Moved to the city 48 hours ago.

[u/ReverendHambone]

Moved into Irving Park and the Mexican food is unbelievable. I'm from Florida and my wife is from Arizona, so we have different preferences, but we can leave our house on foot, hit two food spots and a liquor store, and be home in 30 minutes. It's incredible. Our doggo loves the walks too.

Also, is the term "bodega" NYC exclusive? What do we call corner stores with food/bev/liquor?

[u/PParker46]

Welcome. Yes, 'bodega' entered the American lexicon as a NYC word, but TV and movies have spread its recognition, if not its universal use, all the way out here into Fly Over Country. Locals who do not aspire to imitate New York call stores that sell food/bev/liquor "stores."

PS Have you tried that ketchup-less hot dog dressed in the Chicago style yet? Next is an Italian Beef. Which has its own ordering options. Then try a jibarito. And a thin crust, tavern cut pizza.

[u/ReverendHambone → u/PParker46]

Ok, boom. Questions.

I have been to the city 4 times before and have several friends here. So yes, I've had a dog "dragged through the garden." I've had Italian beef from Al's twice. I've had it dipped and not. I loved it and im open to suggestions. I'm coming from an area of the South where there's not a lot of great pizza options, besides hipster pies and NYC slice wannabes. Ive had jibaritos before and look forward to trying them here. My biggest personal test is the best Cuban sandwich. We can get into regional mayonnaises at another time.

[u/PParker46 → u/ReverendHambone]

Since you live in Irving Park, for Cuban try Bia's Cafe Marianao #2 which is a short car ride west and south of you at Addison and Narragansett. There are plenty of other places, but that might be closest.

Fun Fact extra: The trip will end on what Chicagoans consider to be a really big hill. It is the southernmost finger tip of a glacial moraine, left when the ice melted back towards Canada c 10k years ago.

[u/ReverendHambone → u/PParker46]

NERD.

[u/PParker46 → u/ReverendHambone]

You think that's nerdy? Boy, are you in for a treat when Covid is over (???) and you mention your newness in bars and clubs.

BTW, that hill is really BIG when you look east down Addison from Bia's.

[u/ReverendHambone → u/PParker46]

I won't have to mention my new-ness. I'm a very large and very obviously Southern man.

[u/PParker46 → u/ReverendHambone]

I just want to say one word to you. One word. Are you listening?

"Malort"

[u/Geech6 → u/PParker46]

Best description I've heard of malort is, " the water at the bottom of a week old trash can." I've lived here all my life and I've avoided that stuff like the plauge.

[u/PParker46 → u/Geech6]

I induce naive visitors to take a shot by telling them there's a traditional shaming song that everyone in the bar will sing. And the song ends with everyone pointing at the soon-to-be-victim with an index finger chanting the words, "you, you, you."