An Infinite Number of Monkeys

Posted by Athena Scalzi

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2025/07/30/rays-bucktown-bed-breakfast-an-eclectic-artsy-space-in-the-suburbs/

https://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=56613

When I went to Chicago last week, it was just for one day and one night, and then the ol’ five hour drive back to Ohio. So, I needed a place to stay for just one night, and specifically not downtown. My mom was actually the one who found Ray’s Bucktown Bed & Breakfast, an eleven bird-named-bedroom bed and breakfast with the most eclectic decor this side of the Mississippi.

My mom and I had a great stay, and I wanted to share the avian affiliated B&B with y’all in case you’re ever in Chicago and need a totally bomb dot com place to stay.

We stayed in the Cuckoo Room, which is one of the only rooms where the bathroom is not attached, and is actually right across the hall from the bedroom portion. They make sure to put up a sign on your bathroom that says it is specifically for the Cuckoo Room, and not for public use, and your room key is also the key to the bathroom if you want to lock it just in case. The bathroom being separate actually did not bother us at all, even when I went to shower and whatnot I wasn’t concerned about it not being attached to the bedroom area.

I was really impressed how clean the bedroom and bathroom were, and especially the shower looked really nice and clean.

I liked that there were plenty of towels, a bath mat you could lay out, and the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower for you to use. There were also robes and sandals in the room for you to use.

As for the rest of the wild, maze-like estate, there were multiple communal spaces with couches, comfy chairs, books, board games, and even a rooftop patio with tons of plants if you needed a bit of sunshine and fresh air. Plus, so much cool art on the walls. And a little library!

Apparently, there’s even an orange cat that is sometimes on the patio. I did not see him, but I wish I had! The patio is also 420 friendly, if that’s your vibe.

Aside from the communal space to sit and relax, you’re also free to go into the kitchen anytime and fill the carafe from your room with filtered water, get a cup o’ joe, or grab a free snack from the snack station. I actually appreciated that they had some pretty decent snacks and not just like, one type of granola bar.

As you can see, I wasn’t kidding about the exorbitant amount of art and knick-knacks. Here’s some particularly interesting pieces I took note of:

(I thought it was covered in teeth when I saw it from across the room.)

(I wanted to touch these sooo bad but I looked with my eyes and not my hands.)

(What is keeping them up there??)

(This piece is actually HUGE.)

And finally, this blackboard menu from a restaurant that closed down in 1997.

You can’t beat those pre-00’s prices.

So, now that you’ve seen the “bed” part of the B&B experience, let’s talk about the “breakfast” part.

Breakfast is made to order, with a real lil’ menu!

Everything on the menu is included in the cost of your stay, so no need to bring your wallet down from your room. Aside from what you see on the menu, there’s also pastries and fresh fruit in the kitchen you can help yourself to.

I ordered the herbed goat omelette, with a chicken apple gouda sausage.

(I know it looks like there’s a hair on my orange slice, but it was absolutely not a hair, I promise.)

The omelette was totally stuffed with goat cheese and herbs and was super yummy, and the chicken apple gouda sausage was quite possibly the best sausage I’ve ever had. It was so flavorful and juicy and had chunks of apple in it, it was seriously so good.

Aside from the hot food cooked for me, I also had some cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, and a pastry.

My mom got the B&B pancakes, which are blueberry and banana pancakes with real maple syrup, and they were flippin’ delicious. They were packed full of blueberries, and the bananas were actually caramelized. I had more than my fair share of her pancakes, plus I tried a bite of her overnight oats which I also really enjoyed.

Aside from the breakfast, there’s plenty of other great amenities that make staying here really worth it. You can request a garage parking spot so you don’t have to use the street parking, there’s a steam room and a sauna, and the place is dog friendly (extra twenty bucks for a dog)!

The management and staff were all super friendly, and even referred to me by name.

Honestly, I think the thing I liked most about this place was just the awesome amount of little details, like when you’re about to leave, there’s a basket with SPF options for you to help yourself to. Out front, there’s a doggy water bowl, jar of treats, and bags to clean up after your dog with in case you forgot one. There’s chocolates waiting for you in your room upon arrival, and make up wipes and Q-tips in the bathroom. It just really feels like an actual home away from home, and my mom and I really enjoyed our stay.

If you’re in the Bucktown/Wicker Park/Logan Square area, I highly recommend staying at Ray’s.

Which funky art piece is your favorite? Have you heard of Ray’s B&B before? Let me know in the comments, be sure to follow them on Instagram, and have a great day!

-AMS

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2025/07/30/rays-bucktown-bed-breakfast-an-eclectic-artsy-space-in-the-suburbs/

https://whatever.scalzi.com/?p=56613