Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Favorite brunch in the city. $8 bottomless mimosas (during brunch on Sat / Sun). Excellent brunch food. Great neighborhood
21 abantu bendawo batusa
LOKaL
2500 North Ashland AvenueFavorite brunch in the city. $8 bottomless mimosas (during brunch on Sat / Sun). Excellent brunch food. Great neighborhood
Beatrix
519 N Clark StGreat brunch food. Walking distance from apartment.
-Chicago style hot dogs
-Italian beef
-Cheese fries
-Chopped salad
-Chocolate cake
-Need I say more?
270 abantu bendawo batusa
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario St-Chicago style hot dogs
-Italian beef
-Cheese fries
-Chopped salad
-Chocolate cake
-Need I say more?
-Amazing BBQ food
-Long line that winds around the bar, so you can drink & socialize while you wait
-Great atmosphere
107 abantu bendawo batusa
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green St-Amazing BBQ food
-Long line that winds around the bar, so you can drink & socialize while you wait
-Great atmosphere
Best burger in the U.S. (at least in my opinion, and the opinion of one show on Food Network), Be sure to get the egg with it (and bacon if you are feeling ambitious), Fave cocktail: Flapper
620 abantu bendawo batusa
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StBest burger in the U.S. (at least in my opinion, and the opinion of one show on Food Network), Be sure to get the egg with it (and bacon if you are feeling ambitious), Fave cocktail: Flapper
In my opinion, best pizza in Chicago - but don't go there for deep dish (I dislike deep dish)
488 abantu bendawo batusa
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveIn my opinion, best pizza in Chicago - but don't go there for deep dish (I dislike deep dish)
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueAs deep dish pizza goes, many swear by this
Sarpino's Pizzeria Gold Coast
158 W Division StOpen til 5AM
Everything here is good. Especially like the twisted noodle salad.
Doc B's Restaurant + Bar (Gold Coast)
100 E Walton StEverything here is good. Especially like the twisted noodle salad.
Especially good for hot chocolate on cold Chicago days
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop
400 N Michigan AveEspecially good for hot chocolate on cold Chicago days
Starbucks
1 E Delaware Pl1.5 blocks away, for your convenience
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveAmazing tacos, amazing margaritas, amazing patio, amazing place.
Fusion Mexican & Korean food. Ramen (pretty sure it is instant ramen) is for some reason amazing, along with everything else here
La Tacorea
847 W Belmont AveFusion Mexican & Korean food. Ramen (pretty sure it is instant ramen) is for some reason amazing, along with everything else here
~1.5 blocks away. Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (Guy Fieri ate here). Recommend you follow the recommendation of the guys who work there for ordering
76 abantu bendawo batusa
BIG & little's Restaurant
1034 W Belmont Ave~1.5 blocks away. Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (Guy Fieri ate here). Recommend you follow the recommendation of the guys who work there for ordering
Cute restaurant, good food. A bit pricey, but I think it is worth it (and super convenient - 1.5 blocks away)
32 abantu bendawo batusa
Farmhouse Chicago
228 W Chicago AveCute restaurant, good food. A bit pricey, but I think it is worth it (and super convenient - 1.5 blocks away)
Yes, this is a chain. But good location, good food, and good margaritas within walking distance
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Cantina Laredo
508 N State StYes, this is a chain. But good location, good food, and good margaritas within walking distance
My favorite all you can eat Brazilian-style steakhouse. Beautiful interior, walking distance from the apartment. Come hungry, leave happy (albeit full)
21 abantu bendawo batusa
ZED451
739 N Clark StMy favorite all you can eat Brazilian-style steakhouse. Beautiful interior, walking distance from the apartment. Come hungry, leave happy (albeit full)
Delicious Italian food. Very friendly staff. Recommended meal (not on menu): Chicken Limone
8 abantu bendawo batusa
Club Lago
331 W Superior StDelicious Italian food. Very friendly staff. Recommended meal (not on menu): Chicken Limone
Ridiculous brunch place - bottomless mimosas + 2 Bloody Marys + entree for like $30. They also have a beer pong table...
23 abantu bendawo batusa
D.S. Tequila Company
3352 N Halsted StRidiculous brunch place - bottomless mimosas + 2 Bloody Marys + entree for like $30. They also have a beer pong table...
For those who like sweet brunch. If you aren't going to order something sweet, probably don't go.
