Map 37 • Edgewater / Andersonville image

image

 

Edgewater / Andersonville

image

Map 37

A century ago, Chicago had a robust Swedish population whose epicenter was Andersonville. The Swedish influence remains, dotting the stroll-friendly commercial areas with Swedish businesses and restaurants, but gentrification is slowly creeping in with swelling property taxes and encroaching big chains. Lakefront community Edgewater is a liberal, pretty paradise and features Chicago’s gay beach at Hollywood.

image Landmarks

• Belle Shore Apartment Hotel •

1062 W Bryn Mawr Ave

Former homes of roaring 1920s nightlife, now historic landmarks restored to their former glory as apartments.

• Colvin House • 5940 N Sheridan Rd

Designed by George Maher and built in 1909.

• Edgewater Beach Apartments •

5555 N Sheridan Rd

The big pink building symbolizing the end of the lakeshore bike path.

• Philadelphia Church • 5437 N Clark St

Complete with can’t-miss neon sign.

• Swedish American Museum • 5211 N Clark St

773-728-8111

Everything you want to know about Swedish culture, which is more than you thought.

image Nightlife

• @tmosphere • 5355 N Clark St

773-784-1100

Trendy gay bar with dance floor and DJs.

• Farraguts • 5240 N Clark St

773-728-4903

Neighborhood dive, less yuppie than Simon’s.

• Granville Anvil • 1137 W Granville Ave

773-973-0006

Gay old-timers drink here.

• Joie de Vine • 1744 W Balmoral Ave

773-989-6846

Casual wine bar popular with local lesbians.

• Marty’s Martini Bar • 1511 W Balmoral Ave

773-454-0161

Compact and classy.

• Moody’s Pub • 5910 N Broadway St

773-275-2696

Best beer garden in the city. Long wait times.

• Ollie’s Lounge • 1064 W Berwyn Ave

773-784-5712

A rare, quiet neighborhood joint.

• The Pumping Company • 6157 N Broadway St

773-465-9500

Cozy neighborhood dive with a fireplace and beer garden.

• Simon’s Tavern • 5210 N Clark St

773-878-0894

Thrift-store-attired hipsters and Swedish nautical theme.

• Sovereign Liquors • 6202 N Broadway St

773-274-0057

Cheap, laidback neighborhood joint frozen in time.

image Restaurants

• Andies • 5253 N Clark St

773-784-8616 • $$

Fresh Middle Eastern in airy atmosphere.

• Ann Sather • 1147 W Granville Ave

773-348-2378 • $

Swedish breakfast classic.

• Anteprima • 5316 N Clark St

773-506-9990 • $$$

This cozy A-Ville Italian just feels right.

• Antica Pizzeria • 5663 N Clark St

773-944-1492 • $

Brick oven goodness.

• Big Jones • 5347 N Clark St

773-275-5725 • $$$

High falutin’ Southern chow.

• Edgewater Beach Cafe • 5545 N Sheridan Rd

773-275-4141 • $$$

Neighborhood Frenchie in the pink building.

• Ethiopian Diamond • 6120 N Broadway St

773-338-6100 • $$$

Visit for jazz on Fridays.

• Francesca’s Bryn Mawr • 1039 W Bryn Mawr Ave

773-506-9261 • $$

Dined in an SRO before?

• George’s Ice Cream and Sweets • 5306 N Clark St

773-271-7600 • $

Ice cream of every flavor. Fat Elvis tastes the best.

• Hamburger Mary’s • 5400 N Clark St

773-784-6969 • $$

Flamboyant burger joint popular with families and the gays.

• Huey’s Hot Dogs • 1507 W Balmoral Ave

773-293-4800 • $

Fast, friendly dogs and burgers.

• Indie Café • 5951 N Broadway St

773-561-5577 • $$

Thai and sushi. Yummy and cheap.

• Jin Ju • 5203 N Clark St

773-334-6377 • $$$

Upscale Korean.

• Kitchen Sink Cafe • 1107 W Berwyn Ave

773-944-0592 • $

Serves savory specialty mochas. Has a nice skylight.

