by Greg Enslen, 07/11/12, GregEnslen.com
My wife Samantha and I headed to Chicago recently for five days. Sam was attending a conference, and I tagged along for a few days of vacation, sight-seeing, and room service. And a chance to finally try some real, Chicago-style pizza. Sunday was one of those rare mornings where Sam and I both got a chance to sleep in, and sleep in we did. I’m used to being awakened by the sound of kids running around, replicating perfectly the thunderous noise created by a rampaging herd of wildebeests. I love wooden floors, and although they may help keep the house cool in the summer, they do nothing to deaden the footfalls of racing children.
Breakfast
We left the hotel and headed on foot toward the Magnificent Mile, the ritzy shopping district a
long Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. As anyone who’s read my columns can attest, I like my breakfast food. And when I don’t get it, I can be a tad … cranky. In fact, I resemble a cat who’s tail has been pulled one too many times by an unruly kid; I don’t MEAN to hiss at you—it’s just that I haven’t had eggs or a slice of bacon yet … or even toast…
We found a dive called Mary’s Cafe and headed inside. Mary’s is one of those places where they say “Hi!” when you come inside, and you feel like you’ve gone back in time to a real down-home diner. I ordered the Hobo’s Pan, a skillet full of hash browns, diced ham, onions, green peppers, and melted cheese with two fried eggs over the top, served with toast. The waitress was friendly and the coffee hot and invigorating…
