OT: General Off Topic Thread [NO Politics, Race, Religion, etc.]

[MickeyDavis]

I know some people grill year round in cold weather but not me. I'm not going to freeze to tend to a grill outside. And I don't keep my grill outside in winter anyway, even with a cover. But 60 and sunny today and it's time to grill. Tomorrow even warmer and sunny. Classic filet today, simple and delicious. With a baked potato. Not sure about tomorrow. Probably just a good old burger.

[MissKhriddleton]

Anybody have experience with parking at O’Hare (driving from MKE). I’d take the bus but we have a 7am flight.

[ReginaldDwight]

Anybody have experience with parking at O’Hare (driving from MKE). I’d take the bus but we have a 7am flight.

Yeah long term is fine on site at the airport kinda expensive but what can you do.

[MickeyDavis]

It's been about 10 years since I flew out of there but used an off-site place. Indoor, safe and secure. It was great and half the price of airport parking. It was for 10 days. I'll try to find the name of the place.

[DingleJerry]

Anybody have experience with parking at O’Hare (driving from MKE). I’d take the bus but we have a 7am flight.

With an early flight like that you might want to look at getting a hotel right by airport the night before. They'll give you a shuttle to Ohare and you can leave the car at the hotel for free.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Anybody have experience with parking at O’Hare (driving from MKE). I’d take the bus but we have a 7am flight.

I do lot G for work at $15/day. If it is sold out, you can ask and they usually give you a card for $15/day rate at lot B. (Lot G is actually easier for terminal 5 and buses have been quicker since tram has been completed).
If i'm doing a long trip for personal flights, I park at the CTA lot and take that in. It is like $9 a day plus you need a CTA card.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Anybody have experience with parking at O’Hare (driving from MKE). I’d take the bus but we have a 7am flight.

With an early flight like that you might want to look at getting a hotel right by airport the night before. They'll give you a shuttle to Ohare and you can leave the car at the hotel for free.

Any specific examples? I thought most places allow free the night of but still charge per night. (That or bake it into the price of the room at a higher rate)

[DingleJerry]

Anybody have experience with parking at O’Hare (driving from MKE). I’d take the bus but we have a 7am flight.

With an early flight like that you might want to look at getting a hotel right by airport the night before. They'll give you a shuttle to Ohare and you can leave the car at the hotel for free.

Any specific examples? I thought most places allow free the night of but still charge per night. (That or bake it into the price of the room at a higher rate)

No, it used to be common but I haven't done in a while. But I know people who did it on Friday night last weekend. So I would just be googling/expediaing it like anyone else for specific names. But yes it would depend on the hotel rate, but as someone else said Ohare parking is expensive so if you're gone for more than 4-5 nights you're probably getting close to a wash on price while getting to be right by airport in the AM without the super early wake up and drive.

[MickeyDavis]

It was 2015 since I parked here https://www.preflightairportparking.com/location/ORD

It was good. They have 3 options. Premium Covered (1st floor with wider stalls), Economy Covered (floors 2 & 3 with wide stalls) and Rooftop parking.

I randomly picked 3/23 through 3/30 and the price is $24.80/$22.39/$19.15 per day. Plus tax I assume. I don't remember which one we did but it worked great. Shuttle was available, dropped off at the terminal. Pickup was easy.

It looks like this is more expensive than other options listed above though.

ETA, never mind, those are base rates without fees. Fees/taxes add another $8 or so per day. Pass.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

With an early flight like that you might want to look at getting a hotel right by airport the night before. They'll give you a shuttle to Ohare and you can leave the car at the hotel for free.

Any specific examples? I thought most places allow free the night of but still charge per night. (That or bake it into the price of the room at a higher rate)

No, it used to be common but I haven't done in a while. But I know people who did it on Friday night last weekend. So I would just be googling/expediaing it like anyone else for specific names. But yes it would depend on the hotel rate, but as someone else said Ohare parking is expensive so if you're gone for more than 4-5 nights you're probably getting close to a wash on price while getting to be right by airport in the AM without the super early wake up and drive.

Fair enough, just googled it and looks like $20-60/night depending on the type of hotel and length of trip. (with the $20 being at a Red Roof/Super 8) I could see it being value for some people but doesn't fit for me most of the time. Lot G is 'only' $15/day and is probably comparable timewise to a hotel shuttle.

