If not now, when? Yes, we’re talking about the World Cup (again). Many colleagues who used to scoff are now watching matches, and asking questions about football, the beautiful game.
More Top Picks Wyze Lock
And rather than thinking of yourself as a bandwagon hopper, know that with billions of people already on board, there’s still room for you. Welcome. And you’re very lucky, because Saturday features two win-or-go-home quarterfinal matches — Portugal/England and France/Brazil — that will be spectacular, because all four are great sides, and there’s hate aplenty. More on that later.
For now, know that there’s no other place to watch except The Globe Pub, 1934 W. Irving Park Rd. (773-871-3757). And we aren’t being alarmist when we say this, but for that 10 a.m. England match start, you’ll probably want to be scouting for a spot on line at, oh, say 7:30, 8 a.m. or so. Do so, or risk being one of the dozens of people milling about on Irving Park Road, hoping for a chance to get in. It was crazy for England’s first match. For the quarterfinals, stand back.
But you need to eat something. Early. Preferably nearby so that you can grab a parking spot and walk to the Globe.
That’s why the gustatory deities made The Diner Grill, 1635 W. Irving Park Rd. (773-248-2030). This low-slung, 24-hour joint used to be a streetcar diner. Now it’s an icon. Breakfast is served all the time, and many swear by an edifice called the Slinger, which is essentially one of everything: hash browns, onions, burger patties, two eggs and chili. But don’t cringe, the chili’s homemade.
Now, in the Globe. If you mind being hugged by a complete stranger who might or might not have just spilled beer on you while celebrating a goal, stay home. Because on the one side, we have England, of the lackluster performance, bailed out time and again by the right play at the right time. Its opponent is Portugal, whose coach, Luis Felipe Scolari, has been behind England’s ouster from major tourneys the last two times. This one could be a stunner, and the company at the Globe is unmatched.
If you can’t get in for England, you might have luck (but only a bit) with the France/Brazil match, which will also be a very tense affair. As with England/Portugal, revenge is the theme. These two teams met in the 1998 Cup, and France opened up a 3-0 can of stomp. I’m not saying who’s going to win or anything, but my Patrick Vieira shirt (France midfielder) is a size large.
See you there.