Chicago, Willetts, Binny's, Manny's and Chuck

[OscarV]

Earlier this week I got hit with some White-Line Fever so a road trip to Chicago I felt would be in order for Saturday.

I called Binny's to see if they still had any Willetts 27yo, yes they did.

Called Tony to see if he wanted one, yes he did.

E-mailed Mr. Cowdery to see if he wanted to meet for lunch, yes, and he had a spot picked out.

Smooth ride to Chi-Town, beautiful day, state police in unmarked Mustangs never caught me.

Was to meet Chuck at Binny's at 10:30 but I rolled into town early so I went across the street to Manny's for a bagel and coffee.

Chuck suggested this place for lunch, it is an old cafeteria/delicatessen, nice funky urban feel with hearty mid-west-USA/eastern-Europe food.

Chuck said police and firemen hung out there.

Close to where I was sitting a table with five guys were talking it up pretty good, they must have been police, I did not hear the beginning of the story but I heard one guy say, "...and this was from a guy who shot his partner!" and they erupted in laughter.

Went over to Binny's and Chuck showed, it is always nice to see SB.com people, we checked out the bourbon selection and the rest of the spirits.

Good prices compared to MI. Pappy 15yo $49, $65 in MI.

Some higher compared to KY. Four Roses Single Barrel $37, $29 in KY.

I got my stuff, Willetts 27yo, Weller 12yo Binny's bottle, and one each of the FRSB Binny's bottles, #1, #2, and #3.

Asked for Tony's order but he did not have one, I called him, no answer, left a message, "Dog I'll check for your order later."

Now I'm hungy we went to Manny's and this is the place to go if you are hungry, the corn beef sandwich had so much meat on it that you could have made three sandwiches out of it.

OK now, back to Binny's, I got Tony's order which was the same as mine minus the Weller's.

Joe or was it John, I don't remember, who I picked it up from let me check out some samples of the Willetts.

One was the 25yo that got sent to California, I smelled it and the sensation was like biting into a Hershey chocolate bar, I have never been so over whelmed with chocolate.

Hmmm,....road trip to Cali next Saturday?

[mozilla]

That's a fun story, Oscar. Thanks for the review....how do I get my hands on one of those sandwiches....it sounded great. My mouth is watering just hearing about the triple meat corned beef.

[Dr. François]

Great post, Oscar. Thanks for narrating the adventure.

[spun_cookie]

Great post Oscar... you will like the 27 r, but I am not sure you will find the 25yr in Cali any longer... it is gone as far as I can tell.

There may be some around in randome BevMos, but on their main site... no dice (just checked for Birdman).

They do have anothr Willett though.. $49 a bottle.. not sure the story on that one yet though...

I had planned on sending Tony 50 ml of the 6, 7, and 25 yr Willett plus 02 and 03 stagg... you will have to head over (I know it is a hard thing to do ) and do a Willett Verticle.... The 6 & 7 yr are good as well. Full of peanuts... sounds strage, but they are both very good....

[cowdery]

It was great to see Oscar. I passed on the Willet's but picked up a 4R1B, barrel #3, a Lot B, and a Bernheim Wheat (reduced from $45.99 to $40.99).

More importantly, I had the pastrami, which is made there (as is the corned beef) and to die for. Sandwiches come with two pickle spears and a latke.

Manny's also is a popular site for Democratic Party fundraisers. There was a picture behind the cash register of the next President of the United States photographed at one such event.

That was my first visit to the Jefferson Street Binny's. It's just off the expressway and a spectacular store, well worth a visit, and right across the street from Manny's.

[callmeox]

The tasting room and the specialty spirits room (i.e. really expensive stuff) make the trip to the South Loop store worth the time.

For those who are familiar with the movie Clerks, remember when Randall went to get a movie at Big Choice Video? On my first visit to Binny's this past spring, I dropped to my knees with my arms raised at my sides when I got to the top of the escalator.

[cowdery]

They do a good job of keeping the drool marks cleaned off the glass exterior of the locked specialty room. The tasting room is indistinguishable from a full bar. It even has ample seating.

One way Binny's beats Sam's, and improved on Zimmerman's, which is one of the stores that was merged with others to form Binny's, is that it has more of a store-store than a warehouse-store atmosphere. Especially since you pay no more, the nicer atmosphere is nice. I also don't know how they compare to the flagship Sam's in terms of floor space--Sam's probably is bigger--but the Jefferson Street store has gone a long way toward narrowing that gap with Sam's.

I still love them both, but Binny's has really closed the gap.

[bluesbassdad]

[snip]

Manny's also is a popular site for Democratic Party fundraisers. There was a picture behind the cash register of the next President of the United States photographed at one such event.

[snip]

Chuck,

That is a very bold statement.

I couldn't decide which of the following rejoinders to present.

