72 Comments
User's avatar
Melanie Anagnos's avatar

I’m time-traveling with you! I could climb inside this post and become a cocktail-drinking, Gauloise-smoking regular.

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Ha! Love it Melanie, I’ll be joining you and I’ll bring the matches! (Wait—to be swanky and swell, I’ll bring a lighter!) 😃

Expand full comment
Amy Cavanaugh's avatar

Shrimp cocktail with green goddess sounds delicious!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

It was good, Amy! 💚🍤

Expand full comment
Ruth Stroud's avatar

It’s great fun time traveling with you at Mister Kelly’s via this terrific exhibit, Jolene! You bring the wonders of this city to life and make us dream of visiting each time you share another evocative glimpse. You’re the perfect guide—someday, as I keep saying, perhaps in person!🤗

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Thank you, Ruth, sometimes I think I should work for the Chicago Tourist Board! 😂❤️

Expand full comment
Ruth Stroud's avatar

That's so funny! I wouldn't be surprised if they make you a job offer one day! But meanwhile a lot of your fans might descend on you one day and demand a tour of all your favorite spots!😆

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

😂 Let’s do this, Ruth! When do you leave for your trip?

Expand full comment
Ruth Stroud's avatar

Absolutely, Jolene! Let’s make a plan when we get back. On Sunday—can’t believe it!🤩

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Have a great trip!!! ❤️

Expand full comment
Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Jolene!

Expand full comment
Sabrina Y. Smith's avatar

Truly a time travel treat today! I was right there with you Jolene, sipping and swaying at Mr.Kelly’s! What a time & place!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Thank you, Sabrina! I love this! “sip and sway”! ❤️

Expand full comment
Julia Matusik's avatar

This was fabulous Jolene. I love the dressing recipes and marvel at the quantities - 56 oz of anchovies is a lot of anchovies!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

I know! 🤣 🐟 Thanks so much, Julia!

Expand full comment
Leigh Stein's avatar

I’ve been told Barbra’s memoir is very good on audio book because she sings! I need to listen

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

That’s the way to go since it’s 900 pages! 🎶

Expand full comment
Christene Barberich's avatar

Now ALL I WANT TO eat is GINORMOUS salad with Green Goddess Dressing!! Bravo Jolene!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Thank you, Christene! There’s “sweater weather” and now we are moving into ginormous (love that word!) salad weather! 🥗 good luck with the sale this weekend! xx

Expand full comment
David Perlmutter's avatar

Arguably one of the most famous nightclubs NOT located in New York.

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

For sure! I’m a native New Yorker (I’ve been in Chicago for 8 years) and it’s been a lot of fun learning about all this and other history in my second city!

Expand full comment
Maggi Scharf's avatar

I love love love this post! How I wish we could go back in time and have dinner and see a show. From the Hang Your Hat at Mister Kelly’s napkin, the salad, the recipes and the checks and list of “newcomer” celebs… I’m in awe. I hope the documentary lands someplace where it’ll be accessible to all. I’d love to see it. Thanks for all the work you do to put your stories together every week. You’re amazing, Jo!!! 💕💕💕

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Aww, Mag, thank you ☺️ means so much coming from you! I’m gonna see if it’s available to stream anywhere, I saw it on the pbs station here a while ago, let me find out. Love and miss you, Mag! ❤️

Expand full comment
Maggi Scharf's avatar

I’ll look too! Love you so much😘

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

🤗

Expand full comment
Pam's avatar

So many interesting stories! And your "cutting board" lunches take lunch to a whole new level! ❤️

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Pam, should we have a “Cutting Board Café”? xx

Expand full comment
Pat Willard's avatar

So much to unpack and savor! I'd be on a plane to Chicago if I could.

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Hope you visit, Pat!

Expand full comment
Pat Willard's avatar

It's at the top of the list!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

😃

Expand full comment
Pat Willard's avatar

I'm coming! I'm coming!!

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

😆

Expand full comment
Kate McDermott's avatar

Nice one, Jolene. We had that Barbra album, too.

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

We did too! My parents adored Barbra! ❤️

Expand full comment
Vicki Smith's avatar

Fascinating peek into history. I love that a receipt, that would normally be tossed out, was preserved for you to include.

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

The receipt was so fun to see, can you imagine hanging out with Lenny?

Expand full comment
Vicki Smith's avatar

Wild!

Expand full comment
Kate's avatar

That album cover just brought me back to my 9 year old self, sitting on the floor of my living room in front of the record player. My mother was a huge fan of Barbra, which made me one too.

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

It’s amazing how many of us remember that album and that cover because of our parents, Kate!

Expand full comment
Lisa Bolin 🌸's avatar

Another place to visit when I come to Chicago!! (Note I said ‘when’ not ‘if’ 😁)

Expand full comment
Jolene Handy's avatar

Yes! We’d have a blast, Lisa!

Expand full comment
Tia Ja'nae's avatar

Mr. Kelly's, Checkerboard Lounge, Green Dolphin are Chicago classic staples.

Expand full comment