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WiFi and good food?

WiFi and good food?
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  • WiFi and good food?

    Post #1 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:40 pm
    Post #1 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:40 pm Post #1 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:40 pm
    I'm a freelance web designer & a mother of 5 :shock:. So when I need to be able to work on my projects without one of the twins or the rest of these little people hanging on me, I grab my laptop & head out the door. Usually I end up at a library, Panera, Dollop, Metropolis, or some place like that but frankly I'm all coffee-d and cafe-d out. As a food lover I'd love to be able to work and eat something delicious.

    I'd like a place where I can eat a real hot meal , maybe even have a drink, & work on my laptop for an hour or two as well. I figure these places are rare since free wifi lends itself to slow turn overs. And restaurants aren't typically fans of that, but I know there have to be a few places that fit the bill. I'm open to whatever, basically where ever within the city limits. I'm in Rogers Park so around here would be nice but not necessary!

    Can you recommend any places that have Wi-fi (preferably free :wink: but I will pay if need be ) & food (preferably scrumptious)? Or am I dreaming and will just have to shut up and enjoy my thousandth turkey panini & 4 dollar cup of tea at yet another coffee shop?
    Let's eat!
  • Post #2 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:45 pm
    Post #2 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:45 pm Post #2 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:45 pm
    You are not alone.
  • Post #3 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:49 pm
    Post #3 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:49 pm Post #3 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:49 pm
    GNR Winner Manny's fit's the bill (except for the near Rogers Park part). Great food, large well lit space to work, plenty of room, so they won't look at you funny for taking up space and free WiFi.

    Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli
    1141 S Jefferson St
    Chicago, IL 60607
    (312) 939-2855
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #4 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:55 pm
    Post #4 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:55 pm Post #4 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:55 pm
    Great Lake Pizza.
  • Post #5 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:55 pm
    Post #5 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:55 pm Post #5 - December 22nd, 2009, 2:55 pm
    Okay, that was a joke.
  • Post #6 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:00 pm
    Post #6 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:00 pm Post #6 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:00 pm
    Try this, though.
  • Post #7 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:52 pm
    Post #7 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:52 pm Post #7 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:52 pm
    I'm not going to go so far as to say that the food is scrumptious, and it may not fit the bill in terms of the type of atmosphere you are going for, but the mega-Whole Foods on Kingsbury has a number of different food offerings, ranging from a hot food bar to a burgers/fries/shakes "diner" to pizza, Japanese/Asian, a raw bar, etc. You can take any of that to eat over in the beer bar area (which has a range of large and small tables), where they have a pretty good craft beer list, to meet your desire to have a drink (there is also a wine bar). And the whole store has free WiFi.

    Also, I was at the Map Room this past Saturday (mid-afternoon) and there were several people there using laptops. While it does not fit the food requirement, it is a departure from the typical coffee shop and I am pretty sure they let you bring in outside food. They open fairly early (serving coffee and pastries in the morning), and I imagine it would be a great and quiet place to have a beer and do some on weekday afternoons.
  • Post #8 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:54 pm
    Post #8 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:54 pm Post #8 - December 22nd, 2009, 3:54 pm
    Matt wrote:Map Room ...I imagine it would be a great and quiet place to have a beer and do some [work] on weekday afternoons.

    Indeed it is, and I have done so many times. Free pretzel sticks at the bar in addition to the great beer list, or it's easy enough to order some pizza delivery.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #9 - December 22nd, 2009, 6:03 pm
    Post #9 - December 22nd, 2009, 6:03 pm Post #9 - December 22nd, 2009, 6:03 pm
    Toons Bar and Grill on Southport has free WI-FI.
    Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?...........Louis Armstrong
  • Post #10 - December 23rd, 2009, 7:19 am
    Post #10 - December 23rd, 2009, 7:19 am Post #10 - December 23rd, 2009, 7:19 am
    Thanks so much for your help! I had no idea about Toons, Manny's or the Map Room! I'll definitely try these out and come back with my experiences. Drunk web designing should be AWESOME!

    Mhays ~ I did A search for wifi here and that post didn't pop up so thanks for leading me to that one!

    Cliantro ~ three posts & the best you can do is send me to a generic list of wi-fi spots & a lame joke? I guess forum snark just ain't what it used to be... :roll:
    Let's eat!
  • Post #11 - December 23rd, 2009, 7:46 am
    Post #11 - December 23rd, 2009, 7:46 am Post #11 - December 23rd, 2009, 7:46 am
    itsmesenam wrote:Cliantro ~ three posts & the best you can do is send me to a generic list of wi-fi spots & a lame joke? I guess forum snark just ain't what it used to be... :roll:

    Yes, I sent you a link that helps you find Wi-Fi spots by neighborhood and tells you which ones are free. I hope you'll be able to forgive me someday.
  • Post #12 - December 23rd, 2009, 9:52 am
    Post #12 - December 23rd, 2009, 9:52 am Post #12 - December 23rd, 2009, 9:52 am
    Though I won't say that the food is "great" by any stretch of the imagination, The Boundary (a cavernous bar on Division) has free wifi. They have a decent beer list, a fireplace, a ton of tvs, and typically don't mind if you're camped out there for a few hours. You can get a hot meal there as well - I'm just saying that it's not the best.

