Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Coalfire
1321 W Grand AveThe pizza is amazing!
The fried chicken and cocktails are on point and the patio is awesome.
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage AveThe fried chicken and cocktails are on point and the patio is awesome.
They have a french toast flight, and amazing savory options as well.
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Batter & Berries
2748 N Lincoln AveThey have a french toast flight, and amazing savory options as well.
MOZZARELLA STICKS. If you're like me, and don't love mozz sticks, but will eat them if they're in front of you, think again. These are THE BEST MOZZ STICKS IN THE WORLD. The pizza and other items are pretty good too, but please eat the mozz sticks.
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Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveMOZZARELLA STICKS. If you're like me, and don't love mozz sticks, but will eat them if they're in front of you, think again. These are THE BEST MOZZ STICKS IN THE WORLD. The pizza and other items are pretty good too, but please eat the mozz sticks.
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division StGreat pizza, fun and lively vibe, great patio.
Amazing burgers, simple, double patties, double awesome. Great patio when the weather is nice as well. Beware, they ONLY sell burgers, fries, milkshakes, and booze, but who needs more than that?
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveAmazing burgers, simple, double patties, double awesome. Great patio when the weather is nice as well. Beware, they ONLY sell burgers, fries, milkshakes, and booze, but who needs more than that?
Iced sugar cookies, iced molasses cookies, cupcakes, oh my. GO EAT THEM! It's a pretty cute shop too.
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Sweet Mandy B's
1208 W Webster AveIced sugar cookies, iced molasses cookies, cupcakes, oh my. GO EAT THEM! It's a pretty cute shop too.
The old fashioneds are just to die for. The other stuff is good too, but please get an old fashioned.
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Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveThe old fashioneds are just to die for. The other stuff is good too, but please get an old fashioned.
Very casual, VERY cheap, very tasty middle eastern food joint. Both order at the counter service and a buffet. Cash only!
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Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveVery casual, VERY cheap, very tasty middle eastern food joint. Both order at the counter service and a buffet. Cash only!
Best burgers in the world. Beware, it is normally a multi-hour wait so best to go either very early, or very late. There are tons of other bars and restaurants nearby so you can always put your name down and then have a drink somewhere else while you wait.
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Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StBest burgers in the world. Beware, it is normally a multi-hour wait so best to go either very early, or very late. There are tons of other bars and restaurants nearby so you can always put your name down and then have a drink somewhere else while you wait.
Best deep dish that's so good, even locals will eat it. Fair warning, please prepare to wait. Deep dish pizza takes at least 45 minutes to prepare and the wait here is rarely short of an hour. That said, call ahead to confirm.
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Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueBest deep dish that's so good, even locals will eat it. Fair warning, please prepare to wait. Deep dish pizza takes at least 45 minutes to prepare and the wait here is rarely short of an hour. That said, call ahead to confirm.
Great tapas bar with delicious food and sangria. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
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Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted StGreat tapas bar with delicious food and sangria. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
This small hole in the wall is legitimately one of the best fried chicken spots I've ever had - Chicago or otherwise.
Their chicken wings are massive ... 5 is likely too many for most. Their boneless wings are also huge and if you order, say a 6 piece, it'll always come w/ 2 or 3 extra, so keep that in mind.
Asian BBQ is the flavor that I get and it's pretty spicy too. That said, they've got a host of other flavors and chicken types to pick from.
Can get this delivered via bike messenger or you can eat onsite, however beware that the dining area is small and always packed. But it's so worth the wait, should it come to that.
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Crisp
2940 N BroadwayThis small hole in the wall is legitimately one of the best fried chicken spots I've ever had - Chicago or otherwise.
Their chicken wings are massive ... 5 is likely too many for most. Their boneless wings are also huge and if you order, say a 6 piece, it'll always come w/ 2 or 3 extra, so keep that in mind.
Asian BBQ is the flavor that I get and it's pretty spicy too. That said, they've got a host of other flavors and chicken types to pick from.
Can get this delivered via bike messenger or you can eat onsite, however beware that the dining area is small and always packed. But it's so worth the wait, should it come to that.
Great food, great atmosphere and great drinks. Nice patio when the weather is nice.
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Big Star Wrigleyville
3640 N Clark StGreat food, great atmosphere and great drinks. Nice patio when the weather is nice.
This is a fun restaurant that brews their own beer (and it’s all super tasty), and makes some great pizza. They have live band karaoke on Saturday nights, too. Off the Damen stop. (Fun fact: the restaurant is owned by Cheap Trick’s guitarist, Rick Nielson)
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveThis is a fun restaurant that brews their own beer (and it’s all super tasty), and makes some great pizza. They have live band karaoke on Saturday nights, too. Off the Damen stop. (Fun fact: the restaurant is owned by Cheap Trick’s guitarist, Rick Nielson)
Pizza and beer. The good stuff, as well. By-the-slice or by-the-pie, this is thin crust exclusively, no Chicago-style deep dish here. Take out available, call ahead. Or wait at the bar while watching the indie movie projected on to the wall behind. Cash only, ATM at the back. If you make a withdrawal they give you a shot of Jamesons. Checking out the bathrooms is a must (seriously!) Can get busy Fri/Sat evenings. Fine for children earlier in the day.
