Good day, Hawkeye fans... I'm thinking about making the trip to Evanston for the game next week, but never been to a game there... can I get some info from those who have RE: driving distance from Cedar Rapids, difficulty of getting tix, tailgating spots/Hawkeye bar pregame, etc... Also, do we have a reasonable idea on kickoff time yet? Any info would be appreciated -- thanks!!
Iowa at Northwestern road trip
- Thread starter shawnpet
- Start date
W4hawks
Well-Known Member
Make sure you stop at every toll and pay.
I've been there once. Some friends and I ended up parking in some random neighborhood close to the stadium and hung out there. Expect a ton of hawk fans. Overall, it's a great away game to go to. Doesn't get any better then going to away games with a lot of hawk fans!! However, I have decided not to go back due to the fact when I was at the game a few years back, we lost. Up fairly big, they come back, get the onside kick, and yeah you know the rest. One day, I'll over come that day and go back.
Have fun!
I haven't been there in years. They basically play in a glorified high school staduim. In past years there were always more Hawk fans than NU fans. Tailgating is nonexistant but there are some bars to go to around Evanston if I remember right. We're going to. We can't find tickets so we're hoping to find some the morning of.
Living in Chicago,I have gone to this game many times.
Evanston is dry,no bars,btw.
Tickets are sold out,shockingly,but there will be tickets floating around,probably. I will say, in all the NW-Iowa games I have attended, this will be the first that is sold out,so not sure how that will impact scalping. There have always been tickets at the box office on day of game before,so no real pressure to score. There will be the usual sharpies hanging out selling tickets at a premium,tho.
The drive is basically 3.5 hours from CR to Evanston,depending on traffic.
Tailgating is scattered and limited. The biggest concentration of Iowa tailgaters will probably be in campus parking lots over by the lakefront part of campus off of Sheridan Road. It is 2 miles east of Ryan Field,but they have shuttle buses that will take you there.
Not sure where the Huddle will be, probably Friday nite with the 11 oclock kickoff...it is usually west of Evanston in a hotel like the marriott.
I actually think for viewing purposes, the renovated Ryan Field is not bad since they lowered the field by ten feet,which helps with sitelines.
We usually stop over by the NW entrance where the Goose Island Brewing Co. has a free tailgate that provides two free beers...good brew...then walk into Ryan Field.
Go Hawks...and please win this game. So sick of losing to NW both home and away.
Evanston is dry,no bars,btw.
Tickets are sold out,shockingly,but there will be tickets floating around,probably. I will say, in all the NW-Iowa games I have attended, this will be the first that is sold out,so not sure how that will impact scalping. There have always been tickets at the box office on day of game before,so no real pressure to score. There will be the usual sharpies hanging out selling tickets at a premium,tho.
The drive is basically 3.5 hours from CR to Evanston,depending on traffic.
Tailgating is scattered and limited. The biggest concentration of Iowa tailgaters will probably be in campus parking lots over by the lakefront part of campus off of Sheridan Road. It is 2 miles east of Ryan Field,but they have shuttle buses that will take you there.
Not sure where the Huddle will be, probably Friday nite with the 11 oclock kickoff...it is usually west of Evanston in a hotel like the marriott.
I actually think for viewing purposes, the renovated Ryan Field is not bad since they lowered the field by ten feet,which helps with sitelines.
We usually stop over by the NW entrance where the Goose Island Brewing Co. has a free tailgate that provides two free beers...good brew...then walk into Ryan Field.
Go Hawks...and please win this game. So sick of losing to NW both home and away.
SheagleHawk
Well-Known Member
Make sure you stop at every toll and pay.
I've been there once. Some friends and I ended up parking in some random neighborhood close to the stadium and hung out there. Expect a ton of hawk fans. Overall, it's a great away game to go to. Doesn't get any better then going to away games with a lot of hawk fans!! However, I have decided not to go back due to the fact when I was at the game a few years back, we lost. Up fairly big, they come back, get the onside kick, and yeah you know the rest. One day, I'll over come that day and go back.
