When I think Chicago, I think blues music. And in Chicago, no one does it better than Buddy Guy. So yesterday I headed over to Buddy Guy’s Legends Restaurant and Bar. After more than 20 years turning out great blues music in the South Loop, Buddy opened up a brand new location in June of this year just a few doors down from the old location at Wabash & Balbo. This new building is much larger and even has a second floor for private events and parties. But the real draw of Buddy Guy’s Legends is of course the music. Seven nights a week you can catch some of the best names in blues. The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and B.B. King have all graced the stage at Buddy Guy’s. When I visited, I was lucky enough to see Harmonica Hines jamming away.

In addition to the great music, Buddy Guy’s also has some great food. They are open every day for lunch and dinner and feature delicious southern style cooking. The fried okra and jumbo gumbo go together perfectly with the sweet sounds of the Chicago Blues. And don’t worry if you’re traveling with the family. Every monday through friday they have kid-friendly acoustic sets in the afternoons, as well as friday and saturday evenings. So if you’re looking for a fun way to experience real Chicago Blues, no one does it better than Buddy!

Sales manager Christine Quinn poses with our new Open Bookshelf. It’s our version of take-a-book/leave-a-book

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with local nonprofit, Open Books! This Chicago social venture has been helping to spread literacy throughout the city since 2006. In just that short time, Open books has developed several different community outreach programs and opened its own self-operated book store. By engaging local businesses and committed volunteers, Open books has been able to serve more than 4,000 students in Chicago Public Schools and other under-served areas. One-on-one reading buddies, creative writing field trips, ‘virtual’ mentoring and literacy related wordshops are just some of the ways that Open Books has been able to make a marked difference in young people’s lives.
Today is the debut of our brand new Open Books “Open Bookshelf”. This new take-a-book/leave-a-book program provides travelers the opportunity to further relax while enjoying their stay at our hotel. We invite our guests to grab an interesting read from the book shelf and make themselves cozy while sitting on our outside sun deck, in the comfort of their bed, or anywhere they wish to enjoy the company of a good book. And don’t worry if you don’t finish it all in one sitting. Feel free to take home the book and the memories of a great visit to Chicago.
To complement our Open Bookshelf program we are also implementing our very own book drive. Starting today, guests can bring in any gently used books they would like to donate. All books for all ages and all reading interests are welcomed. Open Books collects the used books to re-sell in their very own book store that benefits all of their literacy programs. It’s a great and easy way to share the gift of reading. Best of all, any guest who makes a book donation to the book drive will receive 250 bonus Best Western Rewards points that can be accrued for free night stays, travel cards and retail gift cards.

For more information about Open Books check out their website at Open-Books.org

This month, I didn’t have to go far to find some great food. I went just across the street to Portillo’s Hot Dogs. This Chicago chain has been serving great Chicago Style hot dogs and italian beefs since 1963. Today I tried their delicious Chicago hot dog, which as some of you know, is topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers and a pickle spear. But no ketchup! If that doesn’t get your appetite fired up, they also have really great burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pastas and my personal favorite; baby back ribs. Wash it all down with their famous chocolate cake shake. Its as tasty as it sounds.
But the best part of Portillo’s Hot Dogs is its excellent value. It’s one of the few places in Chicago that offer a fun and unique dining experience without breaking the bank. You can take the whole family there and not have to worry about blowing your budget. Everything on the menu is under $7.00! A true Chicago rarity. So if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or somewhere that will please your family’s palate, stop in to Portillo’s Hot Dogs!

Enjoying a Chicago style hot dog

This past friday, our hotel was thrilled to check in one of our newest guests, “Walk Around Sue”. This 6 foot tall and 13 foot long animatronic dinosaur came over to us, courtesy of the Field Museum in celebration of Sue the T-Rex’s 10th anniversary. If you missed her at our hotel, you can still head over to the Field Museum and challenge RoboSue to a staring contest or check out the 3-D film that tells the story of how Sue was found. And don’t forget, discounted tickets for the Field Museum can be purchased directly at our hotel.

