Scared Panda » Chicago

Cupcakes on the Move

Kate — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:48:12 +0000

It’s no secret that I love food, but what people might be surprised to know is that not so long ago I didn’t like cupcakes, or any cake really. A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to write a review of More cupcakes before their opened their doors and after I left, I was officially on the cupcake train.

I recently had a chance to catch up with the owner of More, Patty Rothman, and she told me about the More Mobile that will be launching mid-August. You may be familiar with Flirty Cupcakes – the idea is similar, but I think it will outshine Chicago’s first cupcake truck. Part of the reason is because More sells a better cupcake and secondly, they have some really great ideas for the truck itself that will make it stand out.

For more information about this highly anticipated truck, check out the post I recently wrote for Gapers Block.

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Re-Discover Chicago Sunday Morning (midnight – 5 a.m.)

Kate — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:59:52 +0000

This weekend is one of my favorites of the summer – on Saturday night my friends and I will go on a late night, 25-mile bike ride through Chicago. The L.A.T.E. Ride is a really great way to explore the city after-hours – from midnight until 5 a.m., the streets are closed off to vehicles and we’re free to bike, hang out and discover some of Chicago’s hidden gems.

We’ll finish the ride around 3 a.m. on the lake front and will stop somewhere to get some breakfast (Pick-Me-Up – hello pancakes!, Tony’s Burritos, perhaps a night cap at Carol’s?) then catch a few zzz’s before heading to one of our favorite soccer bars to watch the World Cup (go Netherlands!). All-in-all, sounds like a pretty awesome day to me.

If you’re at the L.A.T.E. Ride, look for the group of people decked out in Scared Panda gear and come say hello!

- Kate

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You bought…We gave

Clint — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:48:49 +0000

Wow, this year is flying by. The last time I checked it was Memorial Day and now we’re already past the 4th of July. Next time you look up there are going to be leaves falling on your face. July also marks the end of the second quarter, which means it’s donation time!

At the end of each quarter we take 10% of every sale from each of our t-shirts and donate that money to the organization that has been chosen for that t-shirt. This quarter we added quite a few new t-shirts into the mix and these new t-shirts brought in new organizations. Take a few minutes and check out these great Chicago organizations:

If you were one of the many people who bought a t-shirts this past quarter, let me say on behalf of Scared Panda and all these organizations, Thank You!

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Get Your Pizza On

Kate — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:27:29 +0000

When you’re in a city famous for a particular food or cuisine, it can be overwhelming when trying to decide where to get the BEST of that specialty food. Luckily for you, there are a few companies in Chicago who will take you around to some of the best pizza places in the city.

Chicago Pizza Tours stuck out to me because they take you to different neighborhoods and allow you to sample a variety of pizzas (they even stop at Italian Fiesta – a favorite of the Obamas). On this tour, you’ll get your deep-dish craving satisfied and you’ll get to experience some of the best non-deep dish joints in the city, including one of my favorites, Coal Fire.

For those of you partial to Chicago-style deep dish pizza, check out Slice of Chicago Pizza Tours. This company takes you to some of the most famous deep dish joints in town and, it’s a walking tour so you won’t fall into a pizza coma when you’re done with your journey.

Don’t forget to wear your Pizza Fight t-shirt as you explore Chicago’s pizza scene.

- Kate

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Win a Free Shirt!

Kate — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:44:58 +0000

I recently had some time to get to know another local entrepreneur, Jess of Jess LC. I’ve been admiring her jewelry and reading her blog, Make Under My Life (try the Throw Out 50 Things Challenge!) for awhile now and have learned a lot about starting a new business, living life with intention and finding joy in everything you do. We decided to do a three-month ad run on her blog and part of that package is a t-shirt giveaway. Head over to her site, check out the interview I did and throw your name in the hat for a free t-shirt.

- Kate

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Happy Summer!

Kate — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:48:36 +0000

Yesterday was the first day of summer and we celebrated by going to Yogen Fruz. I suppose it’s more accurate to say we half-celebrated, half-sought relief at Yogen Fruz. On a 15 minute walk home we managed to get incredibly hot and uncomfortable and needed SOMETHING to cool down. Yogen Fruz is one of my favorite places in the city and, for me, it was a pretty easy decision to stop in and grab a cool treat. We were greeted by a long line of hot, happy Chicagoans enjoying the first night of summer. Something about it made my heart smile. Maybe it’s because I know that in a few weeks people will be grumbling about the heat and the lines. But, for now, everyone seems to be taking their time and enjoying all that summer has to offer (including the sweat). Where is your favorite place to cool down in the summer months?

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No Rain

Clint — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:55:41 +0000

No Rain, originally uploaded by [clint].

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How To: Unboxing A Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Clint — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:18:27 +0000

A quick lesson on how to unbox a Chicago deep dish pizza. Pizza courtesy of The Art of Pizza – the best deep dish in Chicago – IMHO.

Step 1: Buy pizza

Step 2: Open pizza box

Step 3: Open tin foil

Step 4: Analyze

Step 5: Tear away from siblings & consume

Enjoy!

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The Original Rainbow Cone

Clint — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:24:25 +0000

Last week we stopped by The Original Rainbow Cone at it’s new Loop location, kindly tucked into the corner of the Halsted Street Deli at State & Lake.

Original Rainbow Cone has been an ice cream favorite in Chicago for 84 years. This vintage ice cream shop, housed in its distinctive historic pink building on the Southside of Chicago, has been pleasing the palettes of three generations.

The layers of the cone are Sherbert, Pistachio, Palmer House(Venetian Vanilla with cherries and walnuts), Strawberry and Chocolate.

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Time To Get Away

Clint — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:05:08 +0000

View on black

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