Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Great tacos, great margaritas, great patio. The "scene" in the area. Enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun and kick back. The Al Pastor tacos are the bomb.
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Big Star
1531 N Damen AveGreat tacos, great margaritas, great patio. The "scene" in the area. Enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun and kick back. The Al Pastor tacos are the bomb.
BYOB Costa Rican restaurant. Get the oatmeal shake.
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Irazu Costa Rican Restaurant & Catering
1865 N Milwaukee AveBYOB Costa Rican restaurant. Get the oatmeal shake.
Deeeeeeelicious fresh, inventive tacos. Great salads too.
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Antique Taco Wicker Park
1360 N Milwaukee AveDeeeeeeelicious fresh, inventive tacos. Great salads too.
Glazed and Infused
1553 North Damen AvenueAwesome gourmet doughnuts and coffee.
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen AveYummy fancy doughnuts and coffee.
Awesome cyclist-friendly veggie restaurant. Great food and cheap drinks. Try the black bean maduro!
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Handlebar
2311 W North AveAwesome cyclist-friendly veggie restaurant. Great food and cheap drinks. Try the black bean maduro!
Great lunch or casual dinner spot. Seasonal menu, and the entrees are solid sandwiches. Everything is delicious and reasonably priced. I go for the atmosphere and off the beaten path persona.
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Birchwood Kitchen
2211 West North AvenueGreat lunch or casual dinner spot. Seasonal menu, and the entrees are solid sandwiches. Everything is delicious and reasonably priced. I go for the atmosphere and off the beaten path persona.
Forever Yogurt & CupCakes
1924 W North AveMmmmm self serve fro yo. Pay by weight.
Our go-to place when we don't feel like cooking. Awesome middle eastern food. Cheap eats. Cash only.
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Sultan's Market
2057 W North AveOur go-to place when we don't feel like cooking. Awesome middle eastern food. Cheap eats. Cash only.
Our standby brunch place. Home of the yummiest breakfast potatoes.
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Feast Restaurant + Bar
1616 North Damen AvenueOur standby brunch place. Home of the yummiest breakfast potatoes.
Great neighborhood restaurant and bar. Surprisingly intensive cocktail menu. Don't expect luxury, the booths have ripped seats but it's part of the charm.
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Blue Line Lounge & Grill
1548 N Damen AveGreat neighborhood restaurant and bar. Surprisingly intensive cocktail menu. Don't expect luxury, the booths have ripped seats but it's part of the charm.
Great Indian/Nepalese food. Good service and great portions. Get the garlic naan! They have a fantastic all you can eat weekend lunch buffet.
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Cumin
1414 N Milwaukee AveGreat Indian/Nepalese food. Good service and great portions. Get the garlic naan! They have a fantastic all you can eat weekend lunch buffet.
Extremely popular brunch place known for decadent pancakes, etc. Expect long waits on weekends.
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Bongo Room
1470 N Milwaukee AveExtremely popular brunch place known for decadent pancakes, etc. Expect long waits on weekends.
Delicious Mexican food. The margaritas are solid. Pro tip: Check out the back patio in the warm months.
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Las Palmas Restaurant
1835 W North AveDelicious Mexican food. The margaritas are solid. Pro tip: Check out the back patio in the warm months.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StGreat coffee and croissants. No wifi!
There's a Delorean (back to the future) on the ceiling!
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The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee AveThere's a Delorean (back to the future) on the ceiling!
Southwest-style (upscale) diner by the owners of Big Star. Check out the cocktails and the chicken fried chicken!
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Dove's Luncheonette
1545 N Damen AveSouthwest-style (upscale) diner by the owners of Big Star. Check out the cocktails and the chicken fried chicken!
Empanadas with inventive flavors. It started as a food truck. Order at the register and then wait (they cook them to order). Won't fill you up, but a nice midday snack.
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5411 Empanadas | Wicker Park
2045 W North AveEmpanadas with inventive flavors. It started as a food truck. Order at the register and then wait (they cook them to order). Won't fill you up, but a nice midday snack.
High end restaurant w/history. The food and service is exquisite. If you want to attack the menu then we suggest the $50/person prefix. You'll be stuffed, but you won't regret it. Bar is also solid.
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Trench
2039 West North AvenueHigh end restaurant w/history. The food and service is exquisite. If you want to attack the menu then we suggest the $50/person prefix. You'll be stuffed, but you won't regret it. Bar is also solid.
Best sushi place in walking distance. The buns and special Maki rolls are delicious. Sake and Sochu selection is solid. Cool atmosphere and a close walk.
