. . . that we are talking about Chicago, in August for the JatraqueroCon-with-no-name.
Let's talk details.
I'd rather not bring my own food, although I've done it before, and I will if I have to. That means I'd appreciate it greatly if the (or at least some of the) food provided is kosher. Chicago has a fairly large Orthodox community, and several hotels with kosher kitchens, as well as kosher caterers.
Here's a list:
Caterers:
KOSHER GOURMET 3552 W.Dempster Skokie, Illinois USA 60076 Tel : 847-679-0432 Caters at Holiday Inn Skokie North Shore Hilton Hotel
POLSKI KOSHER KOSHER CATERERS 3228 W. Bryn Mawr Chicago, Illinois USA 60659 Tel : 773-539-2288 Fax : 773-539-9392 Caters at Fairmont Hotel Knickerbocker Hotel Marriott O'Hare North Shore Hilton Hotel
Simply Simchas 3048 W. Fargo Chicago, Illinois Tel : 773-973-0131
Oasis Mediterannean Cuisine 8939 Pottawattami Drive Chicago, Illinois USA 60076 Tel : 847-674-1712 Fax : 847-674-1732
Goldman-Segal Kosher Catering 6814 N. Sacramento Chicago, Illinois USA 60645 Tel : 773-338-4060 Fax : 773-338-3085
HOTELS/CATERING:
CHICAGO HILTON & TOWERS 720 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, Illinois USA 60605 Tel : 312-922-4400 Rooms about $$$!
FAIRMONT HOTEL Hotel/Catering 312-565-8000 Rooms also about $$$ -- I'm sensing a theme, here.
HYATT REGENCY CHICAGO Hotel/Catering 312-565-1234 YIKES! $$$/per room/per night; and $$/parking/per night OTOH: "A full service Glatt Kosher Kitchen and Pastry Shop is on-premise and available for catering events of over fifty people for in-house and off-premise activities. Should an attendee require a Kosher meal for a particular event, we will be happy to accommodate the request. A minimum 24-hour notice is requested."
CHICAGO DRAKE HOTEL 140 E. Walton Chicago, Illinois USA 60611 Tel : 312-787-2200 kosher catering by: Danziger Kosher Catering Opening Hours : 9am-5pm 3910 W Devon Ave Lincolnwood, Illinois USA 60712 Tel : 847-982-1818 Fax : 847-982-1178 "Group rates as low as $129"
North Shore Doubletree 9599 Skokie Blvd Chicago, Illinois USA 60077 Tel : 847-679-7000 Fax : 847-674-5204
*sigh* all these places are $100-200 a night, or more
Of course, worst case, looks like there is a kosher restaurant or two. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I love kosher food. Except for kosher chinese food, which is sort of a near miss to the real thing. But everything else, great!
I could live on Jewish Deli 3x a day.
Count me in!!!
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Sounds cool, except the $100-$200 a night. When?
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Last I heard, we were NOT planning to stay in downtown Chicago, as people balked at the hotel rates, but rather in one of the western suburbs closer to O'Hare. If enough people here are interested in gathering closer to the city, or if we get enough FIRM -- by which I mean "absolutely-I'm-coming-let-me-give-you-my-account-information" firm -- numbers to justify reservation blocks and/or discounts, that's a different story.
That said, rivka, would you need all your meals catered? Can you dine at a non-kosher restaurant? It may be difficult to coordinate. (On the other hand, I love the Drake Hotel -- and if you're willing to do room service for all your meals, I believe they can provide kosher options for every plate.)
[ January 19, 2004, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: TomDavidson ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Bob, the very idea of that much deli makes my arteries clog!
There's no reason, BTW, that the food need be traditional Jewish dishes.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
<pictures rivka's arteries wearing little wooden shoes>
Okay, so we'll eat a little something besides deli.
We could stay in Itasca. It's not the best town in the world but it is close enough to O'Hare and far enough from Chicago to be more reasonable. I know some people there (it's home to the National Safety Council).
Not likely to have very many kosher establishments though, I bet.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
No, I wouldn't need all my meals catered -- and thinking it over, wouldn't necessarily even need to bring much. There are kosher markets, bakeries, restaurants! I hadn't realized quite how large the Chicago Jewish community IS. Considering I was last there when I was an infant . . .
Dining at a non-kosher establishment would be problematic for me, though. And as I said, if meals that are going to BE catered already could be provided via a kosher supplier, I'd appreciate it. Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
In the Name the con thread, Papa moose suggested a Cubs game. For me Chicago would be better than NY.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Even at $100-200 per night for hotel -- if we put several people in a room, it shouldn't be too bad for each of us individually, should it?
Farmgirl
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
You know, if it's in Chicago there were some rumblings that twink and I might be able to sneak out and join the par-tay. Which means that my veganism suddenly comes into play.