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The Boiler Room
2210 North California AvenuePizza and beer. The good stuff, as well. By-the-slice or by-the-pie, this is thin crust exclusively, no Chicago-style deep dish here. Take out available, call ahead. Or wait at the bar while watching the indie movie projected on to the wall behind. Cash only, ATM at the back. If you make a withdrawal they give you a shot of Jamesons. Checking out the bathrooms is a must (seriously!) Can get busy Fri/Sat evenings. Fine for children earlier in the day.
A nice away from the city BBQ spot. It can get busy however it's not your typical hustle-and-bustle Chicago spot.
Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly and the meat - specifically the chopped brisket, it really good.
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Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski RdA nice away from the city BBQ spot. It can get busy however it's not your typical hustle-and-bustle Chicago spot.
Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly and the meat - specifically the chopped brisket, it really good.
They've got great brisket. I repeat, GREAT BRISKET! This is Sam's favorite BBQ spot in the city.
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Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StThey've got great brisket. I repeat, GREAT BRISKET! This is Sam's favorite BBQ spot in the city.
Parks & Nature
A really great conservatory with many rooms of plants. Quick and easy visit and free!
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링컨파크 음악원
2430 N Stockton DrA really great conservatory with many rooms of plants. Quick and easy visit and free!
Drinks & Nightlife
The J. Parker
1816 N Clark StWonderful views of Lincoln Park, the lake and downtown.
This wine bar isn't hip or trendy, so don't go for the decor, go for the amazing wine selection and the absolute best cheese boards.
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Bar Pastoral
2947 N BroadwayThis wine bar isn't hip or trendy, so don't go for the decor, go for the amazing wine selection and the absolute best cheese boards.
This place is part brewery and part restaurant. Great burgers with nice thick patties.
Additionally, they've got some of the best local brews in the city. Anti-Hero, Revolution IPA, Fist City and others round out the selection of fantastic local beers at this one of a kind location.
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Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee AveThis place is part brewery and part restaurant. Great burgers with nice thick patties.
Additionally, they've got some of the best local brews in the city. Anti-Hero, Revolution IPA, Fist City and others round out the selection of fantastic local beers at this one of a kind location.
Like other cities, Chicago has its own speakeasy inspired bar serving up meticulously crafted cocktails. House rules include "No cell phones" and "Don't bring anyone that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner." The cocktails here are pricey (~$15+), but they are worth it. Get there early evening or on weekdays to avoid the lines.
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveLike other cities, Chicago has its own speakeasy inspired bar serving up meticulously crafted cocktails. House rules include "No cell phones" and "Don't bring anyone that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner." The cocktails here are pricey (~$15+), but they are worth it. Get there early evening or on weekdays to avoid the lines.
This is Chicagos first bar-cade featuring a full stage and a huge variety of best in class arcade games. Live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
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Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee AveThis is Chicagos first bar-cade featuring a full stage and a huge variety of best in class arcade games. Live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
Fun dive-esque bar in Logan Square (hipster part of town). Low light and hip vibes.
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The Owl
2521 N Milwaukee AveFun dive-esque bar in Logan Square (hipster part of town). Low light and hip vibes.
Hip bar in Logan Square w/ cool drinks, numerous whiskey offerings and more.
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Spilt Milk
811 South BlvdHip bar in Logan Square w/ cool drinks, numerous whiskey offerings and more.
Sightseeing
I love taking visitors to walk or bike along the lakefront trail. I recommend starting at the lake north of downtown, somewhere near Lincoln Park, and walking all the way down as far as you would like, but definitely to Oak Street Beach. You can continue on to Millennium Park if you have it in you!
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시카고 레이크프론트트레일
Lakefront TrailI love taking visitors to walk or bike along the lakefront trail. I recommend starting at the lake north of downtown, somewhere near Lincoln Park, and walking all the way down as far as you would like, but definitely to Oak Street Beach. You can continue on to Millennium Park if you have it in you!
Entertainment & Activities
Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country. Whether you're a baseball purist or a tourist, this is a great place to witness in person. Not to mention, you have to take a picture in front of the iconic marquee out front.
It's a short walk from our place or a shorter bike ride or Uber. Definitely worth catching a game or inquiring about the Wrigley Field Stadium Tour.
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리글리 필드
1060 W Addison StWrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country. Whether you're a baseball purist or a tourist, this is a great place to witness in person. Not to mention, you have to take a picture in front of the iconic marquee out front.
It's a short walk from our place or a shorter bike ride or Uber. Definitely worth catching a game or inquiring about the Wrigley Field Stadium Tour.