"South Loop On the Verge of an Eatery Expansion"

If you've read Sloopin over the past couple of months you will recall that their are a decent amount of new restaurants and bars scheduled to open this year. Today we stumbled across a positive Metromix article in the Red Eye that broadcasted this news:

Census figures show that between 2000 and 2010, the area’s population increased by 74 percent, bringing it to 40,000 residents—who are apparently pretty hungry. With the recent arrival of TLC Cafe, Overflow Coffee Bar and Flavor 180, the South Loop seems to be on the verge of an eatery expansion. “The new residents are mostly upscale and younger—in the age range that will go out to restaurants, bars and clubs,” Thomas said.

Within the article you will find brief updates on some highly anticipated places that are supposed to open this year including:

• The Scout (1301 S. Wabash) - rumored opening in June


• Tribute (800 S. Michigan) - rumored opening in June


• Ryan McCaskey's new restaurant (1639 S. Wabash) - rumored opening in September


• Trader Joe's (Corner of Wabash and Roosevelt) - rumored opening in Q3 2011


• Mainstay Hospitality/Kendal Duque restaurant (1416 S. Michigan) - opening TBD

None of these places are a surprise to knowledgeable Sloopers and not a ton of new information in the article. Regardless, it's nice to have a positive article bringing attention to the neighborhoods retail/dinning/night life scene. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but hopefully this momentum continues and we don't take one step forward and two steps back.

Here are some interesting tidbits in the article that we found interesting:

• Trader Joe's corporate office said the store is scheduled to open in Q3 of this year


• No news on the old Grace O'Malley's space...we hope we hear more soon...


• At McCaskey's restaurant you will be able to watch the chef and sous chef


• Tribute will have locally made hard liquor (we're hoping they have 18 vodka from South Bend...it's good stuff)


• The Scout will have 10 patio tables

These are probably the 5 highest profile openings this year in the Sloop, but let's not forget their are some others as well (like the new breakfast/brunch spot at 1400 S. Michigan or Pita Heaven at 1250 S. Michigan). Good news and glad to see some positive attention for the Sloop!

The Danger Zone: 13th and Wabash Intersection

A reader writes about a serious problem that we've noticed as well:

Hey Guys,

I'm a big fan of the blog and this is my first time writing in.

I'm writing you guys in concerns of the corner of 13th/Wabash. Every single day at least one car flies through that stop sign. I have lived in the neighborhood for 2 years now and I have come close to being hit multiple times. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but now that I have relocated to that corner, my window has a perfect vantage point of the intersection.

This is clearly a huge problem, and I know I'm not the only who has witnessed this. Next time you, or anyone is headed to Jewel-Osco just watch for a second and you are guaranteed to see at least one car come barreling past Roosevelt, only to slam on the breaks at the last possible second.

I hope you guys can help. Thanks!

This is definitely something we've noticed. Not sure if a speed bump is the answer or if a blinking stop sign, but it's a valid point.

The alderman is pretty responsive to issues around the neighborhood, so feel free to email him about this issue. Here is his email (ward02@cityofchicago.org). Like we said not sure what the answer is, but hopefully something can be done to avoid an unnecessary tragedy.

(Hat tip: II!)

Flavor 180 Menu is Odd...but the Food is Solid!

In a nutshell, Flavor 180 at 1511 S. State is an eclectic eatery offering fairly original and healthy food at a reasonable price.

It's a standard small restaurant setup: well lit, with a good number of small tables arranged in a store front. The kitchen is open and right behind the counter. Food is cooked to order, and while this makes things take a bit longer than say, McDonalds, the results are worth it. It's probably not some place you'd take a date, but it's fine for lunch or dinner after a neighborhood walk. And, given that they're open until 9PM, it's a place to grab something to bring home on those nights where you don't feel like cooking.

The expression "Changing the Face of Fast Food" graces the menu, and I wondered what that meant. Apparently it means "no beef." That's right, the menu is completely beef-free, though this is never expressly stated. The fare is divided into "naughty" and "nice." "Nice" is mostly turkey or fish based, but very eclectic. Turkey hot dogs (Chicago style), turkey tacos, and turkey bolognese with pasta are a few of the items. On the fish side of things, there are tilapia tacos and grilled salmon.

