Thursday, May 10, 2012

Who forgot to mention this?

Yesterday I had to run an errand for the Farmer. It seems that his Ipod quit working and I had to pick up the replacement at the nearest Apple store. The store is in the largest shopping in the Chicago area. It's 29 miles as the crow flies but takes me 50-60 minutes to get there depending on traffic. I dread this trip because of the traffic and the crush of humanity and development. Fifty years ago Schaumburg was a rural farming community with lots of dairy farmers. They moved west to our area when development started.

The only saving grace of this trip is that I knew I could visit a great costume jewelry and accessory store, Forever 21. They have a store in Woodfield that sells only accessories, no clothing as in their other stores. I'm am crazy for their fun jewelry that allows you to be playful without going broke. The store design is fun also.

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Those are LAMPS on the tables and those are huge lampshades. I'm not quite sure how they stand up but they are not suspended from the ceiling. You'll see just a peek of the plastic "crystal" chandeliers on each side. I love the display tables and also the lighted display alcoves that are framed with picture frames.

Yes, I bought something but I haven't taken a photo of it yet. Stay tuned.

On the drive down the crazy busy highway leading to the mall I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Now keep in mind that this highway is a crazy jumble of businesses, all stacked on top of one another. I was trying to pay attention to the heavy traffic but my radar caught something.

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This was tucked behind some trees so it's a wonder I spotted it at all. The sight of it almost got me into an accident. (This photo was taken later when I returned after my errand).

Do you recognize it? If you live outside the American south, probably not. This place hold memories for me. It's.......

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Chick-fil-A! This is a fast food restaurant that serves wonderful chicken sandwiches every day of the week except Sundays. At least I think they still close on Sundays.

In the mid-1970's my dad had retired to Florida and I made a trip down at least once a year to celebrate his birthday. On one of these trips my dad introduced me to Chick-fil-A and I was hooked. I'd eat there everyday and on the last day of my trip I'd stop and get a bag full to carry on the plane. The Farmer would pick me up at the airport and we'd chow down on the sandwiches.

After my father died my visits to Florida were infrequent. The last time I had a Chick-fil-A was when the Farmer participated in a golf tournament in Orlando. (Can you believe I stayed in Orlando and never once visited Disneyworld? It's true.

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So what's so special about this sandwich besides the fact that it was unobtainable here in northern Illinois?

Number one - it's a REAL chicken breast. Not some chopped up, reconstitued chicken patty. And it comes with their terrific sauce, a combination of honey mustard and barbecue sauce.

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If you order the meal, it comes with waffle fries. (Sorry, no picture of those)

Beware if you're allergic because the chicken is fried in peanut oil. My father was from a long line of peanut and cotton farmers so everything, especially chicken, was fried in peanut oil.


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Crispy goodness. As you can see I went through the drive-through and ate in my car, not wanting to share the experience with anyone. No music, no talking, no ambient noise, just me and my Chick-fil-A.

I visit this area infrequently, so I have no clue how long it's been here. I could have been missing out for years? Who forgot to mention this to me? Heads are gonna roll, I tell you.

How about you? Have you ever had a Chick-fil-A? How about some local specialty that you crave when you're far from home?

18 comments:

Vee said...

No! We don't have such a thing. Why does everyone south of Kittery have all the good stuff. That chicken sandwich looks delicious.

Squeak said...

We don't have Chick-Fil-A in Canada - I wish we did!

I stumbled onto their website by accident one day and just loved it. Their "Eat chicken, cuddle cows" ad cracked me up!

Tess said...

Chick-Fil-A is all over San Antonio. Recently, they built one just about a mile from la casa. I love their chicken wraps.

Leslie T said...

