Pittsburgh's Strip District is what happens when you don't cram everyone into one building, and give them an entire street to sprawl into. Definitely recommend (the green dragon is something to see on your way to penn state -- Dutch pride!)
Primantis is sooo overrated (though I'm glad you liked what you got). Now that you've got a kid at Penn State, you'll be seeing plenty of Pittsburgh I suspect. Chengdu Gourmet's a great little place that gets nominated (doesn't win, we're small here and don't outcompete Philly) for james beard awards. Did I mention they're a takeout joint, primarily? And they used to have a bowling alley above them, which made for wonderful hole-in-the-wall ambiance.
Or, go to Gaucho's. Our Mexican food sux around here, but the South American food's pretty fine.
And while I'm here, I'm dropping a dime for Picklesburgh. You'd like it. They have picklebeer.
What was the parking/transit situation with those terminal markets? I would love to have something like that in Chicago, but I'm not sure where it could be located that would actually be central and easily accessed. My first thought would be Navy Pier, which I love for the views and the building itself, but I hate everything else about it. Maybe repurpose Soldier Field after the Bears move to Hammond?
it was mostly inexpensive meters in the immediate area surrounding, but then unmetered parking a couple blocks away. Like I mentioned, I was consistently surprised at how easy it was to find free street parking, even when we went to the R&R HOF. I don't know if it could work in Chicago at this point unless it went somewhere in a more industrial area.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these cities. Definitely makes me think it's time for a long-overdue road trip to Cleveland! I agree that the food halls in Chicago are not the same experience, though they do have some fun small restaurant options, and often are a point of entry for aspiring restauranteurs. I hope you've also checked out the Milwaukee Public Market, very similar vibe to what you're describing, and a slightly closer-to-Chicago option.
Congrats on your daughter going to Penn State!! Sounds like an awesome road trip. Downtown Indianapolis used to have City Market that was a lot like the terminal markets you're describing, but it too got lost.
If you're interested in Chicago urban history, I personally liked the book Never a City So Real about Chicago. A more scholarly book about the South Side is Ghosts in the Schoolyard.
Pittsburgh's Strip District is what happens when you don't cram everyone into one building, and give them an entire street to sprawl into. Definitely recommend (the green dragon is something to see on your way to penn state -- Dutch pride!)
https://www.facebook.com/MeanwhileinYork/posts/the-green-dragon-farmers-market-in-ephrata-lancaster-county-has-been-a-beloved-p/1260402129459172/
Primantis is sooo overrated (though I'm glad you liked what you got). Now that you've got a kid at Penn State, you'll be seeing plenty of Pittsburgh I suspect. Chengdu Gourmet's a great little place that gets nominated (doesn't win, we're small here and don't outcompete Philly) for james beard awards. Did I mention they're a takeout joint, primarily? And they used to have a bowling alley above them, which made for wonderful hole-in-the-wall ambiance.
Or, go to Gaucho's. Our Mexican food sux around here, but the South American food's pretty fine.
And while I'm here, I'm dropping a dime for Picklesburgh. You'd like it. They have picklebeer.
The beautiful masonry is dangerous in St. Louis because you are driving and taking in the scenery aaaaaaand there's a crackhead.
The beautiful masonry in pittsburgh is dangerous because a bus fell through the street in downtown.
LOL, I literally got chased by a crackhead when I was taking photos of the street art murals near the arch. Luckily, crackheads are slow.
So fun!!!
What was the parking/transit situation with those terminal markets? I would love to have something like that in Chicago, but I'm not sure where it could be located that would actually be central and easily accessed. My first thought would be Navy Pier, which I love for the views and the building itself, but I hate everything else about it. Maybe repurpose Soldier Field after the Bears move to Hammond?
it was mostly inexpensive meters in the immediate area surrounding, but then unmetered parking a couple blocks away. Like I mentioned, I was consistently surprised at how easy it was to find free street parking, even when we went to the R&R HOF. I don't know if it could work in Chicago at this point unless it went somewhere in a more industrial area.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these cities. Definitely makes me think it's time for a long-overdue road trip to Cleveland! I agree that the food halls in Chicago are not the same experience, though they do have some fun small restaurant options, and often are a point of entry for aspiring restauranteurs. I hope you've also checked out the Milwaukee Public Market, very similar vibe to what you're describing, and a slightly closer-to-Chicago option.
yes, Milwaukee's public market is a great example that I should take more advantage of, for sure.
Congrats on your daughter going to Penn State!! Sounds like an awesome road trip. Downtown Indianapolis used to have City Market that was a lot like the terminal markets you're describing, but it too got lost.
If you're interested in Chicago urban history, I personally liked the book Never a City So Real about Chicago. A more scholarly book about the South Side is Ghosts in the Schoolyard.
thanks!