Stalk-O-rama Barack O-bama: Visiting Hyde Park
Written by Bessie on Friday, March 13, 2009 in United States
Feelin' normal
We could have seen a musical or gone shopping, but for a fun mother-daughter day, my mom chose visiting some "Barack Obama sites" in Hyde Park, on Chicago's southside. With all the Barack craze this past year, there was no shortage of news articles or reports detailing Barack's favorite spots, and we were sure to visit them all. Feelin' normal
First stop, Valois Restaurant: 1518 E. 53rd St.
ordering from the counter - the Obama sign also says "stimulate the economy"; mom + breakfast
Next up, Barack's barber, Hyde Park Barber Shop: 5234 S. Blackstone Ave.
We felt beyond ridiculous walking up to the barber shop taking a bunch of pictures, and we're both pretty uninhibited (I credit much of my karaoke style to my mom - while she blushes). We stood outside snapping some shots, and then a young barber came out and was nice enough to invite us in.
the barber shop; inside next to the Barack autographed chair (signed on the legrest); painting of Barack's haircut in action
Why would he bother inviting us in? Well the autographed Barack Obama barberchair, of course! We walked into a scene unlike any other I'd stepped before, a men's barber shop in a predominantly black neighborhood. It wasn't quite the scene from Coming to America where Eddie Murphy chats excitedly with other men, although, that was while we were around. They seemed pretty used to the Barack attention in this place, I mean, there's a painting of the man getting his hair cut there.
Then to the Obama's for afternoon tea: 5046 S. Greenwood
Okay, so they didn't actually invite us in, only because they seem to have moved. In case you're wondering, Barack's house is well baracaded and guarded by a crew of CPD squad cars and a few unmarked cars too. I did manage a few paparazzi style shots though.
side of the Obama's house with police baracade
Last up, Calypso Restaurant: 5211 S. Harper
outside Calypso; delicious jerk chicken sandwich
Said to be Barack's other favorite restaurant in the area, Calypso has super yummy Caribbean/ Jamaican style food. They're known for their jerk chicken sandwich, and it was super tastey. It came with saffron rice & the most incredible cole slaw that tasted like it had curry and nutmeg-something in it. And I got some of my favorite side dish, plantains, yumm! I highly recommend it!
Hyde Park: Worth a Stop
Overall it was a nice stalking trip. Hyde Park is home of University of Chicago, and is a cool, diverse area of town that values intellectuals while still being an "alls-welcome" melting pot of income, class, and education. There's no denying that Hyde Park is proud of Barack, too; his face is still plastered in windows and shops all around the area (sorry, no pics).
But here are some architecture pics from around town:
Comments on "Stalk-O-rama Barack O-bama: Visiting Hyde Park"
calypso was really yummy! It definitely was a fun day. :)
So you ventured into my old neighborhood, eh! Valois, the best comfort food in the city. Growing up in Hyde Park meant many opportunities to eat at Valois. It was always a treat to eat lunch there after taking in a movie at the Picadilly or Frolic theater--usually a double feature, with cartoon, travelog, and newreel. Hyde Park has gone from a homey middle class neighborhood of apartments and small family homes that just happened to be adjacent to the University of Chicago to an upscale neighborhood of condo conversions, gentrified environments, and rehabbed turn-of-the-century mansions. It's still "my" neighborhood and I always enjoy a visit. Wish you had a chance to see the wild parrots that inhabit the park at Kimbark and 55th Street, year round. You would have thought that you were back in South America!
Hey Bess..
When you went to his house.. did you look inside the squad maybe it was my mom she has been one of the CPD sitting outside his house for hours watching it :)
i wanna go to calypso! that looks good! that whole day looks like fun =D his house looks pretty nice too. i bet they'll miss it.
by selena at March 17, 2009 06:56 PM