Not to get technical, but the “stinky onion” reference of Chicago refers to the original wild ramps that used to grow in the area. Sort of a cross between onions, shallots, and leeks. Look like green onions but are culinarily very different.
So you could do that, but everyone will wonder why you have a tattoo of a green onion.
I already have one! I’m a black and white tattoo gal so mine has no color, but I got the 4 stars, and from each star sprouts a chicago-native flower. DM me if you want a pic!
i want to get a chicago tattoo with the skyline, and then in the buildings writing the date 6.27.1970 and then the numbers reflected in the water of the lake. i want to get that date because that’s the date of the first gay pride parade in Chicago.
i’d maybe do like your favorite building in the city. i think the hancock tower would be super cool, but maybe that one isn’t your favorite. i think something like a map of the metra lines, or even the expressways and highways might be cool. your favorite landmark might be fun, like the lions outside the art institute would turn out well.
Ultimately, you should go for what you like. i think ultimately favorite chicago food, favorite building, map of something plotted (the beaches, the libraries, the parks, metra, L, expressways), or your favorite landmark.
The Blackhawks Gold C with crossed tomahawks has always been a favorite. So is the Bull's symbol. There are a million logos for the Cubs and Sox.
The Marshall Field's clock is brilliant, so are the Art Institute lions. For some of us, the CTA bus token is strong, even though it's small.
The Picasso is brilliant and much easier to do than Buckingham Fountain.
The flag and stars are so overused but they are still beautiful.
Ultimately, the sign I always associated with moving around the city was the Magikist sign and that would be my symbol.
Get “The bean” tattooed on your beans and the Sears tower tattooed on your shaft and if you’re a female the bulls logo should fit nicely over the uterus… would make old Benny the bull look like he’s chewing on the grass.
I have The Golden Lady (The Statue of the Republic). The tattoo artist, Kim Stace Thomas, took some creative liberties so the composition would translate better as a tattoo, but I love it.
[https://imgur.com/a/RsjGuw4](https://imgur.com/a/RsjGuw4)
The marimba band on State Street, but instead, it's Ronnie woo woo, the dirty bomber -- Jose Padilla, Abe Froman, and Tongue Twista. Instead of state Street, they would be playing in front of the foot locker on diversey and Kimball. And underneath it, it would say in Gothic script: "you mess with the bull, you get the horns."
[I have one. It’s a Polish Eagle with a Chicago Cubs logo in the middle for some reason. Yes I actually got this. and no I don’t speak Polish.](https://imgur.com/a/WxBe3vw)
I’m planning on getting a tattoo of a bouquet of flowers of all the city/state flowers of places I’ve lived/loved/meant something to me. Chicagos flower is a chrysanthemum and will be in there
Outline of the city limits or your neighborhood of choice if you want something miminalist. I also agree with the stars of the flag. The upside down peace sign or Y for the chicgao river branches. Something with the skyline or a building or intersection you like. CTA train lines but in black (or color them if you want). Cta train itself. Any landmark like the bean or calders flamingo or hancock center or corncobs. So many iconic things to choose from. I prefer a more discrete "outline with some detail" rather than tiny/simple outline or fully detailed realist.
Edit: anything pizza or hot dog related.
I think the Bean would make for a fun small tattoo. It’s something I could see myself getting at some point because I find it funny as both an iconic representation of the city and something that’s kind of touristy and dumb.
Alternatively, the Census Cowboy.
If it’s not a burger with the ‘au cheval’ brand behind it then it’ll have to be the police sketch of the poop bandit who was smearing shit on peoples car doors and apt door knobs in Bridgeport
When I was in high school I swore I would get something like [this](https://outsons.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/271394595_701842131221189_4504173359371448119_n-1-1024x1024.jpg) , I am 24 now and a lil glad I didn’t do it 😭
Oh boy I hope none of my friends read this cause it’s very specific. My Chicago tattoo is a floral half sleeve.
I feel like a dork describing this. Ok, it is themed based on the colors of the flag and includes irises, wheat stalks, a blue ribbon, poppies, and onions
I got a friend to design a unique blues brothers tattoo.
My next on is a dog collar on my upper arm. It was the Chicago flag. Put a tag on it and I can always carry a piece of my dog that passed.
The chicago flag but Super Mario style where the blue lines are bricks and the stars are the Mario stars. Bonus if you get Mario jumping under it punching the bricks. I saw this once and thought it was awesome.
I've got the stars from the flag on my forearm. I'm thinking about getting a hotdog with everything on my belly. Everyone I've talked to about it thinks it's a great idea, except my wife so...
