Recently, we asked readers to share what they thought was ‘the most Chicago thing’ that has happened to them. The responses varied from comical to bizarre, highlighting the unique experiences that only seem to happen in this vibrant metropolis.
One reader, Richard Sierecki, humorously recounted, “I stood in front of an open hydrant and got blown down the street into an open sewer.”
Brian McDonough shared a memorable encounter with Pearl Jam’s lead singer, recalling, “I saw Eddie Vedder in Wrigleyville Tap, and my brothers and I hung out and played pool with him for a few hours in 1997. He was in Chicago for the Tibetan Freedom Concert.”
Jonathan Justus narrated a humorous yet common dining experience, saying, “I took a date to the Billy Goat, and she asked for fries.”
Bridget Enright Kamal shared the classic Chicago winter challenge, revealing, “I spent an hour digging out a parking spot in front of my apartment in a bad snowstorm and left a very small table as dibs.”
Terrence Camodeca had a whimsical encounter with impersonators, stating, “Jake and Elwood Blues walked into the Cook County building looking for the assessor’s office. The impersonators were from China and did a great job.”
Richard Bartecki’s story struck a chord with many city dwellers: “I dropped my cell phone onto the CTA train tracks.”
Another touching memory came from Robert Haugland, who recounted, “When I was 5, I went to Bozo’s circus. I had to go to the bathroom. During a commercial break, Mr. Ned let my father take me. We went behind the curtain, and there was Ray Rayner. He squatted down and asked me my name. I shyly said ‘Robert’ and he patted me on the head.”
Kim Johnson shared an iconic historical moment, recalling, “I stood in the middle of a protest at City Hall when Fast Eddie Vrdolyak and his buddies were plotting to steal the mayor’s office after Harold Washington’s funeral.”
Kevin Moon shared his own public transit mishap: “I got on the L at 4 in the morning to head to Belmont and woke up at the end of the line in Englewood.”
One of the most compelling submissions came from Ari Soglin, who shared a unique saga about returning to Chicago after living in California for 40 years.
He described his arrival in January 2024, saying, “It was a balmy 25 degrees, following five days of subfreezing temperatures. I took a cab from Midway with my backpack, a CPAP machine that I never use, a carry-on bag, and two duffel bags.”
Soglin arrived at his niece’s studio apartment in Lake View, struggling through the snow and array of bags. He writes, “I have to walk 30 feet up the street to find a spot where I can get to the sidewalk.”
Once at the gate, he faced another challenge as he attempted to retrieve the keys left in a lockbox inside the gate.
He explained, “The first dial won’t move. Neither will the other three. I remove my gloves to apply more force, and the first number rolls into place. The other three are stuck.”
A nearby neighbor then approached, offering assistance and even a screwdriver, though it ultimately failed to help.
As Soglin noted, “Her kindness was a bright spot amid the frustration; she offered to get hot water to help thaw the lockbox.”
The situation was a challenge, but in true Chicago fashion, it exemplified the community spirit.
With patience and determination, Soglin ultimately managed to get the lockbox open, only to discover the keys were frozen together in ice.
His neighbor returned just in time, pouring hot water over the keys, allowing him to finally enter his new apartment, which was too hot due to a central boiler system.
He concluded with a sense of humor, stating, “Hello, Chicago!” as he settled back into life in the city.
These anecdotes underline the spirit of resilience, humor, and community that defines Chicago.
In all, these reflections remind us of the city’s rich tapestry of experiences, both challenging and uplifting, that connect its residents through shared moments that are uniquely Chicagoan.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2025/04/18/most-chicago-thing-that-happened-to-you
