Guidebook for Chicago

Dennis
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Best thin-crust pizza in Chicago.
97 locals recommend
Coalfire
1321 W Grand Ave
97 locals recommend
Best thin-crust pizza in Chicago.
Really close.
213 locals recommend
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee Ave
213 locals recommend
Really close.
Excellent (and very popular) Mexican brunch.
94 locals recommend
Flo
1434 W Chicago Ave
94 locals recommend
Excellent (and very popular) Mexican brunch.
Mostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
97 locals recommend
The Publican
837 W Fulton Market
97 locals recommend
Mostly seafood, meat and beer. All of it great, in a really interesting space. One of my faves.
A top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
87 locals recommend
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph St
87 locals recommend
A top 5 Chicago restaurant. Casual with really amazing food. The bacon-wrapped dates with chorizo are still mind blowing.
Great design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
53 locals recommend
Soho House Chicago
113-125 N Green St
53 locals recommend
Great design and atmosphere in the lobby bar/lounge- plus two good casual restaurants (Chicken Shop, Pizza East). All open to non-members. Almost as good as the members bar & rooftop pool. Classy&hip.
Amazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
107 locals recommend
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green St
107 locals recommend
Amazing Texas-style BBQ. Also a pretty cool atmosphere- in that Brandon Sodikoff "I'll spend millions to make everything look old" & "You can tell I copy everything I see in NYC" kind of way...
Tacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
1176 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
1176 locals recommend
Tacos. Amazing Tacos. And whiskey and LOUD music- in the heart of the Wicker Park action. Insanely popular at peak hours. A great patio in the summer. Steps from the Blue line stop at Damen.
Lunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
113 locals recommend
Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen Ave
113 locals recommend
Lunch counter/diner concept from the Big Star folks next door.
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
57 locals recommend
Mana Food Bar
57 locals recommend
Great, intimate small-plate vegetarian restaurant. Really good food- even to carnivores.
If you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
116 locals recommend
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division St
116 locals recommend
If you want to order BBQ for delivery this is the place. Also a decent place to eat in- just not as flashy as all the other newcomers.
Decent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
68 locals recommend
Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago Ave
68 locals recommend
Decent indie coffee shop- and directly in front of the Blue line entrance at Chicago Ave.
New, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
37 locals recommend
Charlatan
1329 West Chicago Avenue
37 locals recommend
New, casual Italian joint- and the closest proper dining. I've only had drinks here so far. Stick to Noble St. and Chicago Ave if walking there at night- there's a few sketchy folks over near there.
Chicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
936 locals recommend
Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie Blvd
936 locals recommend
Chicago's original farm-to-table cafe- waaay before it was a thing. Great- and popular- place for dinner and brunch. In a really beautiful space in Logan Square.
An (indie) rock bar/lounge- that serves amazing Cajun food.
42 locals recommend
Analogue
42 locals recommend
An (indie) rock bar/lounge- that serves amazing Cajun food.
Meats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie Ave
830 locals recommend
Meats & whiskeys- in what I think they now call a 'gastro-pub'. Includes requisite old-timey atmosphere imported from Brooklyn. Very popular. I like the 'off-site' bar in back a lot.
Cool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
47 locals recommend
Yusho
2853 North Kedzie Avenue
47 locals recommend
Cool Asian place- just not sure which kind of Asian. Really good food and drinks regardless.
In case you really need a sub.
39 locals recommend
Jimmy John's
51 W Division St
39 locals recommend
In case you really need a sub.
Fried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
658 locals recommend
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage Ave
658 locals recommend
Fried chicken and fish, beer and frozen Negroni's- all on a huge, really nice outdoor patio just off the boulevard. Outdoor ping pong too. My favorite place in the summer.
Really good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.
468 locals recommend
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California Ave
468 locals recommend
Really good pie by the slice- or whole. And biscuits and coffee and stuff.

