"Whirlaway is one of the best examples of a true Chicago neighborhood bar. The owner, Maria, is usually bartending and is an integral part of the experience here. Once you’ve been here a few times, you become a familiar face and are then treated as such. If there’s a Cubs game on, she’ll probably talk to you about baseball, and when you say the Marlins are your favorite team she’ll grab the attention of the regular at the end of the bar who’s from Miami, and just like that, you’ve got a new drinking buddy—and an understanding of what makes this place special." - josh barnett, sam faye, john ringor