Gender: Male
Status: Married
Age: 44
Sign: Capricorn
City: Lake Berwyn
State: Illinois
Country: US
Signup Date: 12/8/2006
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Friday, December 04, 2009
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Category: Blogging
| |   salfordtedd74 ( Chicago, Illinois )A+ / 5vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 - $ rDev: +8%This place is a true hidden gem and I am glad to review this place for all the beer lovers in the area, to let you all know about this place...My first experience at CIgars and Stripes was the week of Halloween, when i attended the Freaktoberfest beer tasting...and since ....well i have been there at least ten times since....when you walk in there is a small cigar shop up front that you walk through and than a small bar and a few coolers with package goods...the tap selection is great, with a nice balance of American craft, Belgians and seasonals....they also have a great selection of bottles, also running the gamut of brews....one night i was surprised that they had Hand Of Doom on tap....to me it seems like they tap something new or rare about once a week....prices are very reasonable with lots of specials and they let you sample a beer before you buy it, which is a nice touch...its a very diverse crowd and everyone is friendly....the one thing that really bumps this place up a notch is the owner, Ronnie....i have never met an owner so passionate and dedicated to serving great beers....he is a funny, friendly guy who is quick with a joke, a story or info on beer....something always is going on there, whether its open-mic comedy(wed nights)...Movie nights( tuesdays)...live music(varies) comedians..(sat nite)...once you hunker down, its like drinking in your uncles basement...if only all our uncles were as cool as Ronnie!...they dont have a full kitchen but they have great "bar" pizza....with lotsa hot sauces to try it with...Frankie the bartender/beer man deserves special mention for doing a great job keeping patrons informed aboiut beer..i have seen him take extra time to chat with people about the beer they are drinking, giving tidbits of info about whatever brew they are drinking....if you are looking for a great place with great beer...this is it!
Reviewed on: 12-03-2009 18:26:14  emerge077 ( BeerFly Guide, Chicago, Illinois )A / 4.3vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 - $$ rDev: -7% There were no expectations when I walked in, but I was really impressed by this place. It's clear that the owner and staff are really into craft beer, and have gone to great lengths to create a unique establishment. Unique is an understatement...just look for an 8 ft. cigar puffing zombie on the road, and pull over there. Inside, past a small cigar and curio shop, under a hanging Chimay sign, there's a room with a U-shaped bar. Further back there were some tables and small outdoor patio with hanging beer signs and flowers. If Svengoolie was a regular here, I wouldn't be surprised...there was a menangerie of oddities, from the leopard print on the wall, tiny mounted game trophies, a painting of frankenstein, rock and roll art, and a motorcycle parked on top of the to-go cooler. It was a psychotronic cult movie come to life as a bar in Berwyn. Frank was the bartender, and he was great. Really friendly and full of information about beer. He offered a couple draft samples right off the bat, and chatted about their selection. They serve up 6 different 10" pizzas for $8.75, but that's it for food. Sausage & jalapeño was tasty. They want to expand their draft lines and coolers in the near future he said, maybe adding 10 more taps. Currently there were 11 taps and maybe 50 bottled beers. They had a draft list with descriptions and ABV listed. DFH 90, NB Dandelion, SN Bigfoot 08, DT, St. Bernardus Wit & Abt 12, Unibroue Ephemere, and several others. No bottle list, but they were visible in the coolers behind the bar. Strong Belgian trappist focus, full line of Chimay & St. B, Orval, Urthel Hop-It & Samaranth, Duvel, and several others. US craft was in another cooler, they had Founders, DFH, New Holland Dragons Milk, a total of about 30 US crafts. I was told they rotate 3 Floyds drafts, but didn't offer any bottles currently. FFF's aesthetic would certainly fit right in here. They also had a to-go cooler with limited craft options like SNPA, Lagunitas, and Bells. A few in the crowd had craft beers, but more were probably drinking macros or mixed drinks. People were young & old, an eclectic mix. The jukebox had lots of rock classics, with some punk & blues thrown in, with XM filling in when it was not in use. They host live music and weekly comedy nights on wednesdays. I left with a couple bottles of hot sauce from the shop in the front, they had a pretty good assortment, and also a humidor if that's your thing. Highly recommended if you are passing by on I-55. Reviewed on: 07-10-2009 14:14:07
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Saturday, November 08, 2008
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Current mood:  tested
Category: Parties and Nightlife
Cigars and Stripes takes the Halloween season seriously,so seriously that Ronnie Lottz, proud owner and operator of this fine establishment, traveled 9 1/2 hrs to purchase what might just possibly be the last intact vintage sideshow tent in all of America.