With me having kids, it is easier to just drive straight to ORD (whether they are with me - one less transition - or traveling solo for work --I'm not gone another night). I also use a lot of points and you are paying cash for the Park and Fly rate so even a good deal of $200 for hotel/parking versus just doing lot G at $100 its better for me to pay cash for parking and use points/cert for the hotel if I wanted to stay the night before. But its YMMV as always.

[ReasonablySober]

Christmas is the holiday where I'm allowed to try something new.

Watch on YouTube

I'm gonna attempt this absolutely ridiculous dish.

Did you make this yet? It looks pretty good.

I ordered the specific pan he's using in the video. Probably didn't need it, but Le Creuset was having a sale last week and I don't have a non-stick pan that can stand up to high temps in the oven. Hoping it arrives by the weekend because I'll try making it Saturday or Sunday. Last weekend I made the beef stock.

Update, I've been using the skillet for a couple months and it's become my go-to for almost everything. If you're looking for something incredibly durable but non-stick, it's this one. I got it when it was a bit on sale but it's worth the full price imo.

Still haven't made the potatoes.

[buckboy]

Took the family to Kopp’s last night. Maybe it was an off day but Culver’s is better from a burger standpoint. Fight me. Kopp’s fries were way better though.

I am not a Kopps fan. At all.

[MikeIsGood]

I made risi e bisi this weekend, which is a Northern Italy risotto or risotto-adjacent dish (it's supposed to be a little more brothy than a traditional risotto). Bisi is "beans," which show up in form of peas. I made a homemade veggie stock with a lot of carrots and peas to get it nice and sweet. Used risotto rice I brought back from Rome last year, with the veggie stock, grated parmesan, and a **** ton of stirring. I added a bit of Calabrian chili for heat (not traditional), and peas and parsley to finish it off to bring the green. Turned out amazing and took me back to Italy. Thought I might make arancini with leftovers but it was too good to not just have a straight-up round 2.

[ReginaldDwight]

Took the family to Kopp’s last night. Maybe it was an off day but Culver’s is better from a burger standpoint. Fight me. Kopp’s fries were way better though.

I am not a Kopps fan. At all.

Kopps is basically just custard for me. Culvers is no better though and their custard is basically trash to me.

[ReasonablySober]

I made risi e bisi this weekend, which is a Northern Italy risotto or risotto-adjacent dish (it's supposed to be a little more brothy than a traditional risotto). Bisi is "beans," which show up in form of peas. I made a homemade veggie stock with a lot of carrots and peas to get it nice and sweet. Used risotto rice I brought back from Rome last year, with the veggie stock, grated parmesan, and a **** ton of stirring. I added a bit of Calabrian chili for heat (not traditional), and peas and parsley to finish it off to bring the green. Turned out amazing and took me back to Italy. Thought I might make arancini with leftovers but it was too good to not just have a straight-up round 2.

Damn, man, look at you. That sounds awesome.

[ReasonablySober]

Meanwhile I tried to cook white rice in my little Instant Pot. Failed miserably. On my 3rd attempt because I'm stubborn.

[KidA24]

Meanwhile I tried to cook white rice in my little Instant Pot. Failed miserably. On my 3rd attempt because I'm stubborn.

What went wrong? I'm a rice nerd.

[jschligs]

I'm about ready to buy a rice cooker. Any recs for a beginner cheaper one?

[MikeIsGood]

Meanwhile I tried to cook white rice in my little Instant Pot. Failed miserably. On my 3rd attempt because I'm stubborn.

What went wrong? I'm a rice nerd.

Same but my resolution was to buy a $200 rice maker so it's **** perfect every time

[ReasonablySober]

Meanwhile I tried to cook white rice in my little Instant Pot. Failed miserably. On my 3rd attempt because I'm stubborn.

What went wrong? I'm a rice nerd.

I'm neither a rice or IP nerd but I wanna be. First time it came out like a mushy glob. Second time less so. Both times I incorrectly timed the IP. This time I took the time to actually rinse the rice in a bowl multiple times instead of just using a fine mesh strainer for a minute. I also used the IP correctly according to the recipe. If this doesn't work I give up.