WiFi Work Lunch Hideaway

**olllllo** · 06-28-2007, 06:51 PM

I'm looking for a place for workday lunch with the following criteria:
WiFi is a must right now.
Ratings 1- 10

Location - Closeness to work.
Escapability- Is it possible to avoid any co-worker drones?
Food - Average to better food.
Beer - Duh. Has to be a good selection 5 = BMC
WiFi - Free is better. Is it a hassle?
Intangibles - Thanks rdwj

Seems like the Wifi is the deal breaker. That's been the focus of my search... that and beer.

I'll post my notes and stuff here. Anyone can play along.

Have you found the Holy Grail of luncheries?

**olllllo** · 06-28-2007, 06:55 PM

Monday:
Pizza Heaven

Location - 6 10 min drive.
Escapability - 8 Out of the way and places to hide inside.
Food - 7 Good menu - well executed
Beer - 5 BMC
WiFi - 8 Free- but you need to ask for the passkey
Intangibles - none

rdwj · 06-28-2007, 06:55 PM

I'd add hot waitress / bartender to the list. That ALWAYS helps

**olllllo** · 06-28-2007, 06:59 PM

Today I am going to Hazelwoods - 16 beers and WiFi.

Evan! · 06-28-2007, 07:43 PM

Here's mine.

I don't think it'd score very high on your list, though...

**olllllo** · 06-28-2007, 07:45 PM

These people need beer in their hands!

**FlyingHorse** · 06-28-2007, 07:57 PM

I don't often lunch there, but this would be a good choice here in the 'burgh: https://www.fatheads.com/

Location - 9. Moderate walk from my office; 2 min on the bike
Escapability- 10. No one I work with would lunch there
Food - 10. awesome bar food, and the best wings I've ever had.
Beer - 10. 39 taps, 200+ bottles, carry-out sixers upstairs, very little BMC
WiFi - 9? I think they have free WiFi (I have a VZ card, so not sure). If not, I'm nearly certain you could pick up a signal from one of the neighbors
Intangibles - Outdoor seating; reasonably hot servers.

In Chicago (former and future home) I'd go with Goose Island. Either location is good, but the Wrigleyville one is a zoo on Cubs home game dates, so Clybourn might be better then

Location - 9. Easy access to either from downtown office via public trans
Escapability- 7. Better at Clybourn (Wrigley location is too big and open
Food - 8. decent bar food.
Beer - 8. All housebrewed (though there's hidden BMC if you ask), solid across the board lineup
WiFi - 10. Free and easy
Intangibles - Outdoor seating at the Wrigley location

**olllllo** · 06-28-2007, 08:10 PM

I'm actually at Gallaghers. I'll edit in the notes as I go.

Location - 9
5 min drive.
Escapability - 8
Out of the way... no reason for anyone to head that way and places to hide inside.
Food - 7
Good menu - well executed
Beer - 7
Beers on tap (BMC) and
Fat Tire,
Breckenridge Brewery Vanilla Porter
Alaskan Amber
Stella
Guinness
Bitterroot Brewing Moose Drool
Blue Moon

this is an acceptable baseline (best so far)

WiFi - 10
Free- multiple nodes
Intangibles - mondo sports bar plasma

**olllllo** · 06-29-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olllllo

Today I am going to Hazelwoods - 16 beers and WiFi.

Ok, I'm here now.

Notes to follow.

Bad omen:
Tucker Carlson is on TV
Too many "premium tap beers" are light lagers:
Grolsch
Stella
Kronenborg

Edit: HORROR of HORRORS AB Beach Bum Blond

Location - 8
7 min drive.
Escapability - 9
Out of the way... no reason for anyone to head that way and places to hide inside.
Food - 6
Average menu - Buffalo Chicken was - meh
Beer - 6
See above. Not one good beer.
WiFi - 10
Free- multiple nodes
Intangibles - good TV coverage.
Right next to where I get my oil changed, so I will be coming here 4 times a year. I better get to know the Bar Manager.

Sir Humpsalot · 06-29-2007, 08:31 PM

Goose Island

Location - 10
On the one hand it's 30 miles from work, on the other hand, it's half way to home and only about 10 miles out of the way. If I worked in downtown chicago, it'd be a couple miles away or less.
Escapability- 5
About 5 different separate rooms to hide in, but it's a big place.
Food - 8
Really tasty eats. Not a 4 star restaurant, but fantastic guy food with a touch of class.
Beer - 9.
No commercial brews, but alway 10-12 craftbrews on tap
WiFi - 10
Free. No hassle (I don't think)
Intangibles - 7 Nearly all the waitresses are hot. Almost all the bartenders are ugly guys. But they know their beers and they can pour a pint. And they work hard. Your glass doesn't sit empty for long, even on a busy friday night. If you want to flirt with stupid bimbos, sit at a table and leave the bar to the serious drinkers. The decor is very woody and classy.