Sweet Home Chicago

Well friends, this is it.  With the summer within reach, we have finally landed at our final destination. And, of course, what would be a better way to wrap things up than in the city I call home, Chicago?

Chicago River and surrounding skyline.  Photo courtesy of HuffingtonPost.com

I could go on for days about things you can do/see in Chicago:

• Shopping?  Hit up Michigan Avenue. 
• Into broadway musicals?  Checkout Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Theatre or Bank of America Theatre (just to name a few).
• Enjoy art?  Chicago has several art institutes/museums you can spend a full day at such as The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art and DePaul's Art Museum.
• Sports fanatic?  Go to a Chicago Cubs, Chicago Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire or Chicago Sky game and experience it first-hand rather than in front of your television screen.
• None of those options seem interesting to you?  Visit The Bean, Navy Pier, The Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, take a boat ride on the Chicago River, or relax at one of the 18 places to recharge and feel inspired!

These are only a handful of places to see while visiting the City of Chicago.  By now, you know that we don't focus on these places while in our destination's country.  Oh, no, we like to find something different and bring light to it.  That's why today, for our final destination, we are going to focus on the food truck industry of Chicago.

Doughnut Vault

The Vault Truck.  Photo courtesy of wttw.com

The Doughnut Vault truck, referred to as "The Vault" on the streets of Chicago, comes out between 7:30-8:30 a.m. everyday and will "ride 'n' park" until The Vault is empty.  Everyday Doughnut Vault features two-to-three specials.  For instance, according to their Twitter: "@doughnutvault: #Franklin has birthday cake old fashioned on special today! And the jelly is raspberry filled with vanilla glaze." Doughnut Vault tweets and updates Facebook on their every move.  If you're having a hard time finding The Vault, there is a Chicago Food Truck Finder website where every verified Chicago food truck's current location is pinned!

Flirty Cupcakes

Flirty Cupcakes On Wheels and cupcakes.  Photo courtesy of foodsmackdown.com

Flirty Cupcakes not only has Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels, but also two Chicago-based locations.  Offering baking classes, delivery and catering opportunities, Flirty Cupcakes is the perfect shop (or stop) for sweet-lovers.  Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels is said to be on the intersection of "oohh and aahh," but if you cannot find that intersection on Google Maps, their full van stop schedule van be found on their website.

The Corner Pharmacy

The Corner Farmacy's truck.  Photo courtesy of thecornerfarmacy.com

If your taste buds aren't fans of cupcakes or doughnuts, The Corner Farmacy is most likely to be your favorite!  Providing Chicagoans with "fresh eats on the streets," the Corner Farmacy aims to bring together community and local resources.  The menu offers seasonal eats as well as freshly squeezed juices.  A sample menu as well as their daily routes can be found on their homepage!

I've had a blast exploring the world with you, but it is time for you to explore on your own.  I hope that you have enjoyed our destinations and have opened your mind to other cultures throughout our time together.

If nothing else, remember this: 

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

-St. Augustine