Lincoln Square Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Chicago is best described as, "A city of neighborhoods."
Lincoln Square offers several restaurants, breweries, and shopping opportunities - many found in Giddings Plaza.
Our neighborhood has been described as, "A college campus where all the students are 50," and, "A neighborhood made up parents who like to drink." Both of those feel pretty accurate.
104 locals recommend
Lincoln Square
Chicago is best described as, "A city of neighborhoods."
Lincoln Square offers several restaurants, breweries, and shopping opportunities - many found in Giddings Plaza.
Our neighborhood has been described as, "A college campus where all the students are 50," and, "A neighborhood made up parents who like to drink." Both of those feel pretty accurate.
Take a bus, a divy bike, or walk the 1 1/2 miles going towards the lake to find Chicago's Swedish neighborhood. It's filled with stores and restaurants. During the winter grab a cup of Glogg from Simon's on Clark street.
154 locals recommend
Andersonville
Take a bus, a divy bike, or walk the 1 1/2 miles going towards the lake to find Chicago's Swedish neighborhood. It's filled with stores and restaurants. During the winter grab a cup of Glogg from Simon's on Clark street.
Food scene
Great place for sandwiches and a variety of beers. We'd recommend the Jorma K - Tuna Salad, Swiss, cheddar, avocado, fried onion, aioli, multigrain bread - or the Sandra O Fried Chicken sandwich - Korean BBQ sauce, cheddar, sliced cucumber, red onion, cider slaw, chili mayo.
We also always recommend choosing a warm sandwich over cold, as that's what they're best at.
36 locals recommend
Jerry's Sandwiches
4739 N Lincoln AveGreat place for sandwiches and a variety of beers. We'd recommend the Jorma K - Tuna Salad, Swiss, cheddar, avocado, fried onion, aioli, multigrain bread - or the Sandra O Fried Chicken sandwich - Korean BBQ sauce, cheddar, sliced cucumber, red onion, cider slaw, chili mayo.
We also always recommend choosing a warm sandwich over cold, as that's what they're best at.
Beans and Bagels is a staple in our neighborhood when wanting to grab coffee. (Whispering: it is a little on the expensive side, though.) Though they offer bagel sandwiches we recommend their pastries, which are locally sourced from amazing donut shops from around the city.
39 locals recommend
Beans & Bagels
2601 W Leland AveBeans and Bagels is a staple in our neighborhood when wanting to grab coffee. (Whispering: it is a little on the expensive side, though.) Though they offer bagel sandwiches we recommend their pastries, which are locally sourced from amazing donut shops from around the city.
Lou Malnati's makes great deep-dish pizza.
Pro tip: Here's our advise, if you know you're going to be eating there (or Giradino's) call ahead and make a reservation. Then have them precook your pizza.
Depending on how slammed a restaurant is, a deep-dish pizza can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half to cook.
You can preorder your pizza cooked so, when you arrive for your reservation, by the time you're finished with apps, your pizza will be done.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Carry Out
1520 North Damen AvenueLou Malnati's makes great deep-dish pizza.
Pro tip: Here's our advise, if you know you're going to be eating there (or Giradino's) call ahead and make a reservation. Then have them precook your pizza.
Depending on how slammed a restaurant is, a deep-dish pizza can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half to cook.
You can preorder your pizza cooked so, when you arrive for your reservation, by the time you're finished with apps, your pizza will be done.
If this is your second time in Chicago, and you've already experienced deep-dish, "Chicago-style" pizza, this is the pizza place where most Chicagoans love to go. Try to make a reservation if you can -- it is usually packed. (Even on Valentine's day. We learned that the hard way.)
Our advise is to get there, preorder your pizza, then go next door to the bar. When you're seated your pizza will be ready for you.
536 locals recommend
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueIf this is your second time in Chicago, and you've already experienced deep-dish, "Chicago-style" pizza, this is the pizza place where most Chicagoans love to go. Try to make a reservation if you can -- it is usually packed. (Even on Valentine's day. We learned that the hard way.)
