Bitcoin Forum

I'll soon be trekking to Chicago to close the deal with Chicago Cabbie but, while there, I'm going to make forays to several eating establishments, in hope of interesting them into accepting Bitcoin. The list on the following site should be more than enough to keep me busy: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/article/new-on-the-scene/163270/content

The goal is by summer's end to have several businesses in and around Chicago accepting Bitcoin. To help pull that off, though, I'll need the help of this community. All I'm asking is for you to state that you'll frequent such establishments if they were to accept Bitcoin. I would love to see a formidable list below. I've taken the liberty and imported the list from the Chicago Cabbie thread to seed it. Simply state in this thread that you'll frequent a business that accepts Bitcoin in or around Chicago at least once, and I'll add your name to the list below.

• Bruno
• altuin
• bitcoinbitcoin113
• the joint
• kjlimo
• Herodes
• Yankee
• squirrelman
• DBordello
• pekv2 (for Portillos)

I'm going to be working in conjunction with Tony with Bit-Pay (https://bit-pay.com/) to help pull this off. I'm not sure if I'm at liberty to say this, but he's got a secret weapon up his sleeve, one I know will help in closing the deals.

~Bruno~

Short List:

• Portillo's
• South Loop Club

Rock on!  I think you posted on my Cleveland thread I started a few months back that went nowhere.

I think Chicago is the size of market that we need to target.  New York has at least one restaurant accepting bitcoins.

I will be in Chicago in March for St. Patty's day. 

I guarantee I will take the party to wherever accepts bitcoins!!

I will see if I can get my friends in Chicago to register for this forum, get some bitcoins and join the cause!

Hopefully if Chicago is successful, I can expand this to Cleveland. 

Please PM me if there's anything I can do from Cleveland to help you.  I can try cold calling some stores/restaurants if you provide me a list of names/number that you are targeting.

We could put together a script that focuses on getting you a "meeting" for your visit to Chicago.  Would something quick and simple like that be helpful?  Or would you prefer to handle everything in person?

The map of locations accepting bitcoin is way too sparsely marked.  Let's get it started in Chicago.

http://bitcoin.travel/ (http://bitcoin.travel/)

Go get it!

Awesome website.  How recently was that started?

Bruno I've got plenty of backup incase you need reinforcements.

Go get em!  See you this summer!

Secret weapon back-ups?


We could easily work both ends against the middle. Meeting in person just locks in the deal, therefore it's just not some Joe Schmo making contact over the internet. Email + Phone Call + Handshake = success, I believe. Let's see what I can get together by St. Patrick's Day. That'a a fair enough deadline.

What side of town are you planning of staying in, kjlimo? And what if we dyed the Chicago River orange this year. Orange beer?

Shit! I've got another idea. What would a mixed drink called a Satoshi consist of? Now this idea has legs, albeit week ones after a couple belts.

~Bruno~

It must be opaque; one must not be able to see through it to try to understand what makes it up. Many shall try, but none shall succeed.

Perhaps the drink contains some triple-sec because the Bitcoin logo resembles an orange?

hmm

How can we make a drink Satoshi likes if we don't now anything about him!? I'm having a difficult enough time trying to think of computer / alcohol puns.

Something +  a "bit" of Cointreau...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cointreau

Something= A Japanese drink?

I'll be staying in lincoln park.  I will be visiting the dying of the river as well.

I will try to inspire as much discussion around a Satoshi mixed drink that I can!

Do it and let me know so it can be added to http://bitcoinnavigator.com

I've only been to Chicago once in my life, since I live on the other side of the Atlantic, but when and if I go there again, I will definately go where I can use my BTC ! :D

Keep up the good work !

Thank you both for the inspiration: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=63712.0


I've added your name to the list, Herodes.

I'm in Chicago about once a month, so add me.

My office for my retail business is also in Chicago so I'll have all my warehouse and office staff order from Bitcoin restaurants.

-Charliue

Thank you, Yankee. You're added to the list.

Any others? Also, take a look at this thread, for it's related: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=63712.0

Looks like St. Louis is already sort of there:  http://www.thebitcointrader.com/2012/02/spend-your-bitcoins-at-16-st-louis.html

Plus, GrubGo is working on expanding into Chicago according to the article.

