Map 22 • Noble Square / Goose Island image

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Noble Square / Goose Island

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Map 22

Gritty Goose Island industry crosses paths with arty fringes of East Ukrainian Village. Lovely historical churches exist, often buried under scaffolding. Expressway access abounds, and there’s a cab stand by the Nelson Algren Fountain on Milwaukee. Elston is a popular route to crisscross the city. Wave to the Morton Salt Girl as you pass by.

image Landmarks

• Arandas Tires & Rims • 1511 N Ashland Ave

773-252-6292

Glowing, plastic palm trees, metal flames on the gate, and rows of tricked-out hubcaps in the second-floor, neon-lit windows above the tire bays.

• Morton Salt Elston Facility • 1357 N Elston Ave

773-235-1010

Has a painting of the famous salt girl, and, hey: acres of salt!

• Nelson Algren Fountain •

Ashland Ave & Division St

Has a recent controversial addition.

• North Avenue Bridge • 1200 W North Ave

Wretched traffic jams; river view.

• Polish Museum of America •

984 N Milwaukee Ave

773-384-3352

Right-to-life painting on the side.

• Pulaski Park Fieldhouse • 1419 W Blackhawk St

312-742-7559

Has an outdoor swimming pool.

• St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish •

1351 W Evergreen Ave

773-278-2470

One of the oldest in Chicago.

• Weed Street District • W Weed St

Several bars and clubs in one area. Party on.

image Nightlife

• The Chipp Inn • 832 N Greenview Ave

312-421-9052

Swig a Schlitz with hipsters at this vintage storefront tavern.

• Chris’s Northland Tavern • 1610 W North Ave

773-342-8181

No-frills dive full of characters.

• Exit • 1315 W North Ave

773-395-2700

Ooohhh. Dark and scary. Eighties punk/goth throwback.

• Joe’s Bar • 940 W Weed St

312-337-3486

Huge sports bar and music venue for national bands and drunk people.

image Restaurants

• Authentaco • 1141 N Ashland Ave

773-384-6537 • $$

Farm-fresh taqueria.

• The Bedford • 1612 W Division St

773-235-8800 • $$

Housed in a former bank. See and be seen in the vault.

• El Barco • 1035 N Ashland Blvd

773-486-6850 • $$

Outdoor seating, terrific ceviche.

• Hollywood Grill • 1601 W North Ave

773-395-1818 • $

1950s style dining 24/7.

• Kingsbury Street Cafe • 1523 N Kingsbury St

312-280-1718 • $$

Up-gamed breakfast, lunch, and brunch spot.

• La Pasadita • 1132 N Ashland Ave

773-384-6537 • $

Muy deliciosa, muy casual. Prime after-hours hot-spot.

• Luc Thang Noodle • 1524 N Ashland Blvd

773-395-3907 • $

Thai with Chinese and Vietnamese touches.

• Mariscos El Veneno • 1024 N Ashland Ave

773-252-7200 • $

Escape grimy Ashland for this tiny Mexican playa-style seafood shack.

• Mott Street • 1401 N Ashland Ave

773-687-9977 • $$$

Family-style Asian street food.

• NYC Bagel Deli • 1001 W North Ave

312-274-1278 • $

NY-style deli, best egg salad in the city.

• Podhalanka • 1549 W Division St

773-486-6655 • $

Authentic Polish hole-in-the-wall with potato pancakes, buttery pierogies, and more.

• Schwa • 1466 N Ashland Ave

773-252-1466 • $$$$

Innovative fine dining with a hipster vibe.

• Tocco • 1266 N Milwaukee Ave

773-687-8895 • $$

Come for the wood-fired pizzas. Skip everything else.

• Usagi Ya • 1178 N Milwaukee Ave

773-292-5885 • $$

Affordable sushi.

Funky shops and studios cluster around Milwaukee, Division, and Ashland. Savor ceviche with humorously monikered margaritas at El Barco, or have your mind blown at the molecular level at Schwa. The clubby Weed Street District is a breeding laboratory, while at Exit, the pierced and leather–clad pretend there still is a punk scene in Chicago.

image Shopping

• Blick Art Materials • 1574 N Kingsbury St

312-573-0110

Get creative here.

• Circa Modern • 1114 N Ashland Ave

773-697-9239

Thoughtfully edited collection of refurbished mid-century modern furniture pieces.

• Dusty Groove Records • 1120 N Ashland Ave

773-342-5800

Vinyl and CDs. Specializes in funk, soul, rare groove, now sound, and world music.

• Nina • 1655 W Division St

773-486-8996

Yarn shop includes delicate, frayed thread from old saris.

• Occult Bookstore • 1164 N Milwaukee Ave

773-292-0995

Offers everything a budding witch or warlock could desire.

• Quick Release Bike Shop • 1527 N Ashland Ave

773-871-3110

Savvy bike mechanics.

• Revolution Books • 1103 N Ashland Ave

773-489-0930

Radical and revolutionary books.

• Roots & Culture • 1034 N Milwaukee Ave

773-580-0102

Find contemporary art and a community-minded spirit at this non-profit art center.

• Shuga Records • 1272 N Milwaukee Ave

773-278-4085

Vinyl haven.

• Vintage Pine • 904 W Blackhawk St

312-943-9303

Custom-made furniture from the English and French countryside.