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Enso Sushi & Bar
1613 N Damen AveBest sushi place in walking distance. The buns and special Maki rolls are delicious. Sake and Sochu selection is solid. Cool atmosphere and a close walk.
Delicious Chinese food. They also have a Japanese kitchen. Note, the portions are very large. You could probably get away with splitting an entree and appetizer.
Papajin Chinese & Sushi Bar
1551 N Milwaukee AveDelicious Chinese food. They also have a Japanese kitchen. Note, the portions are very large. You could probably get away with splitting an entree and appetizer.
Super casual ramen joint. Communal seating and usually cool music playing. The broth is spicy and delicious. Recommended for quick cheap eats.
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Furious Spoon Wicker Park
Super casual ramen joint. Communal seating and usually cool music playing. The broth is spicy and delicious. Recommended for quick cheap eats.
Our favorite ramen place. They have chicken tikka masala flavored ramen! Don't knock it til you try it. Casual, cool vibe. Order the fried garlic chicken Sambal style to share. Thank me later : )
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Oiistar
1385 N Milwaukee AveOur favorite ramen place. They have chicken tikka masala flavored ramen! Don't knock it til you try it. Casual, cool vibe. Order the fried garlic chicken Sambal style to share. Thank me later : )
Often-busy "New Haven style" pizza. They also brew their own beer. Big hang out spots for watching any of the local sports teams. Watch out for the crowds.
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveOften-busy "New Haven style" pizza. They also brew their own beer. Big hang out spots for watching any of the local sports teams. Watch out for the crowds.
Greek tapa-style restaurant. Everything is delicious and the service is fantastic. They now have an AMAZING rooftop, the only one along this busy strip of Milwaukee Ave.
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Taxim
1558 N Milwaukee AveGreek tapa-style restaurant. Everything is delicious and the service is fantastic. They now have an AMAZING rooftop, the only one along this busy strip of Milwaukee Ave.
Pizza by the slice. They specialize in crazy flavors like mac and cheese and smores, but you can always get a plain slice of cheese or pepperoni. Their crust is the best!
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Dimo's Pizza Wicker Park
1615 N Damen AvePizza by the slice. They specialize in crazy flavors like mac and cheese and smores, but you can always get a plain slice of cheese or pepperoni. Their crust is the best!
LA-based burger place. Lots of people love it, others think it's overhyped. Try it for yourself and decide. The Chicago-Style burger was pretty rad.
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Umami Burger Wicker Park
1480 N Milwaukee AveLA-based burger place. Lots of people love it, others think it's overhyped. Try it for yourself and decide. The Chicago-Style burger was pretty rad.
Butcher/Bar/Italian Restaurant/Event Space. This multipurpose joint has it all. Also has a roof bar.
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Chop Shop
2033 W North AveButcher/Bar/Italian Restaurant/Event Space. This multipurpose joint has it all. Also has a roof bar.
Southern fare and good drinks. Huge outdoor space and deck. The fried oyster poyboy is delicious. you may hate yourself afterwards.
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The Southern
1840 W North AveSouthern fare and good drinks. Huge outdoor space and deck. The fried oyster poyboy is delicious. you may hate yourself afterwards.
Great for desserts and brunch but also serves dinner. Chef has a James Beard Award!
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Mindy’s HotChocolate
1623 N Damen AveGreat for desserts and brunch but also serves dinner. Chef has a James Beard Award!
Cute, intimate and extremely delicious little French bistro. Cozy and friendly European atmosphere. $1 oysters Fridays at the bar. Get the onion soup!
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Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen AveCute, intimate and extremely delicious little French bistro. Cozy and friendly European atmosphere. $1 oysters Fridays at the bar. Get the onion soup!
Rick Bayless's newest venture is right here in Wicker Park. Fast service, great tortas, superb churros and chocolate.
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Fonda Frontera
1471 North Milwaukee AvenueRick Bayless's newest venture is right here in Wicker Park. Fast service, great tortas, superb churros and chocolate.
Great neighborhood restaurant for old school red-sauce Italian food. Sit out on the patio when it's nice out to people watch on this mostly quiet, residential street.
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Club Lucky
1824 W Wabansia AveGreat neighborhood restaurant for old school red-sauce Italian food. Sit out on the patio when it's nice out to people watch on this mostly quiet, residential street.
Our top choice for bbq around here. We love the pulled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. Get it with the coleslaw on top. Also has a nice patio for experiencing the Division street "scene".
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Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StOur top choice for bbq around here. We love the pulled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. Get it with the coleslaw on top. Also has a nice patio for experiencing the Division street "scene".
