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Like Dinosaur Jr.? You'll love Chicago Diner.

Wednesday Jul 13, 2005.     By Jacob Knabb

Music Feed

Kim and Kelly Deal's faces were smattered on your bedroom walls. Pearl Jam was a revelation. You wept when they found Kurt in that garage apartment. You can remember life before Matt Pinfield, and have been cringing ever since. You're likely going on 30. And you're really in luck this year, kid! Lollapalooza 2005 will deliver the vintage goods you so desire, because Jim and Janey '90s, this is your Lollapalooza…

Saturday will deliver Liz Phair, Cake, Pixies and Weezer. And Sunday offers up Dinosaur Jr., Spoon and The Dandy Warhols.

Your bar = Newport Bar and Grill
You're obviously old enough to drink, so that's not a problem. With a '90s-heavy jukebox selection, pool-table, solid menu and a laundromat up front, this is the perfect location to rock to Pearl Jam. Newport's burgers are the real attraction, as some of the finest beefy tasties on the North Side. Go ahead, add bacon. The Newport will melt the cheese over it, locking the bacon in with the beef, to create what amounts to meaty paradise.

The menu is vast (though the veggie options are limited), and includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Despite its Wrigleyville location, this is no sports bar, and rarely lures the Cubs fans away from the Mystic Celt. And with a pile of board games to rifle through, you can chill out over a round of Battleship while you listen to the sweet sounds of 1996.

Your restaurant = Chicago Diner
For the crowd who came of age in the original Lollapalooza era, vegetarianism became the norm and veganism was an even more logical extension for many more. The Chicago Diner's claim to fame is that it's been "meat-free since 1983," and over the last 22 years, this venerable Boys Town establishment has honed its meatless art to perfection. Go ahead, order with impunity.

From the No Meata Fajita to the Back Yard Sloppy Joe, from the Cocoa Mousse Cake to the awesome indie-tunes trickling down from the speakers, The Chicago Diner will make even die-hard meat fans question their allegiances. And with some comfy booths, cool patio seating and a stellar selection of cold sodas, sans corn syrup, you'll want to sit back and relax after the shows Friday or Saturday, since the Chicago Dinner stays open until 11 p.m. Or, even better, start your day with the vast brunch, the Diner opens at 11 a.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.

Your record store = Vintage Vinyl Records
Unlike all those younger indie-hipster types, you've actually got some money in your pocket (unless of course you're still living the slacker lifestyle, in which case, dude, you shouldn't spend so much money on video-games), so Vintage Vinyl is a must. The only catch is you've got to head north to Evanston. But keep in mind, the L will take you right there, just get off at the Davis stop, and, voila, more records than you can shake a stick at.

The thing about Vintage Vinyl is it's the kind of place record collectors shop. So, this is where you can fill in the gaps in your record crates, and perfect your collection. It's also pretty possible to spend $200 and walk out with two albums, so weak-willed-spend-a-holics, you've been warned!

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For Additional Info and Insider Tips: Check out the Unofficial Lollapalooza Guide on ChicagoFests.com.