Miles has been working at Big Guy’s Sausage Stand in Berwyn since June with his friend Dylan. Dylan’s dad owns Big Guy’s, and she told us that while her dad is the big guy in Big Guy’s, the name is also a tribute to a friend of his who was known for using the term affectionately. Our little guy, Miles, had a real crash course in restaurant work there this summer, with a lot of interesting innovations as they adapted to staying open during Covid.
On Miles and Dylan’s last night of work we decided to surprise him by coming out there for dinner – it wasn’t a surprise for Dylan because we needed her position on the inside to make the details happen!
This patio dining area was formerly a parking lot, but they did a great job this summer of making it a nice and shady outdoor eating area. We had phoned in our order with Dylan and unbeknownst to Miles took a seat at one of the tables. 
Dylan sent Miles out to take orders at the tables, and he found us there! He was very surprised, and it was really fun seeing him at work and getting a meal there too! 
Miles’s job also involved packing up to-go orders and bringing them out to customers waiting outside. 
This was all photographed through the windows – the inside space is very small so it’s staff only right now. 
Miles and Dylan on a quick photo op break during a busy evening! 
Street view of Big Guy’s! 
Miles also takes orders from people who don’t order ahead but sit at the tables. In the last 2 weeks, we now have a new order from the governor that customers at tables need to wear masks when staff is at their tables. 
Lots of signage about how to order. The runner referenced above is Miles!
Miles had about a week off work after his last day and got to meet up with Chicago friends before heading off. He also got packed up and tested out the camping gear he’s bringing on his driving trip across the northern US. And he had a few minutes of relaxing time with a coffee and a good book.
Heading off on Friday, we took a few pics in the “back to school” spot in front of the house, although this year is anything but a usual back to school experience.
The back to school spot! Vines are blooming at the north corner but not visible at this corner yet, which makes sense since the usual back to school photo was taken about a week or so later in the season. In case anyone was concerned about the clematis flowers not blooming this year. 
WFH means everyone is around to see you off on a Friday morning at 11! 
Portland bound! Via Minneapolis, the Dakotas, Montana and Idaho!
It’s been a really hot week here, too hot for even running (comfortably) in the morning and eating breakfast outside! Today is much nicer and we’re already staked out in the back yard. Yesterday evening it was not too bad once the sun was down and we decided to stretch the walk-tail concept by going to a brewery about a mile away with a very large and spaced out patio. Midwest Coast Brewery is in a very industrial area and is doing a really nice job keeping the whole beer garden experience very safe feeling for customers and staff, highly recommend it!
Lights in the window around the block from us. 
Neon at Thomas and Western 
Looking east, with the setting sun bouncing off the clouds 
Looking west just at sunset 
Industrial alley near the brewery 
Beer garden during Covid. Midwest Coast Brewery has a really large patio, so there’s plenty of room for spacing tables out. Customers only take off masks when seated at tables and after interaction with the server. There’s a menu available by QR code on the table – so you take a photo of the code with your phone and the menu pops up. When you’re ready to order, you put the little “yes, beer me” sign upright and a server comes by to take your order, then puts the sign down again. And payment at the end is also by QR code on a receipt they drop off. Oh, and there’s a little bottle of hand sanitizer on the table.
And after all the covid measures, I should add that the beer was really good too! As was the very cold pitcher of water they brought and refilled on a super hot night. Will end off on a creature report.
This unicorn is on Pratt near the lake and it lights up at night and has recently been wearing a mask! 
Great blue heron spotted at Humboldt Park! We’re really looking forward to the upcoming bird migration. We’re going in ready for this one with a bird book and binoculars!
Great post! Cool to see all the restaurant/brewery Covid innovations. Hope miles has a great trip back!
Thanks! They drive through Fargo, North Dakota, today and plan to camp tonight at Miles City, Montana!