Guidebook for Chicago

Carole
Guidebook for Chicago

Essentials

Great supermarket, lots of organics, a fab food court - but ask me about the $2 Whole Foods secret!
836 abantu bendawo batusa
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted St
836 abantu bendawo batusa
Great supermarket, lots of organics, a fab food court - but ask me about the $2 Whole Foods secret!
Big chain supermarket
Dominick's
424 West Division Street
Big chain supermarket
Wine and Booze Emporium. In another life this was Sam's Wine & Liquors, the largest supplier of Dom Perignon in the USA! If they don't have it, it isn't worth drinking. Unless it is Greek wine.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Binny's Beverage Depot
4901 W Irving Park Rd
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Wine and Booze Emporium. In another life this was Sam's Wine & Liquors, the largest supplier of Dom Perignon in the USA! If they don't have it, it isn't worth drinking. Unless it is Greek wine.
We love Trader Joe's, the affordable alternative to WF
360 abantu bendawo batusa
Trader Joe's
667 W Diversey Pkwy
360 abantu bendawo batusa
We love Trader Joe's, the affordable alternative to WF
I never went to Aldi until I moved to Greece & shopped Lidl. This is the US version, really cheap no name food products & interesting imported stuff (their euro roots).
71 abantu bendawo batusa
ALDI
2431 W Montrose Ave
71 abantu bendawo batusa
I never went to Aldi until I moved to Greece & shopped Lidl. This is the US version, really cheap no name food products & interesting imported stuff (their euro roots).

Drinks & Nightlife

Burgers, brews & sports - dine inside or out
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Sullys House
1501 N Dayton St
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Burgers, brews & sports - dine inside or out
Casual & friendly and open late
The Black Duck Tavern & Grille
1800 N Halsted St
Casual & friendly and open late
Sports games on the telly, live music several times a week - a rooftop terrace in the summer. And no need to drive or hail a taxi to get home. What's not to like?
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Joe's on Weed St.
940 W Weed St
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Sports games on the telly, live music several times a week - a rooftop terrace in the summer. And no need to drive or hail a taxi to get home. What's not to like?
Local brewery (and burgers)
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Goose Island
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Local brewery (and burgers)
Poetry slams, live music in the garden & really great beer specials make this a good stop for a nightcap on your way home.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Weeds Tavern
1555 N Dayton St
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Poetry slams, live music in the garden & really great beer specials make this a good stop for a nightcap on your way home.

