Guidebook for Chicago

Cat & Louis
Cat & Louis
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

This is by far my favorite burrito place in the city. Weather permitting, I recommend getting your food to-go and eating it in the park.
12 locals recommend
Taqueria El Mezquite
1756 W 18th St
12 locals recommend
This is by far my favorite burrito place in the city. Weather permitting, I recommend getting your food to-go and eating it in the park.
Cheap and oh so tasty, Nuevo Leon often has lines going out the door, but on a week night there isn't a wait. I recommend either a sampler platter or the tacos.
52 locals recommend
Nuevo Leon Restaurant
1515 West 18th Street
52 locals recommend
Cheap and oh so tasty, Nuevo Leon often has lines going out the door, but on a week night there isn't a wait. I recommend either a sampler platter or the tacos.
So the food is fantastic, but the margaritas are killer! Get a pitcher.
13 locals recommend
Perez Restaurant
1163 West 18th Street
13 locals recommend
So the food is fantastic, but the margaritas are killer! Get a pitcher.
Looking for a snack while strolling through the neighborhood? Stop and get a churro! They have plain, custard, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry filled.
Don Churro
1626 S Blue Island Ave
Looking for a snack while strolling through the neighborhood? Stop and get a churro! They have plain, custard, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry filled.
This wonderful little coffee bar offers vegan options, live Jazz on Thursdays and occasionally a Palm Reader.
27 locals recommend
Nitecap Coffee Bar
27 locals recommend
This wonderful little coffee bar offers vegan options, live Jazz on Thursdays and occasionally a Palm Reader.
Definitely the locals' favorite cafe. I love their baked goods.
134 locals recommend
Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th St
134 locals recommend
Definitely the locals' favorite cafe. I love their baked goods.
Ice cream, flan, occasionally pie. You can buy it by the cone or quart!
Paleteria Las Tarascas
1806 West 18th Street
Ice cream, flan, occasionally pie. You can buy it by the cone or quart!
Supposedly one of the best BBQ joints in Chicago. They often have live music.
141 locals recommend
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th St
141 locals recommend
Supposedly one of the best BBQ joints in Chicago. They often have live music.
Looking for a little Polish Sausage? Order at the window and take it to go!
7 locals recommend
Express Grill
1730 S Halsted St
7 locals recommend
Looking for a little Polish Sausage? Order at the window and take it to go!
One of my favorite Chinese Restaurants. It's a bit far, but they deliver!
Dragon Bowl
220 W 31st St
One of my favorite Chinese Restaurants. It's a bit far, but they deliver!
This is my favorite restaurant in Little Italy. It is moderately priced. They have live Jazz and martini specials on Thursdays.
18 locals recommend
Francesca's on Taylor
1400 W Taylor St
18 locals recommend
This is my favorite restaurant in Little Italy. It is moderately priced. They have live Jazz and martini specials on Thursdays.
Le Bouchon is among my top three favorite French Restaurants. They always have a live musician singing in French!
56 locals recommend
Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen Ave
56 locals recommend
Le Bouchon is among my top three favorite French Restaurants. They always have a live musician singing in French!
If your willing to splurge, this French restaurant is divine.
13 locals recommend
Bistrot Margot
1437 North Wells Street
13 locals recommend
If your willing to splurge, this French restaurant is divine.
Charming. You feel like you stepped into a french countryside. I love the food and ambience here.
47 locals recommend
Bistro Campagne
4518 N Lincoln Ave
47 locals recommend
Charming. You feel like you stepped into a french countryside. I love the food and ambience here.
Korean Barbecue at it's finest.
44 locals recommend
Del Seoul
2568 N Clark St
44 locals recommend
Korean Barbecue at it's finest.

Arts & Culture

It's free! The exhibits change frequently, and if you are in town near Dia de los muertos you must go!!
222 locals recommend
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St
222 locals recommend
It's free! The exhibits change frequently, and if you are in town near Dia de los muertos you must go!!

Drinks & Nightlife

A really hip eclectic bar, order a pitcher of some cocktail that has curry in it and drink it out of various sized china. Don't leave before writing a message on the bathroom wall.
78 locals recommend
Punch House
1227 W 18th St
78 locals recommend
A really hip eclectic bar, order a pitcher of some cocktail that has curry in it and drink it out of various sized china. Don't leave before writing a message on the bathroom wall.
Craft Beer and Artisan Cocktails and mostly American Brunch and Pub options for food. If you've never had bone marrow before, this is your chance!
44 locals recommend
Pl-zen
1519 W 18th St
44 locals recommend
Craft Beer and Artisan Cocktails and mostly American Brunch and Pub options for food. If you've never had bone marrow before, this is your chance!
Craft beer and arcade games. Need I say more?
60 locals recommend
Headquarters Beercade
2833 North Sheffield Avenue
60 locals recommend
Craft beer and arcade games. Need I say more?
Chocolate Martinis. So decadent.
The Solstice
2666 North Halsted Street
Chocolate Martinis. So decadent.

