Guidebook for Chicago

Ellen
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Great coffee, friendly staff, good music, free wifi (w/purchase) Locally made art hangs on the wall, and the posters and flyers are a great resource for stuff to do. Heads up: they are cash only.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Perfect Cup
4700 N Damen Ave
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Great coffee, friendly staff, good music, free wifi (w/purchase) Locally made art hangs on the wall, and the posters and flyers are a great resource for stuff to do. Heads up: they are cash only.
My favorite deep-dish in the city. Yes, it's a chain. No, that doesn't matter/make it less authentic. Pro Tip: you never want to order a cheese-only deep dish. The more toppings, the better!
519 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone Ave
519 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
My favorite deep-dish in the city. Yes, it's a chain. No, that doesn't matter/make it less authentic. Pro Tip: you never want to order a cheese-only deep dish. The more toppings, the better!
Pizza when you really want it- late at night. Often open til 3am or later, but it's just as tasty mid-afternoon.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chicago's Pizza
3114 N Lincoln Ave
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pizza when you really want it- late at night. Often open til 3am or later, but it's just as tasty mid-afternoon.
Sometimes, in a strange city, I want to go somewhere familiar. Starbucks is always the same.
135 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Starbucks
6738 N Sheridan Rd
135 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sometimes, in a strange city, I want to go somewhere familiar. Starbucks is always the same.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get to know the neighborhood. Unpretentious, welcoming cafe/restaurant. Their breakfast is delicious and the staff is so. nice.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dolce Casa Cafe
4947 N Damen Ave
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get to know the neighborhood. Unpretentious, welcoming cafe/restaurant. Their breakfast is delicious and the staff is so. nice.
One of the many high-quality thai places in the neighborhood, and wicked close to home. You can't go wrong.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Aroy Thai
4654 N Damen Ave
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
One of the many high-quality thai places in the neighborhood, and wicked close to home. You can't go wrong.
gather has a special place in my heart. The service is outstanding, as is the food. Go here for your special night out during the trip - it's a teeeny bit on the pricey side, but so, so, so worth it.
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gather
4539 N Lincoln Ave
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
gather has a special place in my heart. The service is outstanding, as is the food. Go here for your special night out during the trip - it's a teeeny bit on the pricey side, but so, so, so worth it.
Carne. Asada. Tacos. (get them the Mexican way, with just onions and cilantro, and ask for a slice of lime to squeeze on top.) Everything here is good. Cash only! (bring to Half-Acre!)
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taqueria El Asadero - Chicago
2213 W Montrose Ave
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Carne. Asada. Tacos. (get them the Mexican way, with just onions and cilantro, and ask for a slice of lime to squeeze on top.) Everything here is good. Cash only! (bring to Half-Acre!)

Drinks & Nightlife

My favorite bar/restaurant. Weeknights, sit at the bar- taste their 27 drafts until you find your new favorite. Or hit it up Friday- it gets energetic and loud but stops short of rowdy. Brunch = Yes.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fountainhead
1970 W Montrose Ave
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
My favorite bar/restaurant. Weeknights, sit at the bar- taste their 27 drafts until you find your new favorite. Or hit it up Friday- it gets energetic and loud but stops short of rowdy. Brunch = Yes.
It's close. And there is beer. And $0.25 wing night on Mondays! Gets the job done.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ravenswood station
4800 N Ravenswood Ave
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
It's close. And there is beer. And $0.25 wing night on Mondays! Gets the job done.
Their craft beer list is mind-bogglingly long. The servers are funky and friendly. Go hungry and order the cheese curds as an appetizer.
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Bad Apple
4300 N Lincoln Ave
76 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Their craft beer list is mind-bogglingly long. The servers are funky and friendly. Go hungry and order the cheese curds as an appetizer.
Killer beer, made on site. Hip and Fun - there is a giant wooden bear's head over the bar. It's BYOF - bring your own food! I recommend tacos. Saturday mornings they do tours, but get there early!
103 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln Ave
103 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Killer beer, made on site. Hip and Fun - there is a giant wooden bear's head over the bar. It's BYOF - bring your own food! I recommend tacos. Saturday mornings they do tours, but get there early!

Everything Else

Beautiful large oasis in the city. There's a track for running, a playground, and lots of wide open green spaces. Oh, and dogs. Lots of dogs.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
CVS
5205 N Broadway
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beautiful large oasis in the city. There's a track for running, a playground, and lots of wide open green spaces. Oh, and dogs. Lots of dogs.

Essentials

Full service grocery store for cooking up a storm.
138 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jewel-Osco
4250 N Lincoln Ave
138 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Full service grocery store for cooking up a storm.

Arts & Culture

Your new favorite folk, blues, or jazz performer just might be playing here during your stay. Look for tickets before you book or or stroll past- they light a sign when a performance is scheduled.
103 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln Ave
103 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Your new favorite folk, blues, or jazz performer just might be playing here during your stay. Look for tickets before you book or or stroll past- they light a sign when a performance is scheduled.
World-class jazz in an ancient former speakeasy. Al Capone used the tunnels in the basement. No, really.
471 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Green Mill
4802 North Broadway
471 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
World-class jazz in an ancient former speakeasy. Al Capone used the tunnels in the basement. No, really.