    Also on Division, Mac's (at Wood St.) has free wifi as well and they also serve "hot meals." Again, not great food but it's hot, "pub grub" stuff and they wouldn't mind you hanging out either.
  • Post #13 - December 25th, 2009, 1:39 pm
    Post #13 - December 25th, 2009, 1:39 pm Post #13 - December 25th, 2009, 1:39 pm
    cilantro wrote:
    itsmesenam wrote:Cliantro ~ three posts & the best you can do is send me to a generic list of wi-fi spots & a lame joke? I guess forum snark just ain't what it used to be... :roll:

    Yes, I sent you a link that helps you find Wi-Fi spots by neighborhood and tells you which ones are free. I hope you'll be able to forgive me someday.

    Cilantro,

    That's a much better link than one I've tried to use. I appreciate it. It has some things that are out of date, though - Mojoe's on Belmont has been closed since fall 2008, Cafe Des Cartes in Lincoln Square since early this year. I tried to find a way to notify the site, but it didn't immediately pop up.

    And I'd offer itsmesenam Lutz Continental Cafe and Bakery as another option. Glancing at the decor, you might not think "linger over my laptop." But they do encourage it:
    http://www.lutzcafe.com/cafe.asp
  • Post #14 - December 25th, 2009, 2:56 pm
    Post #14 - December 25th, 2009, 2:56 pm Post #14 - December 25th, 2009, 2:56 pm
    Definitely a bit out of date. It lists Cafe Du Monde on Granville, which has been Bananas Foster Cafe for a while now. I'd be very surprised if the latter had Wi-Fi. (Anyone ever try this place, by the way? I've seen no forum mentions).

    On the other hand, we do find out from that link that Goose Island and Candlelite both offer free Wi-Fi. (I'd call to confirm before heading over, though.) So it's not perfect, but it's a start.

    (You may find this site to be a better front-end.)
  • Post #15 - December 26th, 2009, 8:43 am
    Post #15 - December 26th, 2009, 8:43 am Post #15 - December 26th, 2009, 8:43 am
    Up on the North Shore, Akai Hana on Lake St. by the highway has free wifi and is very kid-friendly. Decent Japanese/sushi choices.

    Thai Pavilion 2 on Church St. just east of Skokie Blvd has free wifi.

    For coffee, soup and sandwiches, Linz & Vail on Central St in Evanston has it too. (The have another location on Noyes which is closer to Rogers Park. Never been there.)

    Akai Hana
    3223 W. Lake Ave.
    Wilmette, IL 60091
    TEL: (847) 251-0384
    www.akaihanasushi.com

    Thai Pavilion 2
    4654 Church Street
    Skokie, IL 60076
    (847) 677-1068
    www.thaipavilionskokie.com


    Linz & Vail
    2012 Central Street
    Evanston
    (847) 475-1381
    "You should eat!"
  • Post #16 - January 6th, 2010, 9:41 pm
    Post #16 - January 6th, 2010, 9:41 pm Post #16 - January 6th, 2010, 9:41 pm
    I'd like to have a working lunch in the Loop - not fine dining or expense-account client schmoozing - more like a deli/diner/soup/sandwich place that allows for spreading out, where I won't be rushed, and I get free wifi. And I'd prefer to skip the Corner Bakery and other chains.

    Suggestions? I'm on the northeast edge of the loop close to the State/Lake el station.
    "You should eat!"
  • Post #17 - January 6th, 2010, 10:03 pm
    Post #17 - January 6th, 2010, 10:03 pm Post #17 - January 6th, 2010, 10:03 pm
    This looks pretty comprehensive...

    http://www.centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/styles/wifi-free.html
  • Post #18 - January 7th, 2010, 8:23 am
    Post #18 - January 7th, 2010, 8:23 am Post #18 - January 7th, 2010, 8:23 am
    You could do worse than Goose Island Clybourn for Free Wifi, beer and Food.
  • Post #19 - January 7th, 2010, 8:47 am
    Post #19 - January 7th, 2010, 8:47 am Post #19 - January 7th, 2010, 8:47 am
    Yup, I was going to say Goose Island. When my husband and I first moved to Chicago, we had to wait a couple weeks for our internet and cable to get hooked up, so we used to head over to Goose Island to surf the internet (me) and watch baseball (him) while enjoying drinks and food. We went to the one on Clark. It's not necessarily my favorite bar food in the city, but it's decent and the wi-fi was a definite plus.
  • Post #20 - January 7th, 2010, 9:33 am
    Post #20 - January 7th, 2010, 9:33 am Post #20 - January 7th, 2010, 9:33 am
    The two Goose Island brewpubs have different menus. The one on Clark has a "pub grub" menu while the one on Clybourn is more upscale. There is also a lot of free parking for the Clybourn location in lots north and south of Willow Ave. (Just don't park in the Binny's lot, they tow)
  • Post #21 - January 7th, 2010, 6:43 pm
    Post #21 - January 7th, 2010, 6:43 pm Post #21 - January 7th, 2010, 6:43 pm
    Uncommon Ground fits the bill. Great food and drinks and free wi-fi.
    Uncommon Ground - www.uncommonground.com
    1214 West Grace Street, Chicago
    1401 West Devon Avenue, Chicago

    Two other suggestions in your area:
    Charlie's Ale House in Andersonville is bar food but you could have a drink and spend all afternoon/evening there with no problem.

