The Illinois College of Optometry Student Blog

Embrace your inner Homer Simpson for this one, because Chicago serves up some of the most delicious doughnuts I have ever consumed! In the beginning of Fall 2016, I was given a list of seven doughnut stores in the city. I made it my quest to not only try them all but also find out which one is the best. It was a great way to take a study break from ICO. With the help of a health-conscious accomplice, we completed the list over several months (with hardened arteries.) The rule

I recently read an article about the best subs in Chicago. To be honest, I wouldn’t trust the list. They left out one of the all-time favorite sub sandwiches of the ICO fourth year class: Southtown Sub. Southtown Sub is a short walk from the school. Go south on Indiana, and once you hit 35th St., make a left and walk one block over. It is a small building with a yellow sign. They only take cash, but you can call and order before you get there. Why do we fourth years love it?

To be honest, it is very rare that I get excited about Italian food. While most people love pasta, I would much rather eat meat and mashed potatoes or tacos. However, I may have found a place that has changed my mind. For a friend’s birthday, he requested Italian food. I went on a Google search, researched tons of restaurants, narrowed the list down to two, and told him to pick. I am not sure if it is because he is 100% Italian, or if he just got lucky, but his selection was

Lately, my blogs have been optometry-oriented. Nothing is wrong with optometry-related blogs, but I try to stress that students need to take a break from school and explore Chicago. I know my grandpa has missed reading about food, so what is the best way to explore Chicago? By eating, of course! I love Chicago foods, and I also love Thanksgiving food. So, when you have a sandwich that sounds like Thanksgiving year round, I am all in. There is a new Chicago sandwich shop calle

What do ICO third years do during the first week of classes? Obviously, we explore the city! I finally got my bike in Chicago, and since my brother had surgery on his foot, I got to bring his bike, too. My partner in eating and I decided to bike up to Lincoln Park along the river. We had one destination: By the Park Bakery. I had walked past it previously when my mom and brother (pre-surgery) were in town. From a quick peek, I could tell we would enjoy the cookies, and planne