This is huge! (I normally don't use that phrase)

I can easily use this site as part of my visualization techniques, coupled with the Secret Weapon, in obtaining further fine dining establishments in and around Chicago.

Damn! Now I'm hungry and need a drink: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=63712.0

http://s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/z8pVfPcs-B2hMsCw0Hj1aA/l.jpg

~Bruno~

Yes, I will be leveraging off of this "competitor" to try to convince Cleveland Market food service deliverers to start accepting bitcoin. 

It should be convenient since people probably place orders over the phone/internet.

Really get grubhub to start taking bitcoins. They would be an ideal service to suggest this to. I use them all the time.

http://www.grubhub.com/

How many bitcoiners are in Chicago? It's kinda useless for restaurants to accept bitcoin if nobody uses bitcoin.

Maybe somebody should start a money exchange business in Chicago so that people can become bitcoin users more easily.

I'm forcing the chicken. (or is that forcing the egg?)

~Bruno~

I am in the suburbs of Chicago, and fairly new to bitcoins myself.  If you were to get a good restaurant/bar/store to accept bitcoins in Chicago I am sure I would make a trek there to give it a try.

if these 2 girls can figure it out, I'm sure you guys can  ;D

http://youtu.be/YZ-pqo0cLcE

And this, my friends, is how we FTC (Force the Chicken)! Thank you kindly, squirrelman, for your support. You're officially on the list.

~Bruno~

The list in the OP needs to be a little bit more impressive to help influence restaurants and other entities in and around Chicago into accepting Bitcoin.

~Bruno~

I am in in Chicago frequently.  I would stop by any establishment that accepted bitcoins. 

Thank you, DBordello, for your support and FTC. You're now on the list in the OP.

~Bruno~

Grubhub may be a large fish to catch.

I'll try, but I think I'll get my feet wet with smaller local service providers such as "Food Fetchers" or "Deliver me food"

Get portillos on board, then I'm in.

http://www.portillos.com/portillos/locations/

Another thing could be the delivery service that Lou Malnati's offers http://www.tastesofchicago.com/?utm_campaign=rightnav&utm_source=loushome&utm_medium=Homepage (http://www.tastesofchicago.com/?utm_campaign=rightnav&utm_source=loushome&utm_medium=Homepage).  Then everyone all over the country could taste the yummy food of Chicago bitcoin style...

I've added you for Portillos, pekv2. Check out the list in the OP.

I called Portillos Chicago Restaurant (312) 587-8910 and the manager gave me the corporate headquarters number (630) 954-3773.

I called Portillos headquarters, spoke with the operator and she told me to send information via mail or fax (630) 954-5851.

Should I fax her a copy of a bit-pay & WeLoveBicoin hand outs?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52611567/WeLoveBitcoin-trifold-flattened.pdf
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/52611567/BitPay-trifold-flattened.pdf

She said there was no one I could talk to, but
Extension 184 is for credit card issues &
Extension 4 is for advertising

Those were the only two "appealing" options when I called their corporate headquarters (630) 954-3773.  I opted to let the operator deal with me which was probably a fail.

Please let me know which next step you recommend?

BUMP! Please read the quoted post.

~Bruno~

if this works I'd like to do that same thing in my home town of Montreal  :D

this may not have been a fail... the operator might look into bitcoin or talk about it with her boss and he might look at bitcoin... I think you should wait a week and call her again, she might have more of an idea who to pass the phone too.

if you call her again in a week and she still hasn't a clue what to do with you... i say try Extension 4 is for advertising, spin bitcoin as an adverting tool, tell them about mezy grill in NY, find the video were the owner of mezy grill was saying his business is booming with new comers because of bitcoin

What ya thinking for Montreal ?  I would love if a golden horseshoe chain got interested...

Ya, I think the advertising option is a good selling point.

As for my conversation with the operator, it was something like this "I would like to discuss a new payment system for your restaurants.  Who should I be directed to discuss this topic?"

Her response was send a fax or e-mail with a summary of the information.

However, I don't want to go spamming bit-pay.com's fliers to legitimate businesses tarnishing their name until Tony think's that's an acceptable method.

I feel like a person to person phone call and or meeting with an e-mail follow up is acceptable.  I just don't want to revert to spam...