• La Fonda Latino Grill • 5350 N Broadway St

773-271-3935 • $$

Real tasty pan-Latin.

• M. Henry • 5707 N Clark St

773-561-1600 • $$

Stylish brunch option in Andersonville.

• Moody’s Pub • 5910 N Broadway St

773-275-2696 • $

Burgers only, but the best.

• Ras Dashen • 5846 N Broadway St

773-506-9601 • $$

Traditional Ethiopian comfort food; vegan-friendly.

• Reza’s • 5255 N Clark St

773-561-1898 • $$

Many Persian options, leftovers for lunch the next day.

• Svea • 5236 N Clark St

773-275-7738 • $

Adorable, tiny Swedish diner.

• Swedish Bakery • 5348 N Clark St

773-561-8919 • $

Famous tasty pastries and cakes.

• Tanoshii • 5547 N Clark St

773-878-6886 • $$

Order from the chef for innovative sushi.

• Taste of Lebanon • 1509 W Foster Ave

773-334-1600 • $

Dingy room, rock-bottom prices, above-average Middle Eastern fare.

No other neighborhood rewards a weekend afternoon ramble like Andersonville. Big Jones serves up high falutin’ Southern chow and Ann Sather is a Swedish breakfast classic. Follow an indulgent meal with a stroll down Clark Street, populated with independently owned shops with international wares including Pars Persian Store and the Swedish Bakery.

image Shopping

• Alamo Shoes • 5321 N Clark St

773-784-8936

Large selection for the soles from local retailer.

• Andersonville Galleria • 5247 N Clark St

773-878-8570

Indie mall with over 90 vendors.

• Brimfield • 5219 N Clark St

773-271-3501

Eclectic design sensibility favoring plaid.

• Broadway Antique Market • 6130 N Broadway St

773-743-5444

BAM! Calling all mall rats and antique freaks—one of America’s most reviewed antique stores.

• The Brown Elephant • 5404 N Clark St

773-271-9382

Resale shop benefits local HIV clinic.

• Brownstone Antiques • 5234 N Clark St

773-878-9800

Cluttered estate sale finds.

• Cassona • 5241 N Clark St

773-506-7882

Gorgeous home furnishings.

• Early to Bed • 5232 N Sheridan Rd

773-271-1219

Woman-oriented grown-up toys. Boy friendly.

• Edgewater Antique Mall • 6314 N Broadway St

773-262-2525

20th century antiques and vintage.

• Gary’s Cycle Shop • 6317 N Clark St

773-743-4201

Crunchy Edgewater bike repair & parts.

• Gethsemane Garden Center • 5739 N Clark St

773-878-5915

Like mini-trip to a botanical garden; but you can take it home.

• The Hutch • 1550 W Olive St

773-506-0406

Recreate your grandmother’s kitchen (delicious baked goods not included).

• Middle East Bakery & Grocery •

1512 W Foster Ave

773-561-2224

So good, so cheap.

• Mr. & Mrs. Digz • 5668 N Clark St

773-447-8527

Funky used clothes boutique.

• Pars Persian Store • 5260 N Clark St

773-769-6635

$1/lb for curry powder. Enough curry for Chicago’s winterpocalypse.

• Presence • 5216 N Clark St

773-989-4420

Cool boutique for young women.

• The Red Balloon Company • 5407 N Clark St

773-989-8500

A unique store for children—toys, clothes, and furniture.

• Room Service • 5438 N Clark St

773-878-5438

Mid-Century design.

• Roost • 5634 N Clark St

773-506-0406

Cute furniture for your cute home.

• Scout • 5221 N Clark St

773-275-5700

Beautiful urban antiques.

• Toys Et Cetera • 5311 N Clark St

773-769-5311

Educational toys and quality books for kids.

• True Nature Foods • 6034 N Broadway St

773-465-6400

Pick up your weekly CSA box of fruits and veggies from your local farmers.

• Tulip Toy Gallery • 1480 W Berwyn Ave

773-275-6110

Woman-owned, inviting sex paraphernalia shop.

• Women & Children First • 5233 N Clark St

773-769-9299

World’s biggest feminist bookstore.