Have fun!
Don't take the tollway (I-88). Take I-80 to 55 N. No tolls (save you about $13 roundtrip) and don't have to drive through downtown (congress pkwy). 55 also goes right past Soldier Field, The Field Museum, Grant Park, Lake Mi, etc. Way more scenic and way less hectic.
Although this will be my first time to Ryan Field, I have some NW friends who told me tailgating is pretty lame. If you come early, good amount of Hawk bars in East Lakeview and Wriggleyville. Can then take the Red Line for $2.25 each way to three blocks from the stadium. I live in Lincoln Park and this is definitely the best option.
Now I remember that the last time the Hawks played NW , the Hawkeye Huddle was on Friday nite at Goose Island Brewing Co. location on Clark a half of block south of Wrigley Field. We went,and then afterwards went across the street to the Hawk bar..Merkles. It was crazy. Wrigleyville was full of Hawk fans that nite...lot of fun.
Check the Merkles website for info...Hawk owner is a big fan.
Check the Merkles website for info...Hawk owner is a big fan.
Iowatailgate
Well-Known Member
It's at the same spot this year. Goose Island Friday Evening
You must go to one of the following places after the game.
Hot Doug's (In Chicago about 3400 N California)
The Art of Pizza or Great Lake (Art for thick Great Lake for thin 'za)
David Burke's Primehouse (best 75 day dry-aged ribeye)
In order to be fed you need to be in line @ Hot Dougs before 3:45pm (which is doable if the game ends by 2:40) and @ Great Lake by 5pm...If you see a line you are in the right place WAIT IN IT because if there is a line for a restaurant that I send you to it is WELL WORTH waiting!
If you are lazy or just dont care about a post game meal the following places are passable and are close by in Evanston.
Mustard's Last Stand
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
Hawk fans Tailgate in the SPAC by the lake on Green Bay Road, north of the student union and Chicago ave
and for anything else you may like check out Metromix.com
Oh and for the guy that suggested going I-80, thats fine as long as you go to RONSCajunConnection in Lasalle/north Utica just look it up, its the best cajun grub outside of NawLins.
Hot Doug's (In Chicago about 3400 N California)
The Art of Pizza or Great Lake (Art for thick Great Lake for thin 'za)
David Burke's Primehouse (best 75 day dry-aged ribeye)
In order to be fed you need to be in line @ Hot Dougs before 3:45pm (which is doable if the game ends by 2:40) and @ Great Lake by 5pm...If you see a line you are in the right place WAIT IN IT because if there is a line for a restaurant that I send you to it is WELL WORTH waiting!
If you are lazy or just dont care about a post game meal the following places are passable and are close by in Evanston.
Mustard's Last Stand
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
Hawk fans Tailgate in the SPAC by the lake on Green Bay Road, north of the student union and Chicago ave
and for anything else you may like check out Metromix.com
Oh and for the guy that suggested going I-80, thats fine as long as you go to RONSCajunConnection in Lasalle/north Utica just look it up, its the best cajun grub outside of NawLins.
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racerhawk
Well-Known Member
I used to live about 0.5 mile from Goose Island and Merkle's on Clark. I miss that area! If you're going to be there, it's a fun area to check out. Basically, it's right next to Wrigley.
SheagleHawk
Well-Known Member
OR....head to East Lakeview/Lakeview area and enjoy the hundreds of good eats in the area and the many Hawk bars. Sorry my friend, Gino's trumps all 'za in the city!!! You ever been to Butterfly Sushi in Wicker Park? THE BEST! Never been to RONS Cajun Connection. I frequent Starved Rock so I might have to give 'er a whirl! Thanks for heads up!
Ok ill try ur sushi joint
Gino's? you mean Gino's east? You mean the place that has not done anything in the past 20 years other than set up rinky dink franchises? I will take you to 5 better pizza joints and if you dont agree i will reimburse you for all of them!! Ginos ptffterffffftt
GINOS EAST
GINOS?
