June 14, 2020: Always Hungry

It’s never been this difficult to come up with things to write about. Without any Chicago sports, any live sports period, going on, material is thin; it doesn’t mean I don’t have anything though. I can always go back; that’s easy for me to do. There is no shortage of material there; it’s like the well that never dries up. Yet, I like to throw in some different things too. What’s on my mind today?

Well, for starters, I’m always hungry. I have tried to focus on “portion control” this year; it worked for a few months. That’s out the door now. Trying to maintain though; after a uptick in weight last month, hoping to get it back down this month. It’s not easy. As I’ve mentioned before, my son is into the cooking shows now. I like watching Diners Drive Ins and Dives; hope to one day incorporate that into a road trip. Guy’s Grocery Games is pretty cool too; that one is the #1 show in our house at this time. Walking this theme down the road, I start to think about ballpark food. I think about the food we’re missing from going to see games in person. It’s not always about what’s in the stadium, but about the foods that typically come with a visit to Wrigley, Sox Park, the UC, and Soldier Field. Let’s start on the north side.

Most trips to Wrigley include a visit to D’Agostino’s. I always try to eat outside of the park; it’s cheaper… and most of the time, better. It starts before we leave to the game; eating at home whether it’s brunch/lunch before a day game or dinner before a night game is THE cheapest option. Getting that pre-game meal down the hatch at the house is a smart way to start. If that doesn’t happen, then we’re stopping at D’Agostino’s for a slice of pizza before we head in. We’ve stopped other places too. If drinking is going to be involved, we may still go to D’Agostino’s… or choose one of the 100 other places; we’ve stopped at a few. Man, I know all those businesses are hurting with no games going on; I wonder how many will survive a summer without baseball at Wrigley. Yak-Zies has been hit up a couple times. If I’m being taken to a game, and we’re pre-gaming, even better… because it’s free! That’s always fun. OK, we’re heading into the cathedral.

One must have at any game is peanuts. If my wife didn’t scoop a bag up at Jewel’s, we’ll snag one on the street before we get in. OK, NOW we’re in Wrigley. Once in, it’s a hot dog for my son for sure; nachos is a must have for my wife. We like the nachos that are drenched in cheese and have a healthy helping of jalapenos; Wrigley meets those requirements. Getting a slice at the game is always an option too; I think it’s Giordano’s right now… can’t even recall. I know it was D’Agostino’s at one point too, but why pay 2x for one of those slices at the game when we can snag those on the way home? Damn, am I really that cheap? Haha… Hey, when you go to as many games as I try to go to, you can’t dump a ton on food every time. Other than a hot dog and nachos, there is really no other “go-to” item inside Wrigley; like I said, I’m holding out until after the game.

On the walk back to the car, we will stop to get our slices. If my wife has dropped us off, she’ll be waiting on Southport after the game for us, and if we don’t come into the car with a slice… watch out! Haha… hey, you don’t have to convince me to stop and get a slice; that’s quality too by the way. We have even dined in at that location from time to time; they decorate nicely for Christmas, plus they have a train going around above our heads; my son used to get a kick out of that. Well, I guess that sums up my Wrigley food experience; I’m not sure I can wait until we can go back to Wrigley to swing by and pick up some slices. OK, now it’s on my mind; it will soon be in my stomach.