Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
This is a neighborhood institution. The ice cream is a major throwback to soda fountain days. They're known for their overflowing banana splits and sundaes. It's packed almost every night of the week but especially weekends. Best times to visit would be during the day on week days.
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Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveThis is a neighborhood institution. The ice cream is a major throwback to soda fountain days. They're known for their overflowing banana splits and sundaes. It's packed almost every night of the week but especially weekends. Best times to visit would be during the day on week days.
This is our go-to date night spot. The food is delicious and they change the menu every week depending on what's in season. Everything they make is in house and delicious. It's pricey but worth it.
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Table, Donkey and Stick
2728 W Armitage AveThis is our go-to date night spot. The food is delicious and they change the menu every week depending on what's in season. Everything they make is in house and delicious. It's pricey but worth it.
Even though Ipsento is the chain they serve delicious coffee and light bites. Also, each location has a different vibe with local art work so it never gets boring.
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Ipsento Coffee
2035 N Western AveEven though Ipsento is the chain they serve delicious coffee and light bites. Also, each location has a different vibe with local art work so it never gets boring.
If you're in the mood for Cuban soul food this is the place! It's BYOB but they supply mixers for sangria, margaritas, etc. The portions are big and the prices are low. It's a win-win!
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90 Miles Cuban Cafe
2540 W Armitage AveIf you're in the mood for Cuban soul food this is the place! It's BYOB but they supply mixers for sangria, margaritas, etc. The portions are big and the prices are low. It's a win-win!
Everything here is delicious and the place is always packed. If you're looking for something to warm you up during the chilly winter months, look no further!
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Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveEverything here is delicious and the place is always packed. If you're looking for something to warm you up during the chilly winter months, look no further!
The best biscuits and pies in the surrounding neighborhood. And the hot chocolate is pretty killer too. This place is always packed and you can smell the bakery from the outside!
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Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
2051 N California AveThe best biscuits and pies in the surrounding neighborhood. And the hot chocolate is pretty killer too. This place is always packed and you can smell the bakery from the outside!
Hands down the best hamburger and fries you can get in the neighborhood. It's an outpost of the famed Au Cheval but just for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Go in the summer to hang out in their backyard.
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveHands down the best hamburger and fries you can get in the neighborhood. It's an outpost of the famed Au Cheval but just for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Go in the summer to hang out in their backyard.
New restaurant specializing in delicious modern Mexican fare. Delicious food and super romantic vibes. Also they have a secret bar around the back!
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Lonesome Rose
2101 N California AveNew restaurant specializing in delicious modern Mexican fare. Delicious food and super romantic vibes. Also they have a secret bar around the back!
The go-to dumpling place in Chinatown. Always packed with people and a huge selection of dumplings and other delicious foods.
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Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
2002 S Wentworth AveThe go-to dumpling place in Chinatown. Always packed with people and a huge selection of dumplings and other delicious foods.
Heavenly French food. Always bustling but totally worth the wait.
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Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen AveHeavenly French food. Always bustling but totally worth the wait.
The best ice cream. Adventurous flavors that change monthly and FRESH waffle cones.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveThe best ice cream. Adventurous flavors that change monthly and FRESH waffle cones.
Farm to table that is always worth the wait. If you go for brunch check out their rotating breakfast sandwich special!
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Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdFarm to table that is always worth the wait. If you go for brunch check out their rotating breakfast sandwich special!
Lovely cafe with delicious baked goods and farm to table fare. Everything here is fresh and delicious.
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Cellar Door Provisions
3025 W Diversey AveLovely cafe with delicious baked goods and farm to table fare. Everything here is fresh and delicious.
They always have delicious flavor combos that are totally original. And it’s less than a 10 minute walk away!
Yolk - Test Kitchen
1767 N Milwaukee AveThey always have delicious flavor combos that are totally original. And it’s less than a 10 minute walk away!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is another one of our go-to spots. It's definitely a dive but they have a full roster of events every night. McDonald is a regular at the Stand-Up Open Mic on Wednesdays and I go to their figure drawing night on Tuesdays.
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Cole's Bar
2338 N Milwaukee AveThis is another one of our go-to spots. It's definitely a dive but they have a full roster of events every night. McDonald is a regular at the Stand-Up Open Mic on Wednesdays and I go to their figure drawing night on Tuesdays.
Fun bar with lots of classic pinball and arcade games. They also host great pop-ups so try and catch one next door!
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Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveFun bar with lots of classic pinball and arcade games. They also host great pop-ups so try and catch one next door!