How about you start a new thread for Montreal?

sure why not, done! :D

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=64102.0

Please start a thread for Montreal. I pledge to go eating if a restaurant accept bitcoins.
For me the 2 best selling points to a restaurant are:
New clients: bitcoiners paying with bitcoins
Free publicity: local media will be interested about a restaurant accepting a new currency.

And I'm offering to get their business listed on all of the tons of websites listing businesses that accept bitcoin.

Does anyone have list of websites listing businesses accepting bitcoins?

I think I need to start a thread for that!

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Trade
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Real_world_shops

http://www.thebitcoinreview.com

theirs a nice map too

http://www.thebitcoinreview.com/map.php

Nice going, dunand! I had a nice little venture going here until you came along and forked my customer base. First Montreal, then San Diego. What city's next? Biloxi? Little Rock? Or perhaps smaller towns like Hohenwald, TN, Intercourse, PA, or Winchestertonfieldville?

Seriously, folks, I'm glad to see some traction here, and I'm sure Tony with Bit-Pay will do everything possible to help out in each market. I'm glad to be part of introducing Chicagoans to Bitcoin. But, I do have an edge over all the other markets--a secret weapon.

~Bruno~

we are not in competition, please share your secret weapon with us.

I'm sworn to secrecy, but if you ask Tony (http://www.youtube.com/user/bitpay), I'm sure he'll tell you.

I never said the secret weapon was a her! Where you getting your information?

Portillos is a good idea for the drive through... how do you explain to restaurants how to deal with the hour confirmation delay again?

By utilizing the pre-conf APP. It would work something like this:

My mate and I are going to Portillo's in about an hour. I fire up the APP and place a Bitcoin deposit, an amount I know is more than what I'm going to spend. When I get to the restaurant, I show my receipt via the APP. The confirmations have already been done prior to us getting to the Portillo's therefore, upon paying the tab, change is forward to our Bitcoin address. Even if we carry-out, no need for us to wait for a confirmation, for we know that Portillo's is good for it. The onus was on the customer at the onset of the transaction, thereby protecting the eating establishment.

Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to convince me why this won't work.

~Bruno~

EDIT: Let me add this. Portillo's can even act as a banker for their regular customers. As the day progresses, they'll have bitcoins on deposit, and they can easily sell them to a customer at the exact current market price without them having to deposit the coins into their bank account. Of course, now they'll have to carry even more of that nasty, smelly cash to their bank, but that's the price they'll have to pay for bringing on that success.

Bit-Pay confirms transactions for our merchants in 1-3 seconds.  In thousands of transactions we have never seen a double spend.  I'm not saying it won't happen, but the amount of computing power to pull it off is not something you are going to have with you while eating at a restaurant.  And if you tried, I am sure one of 3 things would happen:

1.  you are taken out the back door and promptly beaten
2.  you are asked to pay another way
3.  you are told never to come back again

4. you have spent much more money on computing power than the cost of your lunch

word!

someone could make a program to double spend.  You need huge hash power to make it past a block, but you can broadcast unconfirmed transactions all over the place.  Still, the odds of someone going to the trouble over a few bucks is amost nothing at this point.  Bitpay should offer to cover a loss of a small amount for accepting unconfirmed transactions, and when/if it happens, then make everyone start getting one confirm.  Way too many merchants are demanding tons of confirms and slowing everything down on stuff that no one will ever try to double spend on. Prepaying an hour in advance sounds stupid.  I want to pay like the hot girls in bitpays video:)

This is exactly the right approach.  The risk of fraud accepting bitcoins instantly is so small compared to accepting a credit card instantly, that yes at some point we would just guarantee the order under a certain dollar amount.  We aren't ready to offer that yet, but we know what we software we need to build to make it happen.

And for those who pay with their Orange Card, you can cover the full order.

Sniffing the network for a double spend doesnt seem that hard to code, so hopefully you guys get that implemented soon, because it is absolutely ridiculous for us to be saying "hey mr restaurant owner how would you like to accept this new paymemt method?  Just make sure that customers overpay for their meal an hour beforehand so you dont get scammed, and then give them change."

every here of a dine and dash ... its much easier to pull off  ;)

Or purchase a RELOADABLE gift card directly from Portillo's (B&M or online) with Bitcoin, but it won't become activate until the confirmations are in.

http://www.portillos.com/images/landing/portillos_gift_card.jpg  http://www.portillos.com/images/logo.gif

Interesting find while hunting this pic(s)--more than one restaurant.

