Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Amato's pizza has been a staple in the neighborhood when it comes to anything pizza. Dough made fresh daily, great mozzarella cheese and quality ingredients in addition to a hole menu that offers a good variety on Italian food. From lunch to midnight, from cab car to squad car, everyone makes a stop at Amato's for a good bite to eat.
8 locals recommend
Amato's Pizza
1745 N Harlem AveAmato's pizza has been a staple in the neighborhood when it comes to anything pizza. Dough made fresh daily, great mozzarella cheese and quality ingredients in addition to a hole menu that offers a good variety on Italian food. From lunch to midnight, from cab car to squad car, everyone makes a stop at Amato's for a good bite to eat.
A small local bakery that specializes in delicious paczki (a Polish jelly or cream donut essentially). They also have a good variety of cakes, cookies and other confectioneries for sale.
Smakowski Bakery
6744 West Belmont AvenueA small local bakery that specializes in delicious paczki (a Polish jelly or cream donut essentially). They also have a good variety of cakes, cookies and other confectioneries for sale.
Johnnie's Beef is the best neighborhood greasy spoon that specializes in the iconic Italian Beef. I have eaten here so often, I've lost count. There's always a line out the door, it's tht good! I always have mine juicy with sweet peppers and melted cheese. Fantastic!
28 locals recommend
Johnnie's Beef
7500 W North AveJohnnie's Beef is the best neighborhood greasy spoon that specializes in the iconic Italian Beef. I have eaten here so often, I've lost count. There's always a line out the door, it's tht good! I always have mine juicy with sweet peppers and melted cheese. Fantastic!
Amazing sushi bar. The quality and selection of fresh fish. Enjoy a hefty portion of sashimi, with six different types of fish, plus shrimp, and octopus for $28? That's a steal, if you ask me. The fish always tastes extremely fresh and very delicious, with or without slathering it in soy or other sauces. I always bring guests here to entertain.
27 locals recommend
SEN Sushi Bar
814 S Oak Park AveAmazing sushi bar. The quality and selection of fresh fish. Enjoy a hefty portion of sashimi, with six different types of fish, plus shrimp, and octopus for $28? That's a steal, if you ask me. The fish always tastes extremely fresh and very delicious, with or without slathering it in soy or other sauces. I always bring guests here to entertain.
Great local place for the perfect Chicago-style hot dog. I've ordered pretty much everything on the menu and haven't been disappointed. I really appreciate the goal of the restaurant in providing a chance for those with criminal records to find employment too.
Felony Franks
6427 West North AvenueGreat local place for the perfect Chicago-style hot dog. I've ordered pretty much everything on the menu and haven't been disappointed. I really appreciate the goal of the restaurant in providing a chance for those with criminal records to find employment too.
Great authentic Brazilian cuisine with great prices. I eat here often with my family. I would recommend the Lentil Soup, the Picanha sandwich and the chocolate cake. The atmosphere is lovely too.
7 locals recommend
Taste of Brasil
906 S Oak Park AveGreat authentic Brazilian cuisine with great prices. I eat here often with my family. I would recommend the Lentil Soup, the Picanha sandwich and the chocolate cake. The atmosphere is lovely too.
Drinks & Nightlife
Hubble Hookah features a relaxing ambiance paired with fine hookah tobacco locally. They offer organic espresso, teas and gourmet dishes. Please call ahead for scheduling groups of 3 or more. Enjoy the down tempo atmosphere, great food, and yummy hookah.
Hubble Hookah
3308 Harlem AveHubble Hookah features a relaxing ambiance paired with fine hookah tobacco locally. They offer organic espresso, teas and gourmet dishes. Please call ahead for scheduling groups of 3 or more. Enjoy the down tempo atmosphere, great food, and yummy hookah.
I have been a patron of this establishment since the 1970s. I would recommend the Navy Grog and Kokomo drinks. The food is great too, excellent Polynesian cuisine. I would recommend visiting towards sunset because nothing is better than enjoying a great cocktail with the sun setting and the cool night air rushing over you.
11 locals recommend
Hala Kahiki Lounge
2834 River RdI have been a patron of this establishment since the 1970s. I would recommend the Navy Grog and Kokomo drinks. The food is great too, excellent Polynesian cuisine. I would recommend visiting towards sunset because nothing is better than enjoying a great cocktail with the sun setting and the cool night air rushing over you.