Our advise is to get there, preorder your pizza, then go next door to the bar. When you're seated your pizza will be ready for you.
Worth checking out! Grab a coffee, a crate of strawberries, or a pastry.
11 locals recommend
Lincoln Square Farmers Market
4513 W Leland AveWorth checking out! Grab a coffee, a crate of strawberries, or a pastry.
For some reason, the app used to make this guidebook insists on only showing the Roots Handmade Pizza in the West Town neighborhood. (Which is no where near us)
Our local Wisconsin-style pizza place is located at 2200 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625.
We recommend the bbq pizza and the mozzarella and avocado salad.
126 locals recommend
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveFor some reason, the app used to make this guidebook insists on only showing the Roots Handmade Pizza in the West Town neighborhood. (Which is no where near us)
Our local Wisconsin-style pizza place is located at 2200 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625.
We recommend the bbq pizza and the mozzarella and avocado salad.
The Sixth
2202 W Lawrence AveGreat cocktail bar next to Roots Pizza.
Korean bar food at its best. We recommend the fire chicken with cheese dish. And if you like spicy, the kimchi noodle soup is great.
They are CASH ONLY, just to give you a heads up.
Dancen
5114 N Lincoln AveKorean bar food at its best. We recommend the fire chicken with cheese dish. And if you like spicy, the kimchi noodle soup is great.
They are CASH ONLY, just to give you a heads up.
This is a great Mexican spot, half a block away, with a unique point of view - we think they include some type of Indian spices in their traditionally Mexican marinades, we don't know. What we do know is that it tastes good and is different from traditional Mexican food.
Taco Boom Chicago
5116 North Lincoln AvenueThis is a great Mexican spot, half a block away, with a unique point of view - we think they include some type of Indian spices in their traditionally Mexican marinades, we don't know. What we do know is that it tastes good and is different from traditional Mexican food.
Sightseeing
This is the most amazing children's park in all of Chicago -- and not just because it's free!
It is a massive playground that all manner of children and their parents can play in.
175 locals recommend
Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph StThis is the most amazing children's park in all of Chicago -- and not just because it's free!
It is a massive playground that all manner of children and their parents can play in.
One of the largest dog beaches in the country, this is a great place to bring your pup if they enjoy the water.
28 locals recommend
Montrose Dog Beach - Dog Friendly Area - Temporarily Closed
West Wilson DriveOne of the largest dog beaches in the country, this is a great place to bring your pup if they enjoy the water.
Take the Rockwell Brown Line going towards the loop. Get off at Belmont and either, transfer to the Red Line going north (to Howard) to get off at Addison for the baseball stadium OR get off at Belmont and walk north. It's a great way to see the many restaurants and business in Wrigleyville.
1004 locals recommend
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison StTake the Rockwell Brown Line going towards the loop. Get off at Belmont and either, transfer to the Red Line going north (to Howard) to get off at Addison for the baseball stadium OR get off at Belmont and walk north. It's a great way to see the many restaurants and business in Wrigleyville.
Also known as 'The Magnificent Mile' this is a massive and upscale shopping district. Additionally, it connects you to Millennium park and the Art Museum.
20 locals recommend
Michigan Avenue
Michigan AvenueAlso known as 'The Magnificent Mile' this is a massive and upscale shopping district. Additionally, it connects you to Millennium park and the Art Museum.
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveOur local music school hosts many traveling acts!
Well, of course we have to mention this place, we work there. If you're able, we always recommend catching an ETC or Mainstage show - Many a SNL cast member or writer started here.
If you can't make it to a show, the school is still a beautiful place to walk around, open to the public.
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North AveWell, of course we have to mention this place, we work there. If you're able, we always recommend catching an ETC or Mainstage show - Many a SNL cast member or writer started here.
If you can't make it to a show, the school is still a beautiful place to walk around, open to the public.