This authentic 50' x 30' pumpkin-orange and blood-red striped sideshow tent was once owned and operated by P.T. Barnum and the legendary Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus.
And now! This peculiar tent of mystery once used by the greatest showman of all time, has found its rightful home in the parking lot of The Greatest Bar on Earth: Cigars & Stripes!
Did this tent house many freaks in the sideshow? Was it a coven for midgets? The Tattooed Lady's sleeping chamber? The damp and musty lair where Lobster Boy and the Bearded Lady made FORBIDDEN love?
Ronnie Lottz is so inspired by the supernatural allure of the authentic side show tent, he has begun resurrecting "Lillian The Girl to Gorilla" attraction for one and all. In the future you will see a delicate 115 lb Ugandan Princess transform into a 550 lb rabid fanged silver back before your very eyes is the most terrifying and infamous side show attraction of all time! A show like this hasn't been seen since the death of the live actors of the midway! (NOTE:This attraction will be opening Oct. 2009)
A special thank you, to all who attended Halloween 2007 and 2008 Just wait till you meet "Lillian the Girl to Gorilla" in 2009' now that's what I'm talking about.
Freaking you out since day one'
Ronnie Lottz
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Tuesday, March 04, 2008
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Current mood:  betrayed
Category: News and Politics
..>..> ..>| HammerHed Ent, Inc. | ..>..> ..> ............ |
| | Press Release | ..... | ..> |  | | Illinois successful Smoking Ban does it's job! Forcing suburban based businesses, into a white knuckle downward spiral of terror! Berwyn IL Mar 04, 2008 Cigars and Stripes has been a licensed tobacconist for the last 10 years, serving Chicagoland and the western suburbs the finest in tobacco and smoking accessories since 1998. In 2001, a fatal decision was made to expand and diversify growth in the American way, adding a lounge and small time entertainment, at the time, seemed to fit the bill. As of January 1st, 2008, the tables have turned, since Illinois implemented the (brilliant) Smoking Ban. Some Illinois businesses have seen sales plummet to dangerous levels. The time has come to up the talent level at all of Cigars and Stripes comedy events. Face the facts, this is a perfect time for expansion, says owner Ronnie Lottz. The state is broke, the business owners are on thin ice and the natives barley have enough dough to take the rugrats to the stinking dollar show. The timing couldn't be better to see a live comedy event. Now they can see 2 or 3 comics, have a couple of drinks for the same price it would cost for parking downtown. Hey, I didn't want it this way. It's not my fault our American property rights are vanishing. Hmmm, what to do now? Hey I know, I'll change the name.... the same name that I work 90 plus hours a week for... sweating my blood the last 10 years of my life to lets say, maybe "Comedy and Stripes." No wait, "Communism and Stripes." Now thats got a ring to it. Hey that would have been huge in the 60s. Speaking of blood, the economic condition that our state is in, makes me wish I stayed with Pro Wrestling management. Just the thought is comforting. AHHH the bible belt, on the road again, back in the ring, my world tag team champs by my side, screaming at southerners on Live Memphis TV.... when all of a sudden ...WHACK- BAMMMM!!!! my skull gets crushed with a metal folding chair. Come to think of it, I kinda miss laying on my back and watching the stadium lights of the Mid South Coliseum go blurry and slowly fade away. Hey, at least the Beatles played there and I knew going in, there was always that chance I could get my brains beat in, unlike this smoking ban, atleast there was a chance of survival. I'll have you know, that a 40 year old attorney said to me, and I kid you not "the constitution ...hey man get with it, we don't go by that anymore, that's old news man. I'm a lawyer to make money, not fight for peoples' rights." At this point, I will choose to withhold his name so he doesn't sue the pants off me. Hey wait a minute, I should say his name so when my pants are gone, the State of Illinois politicians will have an easier time giving me the o'l high hard one. DON'T GET ME STARTED... look at it this way... I love to screw my wife with the lights on. Problem is, I just can't do it in the middle of a crowded Walmart. Alright well maybe deep in a disorganized clothes rack in the back of a store might be possible. But the fact is, when I'm at home, as long as my wife agrees, the lights are on . Business owners across this state are seeing their rights violated. As part of their property has been seized for public use through smoking ban legislation. Those who are smokers themselves, have been told that a legal activity is no longer legal for them on their own private property. In addition to not being compensated, many have ended up paying for the partial property seizure with lost revenue and a loss in the value of their business.... this without due process of law or just compensation. Imagine that. Here's an idea for ya... turn off the lights all together and ban smoking completely in Illinois, then let's see if groups of nicotine crazed maniacs take to the streets. Ya know like in the old days, better yet send em all to IRAQ and tell em Bin Laden has the only remaining cartons of cigarettes left in the world. Oh they will find that bastard and when they do, they'll smoke em, literally. This Link will lead you to Cigars and Stripes Events page.
