Superbowl-ing in Chicago
By John & Susie Pratt in Food on Feb 4, 2005 1:38PM
If your interest in this weekend’s Superbowl has less to do with Patriots and Eagles (wow – do you think John Ashcroft is behind this match-up?), and more to do with eating and drinking, then we have some ideas for you:
For a guaranteed good show at halftime, head to Reserve for their "Fantasy and Football" Super Bowl party. 
You pay $20 to get in, the game is played on some flat screens, you get apps, and at half-time there's a lingerie fashion show featuring designs by La Perla. Starts at 2pm, reservations recommended.
A bunch of places around town are having $25 and $30 all-you-can-eat buffets and all-you-can-drink draft & cocktail specials. If you're pinching your pennies as hard as Chicagoist, you'll want to head over to Jack Sullivan's and Durkin's where you can get the same special for only $20. Or, even better, Clybar's got the special for $10.
If you're interested in donating to a good cause while you celebrate, there's a couple options for you. St. Benedict's is throwing a party in their gym. It's $30-$40 to get in and the proceeds go to the Athletic Association of the Schools of St. Benedict. There will be a big screen TV and you'll get to play blackjack and poker. Also, here's the good part, it includes unlimited beer, wine, soda, buffet, and a raffle through the end of half time.
Sound too grade school for you? Crush is projecting the game and also featuring it on 7 flat screens. For $10 you get a beer and an entree and the proceeds benefit the Northside Parents Network. Reservations are required.
For those looking for something to do with the kids, SCOOZI!, A Lettuce Entertain You Italian concept at 410 Huron, offers a weekly "Kids Make The Own Pizza and Eat for Free" Sunday special. Kids ages 12 and under can wear aprons and chef hats to create their own pizzas and are given a free toy to boot. The complimentary pizzas are limited to three children per adult in the restaurant. SCOOZI! is open from 5 until 9 p.m. on Sunday and reservations are preferred. Call (312) 943-5900 for more information.
If the party’s at your place, or your cheapo friend’s who told you to pick up the grub, Piece is having a party to-go special that includes a medium pizza and a half gallon jug of beer for $20. Also, Bar Louie is offering party platters with Luigi and Vesuvio sandwiches, Philly steak sliders and wings to-go. Hurry; orders must be placed by Feb 4. The price is $19.95/person with a 4 person minimum.
And while Philly might have a lock on their cheese steak, Chicago seems to hold it's own on Italian beefs. Affordable and tasty, if you are feeding a smaller crowd, this is way to go. Chicago is full of Vienna Beef Hot Dog Stands that offer them (and if you are considering a career change see here for how to open one), but our personal favorite (as well as the clear winner in Beefathon III )is Max’s Famous Italian Beef at 5754 N. Western. Their yummerific beefs are filled with nicely seasoned and thinly sliced, well...beef. But do not leave Max’s without getting an order of their (in)famous Ghetto Fries topped with cheese, gravy, giardinara, ketchup and raw onions. With or without the Ghetto toppings, Max’s may have the best fries in town. Game on.
Thanks Erin and Rachelle!