About Me
LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF FOSTER AND CLARK IN CHICAGOFish drinking martinis, glögg, Viking paraphernalia, ancient Schlitz advertising, and Swedish roots make Simon's not only an excellent neighborhood bar but also an interesting experience for anyone that steps within its friendly environs. Since the Depression, Simon's has indeed anchored this part of Clark Street, just north of Foster, in the Swedish enclave of Andersonville. Simon's compliments the unique character of other staple Swedish establishments, such as Wikstrom's Gourmet Foods and a satellite location of Ann Sather's, while also fitting in well with non-Swedish Andersonville newcomers like Hop Leaf, Reza's and even Starbuck's.Since 1934, Simon's ceramic and glass block-clad façade has appeared like a beacon in the night to pub-goers of all nationalities with its neon signdepicting a fish holding a martini. This fish turns out to be a double entendre – "pickled herring" – which is a delicacy in Sweden. Get it? Right... Once inside you may notice that, in contrast to the dirty gray linoleum floor and drop ceiling with questionable-looking tiles, the long, worn mahogany bar that runs long the south wall offers a touch of class. In front of the bar lies a curved upholstered booth that lies just under a small rectangular window in front lit with blue light bulbs.The design of the bar was modeled after a steamship like the triple-stacked Normandy etched into the mirror behind the cash register and below the Swedish and Norwegian flags behind the bar. Blue backlit portholes glow from the bar's wooden backdrop below a yellow stucco wall, and an interesting array of Viking paraphernalia that includes: statues, a horned helmet, a shield, an axe, Viking ships, wooden carvings, and a small Viking warrior skewering a bowling pin with what looks like a trident. While Simon's may be the only bar in Chicago with an axe on display, the Viking helmet is particularly notable for two reasons. Firstly, the Vikings did not wear helmets, let alone helmets with horns on them. Secondly, Simon's has an ongoing, unadvertised bar contest: if you can spot the five hidden animals in the lodge mural across from the bar, you can drink for free during the entire evening while wearing the helmet."This is the way a tavern used to be—no ferns, glass or peppy waitresses"– Ethnic Chicago (1993)Beyond the bar lies a small lounge area, complete with two of your grandmother's worn couches in the back, sans plastic, along with black & white pictures of a parade and a shuffleboard scene, and a red brick fireplace that warms chilly patrons. Illuminating the "back room" is a stained glass window depicting two crowned pickled herrings (drinking martinis) with little Swedish flags in the corners, backlit with light coming from the room behind.
