Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Chic cafe opens at nine for great coffee and breakfast (and my favorite Bloody Mary!) At night they serve up delicious neighborhood favorites with fresh local produce. Get there early for brunch on the weekends. Closed on Tuesdays!
936 locals recommend
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdChic cafe opens at nine for great coffee and breakfast (and my favorite Bloody Mary!) At night they serve up delicious neighborhood favorites with fresh local produce. Get there early for brunch on the weekends. Closed on Tuesdays!
Bagels made in a wood fired oven. Need I say more?? I do. Beautifully crafted salads and filling sandwiches. Cash only!
340 locals recommend
Reno
2607 N Milwaukee AveBagels made in a wood fired oven. Need I say more?? I do. Beautifully crafted salads and filling sandwiches. Cash only!
Ahh, close to home. My favorite for their mushroom po'boy and other vegetarian comfort food. The beet burger is my kid's favorite - just don't tell him what it is made out of ; ). Brunch on the weekends only, dinner on weeknights.
80 locals recommend
GROUND CONTROL!
3315 W Armitage AveAhh, close to home. My favorite for their mushroom po'boy and other vegetarian comfort food. The beet burger is my kid's favorite - just don't tell him what it is made out of ; ). Brunch on the weekends only, dinner on weeknights.
An easy and cheap place to grab a taco before heading out (or coming back in) near the California Blue Line stop. Their margaritas aren't bad either.
29 locals recommend
Taqueria Moran
2226 N California AveAn easy and cheap place to grab a taco before heading out (or coming back in) near the California Blue Line stop. Their margaritas aren't bad either.
My favorite locally owned coffee shop! Simple menu and funky atmosphere with a vinyl soundtrack dj'ed live by the barista on duty. At night they have a selection of Malort cocktails and live music or other events.
68 locals recommend
Cafe Mustache
2313 N Milwaukee AveMy favorite locally owned coffee shop! Simple menu and funky atmosphere with a vinyl soundtrack dj'ed live by the barista on duty. At night they have a selection of Malort cocktails and live music or other events.
Easy peasy slice of thin crust pizza and beer type of place with El car themed restrooms. Open late!
152 locals recommend
The Boiler Room
2210 North California AvenueEasy peasy slice of thin crust pizza and beer type of place with El car themed restrooms. Open late!
Our first local brewery to open in the neighborhood! They have a full menu and usually a full wait during the dinner rush and weekends. Still a great place to pop in for a casual dinner and a beer. Open late!
724 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveOur first local brewery to open in the neighborhood! They have a full menu and usually a full wait during the dinner rush and weekends. Still a great place to pop in for a casual dinner and a beer. Open late!
Thank You
3152 West Diversey AvenueThe best place to get a bite to eat while making your tropical escape at Lost Lake.
Fat Rice
2957 W Diversey AveBeyond delicious!
Weekly Sunday farmer's market! Eats are near the back, veggies up front. Also my favorite spot to browse yard sales that pop up along Logan and Kedzie Boulevards.
135 locals recommend
Logan Square Farmers Market
3025-3113 West Logan BoulevardWeekly Sunday farmer's market! Eats are near the back, veggies up front. Also my favorite spot to browse yard sales that pop up along Logan and Kedzie Boulevards.
Italian ice in about 10 flavors - so good! Cute little place to stop after some time in the park. Open seasonally (April 15th for summer 2017.)
40 locals recommend
Miko's Italian Ice (Logan Square)
2236 N Sacramento AveItalian ice in about 10 flavors - so good! Cute little place to stop after some time in the park. Open seasonally (April 15th for summer 2017.)
Nice owners and good coffee! Plus the location can't be beat. They have a variety of pastries available.
44 locals recommend
Damn Fine Coffee Bar
3317 W Armitage AveNice owners and good coffee! Plus the location can't be beat. They have a variety of pastries available.
L' Patron
3749 W Fullerton AveBecause tacos!
Wyler Road
3581 W Belden AveHidden gem with great food and great drinks.
Cemitas Puebla
817 W Fulton MarketFast, good and close to home! Mexican cuisine from Puebla.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our new local brewery! The spare minimal space has long tables with board games and you are allowed to bring your own food.
66 locals recommend
Hopewell Brewing Company
2760 N Milwaukee AveOur new local brewery! The spare minimal space has long tables with board games and you are allowed to bring your own food.
They have chicken and fish but I go during the summer for the negroni slushy sold out of the shipping container turned bar out back.
658 locals recommend
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveThey have chicken and fish but I go during the summer for the negroni slushy sold out of the shipping container turned bar out back.
At what other liquor store could you have a beer while waiting to buy beer? This bar in liquor store (packaged goods store is the technical term, I think) is a great place to grab a cheap pint while picking up a six pack or bottle of wine to hang with in the back yard later. They have a good selection of craft beer on tap.
28 locals recommend
GO Tavern & Liquors
3219 W Armitage AveAt what other liquor store could you have a beer while waiting to buy beer? This bar in liquor store (packaged goods store is the technical term, I think) is a great place to grab a cheap pint while picking up a six pack or bottle of wine to hang with in the back yard later. They have a good selection of craft beer on tap.
