# Chicago-ish Dopers: How about Dinner Downtown, Friday, Sept. 7? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072 "2007-08-18T18:22:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/41 "2007-09-06T01:46:23Z")
Eep! Thanks for the reminder PM, **gardentraveler**. Scottish Darling and I are IN, of course. We will be able to meet up at 5, I think. Yay! Um, where are we meeting again? ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/42 "2007-09-06T01:55:30Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Bus Guy] I don’t think we got far enough to figure out where to meet beforehand. probably somewhere close to where we’ll end up, I would assume? [/QUOTE] You’re correct. Suggestions? (Also - did you get my e-mail? Send me your number so that I have a back-up communication plan should stuff get confused/wrong etc.) I’ve also PM’d and e-mailed **Haze** , since I know her internet connection is sporadic at the moment. Sorry you can’t do lunch, **Dinsdale**. **thirdwarning** , how early will you be downtown? If you’re interested in doing anything before 5, I should be around. I’m still planning my itinerary - I’ve got Friday and part of Saturday to myself… Updated list: **Mr. Bus Guy HazelNutCoffee eleanorigby interface2x gardentraveler Sarahfeena** **WhyNot** (just responded to your e-mail) **thirdwarning Shibboleth** (maybe possibly - you should join us - it’ll be fun!) - BusWife and Scottish Darling I’m planning to call Giordano’s tomorrow to check on reservation/call-ahead possibilities. I’ll post the plans tomorrow night sometime and will update once I get to Chicago Friday morning. (I’m supposed to have both free wireless and not-free computer access, so even if my laptop doesn’t work for some reason, I should be able to post.) And again: suggestions for the 5:00 pre-dinner meet-up? GT (I am _so_ looking forward to this!) ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/43 "2007-09-06T02:15:27Z")
I suggested a place to meet early - it’s a bar in the Palmer House - I only thought of it because it’s …ok, it’s fairly close to where you’re staying and a reasonable walk to the Giordano’s. And, I’ve kinda hung out there in the past. For people coming in on the El, it’s right between State and Wabash, only a block off of Michigan, and it’s kind of big and roomy. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/44 "2007-09-06T03:26:21Z")
OK - how’s this? **Friday, September 7 5:00 Big Downtown at the Palmer House (hotel address is 17 E. Monroe St; restaurant listed as 124 S. Wabash Ave). 6:30 Giordano’s (135 E Lake, Prudential Plaza)** If they take reservations at Giordano’s, I’ll make them my RL name, but will ask the restaurant to send members of the Cecil Adams party in our direction. We’ll be ones chatting up a storm, so you may not even need to ask. PM/e-mail me if you want a contact phone number. GT ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/45 "2007-09-06T05:51:26Z")
I’d really like to come and that’s about a block from my office, but everyone hates me here and I’m crazy anyway. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/46 "2007-09-06T14:36:52Z")
**VCO3** …I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say don’t be silly! You should definitely come. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/47 "2007-09-06T17:30:50Z")
Hey, come on along. If we’re going to hate you it would be nice to put a face on you and make it more personal, right? Besides, we only hate you on paper. 😃 Seriously, I promise not to yell at you if you come, and I’m too old and slow to beat you up. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/48 "2007-09-06T17:33:30Z")
The thing is, I’m ridiculously likeable, friendly, and outgoing in person, so it causes MAJOR cognitive dissonance for people that already know me from online, where my Mr. Hyde comes out due to the lack of social mores and constraints. “Wait, this is the guy that said that the coming culture war would be fought against the Mexicans…why do I LIKE him!?” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/49 "2007-09-06T19:33:39Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] The thing is, I’m ridiculously likeable, friendly, and outgoing in person, so it causes MAJOR cognitive dissonance for people that already know me from online, where my Mr. Hyde comes out due to the lack of social mores and constraints. “Wait, this is the guy that said that the coming culture war would be fought against the Mexicans…why do I LIKE him!?” :eek: [/QUOTE] Well, THIS mexican says so long as you chew with your mouth open, or anything else unsanitary, you oughta come along. Like **thirdwardning** says, next time you get Pitted, one of us might jump in and say what a swell fella you are in person. Or not, but you don’t know til you try. I might seem like a normal, relatively bright, normal guy from here, but when people meet me, they tend to suddenly remember appointments, so you see? That can go both ways. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/50 "2007-09-06T19:34:27Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Bus Guy] Well, THIS mexican says so long as you chew with your mouth open, or anything else unsanitary, you oughta come along. Like **thirdwardning** says, next time you get Pitted, one of us might jump in and say what a swell fella you are in person. Or not, but you don’t know til you try. [/QUOTE] My thoughts exactly. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/51 "2007-09-06T23:44:17Z")