A good choice if you want to try Chicago deep dish while you're here. There are a few Pizano's in the city, all owned by the famous Malnati family of Pizzeria Uno and Lou Malnati's fame.
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Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta
2056 West Division StreetA good choice if you want to try Chicago deep dish while you're here. There are a few Pizano's in the city, all owned by the famous Malnati family of Pizzeria Uno and Lou Malnati's fame.
Barcelona meets Wicker Park! Best for drinks and tapas. Go for the Cava and Martinez Vermut (trust me on this one). Really, just go for the Vermut. One big ice chunk and garnish with a lemon peel.
Bom Bolla
1501 N Milwaukee AveBarcelona meets Wicker Park! Best for drinks and tapas. Go for the Cava and Martinez Vermut (trust me on this one). Really, just go for the Vermut. One big ice chunk and garnish with a lemon peel.
A fantastic brunch choice, especially when the line at Bongo Room is too long.
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Kanela Breakfast Club
3231 N Clark StA fantastic brunch choice, especially when the line at Bongo Room is too long.
Awesome tamales from this brick and mortar version of the Chicago-famous food truck.
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The Tamale Spaceship
2296 S Blue Island AveAwesome tamales from this brick and mortar version of the Chicago-famous food truck.
This is our new favorite place. Think of if an English pub had a baby with an Indian restaurant. Awesome food, great beer and cider list, 4 kinds of Pimm's cups, and a rum-spiked mango lassi.
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Pub Royale
2049 W Division StThis is our new favorite place. Think of if an English pub had a baby with an Indian restaurant. Awesome food, great beer and cider list, 4 kinds of Pimm's cups, and a rum-spiked mango lassi.
The newest "it" patio in the neighborhood, from the people behind Au Cheval, the city's best burger. Menu is just burgers, fries, and shakes. And booze.
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee AveThe newest "it" patio in the neighborhood, from the people behind Au Cheval, the city's best burger. Menu is just burgers, fries, and shakes. And booze.
Drinks & Nightlife
Swanky "speakeasy" cocktail bar. Door is unmarked, at the end of a constantly changing mural. Hit it on an off night (Tue, Wed, or Thur). Weekends there will almost certainly be a line. Only seating.
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The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen AveSwanky "speakeasy" cocktail bar. Door is unmarked, at the end of a constantly changing mural. Hit it on an off night (Tue, Wed, or Thur). Weekends there will almost certainly be a line. Only seating.
Datus' go-to no-frills local bar. Always cheap or free pool. Great bar and the crowd is always changing. Keep an eye out for Lady Gaga and her Chicago fire main squeeze.
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Lemmings On Damen
1850 N Damen AveDatus' go-to no-frills local bar. Always cheap or free pool. Great bar and the crowd is always changing. Keep an eye out for Lady Gaga and her Chicago fire main squeeze.
Great bar with a cozy yet stylish atmosphere tucked away on a residential street. A true gem.
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The Charleston Bar Chicago
Great bar with a cozy yet stylish atmosphere tucked away on a residential street. A true gem.
LINKS: Sausage links and dozens of beers on tap. Casual and located on the happening Milwaukee avenue. Beers are delicious and the crowd is chill.
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Links Taproom
1559 N Milwaukee AveLINKS: Sausage links and dozens of beers on tap. Casual and located on the happening Milwaukee avenue. Beers are delicious and the crowd is chill.
Craft beer/bourbon bar + old school arcade games.
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Emporium Wicker Park
1366 N Milwaukee AveCraft beer/bourbon bar + old school arcade games.
This is our happy place. The bar lives up to its name: maps, atlases, and flags everywhere. Most importantly, amazing craft beer and free pretzel rods!
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Map Room
1949 N Hoyne AveThis is our happy place. The bar lives up to its name: maps, atlases, and flags everywhere. Most importantly, amazing craft beer and free pretzel rods!
Great food and cocktails. Not many draft beers, but tons of rotating bottles. They make their own ginger beer. Pro Tip: Check out the patio scene in the warmer months.
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Red Door Kitchen + Bar
2118 North Damen AvenueGreat food and cocktails. Not many draft beers, but tons of rotating bottles. They make their own ginger beer. Pro Tip: Check out the patio scene in the warmer months.
The best bar in Chicago. Per NYT. Per Datus. Per Datus' friends. Per Datus. Per Stacey. Per Datus. Go there. Food is also delicious. No reservations.
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Billy Sunday
3143 W Logan BlvdThe best bar in Chicago. Per NYT. Per Datus. Per Datus' friends. Per Datus. Per Stacey. Per Datus. Go there. Food is also delicious. No reservations.
