It’s a new year and that’s got me thinking about THE FUTURE. Come along for the ride as I ponder things to come.
A BUILDING
Raising Cane’s on Green St.
If you’ve been following the UIUC subreddit lately, you know that the current batch of U of I students only care about one thing. It’s not sex, beer, grades, or which students shower the least, no. The only thing these kids care about is when the Raising Cane’s on Green St. is finally going to open. Originally set to start slinging chicken fingers back in the fall of 2022, the latest news is that the restaurant will open in just a few weeks; sometime in February.
Since I work on campus, I’ve seen the building being built for months. It seems pretty much finished now, so I decided to write about it in the hopes of getting some inkling of what all the fuss is about (even though I can’t yet try the food).
The Raising Cane’s building is at the corner of Green and 5th where the Pizza Hut used to be. That was the saddest Pizza Hut I’d ever beheld, so I’m glad Cane’s bulldozed the whole site and started fresh.
If you’re driving East down Green St. the first thing you’ll notice about the Cane’s building is this impressive mural.
It’s certainly not the largest or most colorful mural on Green St. (especially with so many new murals going up in the past year) but it sure is…something. I might need a whole separate column to write about this one. It’s just packed with visual metaphor and nuance.
Coming around to the front, I’d say this Cane’s looks a cut above your average fast food building. I appreciate the use of multiple building materials including brick and metal. Plus just look at that stylish sign!
Here’s that sunglasses dog again, plus some other cryptic stuff in the shape of a heart. Turns out the dog is the eponymous Raising Cane, you can read all about him, and the company founder (who is not a dog) on their website.
There’s an order window right on Green St., plus outdoor seating with outdoor fans! The restaurant isn’t even open yet but some of these stools look like they’ve been roughed up. I’m sure it was students who were disappointed to find that Cane’s still isn’t open.
On the east side of the building there’s, you guessed it, another sunglasses dog. This time in the form of a banner.
Around back we can see the very small parking lot (just 3 spaces), and a pretty XTREME arrow telling you where the pick-up window is.
However, the best part of this building can only be seen from above.
Yes folks, it’s a bit difficult to see, but that’s a ROOFTOP PATIO built into this chicken finger joint.
VERDICT: This building’s got me dreaming about the springtime when I’ll be hanging out on that 2nd story patio, even if the chicken fingers turn out to be mediocre.
A FEELING
Snowmobile Dreams
Readers, I have never ridden a snowmobile. And for good reason! As a child of the 1990s, I watched a lot of America’s Funniest Home Videos, so I know that snowmobiles are among the most dangerous devices ever created by humankind.
I hadn’t even thought about snowmobiling for years (it doesn’t seem like something that happens much around here) until I saw this sleek beast:
Yes, at the auto shop on the corner of 1st and Springfield is the pinnacle of snowmobile design: a 1980 Kawasaki 440 Intruder. Look at how perfect she is! I mean sure, a little rough around the edges, but that character just makes her better.
Looking at this snowmobile, I immediately imagine myself racing at incredible speeds over snowbanks, the crisp wind in my hair, effortlessly weaving through the trees. Truly I could be the king of every winter wonderland.
And look! For the low, low price of $800, you get not one, but THREE snowmobiles! Think of the amazing cold weather adventures that you can like five of your friends could have on these beautiful steeds! (Ok, one of the three snowmobiles is clearly nonfunctional, but having two would still be fun!)
VERDICT: For now, I’m going to continue to dream about snowmobiling through the dark winter months and not actually do it. It’s quite possible that I just like late 70s / early 80s snowmobile design but do not need to own and ride one.
A LATRINE
Restroom @ Ladro Enoteca
I finally made it over to Ladro Enoteca recently and had a lovely evening. This downtown wine shop/bar is not to be missed! Of course, while I was there, I made a point to check out the restroom.
The first thing you’ll notice upon entering this space is that it’s wine-colored! All of the walls are painted a deep burgundy. The hardware was all clean and functional. Plus, golden sink mirror. Decadence!
Many small amenities put this bathroom above your average restaurant restroom. There’s Kleenex, scented spray disinfectant, tampons, plus coat hooks on the back of the door.
There’s also this mysterious drain which seems pretty important since it services not only this bathroom, but two other pipes leading from parts unknown.
All great stuff, however I wanted to spend time talking about the decor. Over here we’ve got a wine bottle corner. Plus under the hand dryer is what I think are sides or lids from some crates of wine?
Here on the other walls we’ve got a sticker board with stickers from wineries mostly, and some art (that upon some research is the cover of a wine and food magazine).
VERDICT: A very good restroom, but the decorations feel half-hearted and disparate. Like, if you’re gonna do an empty wine bottle collection, you need more bottles. And, if you’re showing off your stickers, I want to see more stickers! Quite different from the rest of Ladro Enoteca which is hip, thoughtful, and somewhat minimalist. I have no doubt though that this bathroom will age like a fine wine. I dream of a time, a few years years in the future, when this restroom will be loaded floor to ceiling with wine-related paraphernalia and collectables.
That’s all I got this month folks. I hope you too are looking forward to a 2023 full of wine, chicken fingers, and dangerous motor vehicles!