Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
West Town Pizza
2525 W North AveCheap, fast, and delicious pizza. Chicago Deep Dish, Stuffed Crust, or Thin Crust.
Latin-inspired brunch spot. Delish! Good coffee, lots of options for food. They're also into the Grateful Dead.
50 abantu bendawo batusa
Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveLatin-inspired brunch spot. Delish! Good coffee, lots of options for food. They're also into the Grateful Dead.
Joey's Shrimp House
1432 N Western AveSouthern fried seafood. Yum.
Cup & Spoon
2415 W North AveArtsy coffee shop. Low key. Friendly staff.
Bon Bon Sandwiches
2333 W North AveVietnamese sandwiches. Get it!
Try the Jibarito. It's a steak sandwich with two fried plantains for bread. It's native to Chicago and it's delicious.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Papa's Cache Sabroso
2517 W Division StTry the Jibarito. It's a steak sandwich with two fried plantains for bread. It's native to Chicago and it's delicious.
The signature dish is AMAZING. Very popular on weekends, so probably best to make a reservation.
126 abantu bendawo batusa
Fat Rice
2957 W Diversey AveThe signature dish is AMAZING. Very popular on weekends, so probably best to make a reservation.
Rangoli Classic Indian Dining
You like Indian food?
Belly Shack
1912 North Western AvenueKorean + Puerto Rican fusion. Yum.
Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee AveGood Sushi joint.
Good sushi, but I usually go for the pork belly ramen, which is sublime.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
Enso Sushi & Bar
1613 N Damen AveGood sushi, but I usually go for the pork belly ramen, which is sublime.
Food truck-turned-store front tamale restaurant. Good sauces, cool lucha libre theme.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
The Tamale Spaceship
2296 S Blue Island AveFood truck-turned-store front tamale restaurant. Good sauces, cool lucha libre theme.
Drinks & Nightlife
Unpretentious bar with standard pub fare. Wanna just hang and maybe watch a game? This is your spot.
21 abantu bendawo batusa
West on North
2509 W North AveUnpretentious bar with standard pub fare. Wanna just hang and maybe watch a game? This is your spot.
Handlebar
2311 W North AveHip bar with a great selection of vegetarian food.
Big Star
1531 N Damen AvePopular bar with great tacos. Highly recommended. Great vibe!
Analogue
One of my favorite spots. Excellent cajun food, superb cocktails.
Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveBooze and video games. You know you wanna.
The California Clipper
1002 North California AvenueFancy cocktails, good music.
Happy Village
1059 N Wolcott AveGreat dive bar with a couple of ping pong tables. Fun hang!
The Revel Room
1566 N Milwaukee AveRefined, classic vibe. Good cocktails, interesting back room.
East Room
2354 N Milwaukee AveFun dance club on the second floor.
The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveGreat cocktail bar.
Awesome fried chicken, good cocktails, and negroni slushies. Recommended in the summer time - they have outdoor games and an outdoor bar.
658 abantu bendawo batusa
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveAwesome fried chicken, good cocktails, and negroni slushies. Recommended in the summer time - they have outdoor games and an outdoor bar.
Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveHuge beer list. Cool vibe. Good bar.
Arts & Culture
One of the best venues for live music in Chicago. An institution!
208 abantu bendawo batusa
The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveOne of the best venues for live music in Chicago. An institution!
Shopping
Awesome book store specializing in independent press/graphic novels/zines.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North AveAwesome book store specializing in independent press/graphic novels/zines.
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveThree levels of floor-to-ceiling used books. Awesome curation.
Old school ice cream shop. Get a glimpse of bygone Chicago and a HUGE sundae.
179 abantu bendawo batusa
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western AveOld school ice cream shop. Get a glimpse of bygone Chicago and a HUGE sundae.
Essentials
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveFull service grocery store. Love this place!
Everything Else
Little bodega. Not much to recommend here, but they do stock good beer and they're nearby.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Mango Market
1458 N Western AveLittle bodega. Not much to recommend here, but they do stock good beer and they're nearby.