• When was he ever a Democrat?
  
• For all you know a crazed, bankrupt investor may arrange for Dick Cheney to assume that role.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[cowdery]

I'm feeling pretty confident about the man in the picture at Manny's.

[bluesbassdad]

I'm feeling pretty confident about the man in the picture at Manny's.

I believe I went on record to that effect a few months back. I can't use the search function to find the relevant post, but I recall using the words "magic in the air" in response to one of your posts.

Until the credit mess surfaced, I thought the gap was narrowing. Now, right or wrong, swing voters will hold McCain responsible for their fear and hardships.

I've started to think about whom to support in 2012.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[cowdery]

Credit where credit is due, Dave. I recall your early predicition.

You also have to admit that most of the moves the McCain campaign has made haven't helped them, especially with swing voters. It's not just circumstances or "magic in the air." McCain has also sucked.

[bluesbassdad]

At no time has he reminded me of Ronald Reagan, which for me is a bad thing.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[SBOmarc]

If you are looking at Electoral College math, this race is still a contest only to those that refuse to see reality.

John McCain has a serious math problem.

[OscarV]

That's a fun story, Oscar.

Great post' date=' Oscar. Thanks for narrating the adventure.[/quote']

Great post Oscar...

It was great to see Oscar.

The tasting room and the specialty spirits room (i.e. really expensive stuff) make the trip to the South Loop store worth the time.

:toast: Thanks for the kind words guys and great replys with on-topic posts. I'll raise one to ya'll later.:cool:

Hey SBOmarc maybe he'll get one of those new fangled calculator gadgets for X-mas.:grin:

Opps, now I am off topic.

[SBOmarc]

Wish I could get one of those sandwiches out here Oscar. I haven't seen anything close to that since leaving Philadelphia 30 years ago.

[OscarV]

It was great to see Oscar. I passed on the Willet's but picked up a 4R1B, barrel #3, a Lot B, and a Bernheim Wheat (reduced from $45.99 to $40.99).

More importantly, I had the pastrami, which is made there (as is the corned beef) and to die for. Sandwiches come with two pickle spears and a latke.

Manny's also is a popular site for Democratic Party fundraisers. There was a picture behind the cash register of the next President of the United States photographed at one such event.

That was my first visit to the Jefferson Street Binny's. It's just off the expressway and a spectacular store, well worth a visit, and right across the street from Manny's.

Hey Chuck, where did you have lunch yesterday?

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/obama-lunches-at-mannys.html

The link above has the story and a 10 minute video of Obama at Manny's.

Below are a couple of pics.

Obama picked up some corned beef sandwiches and cherry pies.

It is pretty cool seeing him there after the visit I made a last month.

[Lost Pollito]

I'm hopin' next time He hits Manny's, He'll come across the street and let me sale him some Bourbon. ( Fingers Crossed)

[cowdery]

The day we were there, we noticed a picture behind the counter of the president-elect with the Manny's crew, taken years ago, at some fundraiser he had there.

Manny's is one block away from the Fire Department training center and a couple of blocks away from the Police Department training center. It has long been frequented by cops, firemen, and other city workers, including aldermen and other politicians. Many political fundraisers are held there.

But I've always gone for the food. The PE got corned beef, with a potato pancake and pickle wedge ($11.95). He got three, to go, and one slice of cherry pie. I usually have the pastrami. Manny's makes their own corned beef, pastrami, brisket, etc.

It's meat you can believe in.

[Lost Pollito]

The Fire Academy is where the Great Chicago Fire started, and one block over is where we have the famous Maxwell street market. You guys should've seen the tour de force with wich the PE roles. Impressive.

[cas]

Mannys sounds like it's worth a visit. I'll be in the area just after Christmas to visit the in-laws - where is this located?

Craig

[OscarV]

Craig, click below.

http://www.mannysdeli.com

Plenty of parking in the rear.

Also remember that Binny's is across the street.

[callmeox]

Jefferson Street, just north of Roosevelt, two blocks east of the Dan Ryan expressway.

Or

Across the street from Binny's South Loop location. :grin:

[fishnbowljoe]

I ate at Manny's yesterday with a friend, and Tom H and his wife Barb. We were taking a break from shopping at Binny's. I had the roast beef sandwich. I'm not a small guy, and it took a little effort to finish mine. Good sandwich, great portion. The potato pancake was good too. Took one back for Joe (Lost Pollito) Good times. Joe

[cowdery]

The Fire Academy is where the Great Chicago Fire started...

That could be taken the wrong way. The Fire Academy came later. The Fire was in 1871. The Academy was built in 1961. The Academy is near, but not exactly at, the starting point of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Who's up for a Chicago meet-up that includes a tasting at Binny's and a meal at Manny's?

[fishnbowljoe]

Great idea Chuck. Depending on the date, count me in. Joe