Food Scene

Decent carryouts & casual, quick dine in - pizza by the slice, salads ....
Tomato Head Pizza Kitchen
823 West Eastman Street
Decent carryouts & casual, quick dine in - pizza by the slice, salads ....
Decent sandwich shop
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Jimmy John's
51 W Division St
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Decent sandwich shop
Work of Art bakery was originally across the street from us and we woke to the smell of fresh bread: A lovely challenging start to the day! Now a cafe too with great breakfast/brunch.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Kingsbury Street Cafe
1523 North Kingsbury Street
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Work of Art bakery was originally across the street from us and we woke to the smell of fresh bread: A lovely challenging start to the day! Now a cafe too with great breakfast/brunch.
Wood fired pizza, beer & wine - By one pizza get one on Tuesdays
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Sono Wood Fired
800 South Clark Street
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Wood fired pizza, beer & wine - By one pizza get one on Tuesdays
Burgers and a bar. Just like the name says. Outdoor dining in the summer
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Burger Bar Chicago - Lincoln Park
1578 North Clybourn Avenue
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Burgers and a bar. Just like the name says. Outdoor dining in the summer
Free wifi and tasty sandwiches, salads, bakery
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Panera Bread
2 N Michigan Ave
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Free wifi and tasty sandwiches, salads, bakery
Coffee & Wifi
271 abantu bendawo batusa
Starbucks
210 W North Ave
271 abantu bendawo batusa
Coffee & Wifi
Must be the largest Starbucks in the city: Open 24/7, fireplace in the middle and of course, WiFi
271 abantu bendawo batusa
Starbucks
210 W North Ave
271 abantu bendawo batusa
Must be the largest Starbucks in the city: Open 24/7, fireplace in the middle and of course, WiFi
Coffee, wifi, whatever ...
1001 W North Ave
1001 West North Avenue
Coffee, wifi, whatever ...
Coffee, indoor and outdoor cafe
424 W Division St
424 West Division Street
Coffee, indoor and outdoor cafe
It's always good to know where the nearest Radio Shack is.
97 abantu bendawo batusa
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St
97 abantu bendawo batusa
It's always good to know where the nearest Radio Shack is.
We're home to a bunch of awarded restaurants, including Boka
39 abantu bendawo batusa
Boka
1729 N Halsted St
39 abantu bendawo batusa
We're home to a bunch of awarded restaurants, including Boka
Best just after the theaters all begin, and before they let out. Really good Italian food with friendly service
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Vinci Restaurant
1732 N Halsted St
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Best just after the theaters all begin, and before they let out. Really good Italian food with friendly service
It's been there forever and Monday nights are all you can eat crab nights -- decent food, good beer & wine selection & always casual
King Crab
691 North Milwaukee Avenue
It's been there forever and Monday nights are all you can eat crab nights -- decent food, good beer & wine selection & always casual
Grab a cup to go at this compact little Starbucks at the North and Clybourn Red Line station
1599 N Clybourn Ave
1599 North Clybourn Avenue
Grab a cup to go at this compact little Starbucks at the North and Clybourn Red Line station
Old time favorite burgers, sandwiches and beer -
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Goose Island Brewhouse
1800 N Clybourn Ave
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Old time favorite burgers, sandwiches and beer -
Family friendly, couple friendly, friend friendly. Killer margaritas & fajitas & homemade tortillas. If your group is big, call ahead - they are always busy.
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Uncle Julio's Mexican From Scratch
855 W North Ave
17 abantu bendawo batusa
Family friendly, couple friendly, friend friendly. Killer margaritas & fajitas & homemade tortillas. If your group is big, call ahead - they are always busy.
For those who want something other than Starbucks...
126 abantu bendawo batusa
Dunkin'
2565 W Fullerton Ave
126 abantu bendawo batusa
For those who want something other than Starbucks...
For those who want something other than Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts and for the Californians visiting us.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Peet's Coffee
1000 W North Ave
25 abantu bendawo batusa
For those who want something other than Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts and for the Californians visiting us.
They claim they've brought in special water from NY to boil their bagels. I'm not sure whether that is true (though it is kind of far fetched) but their bagels are way better than those chain places.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
NYC Bagel Deli
1001 W North Ave
7 abantu bendawo batusa
They claim they've brought in special water from NY to boil their bagels. I'm not sure whether that is true (though it is kind of far fetched) but their bagels are way better than those chain places.
Fresh, tasty & budget friendly - dine in or carry out - simple menu with lots of options.
Olive Mediterranean Grill
1001 W North Ave
Fresh, tasty & budget friendly - dine in or carry out - simple menu with lots of options.
Casual burger joint that a lot of folks love. It's ok and good for nourishment when you're contemplating a new fridge next door at Best Buy, else go to Burger Bar or Goose Island.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Epic Burger
1000 W North Ave
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Casual burger joint that a lot of folks love. It's ok and good for nourishment when you're contemplating a new fridge next door at Best Buy, else go to Burger Bar or Goose Island.
Love their food, good prices, great service.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen
1625 N Halsted St
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Love their food, good prices, great service.
Love this place, the service is friendly (and fast if you're going to the theater) but book a table because they get crowded (not only on theater nights)
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Balena - Temporarily Closed
3600 North Clark Street
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Love this place, the service is friendly (and fast if you're going to the theater) but book a table because they get crowded (not only on theater nights)
Family friendly, good thin crust pizza (*not "Chicago" style). Great broasted chicken, too.
Marcello's Restaurant
Family friendly, good thin crust pizza (*not "Chicago" style). Great broasted chicken, too.