Shopping

Closest pharmacy
142 locals recommend
CVS
771 N Ogden Ave
142 locals recommend
Closest pharmacy
Wicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
50 locals recommend
Penelope's
1913 W Division St
50 locals recommend
Wicker Park's best indie boutique for men & women. Hipster before they invented hipster. Also lots of other shops and bars on this stretch of Division.
Cool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
Steven Alan
1659 N Damen Ave
Cool boutique for men & women. Lots of other shopping and bars on this stretch of Damen. Close to where J&T used to live.
If you're into this kind of thing.
19 locals recommend
Marc Jacobs
11 E Walton St
19 locals recommend
If you're into this kind of thing.
Looking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
diptyque
1645 N Damen Ave
Looking for expensive, fragrant and classy French candles? Great gifts. And they do smell really good.
A small Nike store with just running gear.
7 locals recommend
Nike Bucktown
1640 N Damen Ave
7 locals recommend
A small Nike store with just running gear.
Michigan Ave shopping.
20 locals recommend
Apple Michigan Avenue
401 N Michigan Ave
20 locals recommend
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping.
11 locals recommend
Nike Chicago
669 N Michigan Ave
11 locals recommend
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping.
12 locals recommend
Topshop Topman
830 N Michigan Ave
12 locals recommend
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping.
16 locals recommend
Bloomingdale's
900 North Michigan Avenue
16 locals recommend
Michigan Ave shopping.
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
40 locals recommend
Nordstrom Wedding Suite - Michigan Avenue
40 locals recommend
Michigan Ave shopping- and directly on the Grand Ave bus line.
Shopping.
21 locals recommend
Barneys New York, Chicago
15 E Oak St
21 locals recommend
Shopping.
In case you need a killer (and affordable) suit.
Suitsupply Chicago
945 N Rush St
In case you need a killer (and affordable) suit.
Shopping.
Jack Spade
47 E Oak St
Shopping.
Very cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.
iD Chicago
2130 N Damen Ave
Very cool modern home furnishings store- furniture, small accessories, art objects etc. Good gifts.

Drinks & Nightlife

Old school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
56 locals recommend
Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee Ave
56 locals recommend
Old school- and TINY (hence the name) - cocktail & beer bar. Nice patio in the summer.
Lots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
50 locals recommend
Twisted Spoke
501 N Ogden Ave
50 locals recommend
Lots of beer and burgers if you're in the mood for that kind of thing.
The original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
81 locals recommend
Rainbo Club
1150 N Damen Ave
81 locals recommend
The original Wicker Park artist/indie bar (hipster in today's parlance). Started it all 25+ years ago. Good atmosphere. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
65 locals recommend
The Charleston Bar Chicago
65 locals recommend
Quiet, hidden local bar in Bucktown. Old but updated and beautiful.
A Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
100 locals recommend
Bangers and Lace
1670 W Division St
100 locals recommend
A Chicago bar copying a Brooklyn bar copying a Belgian bar. Nice atmosphere and a good beer selection and cocktails regardless. Best on a warm summer afternoon or evening when they open up the doors.
Chicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
116 locals recommend
Sportsman's Club
948 N Western Ave
116 locals recommend
Chicago finally got it's own Brooklyn-style bar. Lots of taxidermy (5 years late, but whatever) and a good beer selection and cocktails. Great vibe, nice large patio. In my top 5 Chicago bars.
An imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
37 locals recommend
Lone Wolf
806 W Randolph St
37 locals recommend
An imitation of a dive bar, but still the only decent bar on Randolph.
Ultra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
77 locals recommend
The Aviary
955 W Fulton Market
77 locals recommend
Ultra-fancy and interesting cocktails- and the only Grant Achatz concept i'll endorse. Because you can actually make a reservation rather easily- and you don't have to spend a million bucks.
Chicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
355 locals recommend
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 locals recommend
Chicago's original entry to the "secret" cocktail bar race (again, 5 years after the fact). Still very popular these days. There will probably be a line to get in on weekends. Across from Big Star.
Logan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
144 locals recommend
Billy Sunday
3143 W Logan Blvd
144 locals recommend
Logan Square's fancy cocktail bar. A really good one at that. Makes for a nice outing paired with dinner at Lula around the corner.
A giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
139 locals recommend
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee Ave
139 locals recommend
A giant hipster/gaming/entertainment hall- pool, video games, air hockey, pinball, craft beer etc. Lots of other hip nightlife stuff on this stretch of Milwaukee. All the cool kids are here.
Logan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
101 locals recommend
Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom
3340 N Kedzie Ave
101 locals recommend
Logan Square micro-brewery and pub/restaurant. Can be loud and kinda obnoxious. I wouldn't really bother unless you're into Revolution's line of beers.
The website says it best: "DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
127 locals recommend
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee Ave
127 locals recommend
The website says it best: "DJs, dancing, bottled cocktails, rad beers and skeeball. It’s a party every night in Logan Square."
The closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.
J Patrick's Irish Bar Grill
1367 W Erie St
The closest bar. OK for a beer or two. But then you start getting annoyed by the TVs, shitty sport and beer banners hanging everywhere and bad food ruining what could/should be an great local bar.