Even Walk Around Sue enjoys our Free Parking

Now that Memorial Day is over, we can finally say SUMMER IS HERE!!! And not a moment too soon. Of course, the start of summer in Chicago can only mean one thing: Chicago Festivals! This year, all the favorites make their return. Kicking it off is the Gospel Music Fest June 5th and 6th, followed by the Blues Music Fest June 11th- 13th. Markings its 30th anniversary is the one and only Taste of Chicago from June 25th to July 4th; the world’s largest outdoor food festival. With more than 50 Chicago restaurants, dozens of music performances each day, and loads of children’s activities it’s sure to keep the whole family busy. If all the Maxwell Street Polish Sausages and slices of Eli’s Cheesecake leave you feeling a little weighed down, stop by Millenium Park on Saturday mornings for workouts on the Great Lawn or head to Grant Park Thursday through Sunday for the Summer Dance festival.
If you really want to make the most of the Chicago’s beautiful summer weather, be sure to take in a baseball game or two at either Wrigley Field or U.S. Cellular Field. Or save yourself time and head to one of the always exciting Cross-Town Classics June 11th - 13th and 25th -27th. In August don’t forget to look up as Chicago’s Air and Water show takes to the beaches of Lake Michigan. But the quintessential Chicago summer experience is ending your fun-filled day by catching Navy Pier’s bi-weekly fireworks over one of the greatest skylines in the world. With all the things going on this summer, there’s no better place to be than downtown Chicago!

Congratulations to 7 year old Joe S. from Michigan. Joe is the winner of our Field Museum inspired coloring contest! Joe and his family will receive two complimentary nights at Best Western River North Hotel and 4 tickets to the Field Museum to visit the Mammoths and Mastodons Exhibit.

Dinosaurs at Best Western River North,
originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago.

This summer Sue the T. Rex is celebrating her 10th Anniversary at the Field Museum of Natural History. Part of that celebration will be the opening of Robo Sue, the exhibit. This is an interactive animatronic dinosaur exhibit where you will experiece the piercing stare of a hungry Velociraptors and get locked into a deadly standoff with Sue the T. Rex.

Best Western River North Hotel is excited to be part of the celebration for Sue. On June 11, 2010 at 5pm you can experience one of the animatronic dinosaurs here at River North Hotel. After the visit from our dinosaur friend, watch the film Jurassic Park in our restaurant Pizzeria Ora and enjoy complimentary snacks. Film begins at 5:30pm.

Where’s Wallace April 2010 Best Western River North Hotel Chicago,
originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago.

Last month we asked all our Facebook Fans to suggest a place for me to visit this month. Thanks to Ruth Shaffer, I had the pleasure of eating today at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery.

Rock Bottom is located at 1 West Grand Ave and is open daily from 11am-2am. Of course the food is excellent but what makes Rock Bottom really special is the beer. They brew their own beer right at the restaurant. In the picture you can see me standing near some of the brewing equipement.

The brew kettle you see in the picture is actually the fourth of seven steps in the beer making process. I learned a lot about brewing beer, but…….since this is a work assignment I didnt get to taste any (on this trip at least)

I started my lunch with the Ball Park Pretzel. It is served with a cheesey dip to dunk your pretzel and it was out of this world. I almost didnt have room for the Smoked Chicken Enchilda’s I ordered!

I have a very exciting surprise next month so stay tuned!

It wouldn’t be summer without a new issue of Midwest Living’s Best of the Midwest magazine. The 2010 edition includes recommendations of where to go, where to stay, what to eat and what to do. The staff of Midwest Living has eaten at every restaurant, stayed at every lodging and visited every destination to ensure they’re good.

Best Western River North Hotel is again featured as a “Where to Stay” in Chicago. Just a handful of Chicago hotels are featured. We sincerely appreciate the recognition and will continue to do our best to provide a great lodging value in the great city of Chicago!

Best Western Chicago - Papers,
originally uploaded by Best Western River North Hotel Chicago.

As part of our Social Consciousness Program, our employees drop off old newspapers to our community neighbor The Anti-Cruelty Society. Anti-Cruelty reuses these newspapers in both the cat and dog adoption rooms.