Guidebook for Chicago

Samantha
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

The pizza is amazing!
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Coalfire
1321 W Grand Ave
97 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The pizza is amazing!
The fried chicken and cocktails are on point and the patio is awesome.
658 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage Ave
658 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The fried chicken and cocktails are on point and the patio is awesome.
They have a french toast flight, and amazing savory options as well.
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Batter & Berries
2748 N Lincoln Ave
52 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They have a french toast flight, and amazing savory options as well.
MOZZARELLA STICKS. If you're like me, and don't love mozz sticks, but will eat them if they're in front of you, think again. These are THE BEST MOZZ STICKS IN THE WORLD. The pizza and other items are pretty good too, but please eat the mozz sticks.
126 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago Ave
126 (рекомендации местных жителей)
MOZZARELLA STICKS. If you're like me, and don't love mozz sticks, but will eat them if they're in front of you, think again. These are THE BEST MOZZ STICKS IN THE WORLD. The pizza and other items are pretty good too, but please eat the mozz sticks.
Great pizza, fun and lively vibe, great patio.
73 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division St
73 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great pizza, fun and lively vibe, great patio.
Amazing burgers, simple, double patties, double awesome. Great patio when the weather is nice as well. Beware, they ONLY sell burgers, fries, milkshakes, and booze, but who needs more than that?
161 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee Ave
161 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Amazing burgers, simple, double patties, double awesome. Great patio when the weather is nice as well. Beware, they ONLY sell burgers, fries, milkshakes, and booze, but who needs more than that?
Iced sugar cookies, iced molasses cookies, cupcakes, oh my. GO EAT THEM! It's a pretty cute shop too.
45 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sweet Mandy B's
1208 W Webster Ave
45 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Iced sugar cookies, iced molasses cookies, cupcakes, oh my. GO EAT THEM! It's a pretty cute shop too.
The old fashioneds are just to die for. The other stuff is good too, but please get an old fashioned.
209 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen Ave
209 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The old fashioneds are just to die for. The other stuff is good too, but please get an old fashioned.
Very casual, VERY cheap, very tasty middle eastern food joint. Both order at the counter service and a buffet. Cash only!
99 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sultan's Market
2057 W North Ave
99 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Very casual, VERY cheap, very tasty middle eastern food joint. Both order at the counter service and a buffet. Cash only!
Best burgers in the world. Beware, it is normally a multi-hour wait so best to go either very early, or very late. There are tons of other bars and restaurants nearby so you can always put your name down and then have a drink somewhere else while you wait.
620 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St
620 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Best burgers in the world. Beware, it is normally a multi-hour wait so best to go either very early, or very late. There are tons of other bars and restaurants nearby so you can always put your name down and then have a drink somewhere else while you wait.
Best deep dish that's so good, even locals will eat it. Fair warning, please prepare to wait. Deep dish pizza takes at least 45 minutes to prepare and the wait here is rarely short of an hour. That said, call ahead to confirm.
536 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
536 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Best deep dish that's so good, even locals will eat it. Fair warning, please prepare to wait. Deep dish pizza takes at least 45 minutes to prepare and the wait here is rarely short of an hour. That said, call ahead to confirm.
Great tapas bar with delicious food and sangria. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
152 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted St
152 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great tapas bar with delicious food and sangria. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
This small hole in the wall is legitimately one of the best fried chicken spots I've ever had - Chicago or otherwise. Their chicken wings are massive ... 5 is likely too many for most. Their boneless wings are also huge and if you order, say a 6 piece, it'll always come w/ 2 or 3 extra, so keep that in mind. Asian BBQ is the flavor that I get and it's pretty spicy too. That said, they've got a host of other flavors and chicken types to pick from. Can get this delivered via bike messenger or you can eat onsite, however beware that the dining area is small and always packed. But it's so worth the wait, should it come to that.
98 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Crisp
2940 N Broadway
98 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This small hole in the wall is legitimately one of the best fried chicken spots I've ever had - Chicago or otherwise. Their chicken wings are massive ... 5 is likely too many for most. Their boneless wings are also huge and if you order, say a 6 piece, it'll always come w/ 2 or 3 extra, so keep that in mind. Asian BBQ is the flavor that I get and it's pretty spicy too. That said, they've got a host of other flavors and chicken types to pick from. Can get this delivered via bike messenger or you can eat onsite, however beware that the dining area is small and always packed. But it's so worth the wait, should it come to that.
Great food, great atmosphere and great drinks. Nice patio when the weather is nice.
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Big Star Wrigleyville
3640 N Clark St
30 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great food, great atmosphere and great drinks. Nice patio when the weather is nice.
This is a fun restaurant that brews their own beer (and it’s all super tasty), and makes some great pizza. They have live band karaoke on Saturday nights, too. Off the Damen stop. (Fun fact: the restaurant is owned by Cheap Trick’s guitarist, Rick Nielson)
488 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Piece Brewery
1927 W North Ave
488 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is a fun restaurant that brews their own beer (and it’s all super tasty), and makes some great pizza. They have live band karaoke on Saturday nights, too. Off the Damen stop. (Fun fact: the restaurant is owned by Cheap Trick’s guitarist, Rick Nielson)
Pizza and beer. The good stuff, as well. By-the-slice or by-the-pie, this is thin crust exclusively, no Chicago-style deep dish here. Take out available, call ahead. Or wait at the bar while watching the indie movie projected on to the wall behind. Cash only, ATM at the back. If you make a withdrawal they give you a shot of Jamesons. Checking out the bathrooms is a must (seriously!) Can get busy Fri/Sat evenings. Fine for children earlier in the day.
152 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Boiler Room
2210 North California Avenue
152 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Pizza and beer. The good stuff, as well. By-the-slice or by-the-pie, this is thin crust exclusively, no Chicago-style deep dish here. Take out available, call ahead. Or wait at the bar while watching the indie movie projected on to the wall behind. Cash only, ATM at the back. If you make a withdrawal they give you a shot of Jamesons. Checking out the bathrooms is a must (seriously!) Can get busy Fri/Sat evenings. Fine for children earlier in the day.
A nice away from the city BBQ spot. It can get busy however it's not your typical hustle-and-bustle Chicago spot. Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly and the meat - specifically the chopped brisket, it really good.
112 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski Rd
112 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A nice away from the city BBQ spot. It can get busy however it's not your typical hustle-and-bustle Chicago spot. Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly and the meat - specifically the chopped brisket, it really good.
They've got great brisket. I repeat, GREAT BRISKET! This is Sam's favorite BBQ spot in the city.
107 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green St
107 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They've got great brisket. I repeat, GREAT BRISKET! This is Sam's favorite BBQ spot in the city.

