The Marquette Inn

"Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it." - Peter Drucker

Using Drucker's criteria one could say The Marquette Inn at 60 W Adams is truly a high quality loop lunch option. Using a criteria based on nutritional value and taste...not so much. The ninth LLC selection, chosen by Dan "Big Baby" Ofman, was a welcoming and friendly hybrid of a Greek diner and an American sports bar. The  decor seamlessly transitioned from the bright lights of neon beer signs to the sepia toned art deco paintings of 1930s Chicago public transportation vehicles. When I woke up that morning I had never been to a restaurant that displayed boxes of cheerios on one wall and bottles of Beefeater gin on the other. I have now. Nothing says convenience like being able to combine your nightcap with your morning meal. At The Marquette Inn you can wash down your Rueben with Russian dressing on white with a white Russian and my Uncle Rueben.

I'd like to order the Johnnie Walker Blue plate special

Dan Ofman and I arrived early and were greeted by two hosts.  I would be shocked if these men didn't do seasonal work as a Greek mall Santa and elf duo at some sort of present day agora.  After originally being told to stand and wait the 30 minutes until the rest of The LLC arrived the agreed to let us sit at the bar.  The specials were "slippery nipple shots" and "apple mantinis". We sipped our morning coffee while our neighbors downed their morning Miller Lite. The counter top was littered with fliers advertising that night's Fall Bash featuring "drinks, drinks, and more drinks" as well as the Greco-Techno beats of DJ Lena. Our bartender/waitress assured us it would be a good time and I'm more than comfortable taking her word for it. The Elf told us our table was ready.  It was at this point that things got serious.

Before settling at the table we had already been served complimentary plates of gyro meat and tzatziki. "They are all my cousins!" Our jovial European suit donning Santa beamed at our waitress before turning back towards the smiling faces of The LLC, "Belly dancers are on the way!" He then disappeared up the chimney leaving behind a smiling Dan Spira who, through his tears and wide-eyed boyish laughter managed to affectionately yell after him, "#1 in customer service!"

While placing our orders the waitress revealed another bombshell...Free Soup! And three different choices! A Greek Santa Rosh Hashanah miracle! Between the gyro meat, soup, and actual meals we had a lot of food on our hands.  Unfortunately quantity doesn't equate quality. "There's nothing outstanding," said Rob Anderson, sporting a stylish new haircut, "but there is a lot of it."

"The roast beef isn't as good as Pittsfield's," echoed Nick Nikitas, "It's ok, but it's messy."

It didn't surprise me at all that The Marquette Inn was picked by Dan Ofman, who had cleared his plate for the ninth consecutive week.  Try convincing this baby that quality is more important than quantity...

Attention single ladies of Chicago! Looking for a man to help produce offspring like this? Look no further!

Overall we enjoyed a great experience and a mediocre meal at The Marquette Inn. Remember folks, the best team doesn't always win the game.  With all the magic of Santa, the high holidays and beer on tap this fairytale diner might just make a Cinderella run come bracket time.

Marquette Notes:

• Despite reporting availability for Friday there was an unexplained absence of Crisis Chris Hartemayer.
• Upon exiting there was a general agreement as to the eventual ranking The Marquette Inn would receive on Dan's rating scale under the category: How do I feel afterwards.