Sightseeing
The Cernan Earth and Space Center is a planetarium on the campus of Triton College in the Chicago suburb of River Grove and it is open to public. It is named for astronaut Eugene Cernan (who was from Chicago), who flew aboard the Gemini 9 and Apollo 10 missions and, as commander of Apollo 17, was the last astronaut on the moon. The Cernan Center offers a wide range of programs to persons of all ages who attend its special school and group presentations and weekend public programs. Don't forget to stop at the Star Store gift shop (also online). Open all year, however for general public primary offering is its schedule of dome theater programs on Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sunday after
6 locals recommend
Cernan Earth & Space Center
2000 5th AveThe Cernan Earth and Space Center is a planetarium on the campus of Triton College in the Chicago suburb of River Grove and it is open to public. It is named for astronaut Eugene Cernan (who was from Chicago), who flew aboard the Gemini 9 and Apollo 10 missions and, as commander of Apollo 17, was the last astronaut on the moon. The Cernan Center offers a wide range of programs to persons of all ages who attend its special school and group presentations and weekend public programs. Don't forget to stop at the Star Store gift shop (also online). Open all year, however for general public primary offering is its schedule of dome theater programs on Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sunday after
Arts & Culture
Pleasant Home is another of Oak Park's culturally significant landmarks. Over 100 years old, Pleasant Home is considered one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Prairie School Architecture in the nation, and is operated by the Pleasant Home Foundation as a living museum, which is open to the public and offers a year-round schedule of educational programs, community events and festivals and cultural performances. Pleasant Home was designed in 1897 by noted architect George W. Maher for investment banker and philanthropist John W. Farson and his wife Mamie Ashworth Farson. The design of Pleasant Home broke with the traditional Queen Anne and colonial revival styles.
22 locals recommend
Pleasant Home
217 Home AvePleasant Home is another of Oak Park's culturally significant landmarks. Over 100 years old, Pleasant Home is considered one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of Prairie School Architecture in the nation, and is operated by the Pleasant Home Foundation as a living museum, which is open to the public and offers a year-round schedule of educational programs, community events and festivals and cultural performances. Pleasant Home was designed in 1897 by noted architect George W. Maher for investment banker and philanthropist John W. Farson and his wife Mamie Ashworth Farson. The design of Pleasant Home broke with the traditional Queen Anne and colonial revival styles.
Established in 1931, the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History served as the first public nature education facility of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Visitors to the Museum, housed in a historic mid-1870′s Victorian mansion, will discover displays of live native animals, colorful wildflower gardens, information about local wildlife and their habitats, and more. Natural-surfaced hiking trails through the surrounding Forest Preserve wind through beautiful oak woodlands and floodplain forest, and to a pond and along the Des Plaines River. Check ahead for hours. Children-friendly activities. Also a great path to hike here too.
6 locals recommend
Trailside Museum of Natural History
738 Thatcher AveEstablished in 1931, the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History served as the first public nature education facility of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Visitors to the Museum, housed in a historic mid-1870′s Victorian mansion, will discover displays of live native animals, colorful wildflower gardens, information about local wildlife and their habitats, and more. Natural-surfaced hiking trails through the surrounding Forest Preserve wind through beautiful oak woodlands and floodplain forest, and to a pond and along the Des Plaines River. Check ahead for hours. Children-friendly activities. Also a great path to hike here too.
The Ernest Hemingway Museum is located inside the Oak Park Arts Center and features the history behind the prolific writer's life. The museum is host to permanent and temporary exhibits that explore the author's life. Special exhibits highlight Hemingway's love of nature and the arts, along with his involvement in both World Wars and the movies. His birthplace is located nearby @ 339 North Oak Park Avenue.
70 locals recommend
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum
339 N Oak Park AveThe Ernest Hemingway Museum is located inside the Oak Park Arts Center and features the history behind the prolific writer's life. The museum is host to permanent and temporary exhibits that explore the author's life. Special exhibits highlight Hemingway's love of nature and the arts, along with his involvement in both World Wars and the movies. His birthplace is located nearby @ 339 North Oak Park Avenue.
This is an excellent library that is funded by the 50,000+ residents of Oak Park, IL. The staff is always on-point and engaged. I have high praise for the children's section. The library was recently went through a multi-million dollar remodeling and you're first impression of the modern and sleek building looking over Scovile Park is amazing. If you're looking for a quiet environment conducive to working or studying, this is the place.
21 locals recommend
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake StThis is an excellent library that is funded by the 50,000+ residents of Oak Park, IL. The staff is always on-point and engaged. I have high praise for the children's section. The library was recently went through a multi-million dollar remodeling and you're first impression of the modern and sleek building looking over Scovile Park is amazing. If you're looking for a quiet environment conducive to working or studying, this is the place.
