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 locals recommend
The Perfect Cup
4700 N Damen AveGreat 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 locals recommend
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveMy 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 locals recommend
Chicago's Pizza
3114 N Lincoln AvePizza 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 locals recommend
Starbucks
6738 N Sheridan RdSometimes, 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 locals recommend
Dolce Casa Cafe
4947 N Damen AveHighly 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 locals recommend
Aroy Thai
4654 N Damen AveOne 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 locals recommend
Gather
4539 N Lincoln Avegather 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 locals recommend
Taqueria El Asadero - Chicago
2213 W Montrose AveCarne. 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 locals recommend
Fountainhead
1970 W Montrose AveMy 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 locals recommend
Ravenswood station
4800 N Ravenswood AveIt'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 locals recommend
The Bad Apple
4300 N Lincoln AveTheir 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 locals recommend
Half Acre Beer Company
4257 N Lincoln AveKiller 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 locals recommend
CVS
5205 N BroadwayBeautiful 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
Jewel-Osco
4250 N Lincoln AveFull 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 locals recommend
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveYour 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 locals recommend
The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayWorld-class jazz in an ancient former speakeasy. Al Capone used the tunnels in the basement. No, really.