#Chicago bean shriveled free#

So, what better time than now to get to know the chorizo-slinging roadside stop that seems to be sweeping half the nation? The Utah-based brand is about to double its footprint, too, announcing in April that it has acquired all 400 locations of the popular Midwestern chain Kum & Go. A decade later, the franchise doles out some 24,000 burritos a day across almost 400 locations in 12 states, from Nebraska to California. This is the result of Maverik’s decision to enlist the help of gourmet chef Kyle Lore almost 10 years ago, relying on his expertise to develop a menu so tasty that peckish motorists would be compelled to pass up the usual burgers and fries for gas station cuisine. We’re talking made-to-order street tacos and burritos, cookies baked in-house with whole ingredients, loaded nachos, and steaming bowls of chili mac. If you’re picturing sad, shriveled hot dogs rotating on a rack, you’ve got the wrong idea. But what is it about Adventure's First Stop that makes Maverik enthusiasts declare it the ' happiest place on Earth'? The only way to find out is by sinking your teeth into one of Chef Kyle's famous creations. The motorway mainstays teem with devotees seduced by its signature arched signage and familiar timber frame. Once Chicagoans saw the curved, oblong shape they quickly started calling it “The Bean” - and the nickname stuck.To drive the fiery expanses, crag-flanked freeways, and bison-filled plains of the American Intermountain West means passing one Maverik gas station after another. But when the structure was still under construction, renderings of the design were released to the public. Have you seen it? While the piece’s official name is Cloud Gate, artist Anish Kapoor doesn’t title his works until after they’re completed. It weighs about 110 tons - roughly the same as 15 adult elephants. The Bean is 33 feet high, 42 feet wide, and 66 feet long. The Bean’s steel exterior is attached to the inside frame with flexible connectors that let it expand and contract as the weather changes. This allows the sculptures massive weight to be directed to its two base points, creating the iconic “bean” shape and allowing for the large concave area beneath the structure. The rings are connected via a truss framework, similar to what you might see on a bridge. Inside, it’s made of a network of two large metal rings. It was created using computer technology to precisely cut 168 massive steel plates, which were then fitted together and welded shut for a completely seamless finish. The exterior of The Bean is made entirely of stainless steel. If you’re walking on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe, you really can’t miss it.Įxplore more: Go beyond The Bean with our guide to the Millennium Park campus.

#Chicago bean shriveled free#

It sits above the McCormick Tribune Plaza, where you’ll find alfresco dining in the summer and a free skating rink in winter.

The Bean is located in Millennium Park, the lakefront park in Chicago’s downtown Loop. The monumental work was unveiled in 2004 and quickly became of the Chicago’s most iconic sights. The sculpture, which is officially titled Cloud Gate, is one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations. The Bean is a work of public art in the heart of Chicago. Here’s everything you need to know about The Bean, including where it came from and where to see it. And now, The Bean can even help you plan your trip to Chicago with this new interactive, AI-powered tool.

The monumental work of art anchors downtown Millennium Park and reflects the city’s famous skyline and the surrounding green space.

Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean”, is one of Chicago’s most popular sights.