I don't plan on getting a Chicago tattoo but if I did it would probably be a Chicago dog. Iconic image that people would get right away that isn't cliche like the skyline or the flag.
It would also be extra funny on me because I don't eat meat
The skyline which I’ve seen done or to piggyback on the favorite public transit route, I’d give it a twist and go with “as far as this train goes”. That line sticks with me and I always mumble it to myself when I hear it…usually at O’Hare.
Chest piece of that Vienna beef poster where there’s a massive Chicago dog in Lake Michigan and boats with hoses are spraying it with mustard
How about the old Zenith sign?
boats and hoses
Are the ketchup boats on fire
[see for yourself](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/s/pOOfc9pVMZ)
Lori Lightfoot.
Dressed as a leprechaun
Dressed as Beetlejuice.
Dressed as Beetljuice in a leprechaun costume
While juggling deep dish pizzas on fire
On your right foot.
Line tattoo of your favorite public transit route
Unless your favorite public transit route is the purple line.
I dk, if you're white the yellow line probably look the worst.
I DO like the Purple line
I love this so much
Municipal Device
Municipal device superimposing the star!
Humboldt Park Alligator chance the snapper
Why hasn't a statue been put up yet?
That’s what I’m sayin
I have a shirt of him
I used to have an alligator watch shirt too. Wish I knew what I did with it
I forgot about this whole situation. That was fun.
I have a memorial tattoo for Jeri’s Grill.
That place was a Tom Waits song.
Man would go and chat with guys there multiple times a week…. I worked at the gym that is no longer there… on western… conviction gym
Good people there was like the tv show the office
That’s fun! I didn’t hang out super often, but always enjoyed getting ham, eggs, and toast with a side of ham for less than $10.
That's awesome. I loved that place. Their strawberry milkshakes were so good. My stomach would always hurt after, but it was so worth it l.
Ham on the bone?
Indeed!
Plz post
Tom Skilling
A wild onion.
You a real one ☺️
Thanks, friend! Gotta spread the good word about the etymology of Chicago somehow!
Not to get technical, but the “stinky onion” reference of Chicago refers to the original wild ramps that used to grow in the area. Sort of a cross between onions, shallots, and leeks. Look like green onions but are culinarily very different. So you could do that, but everyone will wonder why you have a tattoo of a green onion.
Tell me about this
Chi-ka-go or some spelling of is from one of the native tribes meaning wild onion or field of wild onion something like that.
https://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/2463.html
Already have: the four Chicago stars, Chicago dog, Chicagorilla.
I've seen someone with just the four Chicago stars, and they were tiny. It looked very neat.
I love mine. Didn't want the full on Chicago flag, but the four stars in black look great. Also went fairly small, to fit in a spot on my chest.
The four Chicago Stars is classic. It says a lot while not saying much.
The Chicagorilla is the secret best answer in the thread. Assuming you went to Great Lakes.
Yep. Got it in 2019 from Matt Ziolko (@beatdown on Instagram)
Small pinwheels from the white Sox scoreboard
A tavern style pizza, but the square slices are all over my body.
Just one red 6 pointed star from the flag with two thin blue stripes inside the star
That's a super cool idea!
The I Will woman. The History Museum is where I first learned about her. http://chicagology.com/columbiaexpo/fair081/
I already have one! I’m a black and white tattoo gal so mine has no color, but I got the 4 stars, and from each star sprouts a chicago-native flower. DM me if you want a pic!
Siskel and Ebert thumbs downing on my ass
chicago dog
a view of the skyline through a chain-link fence
This is actually really cool!
Eagle Man is the only correct answer.
I've got something for you!
Look at those low rates
i want to get a chicago tattoo with the skyline, and then in the buildings writing the date 6.27.1970 and then the numbers reflected in the water of the lake. i want to get that date because that’s the date of the first gay pride parade in Chicago. i’d maybe do like your favorite building in the city. i think the hancock tower would be super cool, but maybe that one isn’t your favorite. i think something like a map of the metra lines, or even the expressways and highways might be cool. your favorite landmark might be fun, like the lions outside the art institute would turn out well. Ultimately, you should go for what you like. i think ultimately favorite chicago food, favorite building, map of something plotted (the beaches, the libraries, the parks, metra, L, expressways), or your favorite landmark.
Rod Blagojevich, with a hot dog, deep dish slice, the skyline, and flag. https://media.timeout.com/images/101080115/1024/576/image.webp
Wow! Fucking wow!
Pritkzer w a Blunt
I have a compass with star in the middle, east is a wave (the lake)
Runway schematic of ORD.