Everything Else

The candy/party store! Another Dia de los muertos favorite for sugar skulls.
Dulceria Lupitas
1731 W 18th St
The candy/party store! Another Dia de los muertos favorite for sugar skulls.
If you are driving and are a costco member, they have the cheapest gas in the city.
35 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
1430 S Ashland Ave
35 locals recommend
If you are driving and are a costco member, they have the cheapest gas in the city.
My Favorite Beach! It is a well-hidden gem. Right behind the Shed Aquarium, few people venture there, so it's never too crowded. There is also a pier to jump off of.
18 locals recommend
12th Street Beach
18 locals recommend
My Favorite Beach! It is a well-hidden gem. Right behind the Shed Aquarium, few people venture there, so it's never too crowded. There is also a pier to jump off of.
Well worth the money. The Shed is fun for all ages!
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore Dr
673 locals recommend
Well worth the money. The Shed is fun for all ages!
If you enjoy history and Dinosaur Bones you will definitely enjoy the Field Museum of Natural History.
657 locals recommend
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Dr
657 locals recommend
If you enjoy history and Dinosaur Bones you will definitely enjoy the Field Museum of Natural History.
I love this museum! It is a little harder to get to. Most of the exhibits are interactive. You can create a tornado, see cloned chicks, explore a coal mine, and test your physical & mental endurance.
483 locals recommend
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore Dr
483 locals recommend
I love this museum! It is a little harder to get to. Most of the exhibits are interactive. You can create a tornado, see cloned chicks, explore a coal mine, and test your physical & mental endurance.
Another one of my favorite Museums. It is world class. If you don't want to go in, stroll through the grounds!
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 locals recommend
Another one of my favorite Museums. It is world class. If you don't want to go in, stroll through the grounds!
The exhibits are always changing-often due to audience participation. Go here if you enjoy contemporary art.
532 locals recommend
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave
532 locals recommend
The exhibits are always changing-often due to audience participation. Go here if you enjoy contemporary art.

Shopping

If you love shopping for or just admiring vintage clothing you need to check this place out. It's amazing.
28 locals recommend
Pilsen Vintage
1430 W 18th St
28 locals recommend
If you love shopping for or just admiring vintage clothing you need to check this place out. It's amazing.
Great for small gifts with an oriental origin! They also have a wonderful selection of tea.
Oriental Boutique
2262 S Wentworth Ave
Great for small gifts with an oriental origin! They also have a wonderful selection of tea.

Essentials

It's actually called Luciano's. I'm not sure why google map calls it Sabinos. Anyway, its a small local grocery store.
Sabinos Inc
1714 W 18th St
It's actually called Luciano's. I'm not sure why google map calls it Sabinos. Anyway, its a small local grocery store.
A little bit further of a walk than Luciano's, but a much larger grocery store.
170 locals recommend
Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak Rd
170 locals recommend
A little bit further of a walk than Luciano's, but a much larger grocery store.
A large grocery store relatively near by.
180 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
550 N State St
180 locals recommend
A large grocery store relatively near by.
It closes early, but there are so many great finds! I go to replenish stir fry sauces. You can pick out a live eel or lobster for dinner later if you're in the mood.
Tai Wah Grocery Store
2226 S Wentworth Ave
It closes early, but there are so many great finds! I go to replenish stir fry sauces. You can pick out a live eel or lobster for dinner later if you're in the mood.

Sightseeing

There are so many free things to do! Check out the Red-Eye for the Concert line up and Art Fairs. The Bean, Faces, Cloud Gate and two skating rinks reside here. There is also a new kids park
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St
1243 locals recommend
There are so many free things to do! Check out the Red-Eye for the Concert line up and Art Fairs. The Bean, Faces, Cloud Gate and two skating rinks reside here. There is also a new kids park
Just go and take a picture. It's quite picturesque.
219 locals recommend
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr
219 locals recommend
Just go and take a picture. It's quite picturesque.
Taste of Chicago and most major music festivals are held here. When they aren't taking over the park, it is lovely to walk through.
332 locals recommend
Grant Park
337 E Randolph St
332 locals recommend
Taste of Chicago and most major music festivals are held here. When they aren't taking over the park, it is lovely to walk through.
I love this river walk. If you feel inspired, hop on an architecture cruise or a water taxi that takes you to China Town!
273 locals recommend
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker Dr
273 locals recommend
I love this river walk. If you feel inspired, hop on an architecture cruise or a water taxi that takes you to China Town!
This is the Fine Arts Building. Complete with man operated cage elevators and multiple performance venues. All of the studios open up the 2nd Friday of each month. It's certainly a treat.
Chicago Loop
410 South Michigan Avenue
This is the Fine Arts Building. Complete with man operated cage elevators and multiple performance venues. All of the studios open up the 2nd Friday of each month. It's certainly a treat.
It's Free! and near the lake front and has wonderful views. Be sure to wander through the lily pond!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
1117 locals recommend
It's Free! and near the lake front and has wonderful views. Be sure to wander through the lily pond!