My First Glimpse of Chicago

I've been fortunate in my life to have traveled across the globe. Turkey, China, Mexico, Colombia, France, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Nicaragua, Belize and England to name a few. I've even crisscrossed the United States and seen some incredible cities in our own country such as New York, San Francisco, Denver, Asheville, Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Minneapolis and Kansas City, among many others.

But a city that has always eluded me except for airport layovers was Chicago. Thankfully no more. What an incredible town - Lake Shore Drive, famed architecture, amazing food on every corner, a place where the spirit of invention still prevails, Wrigley Field, a real commitment to bar culture, Chicago dogs from The Wiener's Circle, an Ahogada torta from Rick Bayless' XOCO, a bag of Chicago mix from Garrett's Popcorn, and just damn pleasant midwestern values.

Chicago - you have new fan. My only regret is that I didn't get to spend a little more time. A day and a half on business was just not enough. I will be back.