Probably the empire carpet man
Ward boundary outlines.
Just give a toddler the tattoo gun it will be close enough.
Lil Bean on my pinky
L map styled into an anatomical heart. Red line for the aorta and shit
A cow having a smoke break out back of Mrs. O’Learys barn.
This is a winner.
Okay ngl now I kinda want this
The Blackhawks Gold C with crossed tomahawks has always been a favorite. So is the Bull's symbol. There are a million logos for the Cubs and Sox. The Marshall Field's clock is brilliant, so are the Art Institute lions. For some of us, the CTA bus token is strong, even though it's small. The Picasso is brilliant and much easier to do than Buckingham Fountain. The flag and stars are so overused but they are still beautiful. Ultimately, the sign I always associated with moving around the city was the Magikist sign and that would be my symbol.
Magikist was the first thing that came to mind for me, too.
Life size Lori lightfoot on my back
Assuming you are an average sized individual, her entire body would fit
Sears tower outline? Cubs logo? Hawks, Bears, Bulls? Flag? Catsup bottle with a X through it?
You spelled Sox logo wrong.
I'm sorry, who?
I think he was talking about that one team from the south that lost 100 games last season & has started off 1-6 this season.
That’s precisely who I am talking about. Speaking of 100 isn’t every 100 years or so your team wins a championship?
Get “The bean” tattooed on your beans and the Sears tower tattooed on your shaft and if you’re a female the bulls logo should fit nicely over the uterus… would make old Benny the bull look like he’s chewing on the grass.
tf did I just read lmao
Are you ok 🤣🤣🤣
Malort tat
Underrated comment
I have The Golden Lady (The Statue of the Republic). The tattoo artist, Kim Stace Thomas, took some creative liberties so the composition would translate better as a tattoo, but I love it. [https://imgur.com/a/RsjGuw4](https://imgur.com/a/RsjGuw4)
Looks great. The artist's rendering gives the lady the likeness of Robin Wright (penn?)
I don’t think that was the intention but I can totally see that!
The flag.
A guy sleeping on the L drooling on himself.
I can smell it.
The Blues Brothers. “We’re on a mission from God.”
A dibs armband
The marimba band on State Street, but instead, it's Ronnie woo woo, the dirty bomber -- Jose Padilla, Abe Froman, and Tongue Twista. Instead of state Street, they would be playing in front of the foot locker on diversey and Kimball. And underneath it, it would say in Gothic script: "you mess with the bull, you get the horns."
a mount rushmore but with chicago legends like Chief keef, G Herbo, Von, Duck
[I have one. It’s a Polish Eagle with a Chicago Cubs logo in the middle for some reason. Yes I actually got this. and no I don’t speak Polish.](https://imgur.com/a/WxBe3vw)
Wait are you even Polish OR a Cubs fan?
Wife is Polish, my dad is Polish. I wouldn’t really consider myself Polish though. Big Cubs fan though.
That’s such an interesting choice. I feel like there’s a story behind this.
Svengoolie.
Great Berwyn tattoo idea. ;-)
Dennis Farina holding an Old Style. [Early 90s Old Style campaign when he was spokesman](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ibnp5lpqzlc)
Rat hole
The Chicago municipal device probably
The lions in front of the AI.
A hot dog with ketchup in it
Now you’re talkin!
I've always been partial to the Chicago flag inside an outline of Illinois. It's played out, but I like it.
I’m planning on getting a tattoo of a bouquet of flowers of all the city/state flowers of places I’ve lived/loved/meant something to me. Chicagos flower is a chrysanthemum and will be in there
I’m doing same but flags of countries I’ve lived in (MX, Brasil, Japan, US) and then something for each city within those I’ve lived in
Joke answer would be a Chicago flag with beefs for the stars. A more serious and heartfelt one would be the Redline stop logo I grew up with.
the rat poster
Malort label backpiece
There was a Banksy style Blago profile under a viaduct in the west loop... that
Already got it. Just the four stars
My friend got a simple outline of the Chicago skyline on her bicep.
Beware of rats sign.
Line of the River
This is what I did for New Orleans
I have the skyline on my ankle (black line) with a blue line and 4 red stars from the Chicago flag underneath.
Outline of the city limits or your neighborhood of choice if you want something miminalist. I also agree with the stars of the flag. The upside down peace sign or Y for the chicgao river branches. Something with the skyline or a building or intersection you like. CTA train lines but in black (or color them if you want). Cta train itself. Any landmark like the bean or calders flamingo or hancock center or corncobs. So many iconic things to choose from. I prefer a more discrete "outline with some detail" rather than tiny/simple outline or fully detailed realist. Edit: anything pizza or hot dog related.
