Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
This is by far my favorite burrito place in the city. Weather permitting, I recommend getting your food to-go and eating it in the park.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taqueria El Mezquite
1756 W 18th StThis is by far my favorite burrito place in the city. Weather permitting, I recommend getting your food to-go and eating it in the park.
Cheap and oh so tasty, Nuevo Leon often has lines going out the door, but on a week night there isn't a wait. I recommend either a sampler platter or the tacos.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nuevo Leon Restaurant
1515 West 18th StreetCheap and oh so tasty, Nuevo Leon often has lines going out the door, but on a week night there isn't a wait. I recommend either a sampler platter or the tacos.
So the food is fantastic, but the margaritas are killer! Get a pitcher.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Perez Restaurant
1163 West 18th StreetSo the food is fantastic, but the margaritas are killer! Get a pitcher.
Looking for a snack while strolling through the neighborhood? Stop and get a churro! They have plain, custard, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry filled.
Don Churro
1626 S Blue Island AveLooking for a snack while strolling through the neighborhood? Stop and get a churro! They have plain, custard, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry filled.
This wonderful little coffee bar offers vegan options, live Jazz on Thursdays and occasionally a Palm Reader.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nitecap Coffee Bar
This wonderful little coffee bar offers vegan options, live Jazz on Thursdays and occasionally a Palm Reader.
Definitely the locals' favorite cafe. I love their baked goods.
134 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StDefinitely the locals' favorite cafe. I love their baked goods.
Paleteria Las Tarascas
1806 West 18th StreetIce cream, flan, occasionally pie. You can buy it by the cone or quart!
Supposedly one of the best BBQ joints in Chicago. They often have live music.
141 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StSupposedly one of the best BBQ joints in Chicago. They often have live music.
Looking for a little Polish Sausage? Order at the window and take it to go!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Express Grill
1730 S Halsted StLooking for a little Polish Sausage? Order at the window and take it to go!
Dragon Bowl
220 W 31st StOne of my favorite Chinese Restaurants. It's a bit far, but they deliver!
This is my favorite restaurant in Little Italy. It is moderately priced. They have live Jazz and martini specials on Thursdays.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Francesca's on Taylor
1400 W Taylor StThis is my favorite restaurant in Little Italy. It is moderately priced. They have live Jazz and martini specials on Thursdays.
Le Bouchon is among my top three favorite French Restaurants. They always have a live musician singing in French!
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen AveLe Bouchon is among my top three favorite French Restaurants. They always have a live musician singing in French!
If your willing to splurge, this French restaurant is divine.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bistrot Margot
1437 North Wells StreetIf your willing to splurge, this French restaurant is divine.
Charming. You feel like you stepped into a french countryside. I love the food and ambience here.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bistro Campagne
4518 N Lincoln AveCharming. You feel like you stepped into a french countryside. I love the food and ambience here.
Del Seoul
2568 N Clark StKorean Barbecue at it's finest.
Arts & Culture
It's free! The exhibits change frequently, and if you are in town near Dia de los muertos you must go!!
222 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano
1852 W 19th StIt's free! The exhibits change frequently, and if you are in town near Dia de los muertos you must go!!
Drinks & Nightlife
A really hip eclectic bar, order a pitcher of some cocktail that has curry in it and drink it out of various sized china. Don't leave before writing a message on the bathroom wall.
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Punch House
1227 W 18th StA really hip eclectic bar, order a pitcher of some cocktail that has curry in it and drink it out of various sized china. Don't leave before writing a message on the bathroom wall.
Craft Beer and Artisan Cocktails and mostly American Brunch and Pub options for food. If you've never had bone marrow before, this is your chance!
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pl-zen
1519 W 18th StCraft Beer and Artisan Cocktails and mostly American Brunch and Pub options for food. If you've never had bone marrow before, this is your chance!
Craft beer and arcade games. Need I say more?
60 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Headquarters Beercade
2833 North Sheffield AvenueCraft beer and arcade games. Need I say more?
The Solstice
2666 North Halsted StreetChocolate Martinis. So decadent.
Everything Else
Dulceria Lupitas
1731 W 18th StThe candy/party store! Another Dia de los muertos favorite for sugar skulls.
If you are driving and are a costco member, they have the cheapest gas in the city.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Costco Wholesale
1430 S Ashland AveIf you are driving and are a costco member, they have the cheapest gas in the city.
My Favorite Beach! It is a well-hidden gem. Right behind the Shed Aquarium, few people venture there, so it's never too crowded. There is also a pier to jump off of.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
12th Street Beach
My Favorite Beach! It is a well-hidden gem. Right behind the Shed Aquarium, few people venture there, so it's never too crowded. There is also a pier to jump off of.
