Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
This pop-up burger joint is by the head chef at Au Cheval in the West Loop and has the absolute BEST burger in Chicago. It also has a cute patio and serves great craft beer.
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveThis pop-up burger joint is by the head chef at Au Cheval in the West Loop and has the absolute BEST burger in Chicago. It also has a cute patio and serves great craft beer.
This Korean BBQ restaurant is a spinoff of Belly Q in West Loop, and the food is incredible. If you need a quick bite that's much more interesting than the average sandwich shop, eat here.
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Belly Shack
1912 North Western AvenueThis Korean BBQ restaurant is a spinoff of Belly Q in West Loop, and the food is incredible. If you need a quick bite that's much more interesting than the average sandwich shop, eat here.
Best doughnuts in Chicago. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, and it's also outstanding. My recommendation: plain glazed. Best ever.
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Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveBest doughnuts in Chicago. They serve Intelligentsia coffee, and it's also outstanding. My recommendation: plain glazed. Best ever.
By far and away the best brunch I've ever had. Try the Lobster Roll Benedict. Amazing. They open at 9 and people start lining up at 8:30. They also have great Bloody Marys.
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Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveBy far and away the best brunch I've ever had. Try the Lobster Roll Benedict. Amazing. They open at 9 and people start lining up at 8:30. They also have great Bloody Marys.
Celebrity chef Rick Bayless (Top Chef), opened a sandwich shop in River North a few years ago, and last summer opened this second location. Try the Ahogada torta. It's like a Mexican french dip.
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Fonda Frontera
1471 North Milwaukee AvenueCelebrity chef Rick Bayless (Top Chef), opened a sandwich shop in River North a few years ago, and last summer opened this second location. Try the Ahogada torta. It's like a Mexican french dip.
Taco joint where the patio is nice, but always PACKED. They are often on an hour or two wait. The tacos are good but perhaps not worth a wait that long. If the patio's free, worth it for a margarita.
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveTaco joint where the patio is nice, but always PACKED. They are often on an hour or two wait. The tacos are good but perhaps not worth a wait that long. If the patio's free, worth it for a margarita.
Traditional, family style Italian food and good cocktails. Not fancy, but feels like you're with family when you're there.
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Club Lucky
1824 W Wabansia AveTraditional, family style Italian food and good cocktails. Not fancy, but feels like you're with family when you're there.
This brewery and pizza place serves some of the best thin crust pizza in the city. The bar is really fun, and on Saturday nights they do live band karaoke.
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveThis brewery and pizza place serves some of the best thin crust pizza in the city. The bar is really fun, and on Saturday nights they do live band karaoke.
Drinks & Nightlife
They have a super laid back vibe and make excellent cocktails (I'm partial to their Manhattans). It's a small place with intimate lighting, and great for a cocktail.
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The Charleston Bar Chicago
They have a super laid back vibe and make excellent cocktails (I'm partial to their Manhattans). It's a small place with intimate lighting, and great for a cocktail.
Best bar in Bucktown. They play all Vinyl music, and play everything from Motown and Soul to Reggae and hip hop. Feels like a house party, and it's cash only. Get there before 10pm to avoid the line.
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Dannys
Best bar in Bucktown. They play all Vinyl music, and play everything from Motown and Soul to Reggae and hip hop. Feels like a house party, and it's cash only. Get there before 10pm to avoid the line.
A trendy speakeasy right across the street from Big Star. Amazing, but expensive cocktails in an exclusive setting.
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveA trendy speakeasy right across the street from Big Star. Amazing, but expensive cocktails in an exclusive setting.
This used to be an old bank, and they still have a vault where you can enjoy drinks. The food here is pretty good as well. It gets really busy after 10pm.
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The Bedford
1612 West Division StreetThis used to be an old bank, and they still have a vault where you can enjoy drinks. The food here is pretty good as well. It gets really busy after 10pm.
It's a super popular arcade bar with great craft beers. I recommended Miss Pac Man.
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Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveIt's a super popular arcade bar with great craft beers. I recommended Miss Pac Man.
Great neighborhood bar that's super mellow and great for watching a game. It's also where they shoot scenes from Chicago Fire (if you're into that sort of thing).
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Lottie's Pub
1925 W Cortland StGreat neighborhood bar that's super mellow and great for watching a game. It's also where they shoot scenes from Chicago Fire (if you're into that sort of thing).
Everything Else
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveGreat used book store worth perusing if you have the desire.
Essentials
Great little market, within walking distance that has organic produce, great imported cheeses, french bread, meat for grilling and everyday convenience store items.
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Olivia's Market
2014 W Wabansia AveGreat little market, within walking distance that has organic produce, great imported cheeses, french bread, meat for grilling and everyday convenience store items.
Entertainment & Activities
Free neighborhood pool with a large park right next to it. Great for picnics.
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Holstein Park
2200 N Oakley AveFree neighborhood pool with a large park right next to it. Great for picnics.