In Celebration of 10 years of lost blood and vanishing civil liberties here is our impressive March Entertainment line up.Click the link above | ..> ..>..>
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Thursday, November 22, 2007
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Current mood:  drained
Category: Blogging
Face the facts... the inlaws are a pain in the ass, you deserved to burn off a little steam before the big day. Cigars & Stripes style! Yeah that's right... you go ahead and fall asleep after dinner..in front of the whole family while yer' mom and grandma gather round and say nice things. Like... "He works soooo... hard, my lil' Johnny had a paper route at the age of 11 you know", and if your lucky they might even throw in a couple of ... "Don't you wake your fathers!" Enjoy this time because it will all come to a screachin' halt, yer' wife knows damm well yer hanging like a dogg. Just cross yer' fingers that you dont blast out a leftover beer fart and by all means, keep yer hand out of yer pants, because when the nights over you will have no choice but to face your wife and the loooonnnggg ride home... It's go time, baby... you drink up and remember... you da' man of the house!
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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Category: Food and Restaurants
Bartender buys Cafe Palermno ..Did she quit because of ghosts ? .. It gives me great pleasure to announce that our Wednesday night bartender (Kelly) has moved on. After 4 years of being harassed both emotionally and sexually by the GHOSTS and everyday regulars,not to mention the beer delivery guys and a endless line of dysfunctional Stand-Up Comics... she just couldn't take it...NO MORE. Congratulations... you finally embezzeld enough funds to open your own joint.God Bless ya. Kelly said, "I was emotionally and spiritually bankrupt, I needed change. I need an atmosphere that is cheerful and lively... I mean I liked Cigars & Stripes and all, but sometimes being alone in that building would scare the shit out of me. So I thought that buying Cafe Palermo (6510 West Ogden) is just what the doctor ordered."I just hope those God Damn Ghosts dont follow me to my new place? Did she just say "cheerful atmosphere" and "Cafe Palermo" in the same sentence? Is she dillusional? Does she not realize that she just bought a pre-existing coffee shop that was run by one of Mouselini's distant cousins? That little dago was nuts. Last time I was in there, he was chasing some guy down the block with a loaf of stale bananna bread screaming something like "I don't need your fuckin change, you Berwyn bastard." Ahhhh but that's okay...he hated Berwynites. And that guy he was chasing... was probably a dic. Unlike you ,Kelly... you're a people person and a sweetheart. Lord knows it didn't do shit for my Wednesday night crowd but in your new coffee shop ,you'll do just fine. Well, get ready for a long list of U-should-oughtas: you know, U-should-oughta get one of those frozen drink machines. U-should-oughta serve PBJ's and ice cream for the screaming little bratts. U-should-oughta be open till 3am on Sundays. U-should-oughta get a Lotto machine and numerous U-should-oughtas from people who should-ougta go fuck themselves. Here's my little list of U-should-oughtas: - U-should-oughta - not go on any more 2-day drinking binges.
- U-should-oughta not - stay out till dawn anymore.
- U-should-outta - get used to wakeing up at 4am to make coffee for your new regulars
- U-should-outta - learn to love working 14 hour days
- U-should-outta - spend more time endlesly searching for reasonably priced health insurance for sole proprietors
- U-should-oughta - name the place "U-should-oughtas."
- U-should-outta - not eat pills that you find on the floor of Cigars & Stripes anymore.
- Oh wait a minute, that should-outta not be too hard, because you don't work here anymore let alone have the free time to stop in for a drink.
