Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Club Lucky
1824 W Wabansia AveGreat good and atmosphere
One of the only 24 hour diners in Chicago. Fun atmosphere and good food for any time of day!
28 locals recommend
Hollywood Grill
1601 W North AveOne of the only 24 hour diners in Chicago. Fun atmosphere and good food for any time of day!
La Pasadita
1140 N Ashland AveCheap and good tacos, burritos, and much more...
toast
2046 N Damen AveGreat breakfast/brunch place.
Blue Line Lounge & Grill
1548 N Damen AveIntriguing looking diner with good food.
Greg's favorite fried chicken and a Chicago must!
7 locals recommend
Harold's Chicken Shack #36 (Wicker Park)
1361 N Milwaukee AveGreg's favorite fried chicken and a Chicago must!
Filter Cafe
1373 North Milwaukee AvenueGreat coffee house
Starbucks
1 E Delaware PlA local Starbuck's
Bin Wine Cafe
1559 N Milwaukee AveRestaurant and wine bar with many varieties!
Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store
3055 N Sheffield AveIce cream store with custom mix-ins!
Dunkin'
749 W 31st StThe coffee and donut king!
Native Foods
1484 N Milwaukee AveA vegan restaurant with food that even carnivores find appealing!
Meritage Cafe & Wine Bar
2118 N Damen AveA great fine dining and wine bar.
Adobo Grill
215 W North AveTraditional Mexican food of high quality!
Phoenix Restaurant
2131 S Archer AveWe think it's the best dim-sum in Chicago!
Celebrated our 1st anniversary here. If you want ultra fine dining, this is your place!
28 locals recommend
Trump
401 N Wabash AveCelebrated our 1st anniversary here. If you want ultra fine dining, this is your place!
For sushi lovers, this is the best sushi we've had in Chicago. Not the most expensive, but not cheap by any means. Same owner as Japonais, also listed in the guidebook. :)
29 locals recommend
Mirai Sushi
990 W Division StFor sushi lovers, this is the best sushi we've had in Chicago. Not the most expensive, but not cheap by any means. Same owner as Japonais, also listed in the guidebook. :)
Bob San - Sushi Bar
1805-1809 W Division StVery good moderately priced sushi place.
Cheap, all-you-can-eat sushi. Atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but can't beat this place for the price!
House of Sushi & Noodles
1610 W Belmont AveCheap, all-you-can-eat sushi. Atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but can't beat this place for the price!
Decent and cheap Asian food. Mix of Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Lunch for about $5!
Luc Thang Noodle
1524 N Ashland AveDecent and cheap Asian food. Mix of Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Lunch for about $5!
Good moderately priced noodle and rice dishes from multiple Asian countries.
16 locals recommend
Penny's Noodle Shop
1542 North Damen AvenueGood moderately priced noodle and rice dishes from multiple Asian countries.
Las Palmas Restaurant
1835 W North AveGood quality Mexican food.
One of the many off-shoots of the popular Fracesca's Restaurant. Great Italian food and people watching from the 6-way intersection outside.
13 locals recommend
Francesca's Fiore
7407 Madison StOne of the many off-shoots of the popular Fracesca's Restaurant. Great Italian food and people watching from the 6-way intersection outside.
Great food "like mom used to make"! They make a mean drink too.
6 locals recommend
Silver Cloud Restaurant Bar-Grill
1700 N Damen AveGreat food "like mom used to make"! They make a mean drink too.
Not just a reality TV show... LOL.... They actually have amazing hot dogs. TIP: Don't ask for ketchup.
Eat First
1289 North Milwaukee AvenueNot just a reality TV show... LOL.... They actually have amazing hot dogs. TIP: Don't ask for ketchup.
This is the only one in Chicago. They started in a tiny shack and now have easily 2 or 3 dozen locations. Great burgers, dogs, etc. BUT, the chocolate cake is RIDICULOUS! Yes, really!
