Guidebook for Chicago

John
Guidebook for Chicago

Essentials

As an Italian-American whose grandfather owned an Italian Market in RI, I highly recommend Mariano's! Try the fresh-cut Prosciutto with cantaloupe!
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
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As an Italian-American whose grandfather owned an Italian Market in RI, I highly recommend Mariano's! Try the fresh-cut Prosciutto with cantaloupe!

Food Scene

Very good, reasonably-priced sushi and asian restaurant. What I like about Hot Woks is that BOTH the sushi and the entrees are equally good (usually it's one or the other). Nice people, too!
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Hot Woks Cool Sushi
3930 N Pulaski Rd
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Very good, reasonably-priced sushi and asian restaurant. What I like about Hot Woks is that BOTH the sushi and the entrees are equally good (usually it's one or the other). Nice people, too!
Great breakfast place with character!
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Kitsch'n on Roscoe
2005 W Roscoe St
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Great breakfast place with character!
Excellent higher-end dining in walking distance!!
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Turquoise Cafe & Restaurant
2147 W Roscoe St
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Excellent higher-end dining in walking distance!!
Exceptional restaurant and wine bar! Voted one of the most romantic places in Chicago! Try the patio!!!
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Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California Avenue
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Exceptional restaurant and wine bar! Voted one of the most romantic places in Chicago! Try the patio!!!
This is a great Vietnamese lunch place - try the vietnamese sub sandwiches!!
Bánh Mì BáGet
2057 West Roscoe Street
This is a great Vietnamese lunch place - try the vietnamese sub sandwiches!!
Vegitarian breakfast/ brunch/ lunch spot.
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Lucy’s Cafe
2100 W Roscoe St
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Vegitarian breakfast/ brunch/ lunch spot.
Very good Chicago pizza - the closest one nearby, for pickup or dine-in.
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Pete's Pizza
3737 N Western Ave
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Very good Chicago pizza - the closest one nearby, for pickup or dine-in.
Pretty good local Italian place. Family-friendly.
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Piazza Bella Trattoria & Osteria
2114 W Roscoe St
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Pretty good local Italian place. Family-friendly.
My favorite sub place!! One block walk to this family-owned sub shop that is a refreshing change from the chains. Try the Italian sub (which reminds me of my East Coast home in Rhode Island).
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Hero's Submarine Sandwich Shop
3600 N Western Ave
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My favorite sub place!! One block walk to this family-owned sub shop that is a refreshing change from the chains. Try the Italian sub (which reminds me of my East Coast home in Rhode Island).
Brand new Starbucks that is a block away. [There's a bigger one on Roscoe, if you are walking that way.]
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Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee Ave
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Brand new Starbucks that is a block away. [There's a bigger one on Roscoe, if you are walking that way.]
This is farther away, but bigger, if you are walking that way anyway (for shopping, to eat, etc).
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Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee Ave
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This is farther away, but bigger, if you are walking that way anyway (for shopping, to eat, etc).
Potbelly is the best of the 'chain' sandwich shops - local to Midwest, if you are from out of town. Oven-cooked subs. Try their milkshakes, cole slaw, and soup!
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Potbelly Sandwich Shop
2264 N Lincoln Ave
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Potbelly is the best of the 'chain' sandwich shops - local to Midwest, if you are from out of town. Oven-cooked subs. Try their milkshakes, cole slaw, and soup!
If you're looking for nearby fast food, this is a block away.
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Wendy's
5472 N Harlem Ave
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If you're looking for nearby fast food, this is a block away.
The local Mac-D's. It's a good-sized one, with drive-through and a nice play area (climbing area) for the kids (remember the socks! ;).
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McDonald's
1951 N Western Ave
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The local Mac-D's. It's a good-sized one, with drive-through and a nice play area (climbing area) for the kids (remember the socks! ;).
Sometimes you just need a doughnut. Or a bagel. Or just like DD's coffee/ hot chocolate better than Starbucks. A two-block walk away.
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Dunkin'
2565 W Fullerton Ave
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Sometimes you just need a doughnut. Or a bagel. Or just like DD's coffee/ hot chocolate better than Starbucks. A two-block walk away.
I like Hero's subs (see my recommendation below - across the street) better, but if you're a Subway person, they are both less than a block away.
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Subway
1101 W Bryn Mawr Ave
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I like Hero's subs (see my recommendation below - across the street) better, but if you're a Subway person, they are both less than a block away.
Very family-friendly, American comfort food.
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John's Place
2132 W Roscoe St
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Very family-friendly, American comfort food.
Higher-end breakfast place. (I haven't eaten here... I like Kitch'n, which is yummy, two doors down, but Orange is 'nicer' setting).
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Paul's Noodle Shop
3400 N Sheffield Ave
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Higher-end breakfast place. (I haven't eaten here... I like Kitch'n, which is yummy, two doors down, but Orange is 'nicer' setting).

Drinks & Nightlife

Fun local bar right on Roscoe St (the main business street that is a nice 10 minute walk through our safe neighborhood).
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Village Tap
2055 W Roscoe St
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Fun local bar right on Roscoe St (the main business street that is a nice 10 minute walk through our safe neighborhood).
GREAT wine bar and 'tapas'-type hors-douevres place. Can buy wine here to take back 'home', or buy a bottle to drink on premises, with good food (cheeses and light fare).
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Lush Wine & Spirits
2232 W Roscoe St
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GREAT wine bar and 'tapas'-type hors-douevres place. Can buy wine here to take back 'home', or buy a bottle to drink on premises, with good food (cheeses and light fare).
Good bar, good bar food. I'd recommend this, if you're looking for a good burger nearby.
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Reveler
3403 North Damen Avenue
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Good bar, good bar food. I'd recommend this, if you're looking for a good burger nearby.

Shopping

Boutique clothes for the kids
Little Threads
Boutique clothes for the kids
Boutique jeans/ denim store (http://thedenimlounge.com)
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The Denim Lounge
2039 W Roscoe St
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Boutique jeans/ denim store (http://thedenimlounge.com)
Cool record store.
Village Records
2010 W Roscoe St
Cool record store.
Contemporary and vintage women's boutique.
Hubba-Hubba
1105 Central Ave
Contemporary and vintage women's boutique.
Upscale women's apparel & accessories.
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Cinnamon Boutique
2104 W Roscoe St
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Upscale women's apparel & accessories.

Entertainment & Activities

Great playground at prestigious Bell Elementary School 1 block away!
Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School
Great playground at prestigious Bell Elementary School 1 block away!