like I could make it. I need to re-check what weekend my mother and aunt are descending upon me here in Chambana, but… I might be able to make it.
Can I tag along on Tuesday? Dollar burgers sound pretty good, Leona’s not as much, but it’s not really the food I’m interested in, it’s the people.
And I’m still planning on the 31st, too. Assuming it isn’t entirely supplanted by Tuesday, of course.
We’re going to have to book the whole place, mwahahaha.
Hey, they told me they could accommodate reservations up to 60 people!
The 31st will not be supplanted by Tuesday, I’m sure. For one thing, people who can do weekends won’t be able to do Tuesday. That said, Mr. Rosewater, you are of course welcome!
It looks like things are in favor of Leona’s, so I’ve made a reservation there for 10+ people at 6:30pm. That way people who want to arrive a little early can, and people who can’t get there until a little later will still be able to be there. The reservation is under “Adams”, though if we get many more people I’ll have to let them know that we have more coming, just so they can be prepared for it. So, other lurkers who want to join us, post, PM or e-mail me, please!
If the tide turns and we want dollar burgers, I’ll cancel the reservation, but this seems like the smarter choice for this crowd.
huh?
ETA: yay for Leona’s!!!
Whoooooosh. Finally I get one that someone else missed.
He can’t hear you.
:smack: