Map 26 • University Village/Little Italy/Pilsen image

image

 

University Village/Little Italy/Pilsen

image

Map 26

Jane Addams wouldn’t recognize her old ‘hood today, but it retains her feisty spirit. From the nearby National Museum of Mexican Art (just across the border in Map 25) to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, institutions pay homage to diverse native groups. UIC definitely holds sway around here; the area bustles with the textbook-toting set from sunup to sundown. Farther south, a proud Mexican community rubs shoulders with working creatives around the 18th and Halsted artistic epicenter of Pilsen.

image Landmarks

• National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame • 1431 W Taylor St

312-226-5566

How many Italian American sports stars do you know? DiMaggio is right out front.

• University of Illinois at Chicago •

1200 W Harrison St

312-996-7000

The largest university in the city.

image Nightlife

• BeviAmo Wine Bar • 1358 W Taylor St

312-455-8255

Good selection, if a bit pricey.

• The Drum and Monkey • 1435 W Taylor St

312-563-1874

Irish pub-style student hangout.

• Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill • 1458 W Taylor St

312-226-3951

Quality bar food (on the healthy side).

• Simone’s • 960 W 18th St

312-666-8601

Hipster bar made from funky recycled materials.

• Skylark • 2149 S Halsted St

312-948-5275

Hip hangout for Pilsen arty crowd.

• Thalia Hall • 1807 S Allport St

312-526-3851

Live music and cocktails at the restored Pilsen landmark.

image Restaurants

• Al’s Beef • 1079 W Taylor St

312-226-4017 • $

Where’s the beef? Right here.

• Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan • 1322 W 18th St

312-733-2613 • $$

Local no-frills Mexican favored by Rick Bayless.

• Carm’s Beef and Italian Ice • 1057 W Polk St

312-738-1046 • $

Italian subs and sausages.

• Chez Joel • 1119 W Taylor St

312-226-6479 • $$$

Delicious French cuisine in Little Italy.

• China Dragon Restaurant • 1343 W 18th St

312-666-3766 • $$

Dependably fantastic Chinese.

• Couscous • 1445 W Taylor St

312-226-2408 • $$

Middle Eastern and Maghrebin Cuisine. Unique falafel.

• Davanti Enoteca • 1359 W Taylor St

312-226-5550 • $$

Wine bar and simple Italian from the Mia Francesca brand.

• De Pasada • 1517 W Taylor St

312-243-6441 • $

Inexpensive, good quality Mexican—friendly staff.

• Decolores • 1626 S Halsted St

312-226-9886 • $$

Pilsen’s burgeoning arts scene and Latino culinary traditions unite.

• Demitasse Coffee • 1066 W Taylor St

312-226-7666 • $

Delightful breakfast spot.

• Don Pedro Carnitas • 1113 W 18th St

312-829-4757 • $

Mexican fast food muy authentico.

• Dusek’s • 1227 W 18th St

312-526-3851 • $$$

Beer-centric dining in Thalia Hall trifecta.

• Express Grill • 1260 S Union Ave

312-738-2112 • $

A 24/7 greasy spoon with noteworthy hot dogs.

• Francesca’s • 1400 W Taylor St

312-829-2828 • $$

Loud, bustling dining room.

• Golden Thai • 1509 W Taylor St

312-733-0760 • $

Always busy, but there’s better Thai out there.

• Hashbrowns • 731 W Maxwell St

312-226-8000 • $$

Sweet potato hashbrowns—enough said.

• Joy Yee’s Noodles • 1335 S Halsted St

312-997-2128 • $$

Good Asian food, better bubble tea.

• Kohan • 730 W Maxwell St

312-421-6254 • $$

Sushi for UIC students.

• La Cebollita Grill • 1807 S Ashland Ave

312-492-8443 • $

Gorditas, sopas, to dine-in or carry-out.

• May Street Café • 1146 W Cermak Rd

312-421-4442 • $

Inexpensive, super casual pan-Latin.

• Nuevo Leon • 1515 W 18th St

312-421-1517 • $

Real-deal Mexican grub in Pilsen.

• The Rosebud • 1500 W Taylor St

312-942-1117 • $

Popular with the United Center crowd.

• Steak ‘n Egger • 1174 W Cermak Rd

312-226-5444 • $

24-hour comfort food.

• Sweet Maple Cafe • 1339 W Taylor St

312-243-8908 • $

Super-homey breakfast, homemade biscuits.

• Taj Mahal • 1512 W Taylor St

312-226-6546 • $$

Affordable Indian.

• Taqueria el Milagro • 1923 S Blue Island Ave

312-421-7443 • $

Good, cheap Mexican standbys from the tortilla giant.

• Taqueria Los Comales • 1544 W 18th St

312-666-2251 • $

Mexican fast food in cheerful environment.

• Tuscany • 1014 W Taylor St

312-829-1990 • $$

Elegant Taylor Street Italian.

Sprawling over the city’s Near West Side is the University of Illinois at Chicago. On your next trip to Little Italy, skip the marked up vino with your pasta. Davanti Enoteca sells bottles at retail cost with a nominal corkage fee alongside their rustic cuisine. Kill the wait time at adjacent BeviAmo. In Pilsen, local artists frequent the Skylark, and people travel from far and wide for the authentic Mexican food on 18th Street.

image Shopping

• Conte Di Savoia • 1438 W Taylor St

312-666-3471

European and Italian specialties.

• Knee Deep Vintage • 1425 W 18th St

312-850-2510

Beautiful vintage. Kindhearted proprietors.

• Leaders & Co. Apothecary • 706 W 18th St

312-927-7546

Aromatherapy oils, soaps, and balms partner with adjoining massage therapy studio.

• Lush Wine and Spirits • 1257 S Halsted St

312-738-1900

Wine, microbrews, and booze.

• Mario’s Italian Lemonade • 1068 W Taylor St

312-829-0672

The best summer treat in the city. Prepare to wait.

• Modern Cooperative • 818 W 18th St

312-226-8525

Home furnishings old and new.