German beer haus. Communal tables, boots, weiner snitzel. What's not to love?
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The Radler
2375 N Milwaukee AveGerman beer haus. Communal tables, boots, weiner snitzel. What's not to love?
Analogue
Great cajun style bar bites and cocktails.
The Owl
2521 N Milwaukee AveLate night bar.
Cocktails and funky music and DJs. Small space, but cool late night.
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The Whistler
2421 N Milwaukee AveCocktails and funky music and DJs. Small space, but cool late night.
It's where you go when you feel like dancing all night with a bunch of sweaty hipsters. But really, it's fun when you're in the right mindset. Expect lines Friday/Saturday.
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Dannys
It's where you go when you feel like dancing all night with a bunch of sweaty hipsters. But really, it's fun when you're in the right mindset. Expect lines Friday/Saturday.
Essentials
Great for basics and beer. Organic and slightly overpriced, but you can't beat the convenience given its <100yds from the apartment.
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Go Grocer
2060 W North AveGreat for basics and beer. Organic and slightly overpriced, but you can't beat the convenience given its <100yds from the apartment.
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayThe closest big grocery store.
Shopping
It's an old bank and is positively stunning inside. Check out the vitamin vault downstairs.
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Walgreens
3646 North BroadwayIt's an old bank and is positively stunning inside. Check out the vitamin vault downstairs.
Cool, trendy store with a combination of new and vintage finds.
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Una Mae's
1528 N Milwaukee AveCool, trendy store with a combination of new and vintage finds.
Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveGreat used bookstore. So many aisles.
Detroit-made watches and other (pricy) goods. Cool to check out, even if just to browse.
Shinola Wicker Park / Bucktown Store
1619 N Damen AveDetroit-made watches and other (pricy) goods. Cool to check out, even if just to browse.
One of Stacey's favorite vintage stores. I almost always find something great when I go in.
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Crossroads Trading
1519 N Milwaukee AveOne of Stacey's favorite vintage stores. I almost always find something great when I go in.
Store B
1472 N Milwaukee AveFunky vintage store for unique finds.
It's a chain found mostly in college towns, but Stacey loves it for inexpensive fashion finds. Organized by color.
Pitaya
It's a chain found mostly in college towns, but Stacey loves it for inexpensive fashion finds. Organized by color.
If you're into "zines", comic books, and obscure authors, this is your heaven.
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Quimby's Bookstore
1854 W North AveIf you're into "zines", comic books, and obscure authors, this is your heaven.
Classic Wicker Park record store. The record store in the movie "High Fidelity" was based on it.
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Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveClassic Wicker Park record store. The record store in the movie "High Fidelity" was based on it.
Moon Voyage
2010 W Pierce AveCool little boutique around the corner from us.
Cute little store for picking up gifts, cards, jewelry and other artsy crafty things. They also have BYO art classes in the back.
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One Strange Bird
2124 W Division StCute little store for picking up gifts, cards, jewelry and other artsy crafty things. They also have BYO art classes in the back.
Delicious and unique flavors of ice cream. Highly recommended.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveDelicious and unique flavors of ice cream. Highly recommended.
Arts & Culture
Historic music venue. Check out Soul Summit every third Saturday night.
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Double Door
Historic music venue. Check out Soul Summit every third Saturday night.
Music venue that's just around the corner. Weekly events include reggae night on Thursdays and comedy on Fridays.
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Subterranean
2011 W North AveMusic venue that's just around the corner. Weekly events include reggae night on Thursdays and comedy on Fridays.
Jackson Junge Gallery
1389 N Milwaukee AveCool large art gallery to peruse.
Everything Else
This is a huge labyrinth-like building filled with artist studios, some theaters, a hair salon, & a comic book store. Go on a First Friday event when artists open their doors and give out free booze.
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The Flatiron Arts Building
1579 N Milwaukee AveThis is a huge labyrinth-like building filled with artist studios, some theaters, a hair salon, & a comic book store. Go on a First Friday event when artists open their doors and give out free booze.
Sightseeing
This brand new 3 mile elevated park connects Bucktown to Humboldt Park. Think Chicago's version of NYC's High Line. Closest entrance is at Milwaukee/Leavitt or Damen Ave. Highly recommended.
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Bloomingdale Trail
Bloomingdale TrailThis brand new 3 mile elevated park connects Bucktown to Humboldt Park. Think Chicago's version of NYC's High Line. Closest entrance is at Milwaukee/Leavitt or Damen Ave. Highly recommended.