The "naughty" side of things includes "sweet heat salmon burgers," mango jerk wings, catfish nuggets and the ethnically diverse "Asian cajun turkey burger."

Sides are available, and include turkey spaghetti and turkey nachos, as well as french fries and sweet potato fries.

Chicken is also available but only on two dishes: mango jerk chicken wings and a chicken breast sandwich.

I chose the tilapia tacos. They were served in a soft whole wheat taco, and having been made fresh right in front of me, they were warm and juicy. With a soda, my total came to $7.25 before tax. Staff was very friendly, and they offer catering as well. There are also some Flavor 180 trucks driving about, presumably offering food downtown.

Pricing seemed a bit odd to me. Three turkey tacos is only $6.95, but turkey bolognese with pasta is $13.95.

According to the website (www.flavor180.com), Flavor 180 was started by "an eclectic group of business savvy foodies." While I think the menu is odd, the food was delicious and I'll be back. Pro Tip: there is limited free parking inside the building. Look for a small entry on State St. near the restaurant.

Flavor 180
1511 S. State St
Chicago
312-291-0800
www.flavor180.com

Mon-Sat 12PM-9PM

(A special hat tip to JW for submitting this review as a guest blog post...hopefully he will continue to contribute!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Sunrise

(Hat tip: VK!)

Shooting Unfortunate on Two Fronts

You never like to hear about shootings (unless it's of a notorious terrorist), but today's shooting in the loop gave our neighborhood an unnecessary black eye in the headlines again.

The headline in the Chicago Sun-Times today reads:
Co-worker finds man found shot dead in South Loop liquor store

We read about the shooting on other websites and obviously this hit close to home, but it was at 234 S. Wabash. This isn't the South Loop. This may be the south portion of "The Loop", but it's not the same.

Something similar happened in February of 2010 when a shooting took place at Cactus Bar & Grill (404 S. Wells). In our mind this isn't in the Sloop, but it's more debatable than 234 S. Wabash.

We're not trying to invoke a boarder discussion again, we just hate seeing a headline like this bringing negative attention and perception to the neighborhood.

Have $5 for Food? A New Restaurant Concept Might be Your Answer

An interesting read on Chicago Magazine's website about a new concept at the Blackstone Hotel:

It’s Five Somewhere
Fives are wild at Bodega N. 5 (Blackstone Hotel, 638 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-765-0524), the newly rebranded downstairs lounge at Mercat a la Planxa. For breakfast and lunch, counter-service sandwiches such as bacon-egg-cheese and egg–bell pepper will cost $5 each. Coffee will be served in nifty French press–style disposable cups (which are just cool, not 5-related). After 5 p.m., the Mercat menu will be available, but in keeping with the quinary theme, cocktails, beer, and wine will all go for $5. Steve Serdar, the general manager, says Bodega will open in late May (we humbly suggest the 25th, which would be, of course, 5/25 = 5/5*5). We’re thinking they should go all out and add nickel-plated railings and Abe Lincoln portraits.

Indoor Skate Park Could be Coming

We received numerous emails from readers yesterday about an indoor skate park potentially coming to the South Loop. The sun-times and myfoxchicago have stories on the topic:

Skateboarders wishing to gleam the cube any time of day regardless of the weather outside might soon have their chance.

Presiding over his final City Council meeting Wednesday, Mayor Daley introduced an ordinance that calls for selling — for $1 — four city-owned parcels from 1600 to 1752 S. Clark to the Chicago Park District. The properties include a building that will be transformed in to the city’s first indoor skate park.

“I’m very, very happy with that. It’s right on the corner of 16th and Clark. It’s gonna be an indoor park and it’s gonna be fabulous for skateboarders. Really,” the mayor said. “It’s gonna be open 24 hours-a-day. A lot of young people work at night. They get off at one or two o’clock in the morning. Of course, they want to skate around the city. So, this will be a great indoor facility. It’ll be the only one of its kind in the country. It’ll be a public park. It’s fabulous.”

It would be good for this area as it doesn't get much foot traffic currently. There seems to be issues with how this will be funded, but it would be a nice complement to the recently renovated soccer fields just to the west. We will see...TIF funds anyone?!?!?

