Mud Running and Delicious restaurants in Chicago

Like I said in my S’mores post last week, I had the opportunity to join my blend Katie in the Chicago area for some mud running and a fun weekend away. Which of course included delicious food at various restaurants in Chicago.

It was Dave’s birthday last Thursday and since he worked all day (even coming home for his birthday dinner and getting called back in to work until midnight), we decided Chicago was his birthday weekend celebration. There was much indulging..both in food and drink!

Friday Night:

When we finally arrived in Chicago (bad planning and bickering that happens when two individuals are very tired pushed back the time we left Minnesota), our first thoughts involved FOOD. After much discussion, we arrived on pizza and decided to go with a pizza place due to the fact that you can throw your peanut shells on the floor. We are pretty classy people.

Nick’s Pizza + Pub:

The décor is kind of crazy. You will find probably a hundred dead animals on the wall. If that’s not your thing, maybe get a pizza to go. Overall it’s a fun atmosphere with decently priced and fresh-tasting food. I know it’s not one of the must-see places in the Chicago area, but the fresh-tasting pizza (and a long island) was exactly what I needed that night. They also sing for birthdays, which I decided needed to happen for Dave at the last-minute.

Saturday:

Saturday we were up bright and early to make the drive to our Pretty Muddy 5K run. Well..it was more of a walk-run as these fun run events tend to go. I was humbled by the course mostly because the ground we ran on was so uneven and then there was the climbing of things and crawling through muddy pools (and trying to keep my fitbit dry..ha!). I am definitely feeling it today. 

Dave was a good sport and hung out for a good 45 minutes while we went through the obstacles that were located in a giant cornfield. (oh hey there allergies!)

He decided to get a beer while he waited since there was really no way to watch the race. I will do a more thorough recap of the race once our professional photos come in because this post is long enough as is.

Saturday Afternoon:

After hosing down at the race and another hour in the car (we later discovered our friend Justin’s house was super close to the race..oops!), and a couple of hot showers and scrubbing of mud remnants… it was time for some serious refueling. We all had tacos on the brain and ended up at Bonefish Grill.

Bonefish Grill:

First of all, Bonefish Grill is a chain and while I was hoping to avoid chain restaurants in Chicago…bang-bang shrimp was mentioned. Seriously, this is probably my favorite appetizer of all time. I should have probably ordered a second as my meal, or ordered the bang-bang shrimp tacos.

Instead I ordered tilapia tacos that I didn’t quite care for (mango salsa isn’t my favorite…sweet is just weird in tacos for me) and a very decadent tomato soup which I happily slurped up.

What’s funny is that I didn’t used to be a tomato fan. It was one of those foods I would refuse to eat growing up but making a decision to eat it more in my adult life has actually grown a serious love for the fruit slash veggie. The roasted tomato soup was hearty, warm and flavorful. It also happened to be the first time I’ve eaten tomato soup and not wanted to spit it out. Definitely a winner.

Since we didn’t have any particular plans, we wandered around the outdoor shopping center for a while. Then it was time for some dessert. Some froyo to be exact.

Yogen Früz:

This stuff was delicious. It didn’t have as many self-serve options as Cherry Berry here in the twin cities, but I did love that the yogurt contains live and active cultures. This isn’t the case with all froyo. Dave and I split a small bowl of self-serve (usually I eat half of a smaller bowl and save the rest for later). He topped his vanilla with cookie dough and I threw on lots of chocolate things on my praline pecan. The praline pecan was tasty if not a bit on the sweet side.

Saturday Night:

After watching a couple of goofy Netflix shows such as Sharknado (sharks + tornados = quality movie) and half dozing off (mud runs take it out of ya!), we said goodbye to Katie and headed to our friend Justin’s place. Poor Katie had a headache and decided to stay home.

When we told Justin and his friends we wanted to eat hotdogs, they looked at us a little funny, but knew of a place close by.

Frank’s Night Out:

This was a tiny restaurant with dozens of hot dog options. It was kind of a cross-between fast food and sit down since you order your food at the front, it’s prepared in the back and your order is brought out to your table. It reminded me very much of the café I work at!

I chose the chili dog because it just sounded amazing at the time but if you’re adventurous, there are some crazy options to choose from. We also ordered some sweet potato fries and because it was Dave’s birthday weekend…a deep fat fried Reece’s! Holy yum! Then of course I had to take a picture with the mascot (see first collage above).

Following the hotdog fun were some shenanigans at a bar where I’m pretty sure my parents would hang out at if they were bar people (read= older crowd), but the coverband playing was pretty fun. Lots of Journey slash 80s songs. Then we headed back to Justin’s to check out his sweet hot tub. I’m slightly jealous of the hot tub situation since it would be nice to soak after certain workouts…but then I remember I have a tub and Epsom salts. Same thing, right?

Sunday:

We went to a restaurant for breakfast called Eggcited, but truthfully, it wasn’t anything to write home about. It was super loud (one giant room) and the food tasted about like a Village Inn or IHop. We did actually try to go to IHop but it was crazy packed. That’s what happens when you try to get breakfast at 11am on a Sunday.

The most notable foodie item from Sunday was a drink I tried called a Starbucks Refresher. The Strawberry Lemonade was perfectly refreshing and also semi-healthy with its fruit juice, natural energy (from green coffee??) and only ringing in at 90 calories per can. It reminded me of the v8 energy drinks I buy at home (but this version was about twice as expensive since it was purchased at a gas station).

Oh and my first taste of KFC chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and biscuits that we ate on the road home. I would eat a whole vat of those potatoes! Fortunately I had some leftover for Monday so I got to experience the deliciocity the next day.

[Tweet “Amazing eats in Chicago! #food #eat #chicago”]

Overall it was a fun weekend filled with friends and delicious restaurants in Chicago, but I definitely paid for all the outdoor and pet time in the allergy department! Ask Dave..I complained most of the ride home about my entire face itching haha. It’s ironic how I long to be outdoors and to buy a cute kitty cat, but my body seems to punish me at the mere thought.

At least I have my Adorable pinterest board and endless cute cat YouTube videos!

Follow SemiHealthNut’s board Adorable [Animals] [Cute Things] on Pinterest.

 

[ CamelBak Relay Pitcher and water bottle winners have been picked and e-mailed! Thank you to everyone who participated!! ]

Tell me….

Have you been to Chicago? What’s your favorite place to eat?

What is your favorite breakfast place? Mine is probably Village Inn!

 

Linking up to:

Marvelous in my Monday with Katie at Healthy Diva Life 

Treat Yourself Tuesday with Becky at Olives n Wine

What I Ate Wednesdays with Jenn at Peas and Crayons

 

PS I’m all about Pinterest this year, so I would LOVE IT if you could pin one (or two!) of these images! Pin with me!

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