~Bruno~

Yea, they have a humungous branch. Themselves and their associates.

Also, very very good eating.
Example:
http://www.suchluck.com/april_09/portillos2.jpg
http://s3-media3.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/PoJ6GiiMUzKcL5as2ZO9Hw/l.jpg

Update: I'm planning on doing the blitzkrieg on Chicagoland restaurants in about two weeks. At that time, I'm delivering a load of reclaimed lumber to special client and re-meeting up with Rashid, the Chicago Cabbie, to present to him his custom leather wallet. I'm planning on dedicating no less than two full days on this endeavor.

~Bruno~

I've already reached out to Cleveland food delivery services over the phone and e-mail the past couple days.

Do you have any recommended list of restaurants for me to start screening / cold calling?

I tried Portillo's, but don't want to start faxing or mailing a flyer to their headquarters only to be thrown away unless Bit-pay.com recommends this approach (no one has responded to my earlier post yet).

If people want to suggest more restaurants, I can be sure to make first contact.

We're looking for smaller chains who want to be on the leading edge of technology or wish to reduce their operational costs associated with payment methods.

I can probably start calling Sunday afternoon or next week, so start brainstorming a list now people.  Otherwise, I will be left to "googling" restaurants in Chicago and firing at will.

There is a manager at a place called "The South Loop Club"  at Balbo and State (in Chicago) who may be interested. He would probably at least informally accept bitcoins. I haven't talked to him for awhile (and suck at names) so I can't remember his name right now.

Bruno, want me to screen him to get a name & ask if he wants to set up an appointment?

Or we could just say you'll drop in.  I can get his schedule.  Just PM me your specific dates you'll be in Chicago.

Being so tactical about it is kind of weird... I would just drop by.

+1 "just dropping by" might be a good way to get to know the owner of a small biz.

maybe a quick phone call "hi,  I'd like to talk to the owner about ______, when is it a good time to drop by? say 3:00 after the rush?" :D

bring the laptop and try and convince him to let you pay for your meal in bitcoin ... give him 100% more bits then its worth if he agrees to let you set him up with bitcoin


http://www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20071113/Mom-Baby-Laptop-516057.jpg


do a little bit of marketing (go write a review on www.thebitcoinreview.com  ;) )

go back and fill a large order so you can live off there AMAZING FOOD for the weekend  ;)

go back the next week and talk to the owners again. order a coffee to go!

give your friends and family bitcoin so they can go spend them there.... (just pay for... your sisters b-day party  ??? mothers day! ;D )

profit  ???

did anyone loss...

yup that's major profits alright. ;D

Hmm, this might nerd him out. Maybe I should do it. Once again, what is the best app to use for this.

kjlimo, you mentioned that you'll be in Lincoln park come St. Patrick's Day. Perhaps take a look at this http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/article/new-on-the-scene/163270/content and seek out new establishments centered around that area.


Keeping it as informal as possible would be MY best approach. Once I walk into an establishment, I'm able to look around and take in the surroundings, pulling something out of what I see, then directing the conversation around that and, at the same time, injecting how Biticoin would be a perfect fit. I may even visit the restaurant first without talking to anybody to formulate a conversation in my mind. On the surface, this approach may seem a little weird, but trust that it works for me.

I'm aware of most of the disadvantages and advantages to approaching new establishments. But, I'm going to concentrate on something along the following lines.

We are new. Your restaurant is new. We just starting producing this Amish Cheese Cake from a recipe thought lost forever, but recently rediscovered. We feel it'll be the perfect desert for you restaurant complementing your already fine entrees. Try a bite. Ain't that shit delicious? We deliver fresh, daily.

I probably wouldn't take the time to try to sell to established restaurants, in this regard, for they may not be too keen on changes. Whereby a new establishment doesn't want to fail straight out of the gate. I'll be offering up Bitcoin to them without any risk on their part.

Basically, that's my thinking on approaching new businesses, but will certainly approach renown restaurants in the tourist sections of town. I'm able to work both ends against the middle.