(Hat tip: SC, MW, RAF!)

Roosevelt Road Serves Neighborhood Well

"Underemployed" Filming in the Sloop

A reader writes:

I was driving down South State Street today just north of Cermak (between Reggie's and the post office) and there were tons of trailers lining the streets. They looked a lot like the type of trailers they bring in when a movie is being filmed. Do you know of any details on this?

We didn't find anything about this on beforethetrailer.com, but another blog (South Loop Connection) has a post on the topic. It appears that MTV is filming a new comedy called "underemployed":

MTV is prepping its next pilot - a single-camera comedy about 5 twentysomethings in Chicago from Dirty Sexy Money creator Craig Wright.

We also saw some trucks on Harrison and Wabash yesterday, so maybe they were all over the South Loop.

(Hat tip: EW!)

Vote to Bring Wow Bao to the Sloop

A reader recently emailed us:

Wow Bao is asking fans on their Facebook page where they should open another location.

Wouldn't it be great if we could get one in the South Loop? The have one of my all time favorite breakfasts (a rice bowl with eggs, bacon and spinach) and Intelligentsia coffee. They also have great dinners and treats and would be the ideal less expensive fare for college students and condo owners alike!

Please get people on board!

Here is the link so help represent the Sloop. We like the restaurant's Asian buns and it would definitely be a great addition to the hood. Our friends at Uptown Update already have their readers voting, so hurry up and vote!

(Hat tip: RT!)

Vehicle Crashes into Manny's Deli

In case you missed this story in the Trib yesterday:

Chicago police are investigating an incident in which a car apparently crashed into the front window of Manny's Deli Saturday morning, then drove off. Police believe it happened between 2:45 and 3:20 a.m. April 30. A delivery truck arrived at the deli, 1141 S. Jefferson St., and the driver noticed a shattered window, said Chicago Police Officer Anne Dwyer.

(Hat tip: ND!)

South Loop Elementary School Plans Open Forum

A reader writes:

South Loop Elementary School Plans Open Forum

The Local School Council (LSC) of South Loop Elementary School invites the community to an Open Forum on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at 7:00PM. The event will be held in the school's main building at 1212 South Plymouth Court. An LSC is the governing body of each individual Chicago Public School.

It is responsible for three main duties:

1. approving how school funds and resources are allocated


2. monitoring the annual School Improvement Plan


3. evaluating and selecting the school’s principal

As the South Loop School LSC reviews it primary responsibilities, it desires input from all of the stakeholders of the school community. This Open Forum will provide the opportunity for parents and community members to voice suggestions, praise, and concerns so that South Loop School will continue to improve. South Loop Elementary School is a diverse school with over 700 preschool-8th grade students.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s South Loop, the school serves families within the neighborhood attendance area and throughout the city of Chicago through its Regional Gifted Center, Fine Arts Magnet Cluster Program, Early Childhood Center, and Community School. While South Loop School has different programs, it works to build bridges across them to strengthen and unite the school community.

When Charitable Organizations Go to Far...

Not sure we echo these thoughts, but can see why it would be frustrating for some:

Hello Sloopin,

Thought I would reach out to you to get your thoughts about the increasing number of charitable organizations hanging out at the intersection at Wabash & Roosevelt. In the last few weeks I've encountered Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign and today, the Red Cross. It has become annoying for me to walk through the intersection on a daily basis and be aggressively pursued for donations.

Today, I was double teamed by the Red Cross as I made my way to Jewel. At the northeast corner I was able to get by but then as I made my way through the southwest corner I was pursued again. On my way back, the same again. This time I caught one spitting on our sidewalk. Do you know if there are any regulations or licensing requirements for these fundraisers? I deal with it often while in the loop for work but having to contend in my own neighborhood has pushed me to my limit. Maybe I'm a
curmudgeon?

We don't know what the regulations are, but imagine there are some. Does anyone know the policy? Or have a link?

UPDATE: the reader heard the following from the alderman's office:

I did hear back from the Alderman with a suggestion I call 911 if they block the intersections or spit. I thought that was excessive. They don't need any licensing since it falls under free speech.

(Hat tip: LH!)

Shots Around the Sloop: South Michigan

(Hat tip: VK!)