Finally, U-should-oughta let me work there for a couple of 3 or 4 years so I can give everyone their third cup of coffee for free and say shit like... "Oh don't worry about the bagle... It's on me" as I mumble under my breath..."something about the owner being a bitch anyway all as I simutaniously motion towards the tip jar. *wink, wink* What's that you say?... "the register is off $87.50? It can't possibly be me, it was probably the ghost moving the change box around again." And one rainy night you will walk in at closing time to find me and 3 of my derilect friends snorting endless amounts of your most expensive Arabica fresh ground coffee. HUGE PILES OF IT!! And by the way.... we'll all be naked,and surrounded by broken glassware that the "GHOST" has been whipping around your new coffee shop all night long. Ronnie Lottz Owner of Cigars and Stripes
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Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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Category: Romance and Relationships
Berwyn Bar Owner Thinks He May Be Homophobic...>..>..>..>..>..> ..>
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| Intense midwest heat wave to blame..Loop Fest plays roll. .. After a day at Loop Fest in sweltering 99 degree heat, and watching groups of teenagers dry hump each other all day long...the frustration started to slowly creep in. People love to dry hump...so do I. Today I'll deal with the dry humping, because tomorrow I'm off to see comedian Margaret Cho in the beautiful, air- conditioned Chicago Theatre. Little did I know... the joke was on me. Ms. Cho caters to almost 100% gays. "Not that there is anything wrong with that. I mean I didn't even understand some of the jokes. But, I did get hit on three or four times. Two little Asian fellows and one really big hairy guy. If I was a chick, I would have to say "Sorry, Im a lesbian". Although, I must say the one would not have looked so bad had he been equipped with the proper wig and right shade of lipstick, but that's besides the point. Lets just say... If I would have known the pick up scene for gay males was this easy, I'd have been a flamer in high school. Ya know, join the wrestling team, the whole 9 yards. On the way to the Theatre, there were a bunch of ladies that struck up conversation with my wife and I. Tourists I ask? Why "yes" she replies. Hey... "you guys lesbians" I ask... "oh no... we're in town for the Pampered Chef convention. Then one of them yells out, "well sometimes..."DAMN HER! Why did she have to say that." There goes my hard on starting up again... just like at Loop Fest. Now I've done it. I mindlessly blurted out yet another stupid comment that insures one thing... no sex from my wife tonight. Why can't I just keep my big mouth shut? Ahhh screw it. The Red Fish Vodoo Lounge is just up the street. Ice cold beers, steaks, hot sauce...just what a man needs to reduce the swelling in his groin. I've always wanted to check that place out. Once in the Red Fish, my wife took the liberty of ordering two Sam Adams summer ales. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. When the server comes to the table, I look up and there he is. The waitress is a man. Night totally ruined! I'm not talking about some sexy cross dresser either. Just a guy, serving food.. holding my beers with a piece of fruit wedged on the side of the glass. I am a man who has had enough." "THAT'S IT... you pasty-skinned, fat, crew cut wearing mother fucker... you take those filthy hands off those innocent beers right now . Put down those frosted mugs and slowly back away from the table you son of a bitch. "And you bring me something in a skirt to take the fruit out of my God DAMN beer! If you try to upsell me a fish sandwich, I'm gonna hurl myself out the plate glass window and into an oncoming bus. Hopefully, my blood will splash all over those retro square-rimmed glasses you're sporting. You prick you. Here's a couple of quick questions for ya pal." - How in the fuck did you get this job?...
- Did you blow someone?...
- Aren't there single mothers in this world that need your job?...
- Does management really think its a wise move not to serve Hot Peppers in this Cajun restaurant?...
- Can Sammy Hagar still Fuck like he's 20 ?...
- Do you think that my wife knows that I threw my cell phone out the car window because of sexual frustration or does she think I"'m just an asshole?...
- Am I homophobe?...
- Is my cock getting hard because I'm fantasizing about splitting your skull with a antique Coca-Cola Bottle?
Homophobe? I don't know. I think I'm just pissed off and horny. All I'm trying to say is... I want a rare steak, I want my beer without any fruit in it, and I want it served by a women. Then, when I'm done, I want to screw my wife with the lights on, in the middle of the kitchen floor. Is that too much to ask? At what point in time did American males turn into such giant pussys? What the fuck has happened to this world. Boys should be boys... girls should be waitresses. You know... puppy dog tails, rats & snails... whatever. Let's get back to the basics here.... starting right now! "Here's an idea... why don't you have the hostess bring me my food, and you go out and build a deck, install a garage door opener or something. "BITCH!" Ronnie Lottz Owner of Cigars and Stripes<br> | ..>
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