GINOS!!!!!!!!!???????
PLAYOFFS????!!!!
As for Sushi, I do not eat fish in the mid-west unless I know for a fact they get it flown in (if you had a Basque in the family you'd understand) BUT I PROMISE TO TRY IT if u vouch!
I also go to starved rock and no workout is complete without CAJUN RON!! Try the crawfish creole and Jambalya and ettoufette (sic) the Gator is OK and it blows the socks off of Heaven on Seven on Rush, The local's line up for Rip's Chicken in LADD but its only worth the extra 10 miles outside of the area once.
Gino's? you mean Gino's east? You mean the place that has not done anything in the past 20 years other than set up rinky dink franchises? I will take you to 5 better pizza joints and if you dont agree i will reimburse you for all of them!! Ginos ptffterffffftt
GINOS EAST
GINOS?
GINOS!!!!!!!!!???????
PLAYOFFS????!!!!
As for Sushi, I do not eat fish in the mid-west unless I know for a fact they get it flown in (if you had a Basque in the family you'd understand) BUT I PROMISE TO TRY IT if u vouch!
I also go to starved rock and no workout is complete without CAJUN RON!! Try the crawfish creole and Jambalya and ettoufette (sic) the Gator is OK and it blows the socks off of Heaven on Seven on Rush, The local's line up for Rip's Chicken in LADD but its only worth the extra 10 miles outside of the area once.
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HeneryHawk
Well-Known Member
Or, depending on the adventure(and time you have) you want, you can try a different approach.....
How about take I-88 to IL 47, go north a few miles to Keslinger and take a right and go a short distance to the Elburn Metra Station(or a few miles farther east to La Fox)...you can get the schedule for Metra online. When you get downtown, hop on one of the CTA rides to Evanston(again, look online for the choices to the stadium, Metra may even have a ride there too). The walk to the station is quite short, one is a block away, the other three. This is a different approach, interesting and fun. I have done it with a group a few years ago, it was a blast.
How about take I-88 to IL 47, go north a few miles to Keslinger and take a right and go a short distance to the Elburn Metra Station(or a few miles farther east to La Fox)...you can get the schedule for Metra online. When you get downtown, hop on one of the CTA rides to Evanston(again, look online for the choices to the stadium, Metra may even have a ride there too). The walk to the station is quite short, one is a block away, the other three. This is a different approach, interesting and fun. I have done it with a group a few years ago, it was a blast.
SheagleHawk
Well-Known Member
You won't be sorry. Make sure you get the crab rangoon. Best I've ever had. Their pad thai is amazing as well. Make sure you also get the Godzilla roll. Best sushi I've ever had. Rainbow roll is awesome as well.
Yeah, I meant Gino's East. Figured you're from the city so I could shorten it and you'd know what I was talking about. I'm pretty partial to their sauce. WAY better than Lou Malnatti's, Chicago's, or anything else I've had. What kind are you talking about, deep or thin? I'll give the Art of Pizza a try. What are some other pizza joints you enjoy? I don't mind D'Agostinos thin. Pie Whole has some decent thin as well. HOOK me up!
V
VintageHawkeye
Guest
I'm sorry, Sheagle, I love ya man, but this is questionable travel advice. It'll take Hawk fans coming from Iowa waaaaay out of their way. What they save on tolls, they'll burn in extra gas.
I-88 E --> I-294 N --> Dempster E --> I-94 N --> Old Orchard Rd --> Gross Point Rd --> Central St
Also, one "g" in Wrigley, brah.
SheagleHawk
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, Sheagle, I love ya man, but this is questionable travel advice. It'll take Hawk fans coming from Iowa waaaaay out of their way. What they save on tolls, they'll burn in extra gas.
I-88 E --> I-294 N --> Dempster E --> I-94 N --> Old Orchard Rd --> Gross Point Rd --> Central St
Also, one "g" in Wrigley, brah.
