Random Travel Thread

posted by slingshot4ever

I would consider this a chain:

https://www.unos.com/locations.php

 

I prefer Giordanos.  My wife loves Lou Malnatis.  We are both blah on Ginos.

Yeah, but not the original...that’s my point.

Its no more a chain than Giordano’s...which has locations in Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska and Indiana. But when you think of Deep Dish you think of Goordano’s, Lou Malnati’s and Gino’s. They are all franchises at this point...but I wouldn’t say your going to a chain by going to them isn’t their original city. Especially the original pizzeria. 

posted by slingshot4ever

I would consider this a chain:

https://www.unos.com/locations.php

 

I prefer Giordanos.  My wife loves Lou Malnatis.  We are both blah on Ginos.

boom!

Haha Giordanos is a chain if you consider UNOs one. They’re both good. Giordanos’ sandwiches are really good. 

Not surprised to see thavoice hitting up Carson’s in every city he goes to. Why even bother spending the money? Sigh..

People gave me shit when I went to Legal Seafood in Boston, technically a chain. No fucks given, it was great. Not all chains are created equal.

posted by Automatik

People gave me shit when I went to Legal Seafood in Boston, technically a chain. No fucks given, it was great. Not all chains are created equal.

Agreed. One of my favorite Mexican places in Chicago (the city, not the outskirts where the Mexican is FUCKING BOMB) is cantina Laredo. Pretty sure that’s a chain but it’s solid. 

posted by Automatik

People gave me shit when I went to Legal Seafood in Boston, technically a chain. 

I have been to the one in Providence (Warwick) and like it very much.  It's special to me because I can't get that anywhere around where I live.

posted by SportsAndLady

Agreed. One of my favorite Mexican places in Chicago (the city, not the outskirts where the Mexican is FUCKING BOMB) is cantina Laredo. Pretty sure that’s a chain but it’s solid. 

Definitely is a chain. We have one here in Huntsville but yeah the food is very good. 

Just booked a Labor Day weekend trip for New Orleans really excited to spend more than one day in the city. 

Just got back from 15 days in Wisconsin.   Chicago area and their toll roads can go fuck themselves.

posted by thavoice

Just got back from 15 days in Wisconsin.   Chicago area and their toll roads can go fuck themselves.

posted by thavoice

Just got back from 15 days in Wisconsin.   Chicago area and their toll roads can go fuck themselves.

Who doesn’t have an EZ Pass?

Haha. Thavoice never disappoints with his dumbassery. 

posted by Laley23

Who doesn’t have an EZ Pass?

I don't, but I don't drive the turnpike but maybe 6-8 times a year.

posted by jmog

I don't, but I don't drive the turnpike but maybe 6-8 times a year.

That’s plenty. 1 year you would’ve paid for it. Not just the hassle of paying every time...it’s almost 50% cheaper with one.

posted by Laley23

That’s plenty. 1 year you would’ve paid for it. Not just the hassle of paying every time...it’s almost 50% cheaper with one.

How does it work? Does it cost something to get one? I drive through once a year on my way to Minnesota. Should I get one before my trip this year? It would be nice to not have to queue up every time. 

posted by justincredible

How does it work? Does it cost something to get one? I drive through once a year on my way to Minnesota. Should I get one before my trip this year? It would be nice to not have to queue up every time. 

Mine is like 10 years old, but I don’t think it’s changed. Cost was $25. But that included the money you put on it to start. I think it was $10 for transponder and $15 pre-deposit onto it.

When you run out, it auto-replenishes onto the card or bank account you used initially. In most states/roads, it’s now significantly cheaper to have this versus paying cash/card. They don’t wanna staff people any more than we wanna wait in lines. 

I think it would be 100% worth it for a single trip, if you’re going through a bunch of tolls. Pretty sure it’s linked to every state east of the Mississippi now. So IPass in Illinois works with EZPass in Ohio, both work with the North Carolina toll roads, etc.

EDIT: I don’t see Florida listed. That might be the only road that the transponders don’t link to.

It’s 50% cheaper to use the ipass on the skyway in Chicago. Definitely worth it. 

Quick 3 day getaway to Gatlinburg. Haven’t been in 12 years

Simply not waiting at the toll lines makes EZ pass worth it, before considering other benefits.  Depending on where you're driving, having an EZ pass can save you a lot of time.

Also, most tolls don't accept credit card.  Either you have cash, or they "fine" you and you have to pay it when you get back home.  The cost is more than the actual toll.

posted by justincredible

How does it work? Does it cost something to get one? I drive through once a year on my way to Minnesota. Should I get one before my trip this year? It would be nice to not have to queue up every time. 

yes, absolutely--we got one before we went to HHI this year, and based on what we saved in tolls (50%), not to mention the convenience, it paid for itself that trip alone...Laley gave you a good rundown, and fwiw, we got ours at a Barneys (affiliated with BP gas stations)

The thing I don't necessarily like is that it automatically replenishes itself, from what I'm reading it happens when you get below $10. So my luck I'll pay all my tolls on the trip and it will replenish itself when I get home and then that money is going to just sit there because I won't need it until next year.