~Bruno~

I found the following: http://www.changinggears.info/2011/08/22/amid-economic-uncertainty-one-chicago-restaurant-gains-ground-by-bartering-for-goods-and-services/

By Googling: https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=barter+restaurants+chicago

I suggest doing the same with your respective market (of course, change the name of the city). The list generated should keep you busy for a while.

~Bruno~

Well I warned him folks with laptops may descend. Go to south loop club when Anthony is working.

rock on!  Bruno, do you want to add a list of restaurants to the original post?

You can add Portillos with strikethrough.

And then add South Loop Club.

That is on the south side of Chicago.  I'll let you know if I contact any Lincoln Park places that are willing to talk.

Done! Thanks, kjlimo. There's a lot of gems in here: http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/article/new-on-the-scene/163270/content
Perhaps other cities have a similar site dedicated to new restaurants.

http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/theme.cfm/theme/11/NewRestaurants
http://www.urbanspoon.com/new-restaurants/67/Montreal.html
http://www.urbanspoon.com/new-restaurants/26/Orlando.html

Look what I just found: Urban Spoon http://www.urbanspoon.com/choose http://a2.urbns.pn/images/web/logo.1f28db8.png

Great time to use your Casascius coins....or bitbills...

?? How so?  I recommend NOT spending Casascius coins at stores.  We don't want to treat them like currency.  There's also too many trust factors with the physical coins.  Just keep them as a store of value.

I recommend using a mobile app payment system.

same trust issues with bitbills, yes?

The bad news is my St. Patricks day trip has been cancelled.  I will try to reschedule to visit my friend in April.

The good news is I finally started reaching out to these Chicago restaurants as I mentioned I would:

1) Wellfleet - Call & E-mail
2) Amoremia Cucina Italiana - Facebook message
3) Osteria di Pizza Metro - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/osteriadepizzametro

4) Acadia - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Acadia/279917168698151?sk=wall&filter=12

5) Bar Toma - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/BarTomaChicago?sk=wall&filter=12

6) Pizza Persona - E-mail
7) Ombra - Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ombra/218712351494266

8) Cyrano’s Farm & Kitchen - Call & E-mail

All, please go on Facebook and Like my comments

For Wellfleet & Cyrano's Farm & Kitchen, please stop by and ask if they are accepting bitcoins yet.

Bruno, Cyrano's Farm & Kitchen said it was fine for you to set up a time to discuss bitcoin (and bit-pay.com?) when you visit Chicago later this month.

The person I reached at Wellfleet had heard of bitcoin "Oh that's related to money laundering, right?".... to which I responded just as much as USD or Euros have been used for money laundering.

However, he said to e-mail the owner with details and they could discuss it.  I cc'd your e-mail listed in your profile on my communications.

Let me know if you would like me to do anything differently going forward or if this is helpful!

Great job, kjlimo! It looks like it will be toward the end of the month before I conduct my blitzkrieg on Chicago.

~Bruno~

I will be meeting a friend from L.A. in Chicago next weekend. He also is a bitcoin peer and we would definitely eat at any restaurant that accepts bitcoin. I visit Chicago regularly. Two weeks ago I went to the symphony to see Bolez conduct Stravinsky, for example. Because of this I keep Rashid's number in my phone. If I need a cab, he is my first choice. 

I appreciate your enthusiasm for bitcoins!  At this point, the best thing you can do is go to the Facebook links I provided and comment on my posts that you'll "be there next weekend and would visit their restaurant if they accepted bitcoin."

Will do. I have to use my wife's FB account. I don't have one. :-[

Bruno,

When is your trip to Chicago scheduled?  I haven't had time to recruit any additional meetings for you yet. 

Have you followed up with the two stores that I e-mailed?

I've only received one "like" on Facebook...

I have a very busy week this week before my vacation next week, so unfortunately future efforts will have to wait until April.

I haven't heard of any new stores accepting bitcoin other than many weeks ago with St. Louis's GrubGo.

Keep asking your stores if they accept bitcoin.  That's the only way that stores will start to investigate how they can accept it.