This. Just this. Seeing the city from the vantage point is a great way to see Chicago.
34 locals recommend
Architectural Tour
1220 W Le Moyne StThis. Just this. Seeing the city from the vantage point is a great way to see Chicago.
Great place to spend a summer day, play in the waves, have a picnic, rent a bike and ride the lakeshore bike path.
297 locals recommend
Montrose Beach
Great place to spend a summer day, play in the waves, have a picnic, rent a bike and ride the lakeshore bike path.
Parks within walking distance
A great place to leisurely sit in the grass, watch people walk their dogs, and enjoy the many t-ball and little league baseball games.
65 locals recommend
Winnemac Park
5100 N Leavitt StA great place to leisurely sit in the grass, watch people walk their dogs, and enjoy the many t-ball and little league baseball games.
A great location if you're traveling with kids. There are multiple playgrounds within the park. Additionally, a river walk, a running track, and during the hot summers a community pool which has a gated splash pad for the kiddos to enjoy. If we're going to the park, this is the one we're most likely headed to.
30 locals recommend
River Park
5100 N Francisco AveA great location if you're traveling with kids. There are multiple playgrounds within the park. Additionally, a river walk, a running track, and during the hot summers a community pool which has a gated splash pad for the kiddos to enjoy. If we're going to the park, this is the one we're most likely headed to.
So sometimes you might need to take your kids to a playground so they can run themselves to exhaustion. This is where our kids go to school. Walk west on Carmen then turn right and you'll be right there.
Outside of school hours and scheduled school events, the playground and track are open for public use.
Lyman A Budlong Public School
2701 West Foster AvenueSo sometimes you might need to take your kids to a playground so they can run themselves to exhaustion. This is where our kids go to school. Walk west on Carmen then turn right and you'll be right there.
Outside of school hours and scheduled school events, the playground and track are open for public use.
Playground, a nature walk, baseball fields, all across from our local library. 20 minute walk.
63 locals recommend
Welles Park
2333 W Sunnyside AvePlayground, a nature walk, baseball fields, all across from our local library. 20 minute walk.
Some everyday, useful staples within walking distance
Local grocery store. They cater to our diverse neighborhood offering Mexican, Polish, Japanese, and Mediterranean ingredients as well as common grocery store brands.
128 locals recommend
Tony's Fresh Market
3607 W Fullerton AveLocal grocery store. They cater to our diverse neighborhood offering Mexican, Polish, Japanese, and Mediterranean ingredients as well as common grocery store brands.
Great grocery store for fresh fruits and vegetables. It's on the smaller side, however, and because of that, some of their boxed goods can be pricier than if you went to Tony's Grocery. When we're just needing to produce, this is where we go.
46 locals recommend
HarvesTime Foods
2632 W Lawrence AveGreat grocery store for fresh fruits and vegetables. It's on the smaller side, however, and because of that, some of their boxed goods can be pricier than if you went to Tony's Grocery. When we're just needing to produce, this is where we go.
Sometimes you just want a donut and coffee to get your day started. This is very close and walkable.
126 locals recommend
Dunkin'
2565 W Fullerton AveSometimes you just want a donut and coffee to get your day started. This is very close and walkable.
For fast provisions, this is one street north of our place. It's about a quarter of a block behind our house.
246 locals recommend
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayFor fast provisions, this is one street north of our place. It's about a quarter of a block behind our house.
Useful staples NOT within walking distance.
Target
4466 N BroadwayTraveler advice
Getting around
Taking the "EL" is a great way to see the city!
The Rockwell, Brown line stop is around a 10 minute walk from our home. Go south down Rockwell. You'll cross over Lawrence and it's about a block after that.
Get on going southbound - The train lines will say "towards the loop." This train will take you from our neighborhood, over many other great areas of interest like Wrigglyville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and down into the loop.
At the loop it will take a large circular path giving you ample opportunities to get off and see the city, museums and parks.