Suddenly kosher isn't so annoying, is it?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
ok I reiterated in the name thread what TomD said in this one, because I hadn't read it here yet. Itasca might not be too bad, though i don't know if there are decent hotels there. It is on a metra line as well.
http://metrarail.com/maps.html is the system map. There are $5 weekend unlimited ride passes but otherwise pricing varies by how far out you are as indicated by the different colors.
I would reccommend a town on the UP-NW line or the MD-W line (Itasca) Both of these lines are reasonable distances from O'Hare.
I live near the Arlington Heights area. There just happens to be loads of hotels and convention centers in that area that are low priced a lot of the time, because Arlington Heights has one of the big horseracing tracks in the country. This means that they are packed out for a few weekends each year and mostly empty the rest of the time.
Roselle also has possibilities.
AJ
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Ok guys we are in CHICAGO. This is a large thriving metropolis, with a large Jewish community, and a large environmental activist communtiy. Finding both kosher and vegan food is pretty easy using the local yellow pages. I wouldn't panic unduly about either.
AJ
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I would suggest the buffet all-you-can-eat places so everyone gets what they like, but I don't think that guarantees the kosher part.
Like AJ said -- Chicago has everything to make anyone happy, so I sure these minor things can be worked out when we get there.
Farmgirl
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Works for me. I like the suburb idea too. Now the fun part, nailing down when in August.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Here's a guide to "jewish chicago" with a resturant listing as well as a deli listing.
Incidentally all of the delis in Skokie happen to be extremely close to where I work, so if you were to give me a list ahead of time I could probably buy the food for you (is it ok if a non-jew purchases it and puts it in their refrigerator if it stays in its original packaging and I never physically touch it?)
[ January 20, 2004, 12:20 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
precisely what kind of vegan are you?
aJ
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
Ha ha! That was actually said somewhat tongue-in-cheek. I've never had any problems finding food at restaurants, although sometimes I annoy waiters
I'm a 5th level vegan. I don't eat anything that casts a shadow.
Seriously, AJ, don't give it a passing thought.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I already spent a good 15 minutes doing searches... So what kind of vegan are you? I grew up in CA and I know the difference in my vegans...
Are you actually vegan or just vegetarian? There is a difference. True vegans are as fanatical about food prep as kosher jewish people are.
AJ
[ January 20, 2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I always thought "vegan" was a specific term. Are there really different types of vegan?
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Nothing that casts a shadow? Don't plants cast shadows? Or do you only eat potatoes, carrots and other underground dwellers?
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
You know, the fact that you seem to know what I vegan is is impressive enough.
Although, I really don't know what you mean by "types" of vegan. I don't eat any animal products. So no red meat, any of the white meats, fish, eggs, milk and the lot. I think people who don't eat white sugar are going a little far so yes, I do eat that as well. I try and avoid honey. I understand that some alcohol isn't vegan (no, I don't understand how that works either) but I've never looked into it because I don't drink so the point is moot anyway. Apparently I've also been known to rip into a package of mini doughnuts and then black out afterwards. I, however, have no recollection of this happening. Anything you may have heard from people who know me is a lie.
I do tend to burst into tears and fly into a murderous rage when people around me dare to consume the helpless flesh of another living creature. It's only fair to warn you.
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
No, Tick, I have to consume all my food in complete darkness. I've got the bruises on my shins to prove it (darn coffee table. I swear someone keeps moving it).
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
So you don't restrict yourself to organic foods only then?
And there are some people who consider themselves "Vegan" probably more because of their strong beliefs that do do the eggs milk and honey thing even though I know that is more properly just plain "vegetarian"
AJ
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
No, I don't just restrict myself to organic foods. I can't afford to and there's no definition of what's "organic" anyway.
As to a whole complicated system of beliefs behind being Vegan, yes, there are a ton of them (although, really it's "do no harm!" over and over and over again). But it hardly influences my diet.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I have to admit, I don't quite see how honey harms the bee.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
to get the honey most comercial places destroy the hive and the honeycomb killing lots of bees in the process and preventing them from raising their young.
There are so many bee parts allowed in ppm in honey. They get rid of most of them by blending and boiling and removing the bee part debris as it either comes to the top or falls to the bottom. Natural honey that is sold with the honey comb has a different spec on parts allowed.
(They do generally save the queen and a nucleus of bees for the next hive, but many of the worker bees die)
AJ
[ January 20, 2004, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
You know, I should say that while I'm familiar with all these vegany things and I've been the peace-marching, placard carrying, idealistic guy I'm quite low-key about it all now. I don't want people to get the wrong impression.
Wrt the honey thing, I confess, I just don't like honey. Of course, I've never had it in any way other than peanut butter on toast.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
:looks with relief at jar of locally raised, hand-gathered honey:
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
The neat thing about Vegans is you can yell "bite me" at them without fear of them actually doing it.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
And as my large pork-loving friend said to his vegetarian date "I guess it's true, you ARE what you eat."
Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
On a complete random note, when I first read the short form of Bob the Lawyer I was puzzled... Bacon, tomato and lettuce seemed like a strange nickname for a vegan. Then I realized that short form is actually blt and I never thought of it again (well until now because I'm eating a blt sandwhich and reading this thread)
[ January 20, 2004, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Jaiden ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
::goes to make lunch::
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Has there been a thread in the entire history of Hatrack, say beyond twenty posts, that didn't get derailed?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Well I still want to know if it would be ok for me to buy kosher food for rivka, and store it in my non-kosher refrigerator, if the original packaging isn't opened and I never touch it.
AJ
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
*re-railing*
It sounds to me like in a city this large with a group this large, it will probably be most practical to break up into smaller groups for meals anyway. Because hey - I'll admit it - some of us have no religious dietary restrictions, we're just food snobs. Plus, I think big-group dynamics always break down periodically into little-group dynamics based on tastes, interests and financial capability.
I'm trying to come up with a strategy for having enough money to come, because Chicago is one of my favorite places of life. The ethnic neighborhoods are cool enough in themselves to facilitate an entire day's worth of entertainment. Mmmm... I can taste those potato pancakes from Andersonville already....
Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :
I must say:
Veganism is so gay. When someone gets self righteous about food, they are really grasping at straws for a reason to feel superior.
Wedgies for all!
(and I know why Dan is a vegan, and it's tolerable and has little to do with ethics)
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I'll be cooking some Polish food some time during the con, if banna or someone else lets me use her kitchen. So how do i make it kosher? Or can't I?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
a true kosher kitchen has to have completely separate areas I think even stoves and refrigerators for meat and dairy products. Rivka would know better than I though. This is why I was concerned about putting previously kosher food into my refrigerator.
So yes, you are welcome to use my kitchen, but I don't think you could cook it kosher since my kitchen isn't equipped for it.
been reading stuff about kosher. I think I've answered my question myself though I'd apprecate an answer from rivka too when she gets around to it. I think it is ok if I bought Kosher food for her and put it in my refrigerator as long as it was double wrapped in foil or sealed and on a shelf by itself.
AJ
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I've had a lousy day, where me being listened to was so NOT happening. It's so nice to come back here . . .
AJ, as long as the package had some sort of seal that was clearly theirs (most commonly, a sticker or tape with the restaurant/store name emblazoned on it), you picking stuff up for me would be great -- and very appreciated.
Oh, and if it were commercially packaged and sealed, that would be fine too.
Unlike BtL, I won't cry if you eat food I can't/won't in front of me. At least one of the kosher caterers I listed above specified that they can do vegetarian. It's actually fairly easy to get vegan food which is kosher (or v.v.) -- there's a not insignificant percentage of people who keep kosher who are vegetarian, and some are vegan. (You just have to be sure the food is pareve (neither meat nor dairy), and has no fish or eggs.)
I know -- I've cooked for some of 'em! And one was allergic to SOY!
quote: a true kosher kitchen has to have completely separate areas I think even stoves and refrigerators for meat and dairy products.
Well, some people have separate stoves (I do not), and I have heard of separate refrigerators. But unless someone regularly keeps open plates of food in their fridge (to which I say EWWWWW!), I don't understand why that would be necessary.
Kama, you're incredibly sweet, but believe me when I say that the effort that would be involved in making your dish kosher is far more than I would be comfortable having someone go to on my behalf. I'd love to get a recipe though. Can never have too many new recipes!
I really don't ask that all, or even most, of the food be kosher! Simply that if any meals ARE catered (which seems to not be the way the winds are blowing), that a kosher -- and vegan! -- caterer be considered.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
oh also kama, chicago has a huge polish community. My boss is polish and makes authentic sausages which are quite good. If you need particular ingredients we can probably get them at the grocery store. I know of quite a few polish delis around too and I can ask Florian if necessary.
aJ
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
AJ, Where is Midway airport? I found a flight for $256, but it flies into Midway. I posted this question in the thread about naaming the con,so it only needs to be answered once.
Posted by Javert Hugo (Member # 3980) on :
Annie, we can't possibly PLAN on breaking up for meals. It will undoubtedly happen anyway (WenchCon Saturday dinner for example).
Chicago is Chicago for the airport. Depending on how long this is, it hardly matters where the hotel is. Granted, one whole was LOTR, and we won't have that, but there's no reason to have it downtown. We can pile together all the money saved by having it in a suburb into renting a car for the day or something. So many people can drive to Chicago, thay may not be necessary.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
I'd be driving and am willing to take a couple people who are traveling from central Ohio. I won't be staying in a hotel, though, as my brother lives in the Chicago area. As we get closer to nailing down details, let me know how I can help.
Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :
quote:a true kosher kitchen has to have completely separate areas I think even stoves and refrigerators for meat and dairy products.
In my parents' home, we have a separate fridge for kimchi. It's quite... aromatic?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
And will there be a side trip to Aurora to locate all the cool places seen in "Wayne's World"?
Nathan LOVES that movie. (Oh, all right - I like it, too.)
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