It'll be another week before I head back to Chicago. I was there last week, but had to get in and out quickly, therefore knew beforehand I wouldn't have time to better serve any commitments if I made any prior. I will make contact a couple days prior to heading out, though. I have 3 restaurants/bars in mind, myself, for I've provided barn wood for their decor. All 3 are owned by the same group and I have build a nice repertoire with them. At the same time I'll be recontacting Chicago Cabbie, for I have the hand tooled leather wallet readied and need to present to him as a gift, as promised, for joining BitcoinTalk, regardless if he has changed his mind. But I'm pretty sure that once he views the secret weapon, he won't hesitate to start officially accepting Bitcoin. One way or another, by the end of April I've have Chicago Cabbie and a few Chicago restaurants/bars accepting Bitcoin.

~Bruno~

Let me know how this turns out, http://bitcoinnavigator.com is adding real estate and rental options and doing a site overhaul; would love to add the first chicago restaurant to accept bitcoins.

I'm an idiot.  Took a cab to the airport and totally forgot to use Chicago cabbie!  Going to be away from chicago for a few weeks too....

He's not officially set up yet to accept Bitcoin, anon5050, but he's a great guy and would have loved to discussed anything you put to him, including Bitcoin.

~Bruno~

Update: I'll be in Chicago May 11-13, so where do I eat?  :P

Also, go talk to these people and get them on this forum.  I see this group has 26 members, yet only 10 or so user names are in the original post here...

http://www.meetup.com/The-Chicago-Bitcoin-Meetup/

Bruno, have you contacted either of the restaurants I reached out to about bitcoins yet? 

Should I try to find more restaurants willing to meet?

Should I post more on restaurant Facebook pages?  I only ever got one "like" after posting on about 10 restaurants Facebook pages...  I think most people view restaurant Facebook pages sorted on the restaurant only, and I never got any follow up from the restaurants themselves...

Next week, I'll be doing the blitzkrieg on Chicago. I have Chicago Cabbie's leather wallet that includes the Flash Cab logo that I need to present to him. At that point, my goal is to get him further on board. Rashid is truly a great guy. I'm going to buy him dinner again. I will also make contact with your suggested restaurants. I have three of my own which I feel I can procure. I'll also make contact with a couple more I feel that I may be able to persuade after doing a little Googling, for Google and I are friends. Today, I was referred to as a Google-Fu master, albeit the master part was left off due to, I'm sure, his phone ringing when he penned that post. But I digress. I'll make contact with Tony at Bit-Pay prior to doing the blitzkrieg to see if anything has change in regards to the secret weapon.

~Bruno~

Rock on.  Let me know if you need any help setting up times, following up, etc.  Good luck!

If it helps, you can let them know that your "buddy" will be visiting Chicago May 12 and definitely will visit any restaurant accepting bitcoin as a payment.

Let's go one better! You know any of those jokers over at that meetup group who conveniently excluded me? Here's what I'm thinking. You, me, the meetup gang, Chicago Cabbie, and secret weapon (and the joint), at an eating establishment that accepts Bitcoin. Then we head over to a social drinking establishment to continue the practice. Did I forget to mention the cab (maybe limo) ride? Afterwards, we'll pick up a couple secret service...(maybe I miss read that news ariticle). May 12, would be a perfect day for this glorified meetup.

~Bruno~

I will be visiting friends and will have my wife there.  This will be tricky to pull off, but I'm thinking if we just say let's do lunch around 1pm somewhere, then I will gladly take my crew (wife, and 2-4 friends) there and subject my wife/friends to bitcoins for 1hour. 

If things go well, we can continue on to drinks & whatnot; however, I gotta be fair to my friends (and most importantly my wife).  :)  Hope you understand!

I do not know any of the bitcoin meetup people (yet).  However, I sent a message to the organizer Igor about 1 hour ago.  So I'll see if he wants to do a meetup on May 12.  But feel free to reach out to him directly as well.

Great! More secret service for me (I really need to reread that news article again). Seriously, a work around to accommodate your schedule is no problem. It'll work out just fine. Now I need to revive that ...and a Satoashi for the lady thread.

~Bruno~

Bruno I'm not ready to give you my secret weapon yet :)

No problem. Not that important for May 12. Will work around. Keep me abreast, though, when available. Will touch base with you prior to hitting Chicago, though. Later, bud.

~Bruno~

I will be traveling to chicago soon (July 4-8) and would love to buy a meal with bitcoins. Any news?

