Category Archives: Chicago

Roadie Q (Local): Lillie’s Q

Posted on February 15, 2013 by markdollardrealty

I recently had a chance to get lunch at Lillie’s Q in Wicker Park as part of my ongoing BBQ vision quest.  I have a tough time characterizing this place.  Honestly, I would have to describe it as “BBQ for … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbecue, Beer, Chicago, Dining, Uncategorized, Wicker Park | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Roadie Q (Local): Smoke Daddy

Posted on January 31, 2013 by markdollardrealty

Another stop on my BBQ vision quest, but this one is much closer to home: Smoke Daddy.  They’ve been around in Chicago for a while, and everyone in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area knows about ’em.  It’s my local BBQ joint. … Continue reading →

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Roadie ‘Que #1: Woodyard BBQ

Posted on January 3, 2013 by markdollardrealty

Currently, I live/work/play in Chicago, but I am originally from Kansas City.  Most people have a good idea about what Chicago is: large city, burgeoning culinary/drinking scene, history as a political machine, sports-crazed, etc.  Kansas City, on the other hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbecue, Chicago, Dining | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Put on Your Lao Cap: Lao Hunan

Posted on May 17, 2012 by markdollardrealty

For those of you who didn’t know, Mao was from Hunan and Lao Hunan connects to that history in some not-at-all subtle ways.  First, (and I’m not sure if this is a bad translation, similar to the Simpson’s episode with … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Chinatown, Dining | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Own Your Neighborhood Guide #3: A View to a Lake (That’s How James Bond Says Lakeview)

Posted on February 16, 2012 by markdollardrealty

Terribly out-of-date movie references aside, Lakeview is a little bit of a misnomer.  You can live in Lakeview and have a view of Lake Michigan, but the odds are that if you live in this neighborhood, you don’t have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Bars, Beer, Chicago, Chicago Cubs, Dining, Economics, Lakeview, Neighborhoods, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Restaurants, Sports, Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bug-Eyed in Bucktown and Wicker Park #4: The Wormhole

Posted on November 17, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Wicker Park arguably has the best neighborhood selection of coffee places in Chicago.  Options abound from the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks (they don’t deserve a spot in this review because plenty has been written about both of these places) to one … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucktown, Chicago, Coffee, DeLorean, Dining, Espresso, Neighborhoods, Silicon Valley, Wicker Park | Leave a comment

It’s Easier to Win a Race When You are the Only One Running It (Great Deals are Found by Going Against the Grain)

Posted on November 10, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Economic theory and academic practice spends a lot of time on the subject of the business cycle and how to smooth it out.  The idea is that there is going to be a natural up and down to the economy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Economics, Investing, Landlord, Mortgages, Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Rental | Leave a comment

Bad Puns and Great Buildings: Wicker Park-itecture

Posted on November 3, 2011 by markdollardrealty

One of the great attributes of Wicker Park and Bucktown is the wide range of architecture in both neighborhoods.  This is going to be the first in a line of pictures and descriptions of some interesting buildings that dot the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Arts, Bars, Chicago, Neighborhoods, Real Estate, Wicker Park | 2 Comments

Be a Producer (or Consumer): A Guide to Chicago Music Venues from a Musician’s (and Avid Music Fan’s) Perspective

Posted on October 24, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Chicago has oodles of music venues.  I don’t want to say that it’s too many to count because that’s not true.  I just don’t want to go to the trouble to try and count them.  Music is a very important … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Bars, Beer, Bucktown, Chicago, Lincoln Park, Local Bands, Music, Wicker Park | 2 Comments

Bug-Eyed in Bucktown and Wicker Park, Guide to Local Coffee #2: Caffe Streets

Posted on October 7, 2011 by markdollardrealty

Wicker Park arguably has the best neighborhood selection of coffee places in Chicago.  Options abound from the ubiquitous Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks (they don’t deserve a spot in this review because plenty has been written about both of these places) to one … Continue reading →

Posted in Bucktown, Chicago, Coffee, Espresso, Neighborhoods | Leave a comment