Downtown Chicago, “Cosi Sandwich Bar”

So after finalizing some travel arrangements I decided to hit downtown.

With my car.

Well I knew that it’s not going to be pleasant, but I didn’t know to what extent. Going on the I‐90 towards downtown, I suddenly realized a gigantic traffic jam in the horizon. Took the nearest exit (I think it’s called “Keeler Avenue” or something) and instructed my GPS to take me downtown avoiding highways.

Well, it worked. It took me through some areas I felt very uncomfortable driving through, but at the end I arrived at downtown.

Now here’s a good time for some background information. I was born and raised (25 years) in the area of Tel Aviv, Israel. It is a rather crowded and noisy area. Right, it doesn’t have 10 million people in its metro area, but we’re talking about very limited space.

When I moved to Canada I decided to settle in Waterloo because I liked the peacefulness and space. I really got tired of living under pressure, in the boiling pot of a big city. I bought a house in Waterloo and I am very happy there. I visit the big city (Toronto) every once in a while, though. Even then, I don’t drive there as much.

Now imagine what I went through driving in downtown Chicago looking for parking, when I haven’t had my breakfast yet. Monday, lunch time. The entire world is walking the streets on their way for lunch. About 250 million cars on the road, give or take.

Joy.

After wandering around the downtown area, I finally found—don’t ask me how, it must have been a miracle—a parking spot right on the street, on Franklin & Washington. $6 for two hours, comparing to $28 in a parkade.

I was very hungry and decided to hit the first eatery I come across. That was very easy—right across the road I noticed a big sign reading “Cosi Sandwich Bar”. It had no outside patio so I thought I should skip it, but decided to give it a shot anyway.

It was packed with people.

But what a beautiful place! They serve sandwiches, salads and espresso here. It appears to be very popular. As I approached the sandwich ordering spot, I understood why.

These guys bake their flatbreads right there in a big wood‐burning oven. As you wait in line, you can get some bread strips from some basket, and, man is it tasty. I am a sucker for pastries and the smell of warm, fresh bread when I’m starving is enough to turn me on.

I had the chicken Caesar sandwich. Thought I died and went to heaven. Maybe it was because I was so hungry but man, what an awesome sandwich! You get some chicken cubes on a flatbread with some goat cheese spread and other vegetables—trust me, you wouldn’t want that sandwich to end.

So, next time you’re in Chicago, give it a shot. “Cosi Sandwich Bar”, right on Franklin & Washington, you can’t miss it.

Will continue wandering around the downtown area and will start driving towards Nashville in the afternoon, hopefully before rush hour.

Cheers,
Isaac