Another vote for “you should come”. The more the merrier! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/52 "2007-09-07T00:23:11Z")
[QUOTE=VCO3] The thing is, I’m ridiculously likeable, friendly, and outgoing in person, so it causes MAJOR cognitive dissonance for people that already know me from online, where my Mr. Hyde comes out due to the lack of social mores and constraints. “Wait, this is the guy that said that the coming culture war would be fought against the Mexicans…why do I LIKE him!?” :eek: [/QUOTE] Shit. I live in Ohio and almost tempted to take a cheap roundtrip flight to Chicago just to see if this is true. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/53 "2007-09-07T00:27:20Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] Shit. I live in Ohio and almost tempted to take a cheap roundtrip flight to Chicago just to see if this is true. 🙂 [/QUOTE] As a Mod, if you come, you get the check, right? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/54 "2007-09-07T01:02:09Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] Shit. I live in Ohio and almost tempted to take a cheap roundtrip flight to Chicago just to see if this is true. 🙂 [/QUOTE] You should. That’s what I’m doing. (Well, the cheap flight from Ohio part.)😛 Anyway: Giordano’s doesn’t take reservations. I told them we’d be a party of about 12 and had planned to arrive between 6 and 6:30. They said we should try for earlier (between 5 and 5:30) if we wanted to avoid a longer wait. Preferences? Do we want to move our arrival time at Giordano’s up? Here’s the updated list: **Mr. Bus Guy HazelNutCoffee eleanorigby interface2x gardentraveler Sarahfeena WhyNot thirdwarning Shibboleth VCO3 samclem**😃 - BusWife and Scottish Darling Off to pack. GT ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/55 "2007-09-07T01:35:25Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Bus Guy] As a Mod, if you come, you get the check, right? 😛 [/QUOTE] Sure, because of my incredibly high salary from modding. [sub]Hey, guys, I was just kidding. I _really, really_ love my coffee cup[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/56 "2007-09-07T01:40:45Z")
Seriously, you guys have fun. Wish I could be there. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/57 "2007-09-07T01:47:50Z")
[QUOTE=gardentraveler] Anyway: Giordano’s doesn’t take reservations. I told them we’d be a party of about 12 and had planned to arrive between 6 and 6:30. They said we should try for earlier (between 5 and 5:30) if we wanted to avoid a longer wait. Preferences? Do we want to move our arrival time at Giordano’s up? [/QUOTE] My suggestion would be for those who can, get there around 5:30 and put a name in for the table. If you get seated, have some drinks, and maybe put in the pizza order (the pizzas can take a pretty long time to arrive). I’m not picky about pizza…I’ll eat whatever everyone wants to order. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/58 "2007-09-07T11:03:37Z")
That’s what I was thinking… I’m about to leave for the airport and will try to post an update once I’m in Chicago. For the moment, we’ll still plan on meeting at Big Downtown to make sure we catch any stragglers and then move on to Giordano’s pretty quickly. **Haze** : I included my cell phone in my PM in case you have trouble finding us. I’m really looking forward to this. GT ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/59 "2007-09-07T12:36:47Z")
Wife and I will make the Big Downtown just about 4:45, she gets off work at 4:30 across the Loop. We’ll hang there a bit then plan to start walking to Giordanos just before 5:30. If we’re first, we’ll grab a table, if not, we’ll find whoever does. ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072/60 "2007-09-07T14:17:45Z")
I’m totally bummed. I wanted to attend the next Chicago dopefest, but I’m already committed to attending a concert tonight. And I work only 3 blocks from Giordanos! Maybe next time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-ish-dopers-how-about-dinner-downtown-friday-sept-7/416072.md?page=4)