Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Butcher & The Burger
1021 W Armitage AveIt is delicious!
The Budlong Hot Chicken
1008 W Armitage AveThe chicken sandwich can't be beat!
Le Pain Quotidien
1000 W Armitage AveFrench inspired pastry is divine!
Starbucks
210 W North AveYou know why!
Artisanal doughnuts make everyone happy! Try the coffee if you are into local roasters who make a kick-butt cup!
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Glazed and Infused
939 West Armitage AvenueArtisanal doughnuts make everyone happy! Try the coffee if you are into local roasters who make a kick-butt cup!
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted StTapas has something for everyone!
Alinea
1723 N Halsted StRated as one of the best restaurants in the world.
Summer House Santa Monica
1954 N Halsted StAwesome brunch!
Iconic low-key scene with high flavor Greek food. Enjoy Tina Fey's favorite of Greek chicken and fries.
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Athenian Room
807 W Webster AveIconic low-key scene with high flavor Greek food. Enjoy Tina Fey's favorite of Greek chicken and fries.
Quick service, unique and delicious bagel sandwiches!
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Chicago Bagel Authority - Armitage
953 W Armitage AveQuick service, unique and delicious bagel sandwiches!
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StAmong the sine qua non of Chicago deep dish pizza.
Nookies Too
2114 N Halsted StClassic breakfast spot.
Blue Door Farm Stand
2010 N Halsted StCafe/restaurant. Everything is really tasty.
toast
2046 N Damen AveLegendary brunch. Can't decide? Try the French Toast Orgy. Go early!
Absolutely amazing pastries. High price and higher quality.
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Floriole Cafe & Bakery
1220 W Webster AveAbsolutely amazing pastries. High price and higher quality.
A bakery / dessert shop for the kid in all of us. Best brownie I've ever had.
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Sweet Mandy B's
1208 W Webster AveA bakery / dessert shop for the kid in all of us. Best brownie I've ever had.
Legendary hot dog joint with bar attached. Deliciously inauthentic Philly Cheese Steaks yes, but who cares? It's too late to go to another bar and it's too dangerous to go to bed hungry!
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Clark Street Dog
3040 N Clark StLegendary hot dog joint with bar attached. Deliciously inauthentic Philly Cheese Steaks yes, but who cares? It's too late to go to another bar and it's too dangerous to go to bed hungry!
Balena - Temporarily Closed
3600 North Clark StreetGreat pasta.
Great value byob sushi. Bring more byob than less. Things take a while so don't come if you don't have time to take it slow.
Green Tea Japanese Restaurant
2206 N Clark StGreat value byob sushi. Bring more byob than less. Things take a while so don't come if you don't have time to take it slow.
Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern
1655 North Sedgwick StreetFrank Sinatra's favorite ribs.
Textbook example of a proper Chicago hotdog. Know what you want before you order. You've been warned!
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The Wiener's Circle
2622 N Clark StTextbook example of a proper Chicago hotdog. Know what you want before you order. You've been warned!
Kiki's Bistro
900 N Franklin StIconic French bistro fare. Free valet!
No frills get your sub and get out sandwich spot. Really good sub sandwiches!
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Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop
3600 N Western AveNo frills get your sub and get out sandwich spot. Really good sub sandwiches!
Iconic Italian/grocery store. Amazing sub sandwiches. Parking is a challenge.
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Bari
1120 W Grand AveIconic Italian/grocery store. Amazing sub sandwiches. Parking is a challenge.
D'Amato's Bakery
1124 W Grand AveFamous for cannoli and pizza. Definitely worth a visit.
Home of some of Oprah's most favorite sweets! Famous chocolate dipped s'mores.
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Mr. Kite's The Chocolate Shop
2120 W Division StHome of some of Oprah's most favorite sweets! Famous chocolate dipped s'mores.
How to spot a liar. Someone say's they're from Chicago. You ask them where to get Polish food. They don't mention this place.
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Red Apple Buffet
3121 N Milwaukee AveHow to spot a liar. Someone say's they're from Chicago. You ask them where to get Polish food. They don't mention this place.
Over Easy Café
4943 N Damen AveFantastic breakfast. The Sassy Eggs are a favorite.
My go-to for some of the best under the radar cocktails in the city. They are half price on Mondays. Good Southern heirloom cooking too.
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Big Jones
5347 N Clark StMy go-to for some of the best under the radar cocktails in the city. They are half price on Mondays. Good Southern heirloom cooking too.
Famous beer bar focusing on Belgian brews. 21+ is not a suggestion. They literally will not accept patrons who are younger than 21. Not even babies. Fantastic mussels and frites.
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Hopleaf
5148 N Clark StFamous beer bar focusing on Belgian brews. 21+ is not a suggestion. They literally will not accept patrons who are younger than 21. Not even babies. Fantastic mussels and frites.
Drinks & Nightlife
Binny's Beverage Depot
4901 W Irving Park RdCarries all kinds of liquor and is a bar too!
Kincade's Bar & Grill
950 W Armitage AveGood old fashioned sports bar!
Quintessential dive bar open late. Cheap drinks, cheaper accommodations. Once I was served a drink in an ice cream sundae cup!
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Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage AveQuintessential dive bar open late. Cheap drinks, cheaper accommodations. Once I was served a drink in an ice cream sundae cup!
Good craft cocktails. Not likely to be found in your average "craft cocktails Chicago" Google search.
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The Barrelhouse Flat
2624 N Lincoln AveGood craft cocktails. Not likely to be found in your average "craft cocktails Chicago" Google search.
Fantastic dive. "The Tamale Guy" has been known to be spotted here.
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Shoe's Pub
1134 W Armitage AveFantastic dive. "The Tamale Guy" has been known to be spotted here.
Snickers Bar & Grill
448 N State StPeople watching you'll be talking about long after you've gone home.
Fantastic tiki bar. Go early, as in when-they-open-early, if you want a seat. They are responsive to reservations particularly when made via social media.
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Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StFantastic tiki bar. Go early, as in when-they-open-early, if you want a seat. They are responsive to reservations particularly when made via social media.
The "Stop and Drink" sign says it all! Extensive beer, scotch, and whiskey lists. Magnificent patio!
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Clark Street Ale House - River North
742 N Clark StThe "Stop and Drink" sign says it all! Extensive beer, scotch, and whiskey lists. Magnificent patio!
Marge's Still
1758 N Sedgwick StNice local bar in a picturesque neighborhood.
Dyed-in-the-wool old school bar. I knew about this place long before Anthony Bourdain did.
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Old Town Ale House
219 W North AveDyed-in-the-wool old school bar. I knew about this place long before Anthony Bourdain did.
Shopping
A unique store with designer clothes and housewares.
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art effect boutique clothes, jewelry & unique gifts store in Lincoln Park, Chicago's best shops
934 W Armitage AveA unique store with designer clothes and housewares.
Beloved used bookstore. If you're hunting for used books check this place out.
Bookleggers Used Books
2907 North BroadwayBeloved used bookstore. If you're hunting for used books check this place out.
A true used book lover's bookstore. Nothing may be organized to you but ask the man in the stacks. He knows what is where.
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Bookman's Corner
2959 N Clark StA true used book lover's bookstore. Nothing may be organized to you but ask the man in the stacks. He knows what is where.
The Gallery Bookstore Ltd
923 W Belmont AveA real deal used bookstore.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StFull service organic grocery store.
Getting Around
Armitage station
Brown line directly to downtown!