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Colleen J.'s Profile

Photo of Colleen J.

"Enemy, thy name is pretension."

Elite 2007 Elite 2006

profile votes icon Review votes:
81 Useful, 25 Funny, and 16 Cool

Compliments Thank You (8) Good Writer (2) Just a Note (8) Great Photo (1) Hot Stuff (2) You're Cool (5) Write More (3)
Location

Chicago, IL

Yelping Since

February 2006

Find Me In

Lakeview

My Hometown

Romeoville, Il.

My Blog Or Website

http://www.prettypear.com

When I'm Not Yelping...

I'm a tech support diva for TypePad!

My Second Favorite Website

http://www.bloglines.com

My Favorite Movie

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

My Last Meal On Earth

My mom's roast beef

Most Recent Discovery

Apple butter mmmm

Current Crush

Barack Obama

Recent Reviews

46 Reviews

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666 W Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-1995

The Counter  

Category: Burgers
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

3 star rating
 Update - 3/9/2009  
Knocking down my rating to 3 stars because on our last visit here:

1. I asked for my burger to be cooked to medium doneness and the thing practically mooed at me when I bit into it.

2. They forgot a topping but still charged me for it.

3. I ordered a banana split shake (which has booze) and got a regular banana shake (which doesn't have booze). Plus they put it in 2 glasses. It was a nice gesture but I wasn't planning on sharing, thanks.

4. Our change was $12 and the waitress gave us a ten instead of two fives. A little presumptuous.

It seems like if they're busy at all, there's a good chance something will get screwed up. I do like the Counter but I think I'll stick to it as a lunch/early dinner spot. It's overpriced and the service is spotty but I like the toppings and whatever.

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1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 4 star rating
    12/7/2008

    I just got home from an early dinner at the Counter and I really enjoyed it. I'm giving it a preliminary 4 stars because I've only been once and I'd like to try other options before making a final decision. I will most definitely be back, though.

    I think someone from the Counter is reading these reviews (as they should) because we had none of the problems that have been mentioned. Our waitress was attentive but didn't hover, our drinks and food came out quick and exactly how we wanted, and there just weren't any problems. It was a great experience.

    The 50/50 onion strings and french fries were good and the portion was the right size for two hungry people. The ranch dressing and BBQ sauce for dipping were a little runny but otherwise tasty.

    The toppings on my burger were exactly what I wanted (jalapeno jack cheese, jalapenos, avocado, lettuce and tomato). The burger itself was perfectly cooked and juicy, if a TAD bit on the bland side. Still a great burger, though.

    I'd like to try some of their desserts and shakes, the options sounded like sugar heaven.

    We'll be back!

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114 S State St
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 279-5081

ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance  

Categories: Cosmetics & Beauty Supply, Hair Salons
Neighborhood: The Loop

5 star rating
 10/19/2008  
I'm laughing a little because the reviews before mine are sort of lukewarm. Cue me walking into the new ULTA and little angels dance around my head and birds flutter by like in Cinderella. Seriously, the clouds parted and ULTA shown through.

In short, this is the most beautiful beauty store ever.

Or maybe I was having a low blood sugar moment, I had been walking around for a while.

That aside, this store really is beautiful - bright but not glaring or hot (ahem, Sephora), ingeniously organized, spacious, clean and pleasant. And I got a big sample of a hair product I've been wanting to try. I noted that the Benefit counter had a brow bar. You can get tweezed, arched and tinted right there in ULTA!

This won't be my primary ULTA as I have one close by that I'm loyal to but I will stop by this one every few months, just to admire its beauty.

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2558 N Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-2004

Las Fuentes Restaurant  

Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2 star rating
 10/12/2008  
The food I had here was mediocre and the service was slow and inattentive. I like the patio area but I doubt I'll be back.

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2913 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-1741

The Duke Of Perth  

Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Lakeview

4 star rating
 7/20/2008  
I  know I've been here twice and I know I enjoyed whatever it is that I ate but I also know that they had chocolaty beer... so I don't remember much else.

Oh! I also remember that it was nice and toasty warm and cozy when it was HORRIBLE AND COLD outside. I'll be back now that it's not the dead of winter. I wonder if they still have the chocolate beer...

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3042 N Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 472-9040

Stella's Diner  

Categories: Diners, American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Lakeview

4 star rating
 Update - 7/20/2008  
Two years later and I still love Stella's!

The food isn't knock your socks off, out of this world, amazing but geez, it's diner food. The country fried steak and gravy is YUM.