The house is an Architectural landmark in the heart of Chicago. It showcase Frank Lloyd Wright's philosophy and passion in the field of architecture. There are an array of exhibits and tours available.
184 locals recommend
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago AveThe house is an Architectural landmark in the heart of Chicago. It showcase Frank Lloyd Wright's philosophy and passion in the field of architecture. There are an array of exhibits and tours available.
Shopping
Outdoor shopping mall. Several business including Lowe's, Target, a nearby Home Depot and a dozens of other stores. Starbucks, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts and many other places to eat.
13 locals recommend
The Brickyard
2600 N Narragansett AveOutdoor shopping mall. Several business including Lowe's, Target, a nearby Home Depot and a dozens of other stores. Starbucks, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts and many other places to eat.
The neighborhood mall. Many stores here like Best Buy, Target and too many outlets to mention. Recently renovated, it is a very modern facility. Bring a full wallet and expect it to be depleted by the end of your day. There are also many independent stores located nearby including a Rolling Stones. In short, you can find everything here.
41 locals recommend
Harlem Irving Plaza
4104 N Harlem AveThe neighborhood mall. Many stores here like Best Buy, Target and too many outlets to mention. Recently renovated, it is a very modern facility. Bring a full wallet and expect it to be depleted by the end of your day. There are also many independent stores located nearby including a Rolling Stones. In short, you can find everything here.
Essentials
If you are looking for the best local sub, then forget about Subway, Jimmy John's or Pot Belly. Alpine Food Shop is where you want to spend your money. The flagship sandwich is the Alpine sub, but they have many others to choose from. If you're looking for the best Italian sausages in the area, look no further. They carry a small selection of Italian staples as well; antipasta's, salads, branded sauces, giardiniera and Italian bread. There are a few outstanding Chicago delis and Alpine stands tall amongst them.
6 locals recommend
Alpine Food Shop
7538 W North AveIf you are looking for the best local sub, then forget about Subway, Jimmy John's or Pot Belly. Alpine Food Shop is where you want to spend your money. The flagship sandwich is the Alpine sub, but they have many others to choose from. If you're looking for the best Italian sausages in the area, look no further. They carry a small selection of Italian staples as well; antipasta's, salads, branded sauces, giardiniera and Italian bread. There are a few outstanding Chicago delis and Alpine stands tall amongst them.
Kolatek's Bakery and Deli specializes in home style, fresh Polish food. From delicious confectioneries to smoked kielbasa sausage, everything here is great. Bring home fully cooked dinners for the family. A few choice items to name are the fine variety of homemade soups, the best damn fresh baked bread, a huge selection of smoked sausages and meats, plus the all-important pierogis. Because it's usually staffed with Polish deli hands and bakers, language can be a barrier. Simply do what we all do in Chicago's menagerie of culturally distinct delis and markets, when in doubt, point and grunt! Always works.
Kolatek's Bakery
2445 N Harlem AveKolatek's Bakery and Deli specializes in home style, fresh Polish food. From delicious confectioneries to smoked kielbasa sausage, everything here is great. Bring home fully cooked dinners for the family. A few choice items to name are the fine variety of homemade soups, the best damn fresh baked bread, a huge selection of smoked sausages and meats, plus the all-important pierogis. Because it's usually staffed with Polish deli hands and bakers, language can be a barrier. Simply do what we all do in Chicago's menagerie of culturally distinct delis and markets, when in doubt, point and grunt! Always works.
In my opinion, the most complete local grocery story. Angelo Caputo's specializes in Italian food, but they offer much more. Great produce, amazing deli and sushi bar, and delicious bakery are good highlights. Bring home hot and professionally crafted entrees plus cereal, milk, and other necessities.
10 locals recommend
Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets - Elmwood Park
2400 N Harlem AveIn my opinion, the most complete local grocery story. Angelo Caputo's specializes in Italian food, but they offer much more. Great produce, amazing deli and sushi bar, and delicious bakery are good highlights. Bring home hot and professionally crafted entrees plus cereal, milk, and other necessities.
Entertainment & Activities
Lake Street Theater is an old, iconic theater in the heart of downtown Oak Park. The best ticket prices around, affordable concessions, and a great atmosphere. Park in the parking garage around the corner, on the West facing side of the building.
72 locals recommend
Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre
1022 Lake StLake Street Theater is an old, iconic theater in the heart of downtown Oak Park. The best ticket prices around, affordable concessions, and a great atmosphere. Park in the parking garage around the corner, on the West facing side of the building.