270 locals recommend
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario StThis is the only one in Chicago. They started in a tiny shack and now have easily 2 or 3 dozen locations. Great burgers, dogs, etc. BUT, the chocolate cake is RIDICULOUS! Yes, really!
The same Lawry's spices has a restaurant. It's not just for Prime Rib, they have many other options. The Prime Rib is cut to your size spec to thickness right there at your table. :)
Brazzaz - The Brazilian Steakhouse
539 N Dearborn StThe same Lawry's spices has a restaurant. It's not just for Prime Rib, they have many other options. The Prime Rib is cut to your size spec to thickness right there at your table. :)
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveLori's favorite deep dish pizza! They deliver to our apartment.
Everything Else
Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayLocal pharmacy/convenience store
The new Apple Store (another on the Mag Mile). Play with all the new technology!
19 locals recommend
Apple Lincoln Park
801 W North AveThe new Apple Store (another on the Mag Mile). Play with all the new technology!
Subterranean
2011 W North AveLive music and dinner.
Double Door
Live music venue.
Holstein Park Public Pool (Outdoor)
2200 N Oakley AveOne of 2 outdoor pools for the summer
Pulaski Park Public Pool (Outdoor)
1419 W Blackhawk StOne of 2 pools for the summer
Essentials
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayLocal grocery store with pharmacy. Walking distance from apartment.
Fresh fruit and veggies at the best prices around!
23 locals recommend
Stanley's Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
1558 N Elston AveFresh fruit and veggies at the best prices around!
Arts & Culture
The Second City
230 W North AveGreat improv comedy club that is also known around the world.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StFree zoo and farm in Chicago's Lincoln Park.
World Class Theater Company started by film and TV star Gary Sinese and a couple friends years ago. Lori has been a season ticket holder since about 1998!
109 locals recommend
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StWorld Class Theater Company started by film and TV star Gary Sinese and a couple friends years ago. Lori has been a season ticket holder since about 1998!
Shopping
Water Tower Place
835 Michigan AveGreat shopping mall on Michigan Avenue
"Oldie but goodie" toys that bring you back to your youth. Seller of great eco-friendly products too!
Kids Rule
1534 N Milwaukee Ave"Oldie but goodie" toys that bring you back to your youth. Seller of great eco-friendly products too!
Blockbuster Video 17395
1303 N Milwaukee AveRent DVDs to use during your stay.
This place is a true old fashioned "soda fountain". They've been around since before the depression in h 1930's.. Lori's 96 year-old grandmother went there as a girl!
179 locals recommend
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveThis place is a true old fashioned "soda fountain". They've been around since before the depression in h 1930's.. Lori's 96 year-old grandmother went there as a girl!
Drinks & Nightlife
Restaurant and bar in the heart of Wicker Park/Bucktown? They make and serve their own micro-brews.
488 locals recommend
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveRestaurant and bar in the heart of Wicker Park/Bucktown? They make and serve their own micro-brews.
Sightseeing
Shakespeare Theater, 3-D IMAX theater, Chicago Children's Museum, a number of cruises (e.g., architectural, lunch/dinner cruises), a lot to eat & a 30?-story ferris wheel + so much more!
Harry Caray's Tavern, Navy Pier
700 E Grand AveShakespeare Theater, 3-D IMAX theater, Chicago Children's Museum, a number of cruises (e.g., architectural, lunch/dinner cruises), a lot to eat & a 30?-story ferris wheel + so much more!
Amazing views of the city - though it will ALWAYS be The Sears Tower to Lori and me.
324 locals recommend
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker DrAmazing views of the city - though it will ALWAYS be The Sears Tower to Lori and me.
Love this aquarium and oceanarium. Great for kidsand adults of all ages!
673 locals recommend
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrLove this aquarium and oceanarium. Great for kidsand adults of all ages!
Must see for museum lovers. Visit the coal mine, explore outer space, and much more!
483 locals recommend
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrMust see for museum lovers. Visit the coal mine, explore outer space, and much more!
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
36 S Wabash AveWorld class art exhibits!