Chicago Board of Trade Building

The Chicago Board of Trade Building (CBOT) has always been my favorite building in downtown Chicago. The love of this building began well over 50 years ago. My Mother worked in this building and I would visit her with my Grandmother. We might go for lunch in the building or maybe even Berghoff’s nearby. I also had the adventure of going up to the observatory (long closed) on top of the building. From the observatory one could look up and see Ceres, the godess of grain in all her steely glory. This building, sitting at the head of LaSalle Street, with the Federal Reserve Bank and Continental Bank Building flanking it’s base is the quintessential Chicago scene. I think the CBOT Building is the best and most iconic building in Chicago. The Railroads, Stock Yards, Airports, and Commodities Trading really were the fuel that built this city. We’ve lost preeminence in all but one of those things. The CBOT represents that Chicago is still one of the great Cities of the world. This building personifies that position. I hope this building long outlasts me as it’s demise would truly hurt myself and this city.

Had a most spectacular tour of the CBOT courtesy of the divine Ms Virginia McGathey of McGathey Company. She got us in for the film and gallery tour (where one could go pre-​9/​11 and learn about the open outcry markets) then she took our group of 20 students down on the floor. Great tour, still exciting getting right down in the action. Thanks Virginia!

I really do not know how to rate this as I was not visiting on any sort of buisness… I passed though the courtyard after getting off the metra at the LaSalle st. station enjoyed the architecture heard some selfish and self centered investors and chated it up with some people at occupy Chicago.
I do not know what else to say other than when I get off the train or am waiting for the train I will hang out here agian.

Gorgeous building. Walking through it feels historical, because the CBOT IS a historical and exciting place. If you’re in the area and walking in between the buildings through what I call the «smoker’s haven» you will run into lots of possibly grumpy, gruff, surly-​looking men in awesome mesh jackets, the men known as traders and company (clerks etc) taking their smoke breaks. If you listen in on a conversation or two you may just be appalled, disgusted or offended. Haha, I say, you have just witnessed a bit of what I like to call the «trader culture.» LOVE this place!
The restaurant downstairs is pretty cool too. Have lunch there!

Where Ferris Bueller proposes to his girlfriend. Cool building. But they wouldn’t let us in to see the spot where Ferris goes in the movie. Thanks a lot Bin Laden.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange — Chicago Board of Trade offers guided tours to groups of 10 or more. It is interesting to see the traders in action. The tour starts with a film that explains who assumes the risk in the trades, as well as some common terms. A guide leads the tour groups view the different trading areas from the viewing area above the floor, and answers questions. The tour lasts about 45 minutes, including the film.

I just went today to get a fish sandwich after almost 10 yrs. The sandwich is still as huge and delicious as I remember. I had to share it. It’s always to much for one person. I’m glad I decided to take that trip back down memory lane.

Sometimes in the summer I eat lunch outside just to pretend I work here…

After work, early evening in the bar, drinks are grossly overpoured which is great, cause there’s no point in coherent speaking anymore. Ladies, here’s where you find your finanacial peeps, traders, etc. Cheap n’ strong drinking and skullduggery for those not in the know.

First of all, the CBOT building is my favorite structure on the Chicago skyline (even though it is hardly the most prominent on the skyline, and often unseen from many angles). The art deco design on both the exterior and inside is amazing. Being on the trading floor and seeing the pits was the closest thing to a Metal concert without being at a Metal concert… and most certainly to mention witnessing a pillar of the U.S. economic foundation as it stands and the whole world trading before my eyes. It was a phenomenal experience and I’m looking forward to my next visit.

All I gotta say is your visitors center blows! what the hell I walk my ass all the way from lakeshore and ontario for this 100 sq ft. piece of crap? I cant even look at the trading floor unless I’m someone associated with the business? Walking between the two buildings where all the traders have a smoke break was awesome really. It was like walking into a smoke filled crowded room without it being a room. This was retarded. I woulda better spent my time watching cnbc to see the trading floor than this.

Downtown fish sandwich lovers — the Legend of Broker’s Inn
Years ago, before the new 10,000 CBOT floor was open, and the CBOT was only one building, there used to be a restaurant in the building just to the east. It was called Broker’s Inn.
THE FISH SANDWICH — As a tradition, on Ash Wednesday and every Friday, Broker’s Inn would serve «the fish sandwich». The fish sandwich was a large yellow bun, served open-​faced, with fried whitefish piled as high as the plate could hold before falling off. The fish was light, tender on the inside, and crisp on the outside. This was served with their famous tartar sauce and fresh wedges of lemon. One person could never finish this sandwich if they ordered anything else. This was all before the new floor was installed. Now, with the Berghoff Restaurant’s halibut fish sandwich gone, there was no one to service this brilliant tradition. Until now.
LEGEND CONTINUES — In the cafeteria basement of the CBOT building, they serve this same sandwich there. In fact, the cafeteria serves BOTH the whitefish AND the halibut sandwich. The same tender fish recipes are served in the same fashion on REAL plates with the same results. Fish perfection!
WHAT TO ORDER — Fish sandwich (whitefish or halibut), get the lemon wedges and the tartar sauce. If you are REALLY starving, get a cup of clam chowder soup.
WHEN CAN YOU GET IT — Wednesdays and Fridays ONLY. This is IMPORTANT.
TO GO — I would normally get this in a to go container. You aren’t gonna finish it, and you might as well bring it back with you.
PRICE — This will set you back about $ 6 for the whitefish, $ 7 for the halibut, $ 3 for the soup (yep, the mostly water foodstuff).
CAVEATS — Get there by 11:40AM or you will be met with a BIG line, especially during Lent.
For lunch, during the week, for a fish lover, this is the best deal in the whole city.

Useful for public bathroom in basement. They’ve also reopened the visitor’s center so it’s a good stop for tourists. You can also find Rubovitz Cigars in the lobby which is a real classic.

What can I say, it’s where deals get done. The CBOT is the heart of business in Chicago.

If you know someone that is a trader, it is a once in a lifetime experience to be on the floor. This is capitalism as its core everyday. An amazing exchange of commerce. The architecture is amazing also. Plenty to see with a gallery above the floor and also an area about the history of the CBOT. A great place to take out of town guests to give them an idea about a Chicago icon. I would go soon, as the current way of trading is on the way out.

This is the largest exchange in the world, and definitely a great place to visit. On the fifth floor, they have a viewing gallery, where visitors can observe all the people in action on the floor. There’s also a small museum and visitors can watch a short film a the exchange center to get some more information and historical facts about this great place.

The Chicago Board of Trade tower dramatically terminates LaSalle Street in the financial district. The original art deco tower is topped by a statue of Ceres (the Roman goddess of grain — think cereal). A notable addition was added onto the south side of the building by Helmut Jahn.