    Also Ch'ava Cafe at 4656 N. Clark makes extraordinary seasonal sandwiches (I just had the Braised Brisket Sloppy Joe,) has free wi-fi and a very well-designed environment. With a parking lot attached it's a true find!
    Senorita P.
  • Post #22 - January 8th, 2010, 11:59 am
    Post #22 - January 8th, 2010, 11:59 am Post #22 - January 8th, 2010, 11:59 am
    Moretti's in Mount Prospect and Edison Park have free wifi, and pretty good pizza. Not sure about the other locations.

    Moretti's Locations
    Today I caught that fish again, that lovely silver prince of fishes,
    And once again he offered me, if I would only set him free—
    Any one of a number of wonderful wishes... He was delicious! - Shel Silverstein
  • Post #23 - January 10th, 2010, 4:59 pm
    Post #23 - January 10th, 2010, 4:59 pm Post #23 - January 10th, 2010, 4:59 pm
    The pub menu is pretty mundane but the beers are great at the Chicago Rock Bottom (State & Grand) and they now have free wifi. I know they remodelled part of the restaurant as a steakhouse which I've heard good reports about food quality. I would, however, guess wifi is only welcome on the pub/bar side.

    The Map Room does indeed welcome bringing in outside food. They even keep a binder of menus for nearby restaurants offering delivery/takeout.
  • Post #24 - May 7th, 2010, 1:30 pm
    Post #24 - May 7th, 2010, 1:30 pm Post #24 - May 7th, 2010, 1:30 pm
    jhawk1 wrote:Toons Bar and Grill on Southport has free WI-FI.

    indeed it does, and as many times as I've been to Toons on weekends and evenings, I had no idea it was also a good option for the workday. Low volume Cindi Lauper in the background and a pint of Gumballhead are leading to mega productivity.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #25 - May 10th, 2010, 7:13 am
    Post #25 - May 10th, 2010, 7:13 am Post #25 - May 10th, 2010, 7:13 am
    Pita Kabab
    5701 N California Ave
    Chicago, IL 60659
    773-271-2771

    use their phone number without the hyphens as the wifi password
  • Post #26 - May 10th, 2010, 11:41 am
    Post #26 - May 10th, 2010, 11:41 am Post #26 - May 10th, 2010, 11:41 am
    Food aside, consider using a shared workspace such as COOP Chicago ($20 per day) http://coworkchicago.com/ or another co-working space near you http://coworking.pbworks.com/CoworkingChicago.

    You'll get a lot more done, in my experience, and you can always go someplace else for a quick bite or bring your own delicious food.
  • Post #27 - May 12th, 2010, 6:51 pm
    Post #27 - May 12th, 2010, 6:51 pm Post #27 - May 12th, 2010, 6:51 pm
    If you don't want food and drink, you can go to a public library and work for free.

    Not thrilling food, but more than just coffee-bar fare: Ruby Tuesdays locations are in the process of installing wifi. Only some of them have it as yet.

    Macondo at Lincoln and Southport, the Fair Trade coffee and empanada spot owned by the Las Tablas folks, has free wifi -- ask the counterman for the sign-in. Good fried empanadas and a few other Colombian items.
  • Post #28 - May 12th, 2010, 7:16 pm
    Post #28 - May 12th, 2010, 7:16 pm Post #28 - May 12th, 2010, 7:16 pm
    The Ruby Tuesday news is not thrilling for Chicagoland, but on some of my work travels a Ruby Tuesday's is downright fine dining for lunch. Decatur IL, and York PA for two examples.
    "Fried chicken should unify us, as opposed to tearing us apart. " - Bomani Jones
  • Post #29 - May 13th, 2010, 7:46 am
    Post #29 - May 13th, 2010, 7:46 am Post #29 - May 13th, 2010, 7:46 am
    Craves Cafe
    4431 N. Milwaukee (Agatite Ave.)
    Chicago IL

    I'm sitting here this AM posting this and just had two chorizo/scrambled egg breakfast empanadas and a nice coffee.
  • Post #30 - May 17th, 2010, 9:42 am
    Post #30 - May 17th, 2010, 9:42 am Post #30 - May 17th, 2010, 9:42 am
    earthlydesire wrote:This looks pretty comprehensive...

    http://www.centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/styles/wifi-free.html


    Overly so. My experience with this list has been poor, especially with the ethnic places where English might not be the primary language. I have a feeling that there were misunderstandings between the centerstage researcher and whomever he/ she spoke to about wifi availability. "Wi-fi" may have sounded like "Wafu" or some such thing, which is OK if you'll take Japanese steak instead of the internet..
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food

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