Guidebook for Chicago

Dennis
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Best thin-crust pizza in Chicago.
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Coalfire
1321 W Grand Ave
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Best thin-crust pizza in Chicago.
Really close.
213 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee Ave
213 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Really close.
Excellent (and very popular) Mexican brunch.
94 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Flo
1434 W Chicago Ave
94 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Excellent (and very popular) Mexican brunch.
Mostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Publican
837 W Fulton Market
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
A top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
87 (рекомендации местных жителей)
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph St
87 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
Great design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
53 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Soho House Chicago
113-125 N Green St
53 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
Amazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
107 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green St
107 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Amazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
Tacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
1176 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
1176 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Tacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
Lunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
113 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen Ave
113 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mana Food Bar
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
If you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
116 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division St
116 (рекомендации местных жителей)
If you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
Decent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
68 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago Ave
68 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Decent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
New, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Charlatan
1329 West Chicago Avenue
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
New, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
Chicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
936 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie Blvd
936 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
An (indie) rock bar/lounge- that serves amazing Cajun food.
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Analogue
42 (рекомендации местных жителей)
An (indie) rock bar/lounge- that serves amazing Cajun food.
Meats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
830 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie Ave
830 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Meats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
Cool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
47 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Yusho
2853 North Kedzie Avenue
47 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
In case you really need a sub.
39 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Jimmy John's
51 W Division St
39 (рекомендации местных жителей)
In case you really need a sub.
Fried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
658 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage Ave
658 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
Really good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.
468 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California Ave
468 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Really good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.

Shopping

Closest pharmacy
142 (рекомендации местных жителей)
CVS
771 N Ogden Ave
142 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Closest pharmacy
Wicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Penelope's
1913 W Division St
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
Cool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
Steven Alan
1659 N Damen Ave
Cool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
If you're into this kind of thing.
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Marc Jacobs
11 E Walton St
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
If you're into this kind of thing.
Looking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
diptyque
1645 N Damen Ave
Looking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
A small Nike store with just running gear.
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nike Bucktown
1640 N Damen Ave
7 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A small Nike store with just running gear.
Michigan Ave shopping.
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Apple Michigan Avenue
401 N Michigan Ave
20 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping.
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nike Chicago
669 N Michigan Ave
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping.
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Topshop Topman
830 N Michigan Ave
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping.
16 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bloomingdale's
900 North Michigan Avenue
16 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Nordstrom Wedding Suite - Michigan Avenue
40 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
Shopping.
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Barneys New York, Chicago
15 E Oak St
21 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Shopping.
In case you need a killer (and affordable) suit.
Suitsupply Chicago
945 N Rush St
In case you need a killer (and affordable) suit.
Shopping.
Jack Spade
47 E Oak St
Shopping.
Very cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.
iD Chicago
2130 N Damen Ave
Very cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.

Drinks & Nightlife

Old school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee Ave
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Old school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
Lots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden Ave
50 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
The original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
81 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen Ave
81 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
65 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Charleston Bar Chicago
65 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
A Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
100 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bangers and Lace
1670 W Division St
100 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
Chicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
116 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western Ave
116 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
An imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lone Wolf
806 W Randolph St
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
An imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
Ultra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
77 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Aviary
955 W Fulton Market
77 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ultra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
Chicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
355 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
Logan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
144 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Billy Sunday
3143 W Logan Blvd
144 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Logan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
A giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
139 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee Ave
139 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
Logan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
101 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
3340 N Kedzie Ave
101 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Logan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
The website says it best: "DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
127 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee Ave
127 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The website says it best: "DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
The closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.
J Patrick's Irish Bar Grill
1367 W Erie St
The closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.

Essentials

Closest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Noble Grape
802 N Bishop St
23 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Closest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
The other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
43 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W Chicago Ave
43 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
Closest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
866 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
866 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Closest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
Huge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.
836 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted St
836 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Huge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.

Arts & Culture

Weird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be: http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N Milwaukee Ave
27 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Weird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be: http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/

Sightseeing

Look these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
114 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Центр архитектуры Чикаго
111 E Wacker Dr
114 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Look these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
Because.
1159 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Художественный институт Чикаго
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Because.
Where we keep The Bean.
473 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Клауд-Гейт
201 E Randolph St
473 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Where we keep The Bean.
Gotta see it to understand it.
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Джей Прицкер Павильон
201 E Randolph St
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Gotta see it to understand it.
Art. Sometimes good art.
532 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Музей современного искусства в Чикаго
220 E Chicago Ave
532 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Art. Sometimes good art.

Everything Else

Not as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grand
502 N Milwaukee Ave
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Not as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
65 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Chicago & Milwaukee station
65 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
The middle of Wicker Park. 2 stops away.
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Damen Blue Line Station
South Damen Avenue
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The middle of Wicker Park. 2 stops away.
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
135 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cta Blue Line - Logan Square station
135 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
The closest Divvy Bike Share station.
32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Divvy
32 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The closest Divvy Bike Share station.