Nuts on Clark

The Internet is a resource for people across the world — access to entertainment, access to products and access to tons of useful information (OK, and trivial info, too). Want to watch your favorite TV show from last night? You can. Want to order Chicago’s best popcorn tins (hint, hint)? You can. Want to find out more about the wonderful city of Chicago? You can! Thanks to Web sites like Hulu, an online presence from famed brick-and-mortar popcorn purveyors “NUTS ON CLARK,” and information hubs dedicated to providing information about Chicago to its visitors and residents, this is all possible.

Today, we want to share with you some of our favorite online resources for finding food in the Windy City. Chicago is revered for its gourmet popcorn, deep-dish pizza, and Chicago-style hot dogs. If you’ve lived in Chicago for at least a few years, you’re probably well aware of most of the gems this city has to offer. Still, in a place like Chicago, there are always new gems to be discovered. And if you’re new to the city or planning on visiting, these five sites will prove to be even a greater guide for getting your hands on Chicago’s iconic grub.

5 Sites About Chicago Gourmet Popcorn, Deep-Dish Pizza and Chicago-Style Hot Dogs

1. ChicagoPizza.net – Allows you to search through over 1,500 pizzerias in Chicago, narrowing down your search by area, including downtown, north and south sides, west side and suburbs.

2. HotDogChicagoStyle.com – Searching for the perfect hot dog? You’ve come to the right place. Read reviews on Chicago hot dog joints and even get help on making your very own Chicago-style hot dog!

3. UrbanSpoon.com – Gives visitors the opportunity to search for a variety of types of food in Chicago, including pizza and hot dogs. Also, read user reviews and break down spots by neighborhood, price and other relevant categories.

4. BBB.org – For some of us, we rely on word-of-mouth to tell us where to go. Others like it more official. The Better Business Bureau Web site lets you search for accredited Chicago businesses in categories: pizza and popcorn and supplies.

5. GreaseFreak.com – A great site to learn where to go for hot dogs, wings, burgers and etc. Comes complete with pictures and a five-star rating system in categories: ambiance, presentation and taste.

Aside from these five, you can find other information on food in Chicago from such popular local guides, among others, as Yelp.com, Metromix.com and City-Data.com. Take a look, find your place and dig in!

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Sometimes traveling isn’t as fun as we’d like it to be. It isn’t so much about going where we want to go as much as it is dealing with all the intricacies of actually getting there. If you’ve ever flown to or from Chicago, chances are you passed through Chicago’s largest airport, O’Hare International. As one of the second homes of “NUTS ON CLARK
where first-time visitors get the chance to try our famous Chicago gourmet popcorn. We’re happy to offer some great preparation tips to air-bound travelers to help make their travel that much less stressful. For more information, check out FlyChicago.com.

Be Patient
Traveling by plane requires a little more than just showing up at the airport, getting on to the plane, and then taking off. Don’t forget that you have to find parking and check-in your tickets and baggage, all the while accounting for crowds, unexpected situations and delays. The frustration of sometimes playing the waiting game at the airport is best combated by taking care of all the things that you can control and not sweating the rest.

Be Prompt
It is much easier to feel less rushed and subsequently less stressed when you have no tasks left to complete and all the remaining effort is left getting to the airport, leaving you to just sit back and relax. The best way to accomplish this is to arrive at least two hours early (most airports now require that you arrive at least 45 minutes before flight to check-in). Arriving this far ahead of time will allow you ample time to do all the before-mentioned tasks: find parking and check-in your tickets and baggage. Also, to avoid any problems with airport security (and the hassle of having to open your bags and possibly having to toss your belongings), make sure that if you plan on bringing any liquids, gels or aerosols with you, they’re packed in three-ounce or smaller containers. These containers should be in one-quart sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bags.

Be At Peace
A positive attitude will go a long way and with a good amount of restaurants, concessions and other shops, O’Hare gives you a sound opportunity to relax while you wait. Grab a cup of coffee from Starbucks, unwind with a back massage from Back Rub Hub or remind yourself what city you’re in with a mix of Gourmet Cheese Popcorn and Gourmet Caramel Popcorn from “NUTS ON CLARK.” Before you know it, you’ll be where it is you want to be!

The next time you fly into or out of O’Hare, try following these tips on travel preparation and see if it doesn’t make your time spent at Chicago’s largest airport that much better.

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“NUTS ON CLARK” serves up popcorn gift tins at well-known Chicago locations other than their original store on Clark street. One of them is Union Station, a historic Chicago site that was at one time the hub of transportation in the city. Still today, it continues to be a popular tourist attraction and is the only intercity rail terminal in the city. If you’re going to visit Chicago and want to see a piece of history, start there. To continue your quest, visit one of Chicago’s exciting museums.

Chicago is home to several museums, all with their own appeal and attractions. The following are some great ones to check out when in the Windy City:

• The Field Museum – Gives visitors an array of exhibits relating to natural history. For women who believe diamond truly is a girl’s best friend, check out The Nature of Diamonds, running until March 28. Open Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m to 5 p.m.(1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.)