Shopping

Everybody's favorite recreational outfitter ... and great clothes & shoes for everyday, too
REI
905 W Eastman St
Everybody's favorite recreational outfitter ... and great clothes & shoes for everyday, too
Everybody's favorite adult toy store
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Apple Lincoln Park
801 W North Ave
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Everybody's favorite adult toy store
Housewares, furniture, and just fun browsing. The original IKEA.
Crate and Barrel
850 W North Ave
Housewares, furniture, and just fun browsing. The original IKEA.
Need a box? Or a bag? Or an organizing idea? It's here.
The Container Store
908 W North Ave
Need a box? Or a bag? Or an organizing idea? It's here.
Coming very soon to Weed Street -
1001 W Weed St
1001 West Weed Street
Coming very soon to Weed Street -
Forget your eyeliner? It's here.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
SEPHORA
938 W North Ave
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Forget your eyeliner? It's here.
Housewares, and interesting wedding gifts if you've come for a wedding and forgotten a gift
Restoration Hardware - Closed
938 W North Ave
Housewares, and interesting wedding gifts if you've come for a wedding and forgotten a gift
The "younger" version of the big Crate and Barrel across the street.
Crate and Barrel Outlet
1860 W Jefferson Ave
The "younger" version of the big Crate and Barrel across the street.
Coming from abroad and need a pay as you go plan - Unlock your cell before heading across the pond and then gran a local number from here.
T-Mobile
824 W North Ave
Coming from abroad and need a pay as you go plan - Unlock your cell before heading across the pond and then gran a local number from here.
Some people love this place, great fun home furnishings store - fun to browse
west elm
1000 W North Ave
Some people love this place, great fun home furnishings store - fun to browse
Need a cable or want to buy a "disposable" phone with a local Chicago number for your trip? This is the place.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Best Buy
1000 W North Ave
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Need a cable or want to buy a "disposable" phone with a local Chicago number for your trip? This is the place.
Always know where you closest pharmacy is (we have a first aid kit in the apartment, but for things that require a prescription or for more targeted over the counter stuff....
142 abantu bendawo batusa
CVS
771 N Ogden Ave
142 abantu bendawo batusa
Always know where you closest pharmacy is (we have a first aid kit in the apartment, but for things that require a prescription or for more targeted over the counter stuff....
Am I too old or to disinterested to know who shops here? Yep! But its always busy with clothes hunters.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Express
913-49 W North Ave
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Am I too old or to disinterested to know who shops here? Yep! But its always busy with clothes hunters.

Everything Else

Salon, spa ... best pedicures around town
MICHAEL ANTHONY
Salon, spa ... best pedicures around town
24 hour gym with day passes & swimming pool
57 abantu bendawo batusa
XSport Fitness
2310 W Logan Blvd
57 abantu bendawo batusa
24 hour gym with day passes & swimming pool
In case you need cash & bank at Citi
Citibank
539 N Michigan Ave
In case you need cash & bank at Citi

Arts & Culture

Improv and Comedy
Piper's Alley
230 W North Ave
Improv and Comedy
Do I really need an excuse for recommending Second City?
433 abantu bendawo batusa
The Second City
230 W North Ave
433 abantu bendawo batusa
Do I really need an excuse for recommending Second City?
Two theater spaces & a garage theater space mean you can almost always see something good on stage at Steppenwolf when visiting Chicago.
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted St
109 abantu bendawo batusa
Two theater spaces & a garage theater space mean you can almost always see something good on stage at Steppenwolf when visiting Chicago.
Three theaters in one: A variety of shows pass through here. I love their main stage - not too small, not too big and no bad seat in the house.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Royal George Theatre
1641 N Halsted St
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Three theaters in one: A variety of shows pass through here. I love their main stage - not too small, not too big and no bad seat in the house.