I love this bar because it's got a great chill vibe and delicious drinks. There's an ever-changing front window installation and local artwork on rotation. Plus great live music.
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The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveI love this bar because it's got a great chill vibe and delicious drinks. There's an ever-changing front window installation and local artwork on rotation. Plus great live music.
Great place for local improv/comedy open mics. Check out Cupcake Cabaret on Thursdays and you might catch McDonald there!
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Gallery Cabaret
2020 N Oakley AveGreat place for local improv/comedy open mics. Check out Cupcake Cabaret on Thursdays and you might catch McDonald there!
Tiki bar with delicious drinks and fun decor- what’s not to love?
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Lost Lake
3154 W Diversey AveTiki bar with delicious drinks and fun decor- what’s not to love?
A rowdy arcade bar that is known for their monthly themed pop-up bars next door. Great fun if you love games!
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Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveA rowdy arcade bar that is known for their monthly themed pop-up bars next door. Great fun if you love games!
Parks & Nature
The 606 is an old train track that has been turned into an elevated promenade. It's a perfect spot for a morning run or bike ride. Several of the exits are entrances into parks through Logan Square/Buctown/Wicker Park.
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Bloomingdale Trail
Bloomingdale TrailThe 606 is an old train track that has been turned into an elevated promenade. It's a perfect spot for a morning run or bike ride. Several of the exits are entrances into parks through Logan Square/Buctown/Wicker Park.
It’s a free zoo in a beautiful park- what else do you need?
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Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StIt’s a free zoo in a beautiful park- what else do you need?
Briefly the home of the infamous Chance The Snapper, Humboldt Park is the perfect place for a little nature getaway in the neighborhood. This park has lovely trails as well as swan paddleboats and trolley bikes. On any given summer's day you can find live music, local food vendors, fisherman, and family picnics. If you're luck you can even catch a little league game on the weekends.
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Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrBriefly the home of the infamous Chance The Snapper, Humboldt Park is the perfect place for a little nature getaway in the neighborhood. This park has lovely trails as well as swan paddleboats and trolley bikes. On any given summer's day you can find live music, local food vendors, fisherman, and family picnics. If you're luck you can even catch a little league game on the weekends.
Lovely botanical garden with a huge selection of plant life. It's a wonderful place to go on a rainy day.
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Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveLovely botanical garden with a huge selection of plant life. It's a wonderful place to go on a rainy day.
Essentials
Fresh Market Place has a great selection of affordable produce and other groceries.
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Fresh Market Place
2134 N Western AveFresh Market Place has a great selection of affordable produce and other groceries.
Perfect for no frills essential groceries. Less variety than Fresh Market but you can't beat the price!
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Aldi
3363 N Milwaukee AvePerfect for no frills essential groceries. Less variety than Fresh Market but you can't beat the price!
Getting Around
This is the closest CTA train stop by our place. Your really can't get much closer to the subway without hearing it! A ten minute ride to the Loop and it's open 24 hours.
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Western Blue Line Station
This is the closest CTA train stop by our place. Your really can't get much closer to the subway without hearing it! A ten minute ride to the Loop and it's open 24 hours.
Shopping
This is a tiny toy store specializing in vintage toys and ephemera. They also have group art shows monthly. A fun place to browse through on a lazy Sunday.
Toy de Jour
2532 W Fullerton AveThis is a tiny toy store specializing in vintage toys and ephemera. They also have group art shows monthly. A fun place to browse through on a lazy Sunday.
A shop and gallery focusing on the occult. They often have events on tarot reading, crystals, and other spiritual experiences.
Sideshow Gallery
2219 N Western AveA shop and gallery focusing on the occult. They often have events on tarot reading, crystals, and other spiritual experiences.
Arts & Culture
If you can only go to one museum, go here. It has all of the classics along with interesting special exhibits. Plus they are open late on Thursdays and it's free for IL residents (but all they ask for is a zip code!)
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The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveIf you can only go to one museum, go here. It has all of the classics along with interesting special exhibits. Plus they are open late on Thursdays and it's free for IL residents (but all they ask for is a zip code!)
If you can only fit in 2 museums, pick MCA and AIC. Free days for IL residents are on Tuesdays and they don't check either! Lots of awesome exhibits and a really beautiful modern building. In the summer there is free jazz outside at night!
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Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E Chicago AveIf you can only fit in 2 museums, pick MCA and AIC. Free days for IL residents are on Tuesdays and they don't check either! Lots of awesome exhibits and a really beautiful modern building. In the summer there is free jazz outside at night!