Essentials
La Casa Del Pueblo Inc.
1810 S Blue Island AveYummy Tamales at the neighboring Taqueria as well.
Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StSuper Mercados El Güero
2101 W Cermak RdGood for fresh produce
Food Scene
Off the beaten path (18th is the main business district) but absolutely delicious, unique local taqueria. This is the Mexican restaurant all our visiting family request. BYOB.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
El Taco Azteca - Mexican Restaurant of Chicago
2151 W Cermak RdOff the beaten path (18th is the main business district) but absolutely delicious, unique local taqueria. This is the Mexican restaurant all our visiting family request. BYOB.
Gastropub with Mexican flare. And the liquor store upstairs is great as well.
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Pl-zen
1519 W 18th StGastropub with Mexican flare. And the liquor store upstairs is great as well.
Taqueria Los Comales
1544 W 18th StClassic Pilsen taqueria.
Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StGood food, nice scene. Good classic option.
Family owned spot, classic diner with a Mexican flare. Nothing too special food wise, but love the diner, regulars, family who runs it. Cash only.
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Parkview Restaurant Grill
2000 W 19th StFamily owned spot, classic diner with a Mexican flare. Nothing too special food wise, but love the diner, regulars, family who runs it. Cash only.
Delicious Puerto Rican sandwiches. This and el Taco Azteca are our go to lucnh spots.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
The Jibarito Stop
1646 W 18th StDelicious Puerto Rican sandwiches. This and el Taco Azteca are our go to lucnh spots.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great local bar, good cocktails, and they sell takeaway beers. Often stop here to grab a six pack on way home from the train.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
The Barrel
2015 S Damen AveGreat local bar, good cocktails, and they sell takeaway beers. Often stop here to grab a six pack on way home from the train.
If you want to get into a close by but even more off the beaten path neighborhood, this is a fantastic bar with yummy fusion polish / Korean food.
112 abantu bendawo batusa
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StIf you want to get into a close by but even more off the beaten path neighborhood, this is a fantastic bar with yummy fusion polish / Korean food.
Our favorite local brewery, of the many good breweries to choose from (hard to go wrong)
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom
2101 S Carpenter StOur favorite local brewery, of the many good breweries to choose from (hard to go wrong)
Largest, iconic Lagunitas brewery. Entertaining spot with music every day at 4:20 and good food.
125 abantu bendawo batusa
Lagunitas Brewing Company
2607 W 17th StLargest, iconic Lagunitas brewery. Entertaining spot with music every day at 4:20 and good food.
Best dive bar in the city, also happens to have yummy, affordable food with good vegetarian options.
73 abantu bendawo batusa
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StBest dive bar in the city, also happens to have yummy, affordable food with good vegetarian options.
Iconic building, beautiful venue. Recommend the basement bar the Punch House. Happy hour from 6-7pm will get you items from the Michelin star rated menu at Dusek's for cheap, and their delicious $5 punches.
135 abantu bendawo batusa
Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StIconic building, beautiful venue. Recommend the basement bar the Punch House. Happy hour from 6-7pm will get you items from the Michelin star rated menu at Dusek's for cheap, and their delicious $5 punches.
The Athletic Association is a great stop when you're downtown seeing the sights and are looking for somewhere to take a load off. There are actually five bars / restaurants in the athletic association, including the hotel lobby on the second floor with cozy fireplaces, or the rooftop bar at Cindy's with great views of the lake. It's a go-to spot for us downtown, whether we need somewhere to work and get a coffee, a fun bar to hangout with friends, or a really special cocktail. Recommend!
53 abantu bendawo batusa
Chicago Athletic Association
12 S Michigan AveThe Athletic Association is a great stop when you're downtown seeing the sights and are looking for somewhere to take a load off. There are actually five bars / restaurants in the athletic association, including the hotel lobby on the second floor with cozy fireplaces, or the rooftop bar at Cindy's with great views of the lake. It's a go-to spot for us downtown, whether we need somewhere to work and get a coffee, a fun bar to hangout with friends, or a really special cocktail. Recommend!
The Plant is a really interesting place; they've converted an old pork processing plant into a hub for local food businesses all working to be zero waste. There's a farmers market, hydroponics in the basement, a roof garden, and whiner brewery is a great spot for a drink. Check the website for tours and hours if your'e interested in exploring one of the innovative ways folks are looking to revitalize Chicago's communities and industry.
The Plant
1400 W 46th StThe Plant is a really interesting place; they've converted an old pork processing plant into a hub for local food businesses all working to be zero waste. There's a farmers market, hydroponics in the basement, a roof garden, and whiner brewery is a great spot for a drink. Check the website for tours and hours if your'e interested in exploring one of the innovative ways folks are looking to revitalize Chicago's communities and industry.
Arts & Culture
Iziko Lomuzi Wokubaluleka Womzantsi Afrika Womzantsi Afrika
1852 W 19th St