Not trying to lead anyone astray, Vintage! I live in Chicago (Lincoln Park). From Tipton (1/2hr east of IC). I make the trip door to door in 3 1/2 hrs. My place is just off the Lake, and I can make it to Evanston in about 15mins. No tolls (guaranteed no I-Pass users coming from Iowa and therefore will sit in traffic and cash lanes depending on time; wasting gas, time and money). Old Orchard Rd is ALWAY congested. Less traffic. Once you get off 55 you're on Lake Shore. You take Lake Shore to Sheridan. Sheridan up to Evanston. Yahoomaps has it at 18 miles longer. But, to each their own. Just giving another option. Might be better off to park in a garage in Lakeview East/Lincoln Park and take the Red Line up. I hate Wrigley anyway. I stay away from Merkles for that very reason. Rather hit Big City Tap or Four Shadows.
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V
VintageHawkeye
Guest
No worries, man, I'm sure our fellow Hawks appreciate the different options.
Your route is more scenic (once on LSD, anyway), so that's a bonus.
No man just no, no NO!
For Thick Pizza/Stuffed/Traditional Chicago Style 'ZA in ChicagoLand area rankings are
1/1a/1b/1c Pequod's (traditional) 2207 N clybourn
The Art of Pizza (between Traditional and Stuffed) 3033 N Ashland
Burt's Place (Morton Grove? STUFFED)
Piero's Pizza (STUFFED Highland Park, IL 60035 at the corner of Roger Williams and Broadview, just east of GreenBay Road TAKEOUT ONLY)
if you can find this place, or get into Burt's and good luck doing either; this is what real Chicago Stlye STUFFED pizza is its one level thicker than the TRADITIONAL CHICAGO STYLE THICK/PAN pizza, and is old OLD OLD school i.e. pretty much DEAD or DYING art form! You must try them!
2. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder 2221 N Clark (unique/eclectic! and if you dont know why; that's why you need to know why (THANKS YOGI BERRA! )also get a mediterranean bread once a salad once and an oven grinder once as your APPY and yes you will go here 3 times)
3. Giordano's (Chain, but trust me it is good and their thin is good too
see the link -- Chicago-style pizza - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -- halfway down you'll understand the difference between what i call TRADITIONAL CHICAGO STYLE and STUFFED)
FOR NEW YORK STLYE PIZZA but upscale and in the Neopolitan (SIC?) Style
1/1a COALFIRE 1321(ish) W Grand and Great Lake in like andersonville\
2. Spacca Napoli
3. Piece 1920 W north by the intersection W Damen and Milwaukee
For Thick Pizza/Stuffed/Traditional Chicago Style 'ZA in ChicagoLand area rankings are
1/1a/1b/1c Pequod's (traditional) 2207 N clybourn
The Art of Pizza (between Traditional and Stuffed) 3033 N Ashland
Burt's Place (Morton Grove? STUFFED)
Piero's Pizza (STUFFED Highland Park, IL 60035 at the corner of Roger Williams and Broadview, just east of GreenBay Road TAKEOUT ONLY)
if you can find this place, or get into Burt's and good luck doing either; this is what real Chicago Stlye STUFFED pizza is its one level thicker than the TRADITIONAL CHICAGO STYLE THICK/PAN pizza, and is old OLD OLD school i.e. pretty much DEAD or DYING art form! You must try them!
2. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder 2221 N Clark (unique/eclectic! and if you dont know why; that's why you need to know why (THANKS YOGI BERRA!
)also get a mediterranean bread once a salad once and an oven grinder once as your APPY and yes you will go here 3 times)3. Giordano's (Chain, but trust me it is good and their thin is good too
see the link -- Chicago-style pizza - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -- halfway down you'll understand the difference between what i call TRADITIONAL CHICAGO STYLE and STUFFED)
FOR NEW YORK STLYE PIZZA but upscale and in the Neopolitan (SIC?) Style
1/1a COALFIRE 1321(ish) W Grand and Great Lake in like andersonville\
2. Spacca Napoli
3. Piece 1920 W north by the intersection W Damen and Milwaukee
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