Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
This place is my new favorite spot in Chicago. Everything about it is utterly delightful and incredibly tasty. In four words: Thai Iced Tea Milkshakes.
78 locals recommend
Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveThis place is my new favorite spot in Chicago. Everything about it is utterly delightful and incredibly tasty. In four words: Thai Iced Tea Milkshakes.
They are a Puerto Rican staple in the neighborhood Amazing guava pastries, coconut oatmeal, and sandwiches. Their bread is addictive. Columbian coffee. All very reasonably priced.
17 locals recommend
Café Colao
2638 W Division StThey are a Puerto Rican staple in the neighborhood Amazing guava pastries, coconut oatmeal, and sandwiches. Their bread is addictive. Columbian coffee. All very reasonably priced.
Best burgers in Chicago. Period. Great appetizers. Live music videos playing metal and rock music. Next door they have a smokehouse with the BEST smoked wings in the city. The wings taste like they could be ribs. Not to be missed.
74 locals recommend
Lockdown Bar & Grill
1024 N Western AveBest burgers in Chicago. Period. Great appetizers. Live music videos playing metal and rock music. Next door they have a smokehouse with the BEST smoked wings in the city. The wings taste like they could be ribs. Not to be missed.
Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AveAmazing tacos!
MORE great tacos! They are also a bar. They have a taco tuesday special!
59 locals recommend
Bullhead Cantina
1143 N California AveMORE great tacos! They are also a bar. They have a taco tuesday special!
This shop is only 2 blocks away from us and they have GREAT breakfasts.
50 locals recommend
Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveThis shop is only 2 blocks away from us and they have GREAT breakfasts.
Tied with Honey Butter for best chicken sandwich in Chicago. All free-range chicken from local farmers. Supporting gay rights and blasting hip-hop music, this place is the anti-Chick-Fil-A. Open late.
51 locals recommend
Leghorn Chicken
Tied with Honey Butter for best chicken sandwich in Chicago. All free-range chicken from local farmers. Supporting gay rights and blasting hip-hop music, this place is the anti-Chick-Fil-A. Open late.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a bar with free music and/or comedy every night. The majority of people who go there for the events are artists and musicians. They have 4 musical open mikes every week, including a great blues jam on Tuesday nights and 3-4 comedy open mics. Art on the walls. Definitely dive-y, but with a lot of heart.
33 locals recommend
Gallery Cabaret
2020 N Oakley AveThis is a bar with free music and/or comedy every night. The majority of people who go there for the events are artists and musicians. They have 4 musical open mikes every week, including a great blues jam on Tuesday nights and 3-4 comedy open mics. Art on the walls. Definitely dive-y, but with a lot of heart.
They always have good, music and a big variety of indie acts and they support local artists as well (my band has played there). Pool table. Some seating at the bar and some tables and stairs to sit on for shows. Great vibes. Classic venue.
208 locals recommend
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveThey always have good, music and a big variety of indie acts and they support local artists as well (my band has played there). Pool table. Some seating at the bar and some tables and stairs to sit on for shows. Great vibes. Classic venue.
Arts & Culture
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveIt's just super great.
Essentials
Great spot for produce & meats, they are starting to carry vegan-friendly stuff like toffuti sour cream and veganaise. Best home made tortilla chips from any grocery store in the city. Often there is a taco/elotes stand outside.
111 locals recommend
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveGreat spot for produce & meats, they are starting to carry vegan-friendly stuff like toffuti sour cream and veganaise. Best home made tortilla chips from any grocery store in the city. Often there is a taco/elotes stand outside.
Parks & Nature
It's just beautiful there. It's free, but you have to pay for parking.
167 locals recommend
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdIt's just beautiful there. It's free, but you have to pay for parking.
Shopping
This is a non-profit that sells supplies for teachers, artists, and anyone really. There is jewelry, yarn, greeting cards, games, bags, nuts and bolts, all sorts of paper goods and some really unique objects like an antique typewriters or a vintage printing press. Very cheap if you are looking for some supplies of any kind.
The WasteShed
1754 W Chicago AveThis is a non-profit that sells supplies for teachers, artists, and anyone really. There is jewelry, yarn, greeting cards, games, bags, nuts and bolts, all sorts of paper goods and some really unique objects like an antique typewriters or a vintage printing press. Very cheap if you are looking for some supplies of any kind.
Entertainment & Activities
The Catcade
624 W Belmont AveYou can go there and play with cats.