Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
It's nice and close and they serve Chicago's own Intelligentsia Coffee. They're not open quite as often or as late as I would like, however...
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery
1733 S Halsted StIt's nice and close and they serve Chicago's own Intelligentsia Coffee. They're not open quite as often or as late as I would like, however...
Awesomely fusion-style tamales that blend the traditional Mexican form with flavors from all around the world.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dia De Los Tamales
939 West 18th StreetAwesomely fusion-style tamales that blend the traditional Mexican form with flavors from all around the world.
Delicious, generously-potioned Mexican fare. The Shrimp Diablo is awesome.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Perez Restaurant
1163 West 18th StreetDelicious, generously-potioned Mexican fare. The Shrimp Diablo is awesome.
Killer dim sum offerings on the weekends. Get there early and go hungry!
Original Triple Crown Restaurant
211 W 22nd PlKiller dim sum offerings on the weekends. Get there early and go hungry!
The most legit Korean food I've found in the city. I lived there for almost a decade, so you can be sure that this is the real deal. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but the bibimbap is a good place to start if you're new to Korean food.
Ahjoomah's Apron Korean Restaurant
218 W Cermak RdThe most legit Korean food I've found in the city. I lived there for almost a decade, so you can be sure that this is the real deal. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but the bibimbap is a good place to start if you're new to Korean food.
A joint venture with Maria's next door, they serve Korean-Polish fusion fare (yeah, I know...but it works, trust me), and have a great patio.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kimski
954-960 W 31st StA joint venture with Maria's next door, they serve Korean-Polish fusion fare (yeah, I know...but it works, trust me), and have a great patio.
DeColores
1626 S Halsted StDelish food and drinks with a really cozy atomosphere.
If you've already tried Dia de Los Tamales, or just want something more traditional, this is the place!
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yvolina's Tamales
814 W 18th StIf you've already tried Dia de Los Tamales, or just want something more traditional, this is the place!
If you're craving a real Chigago-style or Polish dog at 3am, this is your place. No seating here, they just serve it to you food cart style on the sidewalk.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Express Grill
1730 S Halsted StIf you're craving a real Chigago-style or Polish dog at 3am, this is your place. No seating here, they just serve it to you food cart style on the sidewalk.
Del Toro
2133 S Halsted StSpecialty tequilas and tapas.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is actually more of a pub than a bar during the week, but it gets pretty lively on weekends. They have good drinks and decent food. Some nice brunch options as well.
151 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Simone's
960 W 18th StThis is actually more of a pub than a bar during the week, but it gets pretty lively on weekends. They have good drinks and decent food. Some nice brunch options as well.
Best dive bar ever. This place was a train station and a VFW hall in its former lives, and has the odd distinction of having the first model of urinals ever produced still functioning in the men's room. Cheap, craft beers on tap and excellent comfort food on offer.
73 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StBest dive bar ever. This place was a train station and a VFW hall in its former lives, and has the odd distinction of having the first model of urinals ever produced still functioning in the men's room. Cheap, craft beers on tap and excellent comfort food on offer.
Really cool purveyor of local craft brews with a bar in the back.
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StReally cool purveyor of local craft brews with a bar in the back.
Great live Americana music most nights, and good food. A really cozy, old-school kind of bar, too.
141 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StGreat live Americana music most nights, and good food. A really cozy, old-school kind of bar, too.
Arts & Culture
Chicago Art Department
1926 S Halsted StCool, alternative art space that always has something interesting on display.
Similar to Lacuna Artist Lofts, this is another old factory that has been converted into creative spaces and galleries that is fun to explore.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W 35th StSimilar to Lacuna Artist Lofts, this is another old factory that has been converted into creative spaces and galleries that is fun to explore.
Essentials
This is the nearest full-sized grocery store in the area. The number 18 bus that stops on the east side of 16th and Halsted will take you about a block away.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jewel-Osco
1340 S Canal StThis is the nearest full-sized grocery store in the area. The number 18 bus that stops on the east side of 16th and Halsted will take you about a block away.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StThis is the nearest Whole Foods.
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayThis is the closest pharmacy.
Getting Around
This is probably the fastest route to get downtown via public transit. Cross to the west side of Halsted at 18th and take the number 8 bus a few stops south to this station and head toward the Loop. If you head the opposite direction, this train will take you all the way to Midway Airport.
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Halsted Orange Line Station
This is probably the fastest route to get downtown via public transit. Cross to the west side of Halsted at 18th and take the number 8 bus a few stops south to this station and head toward the Loop. If you head the opposite direction, this train will take you all the way to Midway Airport.
This is the nearest Blue Line station. This train can take you all the way to O'Hare. Take the number 8 bus north from the east side of 18th and Halsted.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
UIC-Halsted station
430 S Halsted StThis is the nearest Blue Line station. This train can take you all the way to O'Hare. Take the number 8 bus north from the east side of 18th and Halsted.
Just in case you missed the gigantic rack of blue bicycles out front on your way in, this is where you can rent a bike for a day or more from the city's bike loaning system. Grab one and head east to Lakeshore drive and take the scenic route downtown!
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Divvy
Just in case you missed the gigantic rack of blue bicycles out front on your way in, this is where you can rent a bike for a day or more from the city's bike loaning system. Grab one and head east to Lakeshore drive and take the scenic route downtown!
Shopping
One of my favorite bookstores of all time. Great prices, too!
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pilsen Community Books
1102 W 18th StOne of my favorite bookstores of all time. Great prices, too!