199 abantu bendawo batusa
Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveFor those who like sweet brunch. If you aren't going to order something sweet, probably don't go.
Good for those who like sweet brunch (e.g., nutella crepes, red velvet french toast). I do not like sweet brunch and think their savory offerings are just so-so
27 abantu bendawo batusa
Yolk - River North
747 N Wells StGood for those who like sweet brunch (e.g., nutella crepes, red velvet french toast). I do not like sweet brunch and think their savory offerings are just so-so
Sightseeing
-Corny touristy must see, but also Millenium Park is beautiful
-Great for selfies
473 abantu bendawo batusa
Umgangatho wezulu
201 E Randolph St-Corny touristy must see, but also Millenium Park is beautiful
-Great for selfies
Shopping
-Classic Chicago landmark
-Great stores and restaurants - try Food Life
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Chicago
835 North Michigan Avenue-Classic Chicago landmark
-Great stores and restaurants - try Food Life
Anthropologie
3532 N Southport AveAmazing Anthro store
Walgreens
4801 N Lincoln Ave1.5 blocks away; carries alcohol
Drinks & Nightlife
360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan Ave-Amazing views of Chicago
-Good cocktails
-Brews their own beers
-You can order 'flights' of beer, so you can try a wide variety of different beers rather than having to choose one
-Inexpensive
-Caution: Food here is not great
47 abantu bendawo batusa
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
737 W Randolph St-Brews their own beers
-You can order 'flights' of beer, so you can try a wide variety of different beers rather than having to choose one
-Inexpensive
-Caution: Food here is not great
Super fun atmosphere, Great cocktails, Recommend ordering a shared cocktail like "The Blood of Kapu Tiki"
125 abantu bendawo batusa
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StSuper fun atmosphere, Great cocktails, Recommend ordering a shared cocktail like "The Blood of Kapu Tiki"
Often has live music, Back Porch Iced Tea is amazing (and strong), Pretty good food. Try the fried pickles
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Bub City
435 N Clark StOften has live music, Back Porch Iced Tea is amazing (and strong), Pretty good food. Try the fried pickles
Speakeasy. Amazing cocktails, amazing atmosphere. Must go here
355 abantu bendawo batusa
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveSpeakeasy. Amazing cocktails, amazing atmosphere. Must go here
Open late (4AM all days except Saturday, when it is 5AM), basement is all 80s/90s music which is very fun
17 abantu bendawo batusa
The Hangge-Uppe
14 W Elm StOpen late (4AM all days except Saturday, when it is 5AM), basement is all 80s/90s music which is very fun
Open late. 4AM Wednesday-Sunday, except Saturday when open till 5AM. Slightly clubbier than the Hanggee Uppe
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Social Twenty-Five
25 W Hubbard StOpen late. 4AM Wednesday-Sunday, except Saturday when open till 5AM. Slightly clubbier than the Hanggee Uppe
Howl at the Moon Chicago
26 W Hubbard StDueling pianos & fishbowls
Blue Frog Bar & Grill
676 N LaSalle DrKaraoke
¡AY CHIWOWA - Tequila. Tacos. Tavern.
311 W Chicago AveGood tacos, great margaritas
Literally across the street. Play unlimited free video games while drinking delicious beer & cocktails. Favorite cocktail: South Side
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Headquarters Beercade
213 W Institute PlLiterally across the street. Play unlimited free video games while drinking delicious beer & cocktails. Favorite cocktail: South Side
Features skee-ball, excellent dance floor, adorable drinks. Highly recommended
127 abantu bendawo batusa
Slippery Slope
2357 N Milwaukee AveFeatures skee-ball, excellent dance floor, adorable drinks. Highly recommended
Excellent dance floor. Get your nails done if you'd like (I have never done this here)
82 abantu bendawo batusa
Beauty Bar
1444 W Chicago AveExcellent dance floor. Get your nails done if you'd like (I have never done this here)
Excellent dance floor. Go to the back room (past the pool tables)
57 abantu bendawo batusa
Bar Deville
Excellent dance floor. Go to the back room (past the pool tables)
Essentials
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveHeaven on earth
1.5 blocks away, for anything quick you need to pick up grocery, toiletry, etc.-wise
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Walmart Express
225 West Chicago Avenue1.5 blocks away, for anything quick you need to pick up grocery, toiletry, etc.-wise
Binny's Beverage Depot
213 W Grand AveGreat alcohol store