Well worth the money. The Shed is fun for all ages!
673 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Acuario Shedd
1200 S Lake Shore DrWell worth the money. The Shed is fun for all ages!
If you enjoy history and Dinosaur Bones you will definitely enjoy the Field Museum of Natural History.
657 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Museo Field
1400 S Lake Shore DrIf you enjoy history and Dinosaur Bones you will definitely enjoy the Field Museum of Natural History.
I love this museum! It is a little harder to get to. Most of the exhibits are interactive. You can create a tornado, see cloned chicks, explore a coal mine, and test your physical & mental endurance.
483 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Ciencia y Tecnología
5700 S Lake Shore DrI love this museum! It is a little harder to get to. Most of the exhibits are interactive. You can create a tornado, see cloned chicks, explore a coal mine, and test your physical & mental endurance.
Another one of my favorite Museums. It is world class. If you don't want to go in, stroll through the grounds!
1159 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Instituto de Arte de Chicago
111 S Michigan AveAnother one of my favorite Museums. It is world class. If you don't want to go in, stroll through the grounds!
The exhibits are always changing-often due to audience participation. Go here if you enjoy contemporary art.
532 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Chicago
220 E Chicago AveThe exhibits are always changing-often due to audience participation. Go here if you enjoy contemporary art.
Shopping
If you love shopping for or just admiring vintage clothing you need to check this place out. It's amazing.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pilsen Vintage
1430 W 18th StIf you love shopping for or just admiring vintage clothing you need to check this place out. It's amazing.
Great for small gifts with an oriental origin! They also have a wonderful selection of tea.
Oriental Boutique
2262 S Wentworth AveGreat for small gifts with an oriental origin! They also have a wonderful selection of tea.
Essentials
It's actually called Luciano's. I'm not sure why google map calls it Sabinos. Anyway, its a small local grocery store.
Sabinos Inc
1714 W 18th StIt's actually called Luciano's. I'm not sure why google map calls it Sabinos. Anyway, its a small local grocery store.
A little bit further of a walk than Luciano's, but a much larger grocery store.
170 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak RdA little bit further of a walk than Luciano's, but a much larger grocery store.
Jewel-Osco
550 N State StA large grocery store relatively near by.
It closes early, but there are so many great finds! I go to replenish stir fry sauces. You can pick out a live eel or lobster for dinner later if you're in the mood.
Tai Wah Grocery Store
2226 S Wentworth AveIt closes early, but there are so many great finds! I go to replenish stir fry sauces. You can pick out a live eel or lobster for dinner later if you're in the mood.
Sightseeing
There are so many free things to do! Check out the Red-Eye for the Concert line up and Art Fairs. The Bean, Faces, Cloud Gate and two skating rinks reside here. There is also a new kids park
1243 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StThere are so many free things to do! Check out the Red-Eye for the Concert line up and Art Fairs. The Bean, Faces, Cloud Gate and two skating rinks reside here. There is also a new kids park
Just go and take a picture. It's quite picturesque.
219 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus DrJust go and take a picture. It's quite picturesque.
Taste of Chicago and most major music festivals are held here. When they aren't taking over the park, it is lovely to walk through.
332 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grant Park
337 E Randolph StTaste of Chicago and most major music festivals are held here. When they aren't taking over the park, it is lovely to walk through.
I love this river walk. If you feel inspired, hop on an architecture cruise or a water taxi that takes you to China Town!
273 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker DrI love this river walk. If you feel inspired, hop on an architecture cruise or a water taxi that takes you to China Town!
This is the Fine Arts Building. Complete with man operated cage elevators and multiple performance venues. All of the studios open up the 2nd Friday of each month. It's certainly a treat.
Chicago Loop
410 South Michigan AvenueThis is the Fine Arts Building. Complete with man operated cage elevators and multiple performance venues. All of the studios open up the 2nd Friday of each month. It's certainly a treat.
It's Free! and near the lake front and has wonderful views. Be sure to wander through the lily pond!
1117 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoo de Lincoln Park
2001 N Clark StIt's Free! and near the lake front and has wonderful views. Be sure to wander through the lily pond!