Jesse’s Shortstop Inn

I went down to check this place out, wanted to drink at the place and see what it was like, but they are now closed with a for rent sign on building. This was July 2013

This is really one of the worse bars in the city. Place is small and cramped and the floor was pretty sticky. The bartender was diverting too much time at juke box and there were more than one recent arrival from Poland trying to get a free drink and talking to me. normally I would relish this but in both cases they were male and very drunk. I suppose they pester any new comer for a free drink.

Ok, I’ll review it, and yes, I’ve actually been here– not just seen it on TV.
I actually ended up here the first time kind of on accident. Some friends and I were taking a walk down the Belmont one night getting some fresh air and trying to de-​smoke ourselves after a few beers at another place. Right as we approached the front of Jessie’s, we ran into our friend Stashu on accident– he suggested we step inside for a beer. What the hell?
So yeah, this bar is a throw back to former times when Belmont & Central was all blue collar, sahsedge eating, bear fan, Chicagoan, first and second generation Polish-​Americans. Pretty much everybody in here spoke English exclusively, except for the Polish bartender who spoke English perfectly anyway– years of practice having to talk with these divebar regulars makes a big difference I’m sure. I met several American dudes who barely spoke a word of Polish, but were married to Polish women. They were all A-​OK. I also met one dude who was super paranoid– since the televised beating here, he’s been wigged out about outsiders who might be media people showing up for a story. Whatever– just another interesting weirdo drunk to go with my beer.
The bar itself is a dive, with a bad ‘download a song’ jukebox, a pool table, and domestic beer only (plus Corona) — no Polish Beer available, I could hardly believe it. They’ve lots of flat panel TVs though, and since nobody feeds the jukebox, you can actually hear the Simpsons!
This place would just be another 2 star dive, except for the Bartender, Natalia that we met (no-​not Karolina O.). Honestly, she is the biggest sweetheart ever. One of those jovial people you just plain enjoy chatting with who makes you feel happy– a real bartender pro. She’s gotten us to make a couple return visits and earns the place an extra star from me.

Stop by to pound a few. Don’t worry about any of your fellow patrons stopping you.

Great for when you have one of those cravings to get punched in the face by a belligerent police officer. Can’t vouch for the brunch though.