-bgc

I haven't heard any news yet, but I suggest checking in with the Chicago Meetup group as well to see if they've made any arrangements with the locations they are using for their meetup.

If you can get some of the restaurants in Chinatown or some of the shops in Chicago, I would totally go there more often.

I know it's been a while, but any more updates on this?

Nada! I haven't been to Chicago much, and when I have, its been in and out. I do have a major project coming up on 79th St. (half acre size roof), and should be able to allocate some time with a couple of my restaurant connections.

~Bruno K~

OK Phinneaus,  I'm sorry I didn't initiate this sooner, but I will be in Chicago this weekend.  I'm getting there in time for happy hour Friday and staying through Brunch on Sunday.

Is there a place where I can spend my bitcoins in Chicago yet?

If not, what can we do between now and Friday to make it happen?

I can try to stop by a place on Friday night or Saturday if we think it's possible to spend bitcoins :)

Bruno? 

Anyone?

Can I get beers for bitcoins in downtown Chicago during happy hour?

I'm getting excited for Cleveland.  We may have our first!  Will post more after a successful payment for my lunch next Wed!

Well of course I jinxed myself... My buddy got the flu, so we've cancelled the trip.

I can't believe there's no restaurants in Chicago accepting bitcoin yet...

I must not be looking in the right places.  I'll try to follow up with some of the restaurants I cold called last year when trying this.  See if the news has peaked their curiosity at all.

So whats the word on your efforts so far Bruno?  It's been a few months since an update.  I have a date with a hot blonde coming up and I just lost my debit card.  I have to say, it would be cool to pay for dinner and some other activities with BTC like a boss.  Add me to the list.

Oh and is the cab company accepting BTC yet? 

The Cabbie guy is on hold, and as far as the restaurants I had in mind, I put them on hold due to I was in the process of obtaining a Sandwich, IL, restaurant to accept bitcoins until one of its patrons opted to invest in Bitcoinica and now has his money tied up in Mt Gox. That fiasco caused me to lose face at the local restaurant along with having me to relocate two warehouses storing barn wood due to EPA concerns, all stemming from the guy who made a Bitcoin investment thanks to my blessing of Bitcoinica. The last thing I wanted was to lose a good client in Chicago, one of which I believe I can easily convince him in taking bitcoins at all his establishments.

Wow, the bitcoinica tendrils reaching out to barn wood in sandwich...Never would have thought that.

I'm back and forth right now but in the Spring I'm moving back to Chicago, so if you have a list put me on it. 
I haven't read the article entirely yet, but what about this: http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/16/technology/innovation/bitcoin-sales/index.html

I think the biggest obstacle is the hassle they have to go through to turn it back in to cash.   

That's where Bitpay (https://bitpay.com/?oid=1058_1) can help.  Instead of receiving bitcoins, your business can have USD (or other currencies) deposited into your bank account the next day.  So your business can accept bitcoins as a payment option utilizing Bitpay's (https://bitpay.com/?oid=1058_1) merchant checkout solution and receive dollars or whichever currency you desire.

Yes, they need something like that; what I liked in the article was that you buy a coupon, instead of getting money direct from bitpay.  Seems safer right now, the coupons are not from bitpay so the store/restaurant is safe WHEN the feds freeze bitpays assets.

Maybe somebody should start a money exchange business in Chicago so that people can become bitcoin users more easily

What makes you think the feds are gonna do that?

What makes you think the feds are gonna do that?
[/quote]

I probably should have said IF.  Thanks for making me re-think that.

Bitcoin is a target in the US right now, it seems any excuse and they'll freeze assets.  Take tangible cryptography for an example.  The state shut them down, not the Feds, but same idea.

If it wasn't for my paranoia, I would probably do this:

My uncle already services 100's of small businesses around Chicago for their CC payment, incorporating bitcoin as a payment option in these shops would be relatively easy for him.  I guess I'll research the laws involved and see what needs to be done and how much it will cost and then pitch him on it.  I wouldn't even begin operating until spring, so I have time for research and planning.  If anyone could sell bitcoin merchant services it's my uncle.

I guess I'm a long way off from a BTC funded date though.  Localbitcoins FTW.  Also, I need to not lose my debit card anymore.  Last time I came here I melted it in the dryer, this time, I don't even know.  My bank is 3 states away and I don't keep credit cards. 

