Hillery’s guidebook
Places You Shouldn't Miss!
Authentic German restaurant 4 blocks north of the house. Family run for 40 years (the area used to be the German part of town). With an adorable biergarten tucked away in the back. You have to try the pretzel - I'm reasonably certain it's a little old German lady making those pretzels.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Resi's Bierstube
2034 W Irving Park RdAuthentic German restaurant 4 blocks north of the house. Family run for 40 years (the area used to be the German part of town). With an adorable biergarten tucked away in the back. You have to try the pretzel - I'm reasonably certain it's a little old German lady making those pretzels.
A little shop a half block west of the house. Carries an amazing selection of beers in addition to wines and spirits. It's a neighborhood business that really cares about the neighborhood and their business. The lady who runs it goes to Kentucky to pick out barrels that are bottled specifically for her. And once I was in there looking for Bailey's - which she didn't have - but she suggested a similar liquer that comes from an African fruit called Amarula - it was amazing! And you mostly can't get it in the US and here it was in the little store right by my house.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
West Lakeview Liquors
2156 W Addison StA little shop a half block west of the house. Carries an amazing selection of beers in addition to wines and spirits. It's a neighborhood business that really cares about the neighborhood and their business. The lady who runs it goes to Kentucky to pick out barrels that are bottled specifically for her. And once I was in there looking for Bailey's - which she didn't have - but she suggested a similar liquer that comes from an African fruit called Amarula - it was amazing! And you mostly can't get it in the US and here it was in the little store right by my house.
Local hangout right next to the Addison brown line el stop (3 blocks east of the house). Super cheap beer. Pool/shuffleboard/darts/board games. There are only two bartenders - you'll always get one of them. I went there the day before "the great freeze" of 2019 . It was a windchill of -30 degrees outside and I still managed to get there (I took the bus that picks up across the street and drops you off right there). And it was full of people! It's my favorite neighborhood pub.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Cork Lounge
1822 W Addison StLocal hangout right next to the Addison brown line el stop (3 blocks east of the house). Super cheap beer. Pool/shuffleboard/darts/board games. There are only two bartenders - you'll always get one of them. I went there the day before "the great freeze" of 2019 . It was a windchill of -30 degrees outside and I still managed to get there (I took the bus that picks up across the street and drops you off right there). And it was full of people! It's my favorite neighborhood pub.
Chicago pizza place 1 block east of the house. This is the real deal of Chicago Pizza. The owner is the grandson of the founder of Gino's East... and he (the Bartoli's owner) is using his grandfather's original famous sausage recipe which the corporation that bought Gino's isn't even using.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Bartoli's Pizzeria
1955 W Addison StChicago pizza place 1 block east of the house. This is the real deal of Chicago Pizza. The owner is the grandson of the founder of Gino's East... and he (the Bartoli's owner) is using his grandfather's original famous sausage recipe which the corporation that bought Gino's isn't even using.
This place is an institution. The butchers really know their stuff. And they sell a lot of unusual ingredients as well as convenient packaged meals. They even sell Haut Doug's sausages (one of the few places where you can get them since he closed his restaurant a couple of years ago).
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Paulina Market
3501 N Lincoln AveThis place is an institution. The butchers really know their stuff. And they sell a lot of unusual ingredients as well as convenient packaged meals. They even sell Haut Doug's sausages (one of the few places where you can get them since he closed his restaurant a couple of years ago).
One of my top brunch picks - I love the fruishi and pancake flights!
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Paul's Noodle Shop
3400 N Sheffield AveOne of my top brunch picks - I love the fruishi and pancake flights!
Another of my top brunch picks - the french toast (covered in corn flakes) is fantastic, and overall they really nail Southern cuisine
38 abantu bendawo batusa
Wishbone Restaurant
3300 N Lincoln AveAnother of my top brunch picks - the french toast (covered in corn flakes) is fantastic, and overall they really nail Southern cuisine
My nearby date night pick - pre-7:30 or so it's great for families, and after then it's a really cozy, atmospheric space with a brick pizza oven and nice patio seating in the summer
41 abantu bendawo batusa
Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
3358 N Paulina StMy nearby date night pick - pre-7:30 or so it's great for families, and after then it's a really cozy, atmospheric space with a brick pizza oven and nice patio seating in the summer
Amazing nearby Turkish restaurant, in a really unassuming, casual space with summer patio seating.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Orchid
1746 W Addison StAmazing nearby Turkish restaurant, in a really unassuming, casual space with summer patio seating.
Unique teas served alongside chef-driven pastries (read: boundary-pushing flavors in traditional forms) and a full coffee menu
22 abantu bendawo batusa
Loba Pastry + Coffee
3600 W Addison StUnique teas served alongside chef-driven pastries (read: boundary-pushing flavors in traditional forms) and a full coffee menu
It's about a half-hour to the Loop on the Brown Line!
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Addison Brown Line Station
It's about a half-hour to the Loop on the Brown Line!
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayNearby grocery store
Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey PkwyNearby Trader Joe's
Music people rejoice! You'll love this space - it may be a challenge to walk out without a new instrument
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Chicago Music Exchange
3316 N Lincoln AveMusic people rejoice! You'll love this space - it may be a challenge to walk out without a new instrument