As soon as I saw the photo, I knew you were at Forever 21. Oh happy happy! How I love those stores. The displays are fantastic. And I admit that a quick tour through my closet will show that my wardrobe is heavy on Forever 21 purchases. I do love their accessories stores too. Such cool stuff!
As far as Chick-Fil-A, we have them here in So Cal but I've never been to one. My sister swears by those sandwiches though -- she loves them.
It sounds like you had a lovely shopping adventure and I'm so glad you discovered the joys of having a Chick-Fil-A within driving distance, to satisfy those cravings. Life is good. :)

Dorothy said...

Recently like middle of March one of these opened in Wichita and the whole town went crazzzzy. I could not believe people lined up for blocks and blocks just to get a chicken sandwich. Now it is middle of May and I drove by yesteday on my way to Olive Garden for lunch and cars were still lined up for a block this time. One of these days I am going to try one if I don't have to wait in line forever. Must be good. When I said everyone went crazy it was no joke it even made the paper and the TV news. Wish I owned one. LOL

Jeanie said...

We have Chick-Fil-A here (Colorado) and I love to eat there. They do fund raising nights for schools and two of my grankdkid's schools participate from time to time....crazy crowded, but fun.

MelissaD said...

We've got one Chick-Fil-A here in Elk Grove in Central California. I haven't been yet because the In-N-Out Burger is across the street and I can't drive past without getting one of those :P I'll have to try it some time - and yes, they are still closed on Sundays.
I was in Schaumburg for a business trip about 30 years ago and just remember it as a generic suburban place - not unpleasant.

life in red shoes said...

First off, do you see the color of shoes in pic #1?
2nd- Sweet #2 and I eat at Chick so often they know us by name. She works right aroung the corner from the new store, one of the 1st outside a mall. We like the sandwiches and nuggets, but you must try the soft serve ice cream.....yummy!
And around here they still close on Sunday, and have some of the nicest employees :)

Anonymous said...

We are getting one in Crystal Lake, Il. They are building it now.

Anonymous said...

Small world! Wednesday, my mom, my newborn, & I went to that mall and Chick-Fil-A for lunch! Would have been funny to run into you. :) Erica

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

When we volunteer at Disney, in the past, Chick-Fil-A catered our lunches. Love the grilled chicken sandwich. My daughter has one in Ohio. Enjoy!!!!

C.C. said...

Hi Suzanne! Your blog is as wonderful as ever! The only thing I get at Chick-Fil-A is their chocolate milkshakes. Have you had one? They are to die for. So creamy, cold and delicious. Best of luck to you with your farmer's market sales!

C.C. said...
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flowerpower said...

Ahhhhh Woodfield I remember it well. lol i used to live in Desplains IL. Chick-Fil-A not so much i tried it ones and found it to salty and greasy.

Millicent said...

Oh, the Forever 21 accessory store looks like so much fun. I love those oversized lamps on the tables!

We have Chick-Fil-A here in Texas and just love it. They will open one just a few minutes from us at the end of this month. I'm surprised there are not any in Arkansas near where you go there. Our son lives in NYC and misses it terribly. In fact, he was back home this weekend for a graduation and it was the first place we hit after leaving the airport.

Enjoy!

Millicent said...

Oh, the Forever 21 accessory store looks like so much fun. I love those oversized lamps on the tables!

We have Chick-Fil-A here in Texas and just love it. They will open one just a few minutes from us at the end of this month. I'm surprised there are not any in Arkansas near where you go there. Our son lives in NYC and misses it terribly. In fact, he was back home this weekend for a graduation and it was the first place we hit after leaving the airport.

Enjoy!

Paula Jo @ Home and Garden Decor said...

I'm glad that you had a good trip after all. We have Chick-Fil-A all over here in Houston Texas area. I have one least than a mile away. You are right the chicken sandwiches are so good, so I take my 3 yr. old grandson with me and he gets to play on the inside playground and we enjoy our meal together. He loves the cow mascot that they have.

thistlewoodfarm said...

I love Chick-fil-A! But I'm from the south. Home of the southern fried chicken sandwich and waffle fries.

Amazing.

Simply amazing.

blessings,
karianne