I only wish it was open later. That's the only thing I'd change. Oh, and my boyfriend always whines that you only get one free refill on pop.  So, that's two things. BIG WHOOP.

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1 Previous Review: Hide »

  • 5 star rating
    5/11/2006

    Love. Real food, excellent service, and Gus is the nicest guy in the neighborhood. I'm from the 'burbs and I'm having a minor "big city" culture shock moment. Stella's is just a nice, laid back place to eat some mac n' cheese and relax. This is the kind of place where people become regulars.

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3857 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 935-1919

Toon's Bar  

Categories: Restaurants, Bars
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3 star rating
 7/19/2008  
Came here on a weekend afternoon so it wasn't hoppin' The service is ... well, not GREAT but I guess it could be worse. I did have a really great sandwich (wrapper's delight, I think) and I'd come back for that. It was really good! I wish the service was a little more attentive. I can imagine it's worse when the bar is crowded.

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4840 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60686
(773) 506-3100

Fat Cat  

Categories: Bars, Burgers
Neighborhood: Uptown

3 star rating
 7/19/2008  
I can't say I'm super impressed with the food. I had a grilled cheese with pesto and it was good but if I go back, I'd definitely try something else. Fries are good.

$5 martinis on Thursdays is pretty awesome. I really like the Bomb Pop and the lemon martini. I've also tried the Gatsby and it has a really unique, refreshing quality that would be great on a night when it's hot and humid.

To be honest, I was too busy drinking the $5 menu to notice the atmosphere much but it's cute, very clean, etc. It is a little on the generic side but that's OK. I'd go back.

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3441 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-9696

Halsted's Bar and Grill  

Categories: Burgers, Pizza, Bars
Neighborhood: Lakeview

5 star rating
 6/15/2008  
The mixed reviews don't surprise me but I really enjoy dinner here with girlfriends. Really fun music, nice seating areas, decent service, good drinks, good food. Just nice all around. I've managed to get the same meal twice (Cornelia chicken and fries) but that's because it's a damn good chicken sandwich!

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3523 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 528-2109

Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant  

Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Lakeview

2 star rating
 9/30/2007  
From start to finish -

It's a nice, big restaurant with tons of tables. It's DARK, though. I get the idea but if I can't read the menu, that's not good. To be fair, I have poor vision in low light. Overall atmosphere is light and friendly, no real complaints about service.

Salsa is good, has a nice kick. The chips are bland and cardboardy.

My banana margarita tasted like a smoothie with a splash of tequila. I love banana margaritas but this one was too bananay, somehow. It needed more oomph.

I had the flautas, those were pretty good but nothing special.

The guacamole tastes like mushed up avocado with salt. No citrusy, no spicy, just salty.

I really want to like this place due to location and atmosphere but the food isn't great. The food at Cesar's is better and that's saying a lot. Head around the block to El Mariachi. It's way smaller and there will be a wait, but it's worth it.

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1425 N. Damen
Chicago, IL 60622

Renegade Craft Fair Chicago  

Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

3 star rating
 9/17/2007  
I was really looking forward to RCF. I haven't been before and I was determined to make it out this year, despite the nasty cold I'm pretending not to have.

Anyway, I didn't end up buying anything and I can spend money anywhere, seriously. I was thinking maybe all the good stuff was snatched up before I got there but judging from other reviews, I'm not so sure. I really wanted to find a cute new handbag but the one I really liked was $125. Nope.

It was super well organized but there just wasn't much variety. It was still a fun outing, though and I'll go again next year. There were lots of cute doggies and it is an awesome event for people watching. It's like the zoo but with hipsters!

Do-Division was kind of dumb.

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29 Compliments

  • Glen T.
    Good Writer

    You write from a very honest place. I spent 15 years as an editor and I… More »

  • Tony L.
    You're Cool

    FTW, that's damn right....Colleen J., ftw  You know, you'd think that in… More »

  • Julia W.
    You're Cool

    Sadly, I agree.  Renegade was not very renegade-y and the variety was… More »

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4 Lists

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My Neighborhood

My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
1.  Angelina Ristorante
I think this might be my…
2.  The Chicago Diner
I've eaten at the diner a…
3.  Halsted's Bar and Grill
The mixed reviews don't…
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No Photo

Chai!

I'm not a big fan of coffee or regular ol' tea but…
1.  Caribou Coffee Number Seven…
I am basing this review…
2.  Argo Tea
I'm not sure why I waited…
3.  Panera Bread
I've been to a couple of…
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