Essentials

Closest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
23 locals recommend
The Noble Grape
802 N Bishop St
23 locals recommend
Closest wine shop- with a good selection, prices and friendly staff. Ask them for recommendations.
The other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
43 locals recommend
Lush Wine & Spirits
1412 W Chicago Ave
43 locals recommend
The other closest wine shop. Flashier and bigger selection than The Noble Grape (two doors down) - but not as personable and the selection is kinda confusing/overwhelming.
Closest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
866 locals recommend
Closest, large grocery store with lots of organic and gourmet options plus basics. But I still prefer Whole Foods- which takes about the same time to get to (both 10 minutes tops via car or taxi).
Huge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.
836 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted St
836 locals recommend
Huge- with a couple in-store restaurants and bars. There's also lots of other (common) shopping around here- J. Crew, Gap, Apple store, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Anthropologie, Best Buy etc.

Arts & Culture

Weird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be: http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/
27 locals recommend
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N Milwaukee Ave
27 locals recommend
Weird, small gallery/museum dedicated to 'outsider' art. Go if you're into Henry Darger- or want to be: http://www.art.org/collection/henry-darger/

Sightseeing

Look these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
114 locals recommend
Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker Dr
114 locals recommend
Look these guys up and book an architectural boat tour on the river. This should be at the top of your list on a visit to Chicago- up there with Millennium Park, the Art Institute and seeing the lake.
Because.
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 locals recommend
Because.
Where we keep The Bean.
473 locals recommend
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph St
473 locals recommend
Where we keep The Bean.
Gotta see it to understand it.
52 locals recommend
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
201 E Randolph St
52 locals recommend
Gotta see it to understand it.
Art. Sometimes good art.
532 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave
532 locals recommend
Art. Sometimes good art.

Everything Else

Not as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
30 locals recommend
Grand
502 N Milwaukee Ave
30 locals recommend
Not as close as the Chicago Avenue stop- but you can take the bus there/back.
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
65 locals recommend
Chicago & Milwaukee station
65 locals recommend
The closest Blue Line stop. A 5 minute walk. You can also catch the Chicago Avenue bus line (route 66) here or at Chicago & Noble, which takes you directly to Michigan Ave/River North.
The middle of Wicker Park. 2 stops away.
22 locals recommend
Damen Blue Line Station
South Damen Avenue
22 locals recommend
The middle of Wicker Park. 2 stops away.
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
135 locals recommend
Cta Blue Line - Logan Square station
135 locals recommend
Easy access to Longman & Eagle, Lula, Billy Sunday, Yusho, Analog etc.
The closest Divvy Bike Share station.
32 locals recommend
Divvy
32 locals recommend
The closest Divvy Bike Share station.