Parks & Nature

A really great conservatory with many rooms of plants. Quick and easy visit and free!
147 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Консерватория Линкольн-парк
2430 N Stockton Dr
147 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A really great conservatory with many rooms of plants. Quick and easy visit and free!

Drinks & Nightlife

Wonderful views of Lincoln Park, the lake and downtown.
124 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The J. Parker
1816 N Clark St
124 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wonderful views of Lincoln Park, the lake and downtown.
This wine bar isn't hip or trendy, so don't go for the decor, go for the amazing wine selection and the absolute best cheese boards.
28 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bar Pastoral
2947 N Broadway
28 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This wine bar isn't hip or trendy, so don't go for the decor, go for the amazing wine selection and the absolute best cheese boards.
This place is part brewery and part restaurant. Great burgers with nice thick patties. Additionally, they've got some of the best local brews in the city. Anti-Hero, Revolution IPA, Fist City and others round out the selection of fantastic local beers at this one of a kind location.
724 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee Ave
724 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This place is part brewery and part restaurant. Great burgers with nice thick patties. Additionally, they've got some of the best local brews in the city. Anti-Hero, Revolution IPA, Fist City and others round out the selection of fantastic local beers at this one of a kind location.
Like other cities, Chicago has its own speakeasy inspired bar serving up meticulously crafted cocktails. House rules include "No cell phones" and "Don't bring anyone that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner." The cocktails here are pricey (~$15+), but they are worth it. Get there early evening or on weekdays to avoid the lines.
355 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Like other cities, Chicago has its own speakeasy inspired bar serving up meticulously crafted cocktails. House rules include "No cell phones" and "Don't bring anyone that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner." The cocktails here are pricey (~$15+), but they are worth it. Get there early evening or on weekdays to avoid the lines.
This is Chicagos first bar-cade featuring a full stage and a huge variety of best in class arcade games. Live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
139 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee Ave
139 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is Chicagos first bar-cade featuring a full stage and a huge variety of best in class arcade games. Live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
Fun dive-esque bar in Logan Square (hipster part of town). Low light and hip vibes.
106 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Owl
2521 N Milwaukee Ave
106 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fun dive-esque bar in Logan Square (hipster part of town). Low light and hip vibes.
Hip bar in Logan Square w/ cool drinks, numerous whiskey offerings and more.
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Spilt Milk
811 South Blvd
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hip bar in Logan Square w/ cool drinks, numerous whiskey offerings and more.

Sightseeing

I love taking visitors to walk or bike along the lakefront trail. I recommend starting at the lake north of downtown, somewhere near Lincoln Park, and walking all the way down as far as you would like, but definitely to Oak Street Beach. You can continue on to Millennium Park if you have it in you!
229 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront Trail
229 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I love taking visitors to walk or bike along the lakefront trail. I recommend starting at the lake north of downtown, somewhere near Lincoln Park, and walking all the way down as far as you would like, but definitely to Oak Street Beach. You can continue on to Millennium Park if you have it in you!

Entertainment & Activities

Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country. Whether you're a baseball purist or a tourist, this is a great place to witness in person. Not to mention, you have to take a picture in front of the iconic marquee out front. It's a short walk from our place or a shorter bike ride or Uber. Definitely worth catching a game or inquiring about the Wrigley Field Stadium Tour.
1004 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ригли Филд
1060 W Addison St
1004 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country. Whether you're a baseball purist or a tourist, this is a great place to witness in person. Not to mention, you have to take a picture in front of the iconic marquee out front. It's a short walk from our place or a shorter bike ride or Uber. Definitely worth catching a game or inquiring about the Wrigley Field Stadium Tour.