This bar focuses on mainly gin drinks and has the added bonuses of serving food and being right around the corner. It can be busy at nights - especially the weekends.
584 locals recommend
Scofflaw
3201 W Armitage AveThis bar focuses on mainly gin drinks and has the added bonuses of serving food and being right around the corner. It can be busy at nights - especially the weekends.
My favorite bar with a collection of vintage pin ball and arcade games. Great selection of local beers.
65 locals recommend
Logan Arcade
2410 W Fullerton AveMy favorite bar with a collection of vintage pin ball and arcade games. Great selection of local beers.
You might get lost after visiting Lost Lake. Also order from Thank You, the attached Chinese take out restaurant.
356 locals recommend
Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey AveYou might get lost after visiting Lost Lake. Also order from Thank You, the attached Chinese take out restaurant.
Rosa's has a very low cover fee and amazing blues music. It has the added bonus of being located right around the corner from our house!
101 locals recommend
Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage AveRosa's has a very low cover fee and amazing blues music. It has the added bonus of being located right around the corner from our house!
Entertainment & Activities
Historic renovated movie theater with $7 tickets and great popcorn (oh, and since this is Logan Square there is a bar of course.) They also run a series of late night movies.
315 locals recommend
The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee AveHistoric renovated movie theater with $7 tickets and great popcorn (oh, and since this is Logan Square there is a bar of course.) They also run a series of late night movies.
Parks & Nature
Local park with lots of picnic spots and a .5 mile running track surrounded by historic mansions.
49 locals recommend
Palmer Square
Local park with lots of picnic spots and a .5 mile running track surrounded by historic mansions.
This is the 2.6 mile beautifully landscaped park/bike/running path that formerly functioned as an old elevated freight rail line. It connects to Bucktown and Wicker Park, Damen Avenue is the best exit for visiting both. Great views of the neighborhood and downtown! The closest on ramp is at Bloomindale and Spaulding, just a few blocks south of our house.
133 locals recommend
Bloomingdale Trail
Bloomingdale TrailThis is the 2.6 mile beautifully landscaped park/bike/running path that formerly functioned as an old elevated freight rail line. It connects to Bucktown and Wicker Park, Damen Avenue is the best exit for visiting both. Great views of the neighborhood and downtown! The closest on ramp is at Bloomindale and Spaulding, just a few blocks south of our house.
If you take the Armitage bus east it will drop you nearly at the front gate of the zoo. The zoo is also free and open year-round.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StIf you take the Armitage bus east it will drop you nearly at the front gate of the zoo. The zoo is also free and open year-round.
A treasure of the Chicago Park District. Located near the green line, this turn of the century conservatory is a great place to feel like you are on a mini-vacation to the tropics. It also has a parking lot if you would prefer to drive.
258 locals recommend
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveA treasure of the Chicago Park District. Located near the green line, this turn of the century conservatory is a great place to feel like you are on a mini-vacation to the tropics. It also has a parking lot if you would prefer to drive.
Essentials
Puerto Rican grocery with an amazing soundtrack. Good for simple items.
31 locals recommend
Armitage Produce
3334 W Armitage AvePuerto Rican grocery with an amazing soundtrack. Good for simple items.
A larger grocery store with more options than Armitage Produce.
128 locals recommend
Tony's Fresh Market
3607 W Fullerton Ave A larger grocery store with more options than Armitage Produce.
Our local natural foods store! A bit pricier than Armitage Produce or Tony's but with higher quality food. They also have a good selection of bath needs such as shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Also a good place to get a treat like ice cream.
89 locals recommend
The Dill Pickle Food Co-op
2746 N Milwaukee AveOur local natural foods store! A bit pricier than Armitage Produce or Tony's but with higher quality food. They also have a good selection of bath needs such as shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Also a good place to get a treat like ice cream.
Shopping
Wolfbait and B-Girls is a great shop to pick up some Chicago made souvenirs. Everything in the shop is handmade locally.
65 locals recommend
Wolfbait & B-girls
3131 W Logan BlvdWolfbait and B-Girls is a great shop to pick up some Chicago made souvenirs. Everything in the shop is handmade locally.
Getting Around
Blue Line stop with elevator. The Diversey Avenue Bus that will take you to the Nature Museum and lakefront beaches also detours here.
135 locals recommend
Cta Blue Line - Logan Square station
Blue Line stop with elevator. The Diversey Avenue Bus that will take you to the Nature Museum and lakefront beaches also detours here.
California station
2211 N California AveBus that will drop you directly in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo. Will also take you through the shopping district in Lincoln Park, and if you stay on until the end of the line, the Chicago History Museum and Old Town.
Armitage & Spaulding station
Bus that will drop you directly in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo. Will also take you through the shopping district in Lincoln Park, and if you stay on until the end of the line, the Chicago History Museum and Old Town.
Divvy is our year-round bike share program. Trips are limited to 30 minutes without incurring extra charges but you can get a daily rental and switch out the bike as needed. There are many Divvy stations around the city.
39 locals recommend
Divvy
Divvy is our year-round bike share program. Trips are limited to 30 minutes without incurring extra charges but you can get a daily rental and switch out the bike as needed. There are many Divvy stations around the city.