Guidebook for Chicago
North SIde Eating
Our favorite places near our 'hood - Ravenswood.
CoCo Vietnamese Sandwiches & Pho
1613 W Lawrence AveExcellent bahn mi and pho
Taquería Primo Chuki's Uptown
1708 W Lawrence AveDelicious standard Mexican and oh-so convenient
Aroy Thai
4654 N Damen AveOur go-to local Thai place.
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits Ravenswood
4947 N Damen AveIt’s all in the name.
Delicious arepas and more. BYOB.
The servers offer great recommendations.
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BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant
1637 W Montrose AveDelicious arepas and more. BYOB.
The servers offer great recommendations.
Big Jones
5347 N Clark StPricier, but delicious southern comfort food.
Tasty and affordable sushi. The unusual rolls are better than the traditional. Beautiful outdoor dining area.
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Fin Sushi Bar
1742 W Wilson AveTasty and affordable sushi. The unusual rolls are better than the traditional. Beautiful outdoor dining area.
Gather
4539 N Lincoln AveExcellent brunch and dinner.
Beautiful outdoor dining area in the back.
Small spot that makes delicious savory and sweet Dutch pancakes and crepes.
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Famous Dutch Pancake Huis - Pannenkoeken Cafe
4757 N Western AveSmall spot that makes delicious savory and sweet Dutch pancakes and crepes.
Thin crust pizza. Not Andrea’s #1 pick in the city, but very good.
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Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
1769 W Sunnyside AveThin crust pizza. Not Andrea’s #1 pick in the city, but very good.
Jet's Pizza
3951 N Kimball AveOur go-to delivery. Detroit-style pizza. Get the butter crust.
Definitely a treat, but worth the splurge.
The first Michelin starred Brewpub.
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Band of Bohemia
4710 N Ravenswood AveDefinitely a treat, but worth the splurge.
The first Michelin starred Brewpub.
La Boulangerie
3129 W Logan BlvdDelicious baguettes, sandwiches, quiches, croissants, and macarons.
Uncommon Ground (lakeview)
3800 North Clark StreetReally delicious restaurant in Wrigleyville.
DELICIOUS ICE CREAM! Homemade waffle cones. Seasonal flavors.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveDELICIOUS ICE CREAM! Homemade waffle cones. Seasonal flavors.
Cuba 312
2054 W Roscoe StDelicious Cuban food. Small space. Expect a wait on weekends.
Cafe Orchid
1746 W Addison StTurkish food. The Iskender is a wow.
La Michoacana Premium
1855 S Blue Island AvePaletas made from scratch. So many flavors!
If you are exploring Pilsen (murals, Mexican Museum of Art, Mexican food, fresh tortillas, a concert at Thalia Hall, etc.), you must stop at Kritoffer's for tres leches. It is not traditional. There are several flavors. Caramel is the best.
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Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery
1733 S Halsted StIf you are exploring Pilsen (murals, Mexican Museum of Art, Mexican food, fresh tortillas, a concert at Thalia Hall, etc.), you must stop at Kritoffer's for tres leches. It is not traditional. There are several flavors. Caramel is the best.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston AveYou put butter on your fried chicken and you eat it.
Arts & Culture
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln AveConcerts plus classes (music, dance, and more)
I never visited this museum until I lived here, but it is a gem. Great size. Do-able in an afternoon. Free on Tuesdays with outdoor concerts in the summer.
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시카고 현대미술관
220 E Chicago AveI never visited this museum until I lived here, but it is a gem. Great size. Do-able in an afternoon. Free on Tuesdays with outdoor concerts in the summer.
Some of the best theatre in Chicago-land takes place in the charming village of Glencoe. An easy ride by metra.
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Writers Theatre
325 Tudor CtSome of the best theatre in Chicago-land takes place in the charming village of Glencoe. An easy ride by metra.
Lovely outdoor concert space. Bring a picnic. An easy side on the metra.
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Ravinia Festival Administration Office
418 Sheridan RdLovely outdoor concert space. Bring a picnic. An easy side on the metra.
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StGreat theatre.
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
5779 N Ridge AveLocal storefront theatre focusing on women's stories.
Classic Chicago theatre producing new plays and late night short skits.
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Neo-Futurists
5153 North Ashland AvenueClassic Chicago theatre producing new plays and late night short skits.
Every Wednesday night and Saturday, this old haunt of Al Capone's hosts Papermachete - a variety show with music, comedy, etc. It is tied to the news and pop culture of the week. It is FREE with a cash bar. A great way to spend a rainy day. Get there an hour early on Saturday and a half hour on Wednesday. Otherwise, this is a great place for music.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayEvery Wednesday night and Saturday, this old haunt of Al Capone's hosts Papermachete - a variety show with music, comedy, etc. It is tied to the news and pop culture of the week. It is FREE with a cash bar. A great way to spend a rainy day. Get there an hour early on Saturday and a half hour on Wednesday. Otherwise, this is a great place for music.
Shopping
Old-school pharmacy with unique and natural health, personal care and beauty products. So much fun to poke around.
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Merz Apothecary
4716 N Lincoln AveOld-school pharmacy with unique and natural health, personal care and beauty products. So much fun to poke around.
Hazel
1835 W Montrose AveNice gifts, jewelry, etc.
Great Chicago themed items along with general gifts, etc.
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ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE
4723 N Lincoln AveGreat Chicago themed items along with general gifts, etc.
Parks & Nature
Free to the public. You only pay for parking. Beautiful in every season. A 10 minute walk from the metra station.
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Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdFree to the public. You only pay for parking. Beautiful in every season. A 10 minute walk from the metra station.
Local Movie Theatres
Music Box Theatre
3733 N Southport AveGreat indie movie theatre.
Local Landmark Theatre. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted. Go early for some ax throwing in the basement.
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Landmark's Century Centre Cinema
2828 N Clark StLocal Landmark Theatre. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted. Go early for some ax throwing in the basement.
Local movie theatre with bar/restaurant attached. Hosts film festivals, drag bingo, and more. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted.
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Davis Theater, Chicago
4614 N Lincoln AveLocal movie theatre with bar/restaurant attached. Hosts film festivals, drag bingo, and more. MoviePass e-ticketing accepted.
Treat Yourself
If you have a car, drive up to Niles to visit this massive Korean spa. The H-Mart next door has discounted tickets. Cash only. There are men/women areas with hot tubs, steam rooms, etc. then join together for saunas made of gold, amethyst, charcoal, and more plus a nap room, movie room, and cafeteria. Extra treatments are available for purchase, but the $20 entrance fee gets you access to the pools and saunas for 24 hours.
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King Spa & Sauna
809 Civic Center DrIf you have a car, drive up to Niles to visit this massive Korean spa. The H-Mart next door has discounted tickets. Cash only. There are men/women areas with hot tubs, steam rooms, etc. then join together for saunas made of gold, amethyst, charcoal, and more plus a nap room, movie room, and cafeteria. Extra treatments are available for purchase, but the $20 entrance fee gets you access to the pools and saunas for 24 hours.
Go for the mask bar, the food grade face/body products, or yoga classes. This local, woman owned business is a gem and the co-founder is a chemist so she can explain more about your skin that your brain can process. Plus they have yoga and meditation classes.
Scratch Goods
847 W Randolph StGo for the mask bar, the food grade face/body products, or yoga classes. This local, woman owned business is a gem and the co-founder is a chemist so she can explain more about your skin that your brain can process. Plus they have yoga and meditation classes.