I probably should have said IF.  Thanks for making me re-think that.

Bitcoin is a target in the US right now, it seems any excuse and they'll freeze assets.  Take tangible cryptography for an example.  The state shut them down, not the Feds, but same idea.

If it wasn't for my paranoia, I would probably do this:

My uncle already services 100's of small businesses around Chicago for their CC payment, incorporating bitcoin as a payment option in these shops would be relatively easy for him.  I guess I'll research the laws involved and see what needs to be done and how much it will cost and then pitch him on it.  I wouldn't even begin operating until spring, so I have time for research and planning.  If anyone could sell bitcoin merchant services it's my uncle.

I guess I'm a long way off from a BTC funded date though.  Localbitcoins FTW.  Also, I need to not lose my debit card anymore.  Last time I came here I melted it in the dryer, this time, I don't even know.  My bank is 3 states away and I don't keep credit cards. 
[/quote]

I'll gladly discuss Bitpay (https://bitpay.com/?oid=1058_1) with your uncle.  Feel free to PM me if you need a phone number.  I'll be on the road next Wed/Thurs afternoons and have time to chat; however, if you'd prefer to work with him yourself, that's cool, too.

I'm in Cleveland, and travel to Chicago a couple times a year.  I'm going to Cincinnati next Weds night and I'm going to be promoting Bitpay's (https://bitpay.com/?oid=1058_1) services to a brick & mortar merchant in Cincinnati.

Sweet. Good luck on making this happen.

cheers for this good work

Heh, I appreciate the support; however, to make sure you're not too over excited, it's taken me two years to get one business in the Cleveland area accepting bitcoin...

I've put some effort into Chicago and Cleveland, but mostly phone calls.  Going in is much higher return; however, restaurant owners are busy people and tough to track down.

We'll see if I get some momentum to give another push later this year.

but still happy somebody showing courage for this late is better then never

*bump*

I would go to a restaurant accepting Bitcoin in Chicago.
Kept looking at coinmap, but I was disappointed not to find one.

Can't wait for restaurants in NY to start accepting bitcoin.

When you go to visit Be prepared with info, and ask if the restaurant will take bitcoin.  When they look at you funny, present your info.  ;D

We need to do this in L.A.

Very soon other restaurant owners also going to follow this

I'm a chicagoland transplant here in Phoenix, but when I visit home I'll eat where they'll take my coins.

And seriously, get Portillos in on this I've got 2 locations out here.

+1 on this. I sincerely hope more small shops start doing this. It would give them an advantage over corporate.

My mate and I are going to Portillo's in about an hour. I fire up the APP and place a Bitcoin deposit, an amount I know is more than what I'm going to spend. When I get to the restaurant, I show my receipt via the APP. The confirmations have already been done prior to us getting to the Portillo's therefore, upon paying the tab, change is forward to our Bitcoin address. Even if we carry-out, no need for us to wait for a confirmation, for we know that Portillo's is good for it. The onus was on the customer at the onset of the transaction, thereby protecting the eating establishment.

I would love it if there were a place near me that does that.
Bob-Appetite

In Colombia we have some biz accepting BTC as payment... really great!

What app are you talking about?  Not sure if you're talking about bitpay or something, or that portillos accepts Bitcoin.

I assumed he was talking about a hypothetical way that a restaurant like Portillo's could accept bitcoin for payment and not have to worry about 0-confirmations.

I don't think such an app exists yet, and I don't think there are any Portillo's accepting bitcoin yet.

Ok, thanks, hypothetical not literal...I was about to head to Portillo's.

Yeah.  If I thought is was literal, I'd be eating lunch and dinner at Portillo's almost every day just to reward them for making the decision!

Same here :)

Next time I go to Moto (or ING next door, same chef/owner) I'm going to pitch them.  The owner/chef now cooks at ING and has promoted the Suisse Chef to Executive chef, both of these people in to science and technical things, maybe they would go for it.

Hmm, just a little afterthought, maybe some of us Chicago Bitcoiners can go as a group, if they let us pay in bitcoin.  For Moto, your looking at about $300/person, maybe 1/2 that at ING, so not for everyone.  But they might be more inclined to take BTC for at least one meal if there is a group of us.  At least it will get the ball rolling.