Chicagoland Weekend - 9/30/21 - 10/3/21

It feels like everyone is in Vegas without me right now. But, I do have some adventures of my own planned. I'm wrapping up work in a few minutes and trekking up to Chicagoland for the long weekend.

A friend of mine (I've dubbed him High Roller Friend "HRF" in prior reports) invited me to the Blackhawks v. Blues pre-season game, so I'm making a weekend out of it. I'm staying up in Itasca near where HRF lives. I probably won't make it into Chicago proper at all this trip, but will be trying to hit up some of the casinos in the area plus eating food and drinking drinks. As one does.

And then I'm taking Route 66 back to St. Louis on Sunday - time to practice for my epic road-trip next year.

Plans Include:

• Anywhere from 4 to 8 Casinos
• A Brewery or Two
• Hawks Game
• Some "Great Neighborhood Restaurants" in Chicagoland
• Pink Drinks
• Road Tripping Kitsch

 

First stop in Litchfield for some treats for the trip.

 

Early bite at the not-to-be-missed Cozy Dog I’m Springfield. Closed on Sundays so figured I’d best stop today. Glad I went with the small fries. I’m not usually a corn dog fan, but this was delicious.

 

Enjoy! You'll get to see how much the 'Hawks and Blues need to get better to be on par with the Canucks ....

GG

 

Casino #1 - Hollywood - Joliet, IL

I haven’t been here in a decade. It feels a bit different to me, but that might just be my faulty memory. Bought a pink drink ($4.50) and then won $88 slotting around. Nice auspicious number.

I forgot how much I love how all casinos in IL are non-smoking.

Tables at 8PM Thursday - $15 craps and roulette, $5 MS stud and 3CP. BJ at $10, $15 and $25.

They also had betting kiosks but no real sports book.

 

Casino #2 - Harrah’s - Joliet, IL

Another smallish casino that I haven’t been to since I lived in Chicago about a decade ago. Played a teeny tiny amount and came out even.

Pit at 9PM - $10 carnie games (high card flush, MS Stud, 3CP, UTH), $15 craps and roulette. BJ 6/5 at $15 and 3/2 at $15 and $25.

 

I must have gotten distracted by work in the middle of packing because I apparently packed tops twice. I officially have more shirts with me for this weekend than I take for a two week trip to Vegas. That does explain why my suitcase was so full.

 

Were the bartop VP slots open for playing in those two casinos?

 

I haven't been to Harrah's in about a year. Looks like they fixed up some of the area quite nicely. Their room conditions leave a lot to be desired, though. I'll drive out to Joliet for a concert and use my points to stay there if I don't want to drive the hour or so home late after the show.

 

If you are headed at all to Horseshoe in Hammond, In (20 minutes from downtown Chicago) you may want to go a bit further to the new Hardrock in Gary, In. Brand new, very clean, great game selections. Our experience as far as winning/losing has been very mixed so far but it’s a pleasant casino.

 

If you decide to check out Rivers near O'Hare, jump on the tollway heading north a little ways to the Willow Rd. exit. Check out Superdawg in Wheeling! The best dogs in Chicagoland! (Their original location is actually in Chicago, but they opened this one up several years ago, and it is just as good!!!) 333 S. Milwaukee Ave.

 

Assuming you're diamond, make sure you do the status match if you visit Grand Victoria in Elgin. It will get you lounge access (where you can get a generous half sandwich /s) and you should be able to get $40 free play.

 

They both had bartop Vp open. Paytables were meh. And no comped drinks.

I might head out that way tomorrow. Would like to see the new Hard Rock. And good excuse to pick up some beer at Three Floyd’s.

Good to know. I’ve been to the Chicago location, but didn’t know they had an outpost in Wheeling.

Good to know. I don’t think I brought one of my Diamond Cards. I wonder if I can get away with showing the app?

 

mmm Gumballhead

Enjoy the Hawks-Blues game. The UC will get loud if its full, even in preseason.

Also tons of great breweries - Off Color and Revolution in Chicago; Sketchbook in Evanston and Skokie

 

You can also status match Diamond to the Legend level at Hard Rock, IN.

Also, the Wheeling Superdawg location is still run by the family, which is nice!

 

Lunch at Paradise Pup. Burger was great but huge. And a little messy. Fries were fantastic. Worth a stop if you are out by O’Hare.

 

Rivers Casino. I used to spend a couple months of time in Rosemont every year so I’m pretty familiar with this place. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been back. They’ve added a lounge in part of the closed buffet. And turned the one bar into a sportsbook.

Rivers was jamming even in middle of day on a Friday. It was kind of claustrophobic for me. So I lost a quick $20 and headed out.

12:30PM - Table Games Open
Cajun Stud $5
Mississippi Stud $10
High Card Flush $5
UTH $5, $10, $25
Pai Gow $15
Baccarat $15, $25
Spanish 21 $15
3CP $10
BJ $25, $50
Roulette $5
Craps $10, $15

 

That should work. I'm pretty sure they just need the number. When you match to Sterling, you get a choice of $40 in free play or $60 in food every month.

 

Rivers is crowded at all hours of the day, not sure how that's possible. Even when they open in the morning, there are people at the tables.

The Hard Rock in Gary, IN has been getting some big winner press recently. I think it just opened-- something much more respectable than horseshoe if you want a change of scenery.

 

Took a quick nap (love long weekends) then HRF picked me up. Dinner at Honey Butter Chicken. Nom nom nom.