Packers Fans To Flock To Lakeview Bar
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- Lakeview is most certainly Bears country; at one time, the team played right in the neighborhood at Wrigley Field.
But less than a mile away, hundreds of Packers fans will be flocking in Sunday to get some moral support and a little taste of home.
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The deep fryers will soon be in overdrive at Will's Northwoods Inn, which is in the Chicago city limits, but seems like it could legally be declared a part of Wisconsin. It even sits on a street named after a Wisconsin town, being located at 3030 N. Racine Ave.
"We will probably be able to fill up a swimming pool with the cheese curds we're going to serve," said Manager Kevin Kruse.
Rustic paneling, moose heads, an antler chandelier, and a giant Vince Lombardi poster fill the neighborhood bar tucked away on Racine near Barry Avenue. It would make any Wisconsin native feel welcome.
On its website, the bar bills itself as, "a little bit of God's country in the heart of South Lakeview." And it's a little bit of Packer country too.
"Packer fans know they are in Chicago when they come here and the Bear fans know who we are and know we've been doing this for so long," Kruse said. "Even though we are in the middle of Bears country, there's some good natured ribbing going on. Not like you'd expect since swarms of Packers fans come here every weekend."
Packers fan Tim Lecher says it's his home away from home.
"I came here on an internet tip and I fell in love with the place," he said.
As one of the only Packers bars in the city, they're preparing for hundreds of fans of the Green and Gold this Sunday. Kruse says the phones have been ringing off the hook.
"We might have to turn a lot of people away," Kruse said.
As for Sunday, he's already preparing the menu with a chock full of Wisconsin fare.
That will include "20 cases of bratwurst, cheese curds; we'll probably go through 17 or 18 cases," he said.
ill's is celebrating 20 years in April. Kruse says he can't think of a better way to mark the year than with a big game and a big rivalry.
"It's everything I've hoped for and feared all at once," he said.
WBBM 780 found one Bears fan bellied up at the bar. He says he knows where he won't be come Sunday.
"I will not be here on Sunday," he said.
Kruse says Bears fans are welcome, but they may be a little outnumbered.
Will's opened in1991, and brings Northwoods traditions such as sheepshead tournaments and a Musky Queen contest (sheepshead is a card game and the musky, or muskellunge is a fish, in case you didn't know.)
And on Friday, Packers fans might be glad they're in Chicago rather than up north. The current weather listings on the Will's Northwoods website say it's minus 10 in Madison and minus 12 in Green Bay.