• The Museum of Science and Industry – The largest science museum in the Western hemisphere provides visitors an opportunity to watch films, enjoy live experiences, view exhibits and events related to all things science. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (57th Street and Lake Shore Drive)

• The Art Institute of Chicago Museum – Half the Art Institute of Chicago (the other half is a school), the Art Institute of Chicago Museum houses more than 300,000 works of art. Open Monday-Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (free 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (111 S. Michigan)
  

• Chicago History Museum – The exhibitions and events here are dedicated to collecting, interpreting and presenting the rich multicultural history of the city. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Mondays are free! (1601 N. Clark)
  

• Museum of Contemporary Art – One of the larger contemporary art museums in the nation, the Museum of Contemporary Art is dedicated to showcasing thought-provoking art made after 1945. Open Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (220 E. Chicago)
  

• National Museum of Mexican Art – Located in the thriving Mexican Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art features both permanent and traveling work by some of the world’s premiere Mexican and Mexican American artists. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free for exhibitions. Events are subject to ticketing prices. (1852 W. 19th)
  

• Adler Planetarium – Leave the confines of this world behind you and visit the famed Adler Planetarium. Features information, resources, exhibits, shows and news about astronomy. Great for kids. Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Every third Thursday of the month (6 p.m to 10 p.m.), Adler After Dark allows guest to sip on cocktails and enjoy appetizers while glancing up into the sky through the lense of one of Adler Planetarium’s high-power telescopes. (1300 S. Lake Shore)
  

• DuSable Museum of African American History – Founded in 1957, DuSable Museum is America’s foremost museum of African American history. In one exhibit, visitors can trace the Civil Rights Movement from 1848 to 1968 through artwork, artifacts and photographs. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (740 E. 56th)
  

• The Notebaert Nature Museum – For you nature lovers, the Notebaert Nature Museum entertains while expanding the public’s knowledge of nature and environmental science. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2430 N. Cannon)
  

• Shedd Aquarium - Explore the deep blue sea with the largest indoor aquarium in the world, with more than 8,000 aquatic animals. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Step into history and explore other worlds in one of these Chicago museums. And remember, for a taste of Chicago history, visit Union Station and grab a tin of Chicago gourmet popcorn.

Be sure to check the museums’ respective Web site for additional information like special events and admission prices.

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In 2008, more than 17 million people passed through Chicago Midway International Airport. It’s the second largest airport in Chicago and the state of Illinois, behind O’Hare International Airport, and was ranked highest in customer satisfaction among medium-sized airports in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 study. So what exactly does Midway do differently than other airports? For starters, they consistently provide on-time flights. In June 2007, they ranked third amongst large airports in the nation for “Best On-Time Arrival Rates” with 75.4% of their flights arriving on time. Secondly, they’re home to many of Chicago’s venerable whereabouts like “NUTS ON CLARK,” purveyor of Chicago gourmet popcorn tins.

Especially for visitors to The Windy City, a place like iconic “NUTS ON CLARK” is a rather nice introduction into Chicago. Whether you’re a visitor for a few days or a few hours and want to do the things all true Chicagoans know, here are some suggestions:

1. Visit Wrigley Field - If you just so happen to be in the city during baseball season (April to October), there is almost nothing more iconic than catching a day game at Wrigley. Still, even if you’re here during the off season, taking a trip to the field itself is something to write home about. (1060 W. Addison)

2. Visit Buckingham Fountain – The famous fountain, featured in the intro and credits to “Married With Children” is a sight to behold. It’s probably bigger than you think, too. Note: the fountain is only on during the warmer months. (500 S. Columbus)

3. Eat at Uno’s Pizza - Chicago is as famous for its deep-dish pizza as it is for its Chicago gourmet popcorn and — spoiler alert! — Chicago-style hot dogs. Uno’s does it better than anybody else. (29 E. Ohio)

4. Eat a Chicago-style hot dog - You haven’t lived until you’ve sunk your teeth into a Chicago-style hot dog. Preferences may vary, but for the most part, Flub A Dub Chub’s (3021 N. Broadway), Wolfy’s (2734 W. Peterson), Chubby Wiener’s (4652 N. Western), and Portillo’s (100 W. Ontario) are seen as industry standard. Remember, no ketchup!

5. See the entire city from Hancock Tower – You can’t come to Chicago without getting a beautiful, panoramic view of the entire city. Atop the Hancock Tower offers one of the best views of the city and is much more awe-inspiring than Google Earth could ever be. (875 N. Michigan)

6. Take in a show at Second City - A plethora of comedians and personalities got their start here, including John Belushi, Stephen Colbert, Jeff Garland, Steve Carell, Andy Dick, Chris Farley and Tina Fey. Don’t miss an opportunity to catch a glimpse of today’s rising stars. (1616 N. Wells)

7. Eat at Al Capone’s Hideaway and Steakhouse - What is cooler than a restaurant converted from an old Al Capone hideout? Nothing. (2222 S. Wabash)

8. Get “spouted on” at Millennium Park - Millennium Park is undoubtedly one of the more popular tourist attractions in Chicago. In the warmer months, two opposite fountains — with larger-than-life projected faces on them — shoot water out at awaiting guests. Guess where the water comes from? The mouth. (201 E. Randolph)

9. Ride the “L” - Ask any native Chicagoan and they’ll tell you the best way to venture through the city is by elevated train, also known as the “L.” Categorized by color, the “L” offers visitors and residents a cheap alternative to the bustling city traffic and expensive cab fare.

10. Tour neighborhoods – It is highly recommended that you perform some preliminary research first since some neighborhoods can be downright intimidating to those unfamiliar with them. But if you stay safe (go during the day and keep on main roads), taking your own individual tour of the city’s more than 70 neighborhoods could provide you with an unique, eye-opening experience into the city’s vast culture.

Keep in mind: There are myriad things to do and places to eat when you come visit Chicago. Sometimes, the most fun you’ll have is finding gems of your own.

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