| Map 13 • Bridgeport (East) | |
Bridgeport (East)
Map 13
Bridgeport exemplifies how the “City That Works” actually works. The stomping grounds of the Daley family and de facto political center of the city, Bridgeport is also the quintessential Chicago neighborhood with its close-knit residents, legions of patronage workers, and distinctive “dese, dem, and dose” vernacular.
Landmarks
• Illinois Institute of Technology •
3300 S Federal St
312-567-3000
Mies van der Rohe-designed campus. Jewel in the crown? Crown Hall, of course.
• Old Neighborhood Italian American Club •
3031 S Shields Ave
312-326-6420
Founded by Angelo LaPietra, a former high-ranking Chicago mobster, after his release from Leavenworth.
• Richard J. Daley House • 3536 S Lowe Ave
Childhood home of Mayor Richard J. Daley.
• Richard J. Daley Library Fountain •
3400 S Halsted St
Pretty water.
• US Cellular Field • 333 W 35th St
312-674-1000
Beats paying through the nose to watch ivy grow.
Nightlife
• Bernice’s Tavern • 3238 S Halsted St
312-907-1580
60+ year-old dive bar with live music and open mics.
• Schaller’s Pump • 3714 S Halsted St
773-376-6332
Neighborhood Sox bar with grub.
Restaurants
• All Star Stand • 333 W 35th St
312-674-1000 • $
Multifarious food offerings between innings.
• Carbon • 300 W 26th St
312-225-3200 • $
So what if they use gas? The food is still delicious.
• Franco’s Ristorante • 300 W 31st St
312-225-9566 • $$
Family-style Italian near Sox park.
• Freddie’s • 701 W 31st St
312-808-0147 • $
Italian ice, beef sandwiches, and appropriate attitude.
• Furama Restaurant • 2828 S Wentworth Ave
312-225-6888 • $$
Great dim sum; far easier to find parking than in Chinatown.
• Gio’s • 2724 S Lowe Ave
312-225-6368 • $
BYOB Italian deli with groceries.
• Grand Palace • 225 W 26th St
312-225-3888 • $
Cheap eats and authentic homestyle Chinese food at this hole-in-the-wall.
• Han 202 • 605 W 31st St
312-949-1314 • $$$
Trendy BYOB featuring an eclectic Asian/Fusion menu.
• Kevin’s Hamburger Heaven • 554 W Pershing Rd
773-924-5771 • $
Hamburgers and milkshakes.
• Maxwell Street Depot • 411 W 31st St
312-326-3514 • $
Counter-service only joint serving signature pork chop sandwiches 24 hours a day.
• Nana • 3267 S Halsted St
312-929-2486 • $$$
Organic, sustainable, locally sourced restaurant famous for their brunches.
• Pancho Pistolas • 700 W 31st St
312-225-8808 • $$
Two words: Eggs and beans.
• Phil’s Pizza • 1102 W 35th St
773-523-0947 • $
Pizza-rific.
• Schaller’s Pump • 3714 S Halsted St
773-376-6332 • $
Try the steak sandwiches and hash browns.
• Scoops • 608 W 31st St
312-842-3300 • $
Family-owned ice cream parlor serving up old-fashioned shakes and other desserts.
• Wing Yip Chop Suey • 537 W 26th St
312-326-2822 • $
Nader bumper sticker on window.
The South Side proves that you don’t have to be glitzy to get the job done. Ditto for the much-maligned US Cellular Field, where pure baseball and terrific sight lines trump drunken revelry at crosstown Wrigley. Aside from ballpark fare, Schaller’s Pump serves the best steak sandwich and hash browns in town.
Shopping
• Ace Bakery • 3241 S Halsted St
312-225-4973
Excellent breads and pastries.
• Augustine’s Eternal Gifts & Spiritual Goods • 3327 S Halsted St
773-843-1933
Mystical and religious knick-knacks.
• Biscotti’s Galore and More • 3160 S Wells St
312-842-7670
Italian cookies by the tray.
• Blue City Cycles • 3201 S Halsted St
312-225-3780
Welcome addition for Bridgeport peddlers.
• Health King Enterprise & Balanceuticals Group •
238 W 31st St
312-567-9978
Natural remedies.
• Henry’s Sports & Bait Shop • 3130 S Canal St
312-225-8538
Fishing mecca.
• Let’s Boogie Records & Tapes • 3321 S Halsted St
773-254-0139
Pick up some vintage vinyl here.