Essential Chicago

The tools you need to survive any city situation.

Which hairstyle stands up best to a wind machine? TOC staffers test it out.

Local comics make us laugh about the city's weather and politics.

Tired of the big-name, nonwinning teams? Check out our city's lesser-known, but equally thrilling, sports organizations.

Use this gear when the temps get into the negatives.

To be a real Chicagoan, you need to have some go-to ethnic restaurants.

If your flight out of Chicago is delayed, here's where to go to chillax.

The things you need to know to survive Chicago's public transit system.

Our anonymous ticket hawker has been successfully selling overpriced Cubs tickets to desperate fans for decades. He shares many ...

Score great Cubs tickets, info about invite-only loft parties and more with this insider guide to hacks, tricks and secrets that ...