Elliot & Deena’s Guidebook

Elliot & Deena
Elliot & Deena
Elliot & Deena’s Guidebook

Food scene

Gale Street Inn is a neighborhood staple. It is, by far, our favorite restaurant in Jefferson Park and within walking distance of our home (~8 minutes). It may have the best ribs in all of Chicago. It’s busier in the evenings with a lively bar, old-style interior, and delicious comfort food and a decent price. TIP: Get the Pullman Burger or the half-rack of ribs.
33 locals recommend
Gale Street Inn Chicago
4914 N Milwaukee Ave
33 locals recommend
Gale Street Inn is a neighborhood staple. It is, by far, our favorite restaurant in Jefferson Park and within walking distance of our home (~8 minutes). It may have the best ribs in all of Chicago. It’s busier in the evenings with a lively bar, old-style interior, and delicious comfort food and a decent price. TIP: Get the Pullman Burger or the half-rack of ribs.
Weston’s is a relaxing, modern, local cafe where you can get your coffee fix, sandwiches, or alcoholic refreshments from the bar. Sandwiches are hand-made so they take a little longer to serve when busy, but the freshness is worth it. It is a 7 minute walk from our home and located conveniently across the street from the CTA Blue Line station.
Weston's Coffee & Tap Co.
4872 N Milwaukee Ave
Weston’s is a relaxing, modern, local cafe where you can get your coffee fix, sandwiches, or alcoholic refreshments from the bar. Sandwiches are hand-made so they take a little longer to serve when busy, but the freshness is worth it. It is a 7 minute walk from our home and located conveniently across the street from the CTA Blue Line station.
This is our favorite Indian restaurant that we have visited on many occasions (and late nights!). It is Pakistani owned and located on the stretch of Devon Ave known as “Little India” (though it is actually a mix of Pakistani and Indian businesses/restaurants). It’s about a 20 minute drive from our home. Portions are large, rich, delicious, and very cheap. Excellent value. Parking can be found behind the restaurant, or metered-parking is available on Devon Ave. Please note it is a cash-only restaurant. There is an ATM inside. We highly recommend the chili-chicken biryani & butter chicken. Open until 4 AM every day.
37 locals recommend
Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant
2032 W Devon Ave
37 locals recommend
This is our favorite Indian restaurant that we have visited on many occasions (and late nights!). It is Pakistani owned and located on the stretch of Devon Ave known as “Little India” (though it is actually a mix of Pakistani and Indian businesses/restaurants). It’s about a 20 minute drive from our home. Portions are large, rich, delicious, and very cheap. Excellent value. Parking can be found behind the restaurant, or metered-parking is available on Devon Ave. Please note it is a cash-only restaurant. There is an ATM inside. We highly recommend the chili-chicken biryani & butter chicken. Open until 4 AM every day.
Gorilla is our go-to sushi joint in the neighborhood. Conveniently located 5 minutes away from the house.
7 locals recommend
Gorilla Sushi
4945 N Milwaukee Ave
7 locals recommend
Gorilla is our go-to sushi joint in the neighborhood. Conveniently located 5 minutes away from the house.
Elly’s is our personal favorite local spot for breakfast/brunch but their lunch menu is equally delicious. Contemporary atmosphere and good service. Very wide menu selection.
19 locals recommend
Elly's on Milwaukee
5310 N Milwaukee Ave
19 locals recommend
Elly’s is our personal favorite local spot for breakfast/brunch but their lunch menu is equally delicious. Contemporary atmosphere and good service. Very wide menu selection.
They make their own gelato and have a very Covid friendly order window. Toasted marshmallow and Mexican chocolate are our favs.
Ix-Chel Gelato
4968 N Milwaukee Ave
They make their own gelato and have a very Covid friendly order window. Toasted marshmallow and Mexican chocolate are our favs.
Best “Chicago Style” pizza in the area. We love the Chicago classic pizza.
163 locals recommend
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
3986 N Avondale Ave
163 locals recommend
Best “Chicago Style” pizza in the area. We love the Chicago classic pizza.
Favorite late night spot in the city. Great crepes, pasta, and cheap drinks.
26 locals recommend
Iguana Cafe
517 N Halsted St
26 locals recommend
Favorite late night spot in the city. Great crepes, pasta, and cheap drinks.
Handmade pasta. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Yes!
29 locals recommend
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
1020 W Madison St
29 locals recommend
Handmade pasta. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Yes!
Best downtown happy hour.
19 locals recommend
Sepia
123 N Jefferson St
19 locals recommend
Best downtown happy hour.
Champagne!
26 locals recommend
Pops for Champagne
601 N State St
26 locals recommend
Champagne!

Parks

Beautiful park just 1 block north of the apartment. Great place to take a relaxing walk. Has a playground to wear out the kids!
Roberts Square Park
5230 West Argyle Street
Beautiful park just 1 block north of the apartment. Great place to take a relaxing walk. Has a playground to wear out the kids!
219 locals recommend
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr
219 locals recommend
Free Zoo. Amazing place to walk around even in the winter when they do zoo lights.
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
1117 locals recommend
Free Zoo. Amazing place to walk around even in the winter when they do zoo lights.

Sightseeing

Great spots not in your guidebook. And some that are.
This is where most of the best restaurants in the city are located. Lovely little area.
89 locals recommend
West Loop
89 locals recommend
This is where most of the best restaurants in the city are located. Lovely little area.
On lower wacker. Definitely an experience. Cheesborger!
30 locals recommend
Billy Goat Tavern
Michigan Avenue
30 locals recommend
On lower wacker. Definitely an experience. Cheesborger!
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 locals recommend
Great cocktails and amazing views! Cocktails expensive, views free!
139 locals recommend
Cindy's
12 S Michigan Ave
139 locals recommend
Great cocktails and amazing views! Cocktails expensive, views free!

Spa

Love the facials here. Appointment only.
Mireille's Studio
49 E Oak St
Love the facials here. Appointment only.
Students massage is $40 and it’s amazing.
River North Massage Therapy Center
40 N LaSalle Dr
Students massage is $40 and it’s amazing.
For tweaks. I’ll never tell. Xoxo
Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago
363 W Erie St
For tweaks. I’ll never tell. Xoxo

City advice

Don't miss

Leave the loop.

The City is made up of a ton of cute neighborhoods. Logan square is great for hipster bars, West Loop great for Michelin star restaurants, Gold Coast for high end shopping.