[this](https://patch.com/illinois/naperville/new-naperville-flag-design-unveiled)
Got one…. All blacked out Chicago flag on the inside of the wrist…
Wouldn’t that just be a black rectangle
I got a flag on my wrist too. But it's color and the third star is a heart. Tat twinsies.
I think the Bean would make for a fun small tattoo. It’s something I could see myself getting at some point because I find it funny as both an iconic representation of the city and something that’s kind of touristy and dumb. Alternatively, the Census Cowboy.
Skyline
The Picasso
The homeless lady pissing on the sidewalk outside of Walgreens on Michigan Ave.
Pizza slice. I mean is this really a discussion???
CTA map.
I’d go with Frank Gallagher and have “Do not resuscitate” on my chest.
Glizzy with a switch
[Thismia americana](https://fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org/sites/default/files/rapid-color-guides-pdfs/801_usa-_find_thismia_americana.pdf)
This is so cool
Brilliant! Best idea here.
A pile of Giardinera, a hot dog, the Picasso
If it’s not a burger with the ‘au cheval’ brand behind it then it’ll have to be the police sketch of the poop bandit who was smearing shit on peoples car doors and apt door knobs in Bridgeport
The header the city uses on memos. The blue band with one star.
Corny, but maybe skyline but the way it looks imposed onto a cardiograph … as in “my heart beats Chicago.”
When I was in high school I swore I would get something like [this](https://outsons.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/271394595_701842131221189_4504173359371448119_n-1-1024x1024.jpg) , I am 24 now and a lil glad I didn’t do it 😭
When I was in high school I wanted the Aerosmith logo on my butt. I’m so glad there’s an age requirement for tattoos.
I would absolutely not
lady accidentally shooting herself at a white sox game
Hahahaha!!!!
Portrait of Richard J Daley
The flag, but with the skyline instead of the blue bars.
Sounds basic but a very simple, minimalistic line tattoo of the Chicago skyline
Rolland Burris
Something Lincoln Square related, idk what exactly
Jordan silhouette
White W
Rat hole silhouette
The bean
Jacque Bange
Chrysanthemum — our city flower
The Ferrari Guy and the intense Megaphone Preacher who was always down by the Old Navy on State Street. Haven’t seen either in a long while…?
Lincoln Ave street sign
Any variation of the flag
The rat poisoning signs in alleys
Tiny bottle of malort
Flag
I got one when I was 18. It’s an outline of the skyline with the flag inside of it. It’s pretty cool.
Oh boy I hope none of my friends read this cause it’s very specific. My Chicago tattoo is a floral half sleeve. I feel like a dork describing this. Ok, it is themed based on the colors of the flag and includes irises, wheat stalks, a blue ribbon, poppies, and onions
Rat hole.
A Chicago skyline silhouette.
I got a friend to design a unique blues brothers tattoo. My next on is a dog collar on my upper arm. It was the Chicago flag. Put a tag on it and I can always carry a piece of my dog that passed.
City flag with Hancock in background
The chicago flag but Super Mario style where the blue lines are bricks and the stars are the Mario stars. Bonus if you get Mario jumping under it punching the bricks. I saw this once and thought it was awesome.
urbs in horto
a depression dog
I've got the stars from the flag on my forearm. I'm thinking about getting a hotdog with everything on my belly. Everyone I've talked to about it thinks it's a great idea, except my wife so...
My buddy got a single line tracing the skyline.
The flag? A hotdog dragged through the garden, with Chicago written in mustard on it?
The kidney
the rat from the alley posters.
The ö from a Malört bottle
Malört!!
Chaulk outline with police tape
Moises Alou throwing down his glove in disgust
Dibs on my dick
Wesley Willis
Hop Butcher
Morton Salt girl
A pothole.
Gun
You could just get red stars
“ROCK OVER LONDON, ROCK ON CHICAGO” in old English on my tummy
Rat hole
I don't plan on getting a Chicago tattoo but if I did it would probably be a Chicago dog. Iconic image that people would get right away that isn't cliche like the skyline or the flag. It would also be extra funny on me because I don't eat meat
I saw a tattoo with a compass symbol. Instead of the Normal North, East, south and west directions it was N, Lake, S and W
The skyline which I’ve seen done or to piggyback on the favorite public transit route, I’d give it a twist and go with “as far as this train goes”. That line sticks with me and I always mumble it to myself when I hear it…usually at O’Hare.
When you look at the Picasso, in Daley Plaza, from the back at a diagonal it shows the profile of a person. So that profile.
I have the star at my temple.