| Greater Chicago • Northwest |
If there’s one thing you can count on in Northwest Chicago, it’s that you can count on just about everything. Compared to other sections of the city, the Northwest is a bastion of stability. Most of the people and businesses have been around forever, and even typically transitory ethnic enclaves—in this case Eastern European, Middle Eastern, North African, Korean, and Italian—are fairly entrenched. That said, the slow but steady growth of the northwest side communities of Jefferson Park, Mayfair, and Edison Park is notable, as more young families discover the affordable housing and excellent school districts offered here. Additionally, Northwest Chicago is blessed with an abundance of small parks and field houses, as well as a large hunk of forest preserve, giving much of the area a bucolic, suburban feel.
Landmarks
• Admiral Theater • 3940 W Lawrence Ave
• Albany Park Community Center • 3401 W Ainslie St
• Copernicus Center • 5216 W Lawrence Ave
• Eugene Field Park • W Foster Ave & N Avers Ave
• Fish Furniture Co. Building • 3322 W Lawrence Ave
• Gompers Park • 4222 W Foster Ave
• Hanson Park Fieldhouse • 5501 W Fullerton Ave
• Harlem CTA Station • 5550 N Harlem Ave
• National Veterans Art Museum • 4041 N Milwaukee Ave
• Noble-Seymour-Crippen House • 5624 N Newark Ave
• North Branch Pumping Station •
W Lawrence Ave & NE River Rd
• North Park Village Nature Center • 5801 N Pulaski Rd
• Race House • 3945 N Tripp Ave
• Schurz High School • 3601 Milwaukee Ave
• Superdawg Drive-In • 6363 N Milwaukee Ave
• Turzak House • 7059 N Olcott Ave
• Walt Disney House • 2156 N Tripp Ave
• Whistle Stop Inn • 4200 W Irving Park Rd
• Wilson Park • 4630 N Milwaukee Ave
• Wingert House • 6231 N Canfield Ave
Northwest Chicago wears its blue-collar ethnic proclivities on its sleeve. Local shops and restaurants don’t go out of their way to attract clientele outside their own, and even the staff at the area’s abundant Korean and Eastern European businesses make little effort to communicate in English. Adventuresome diners and cooks rise to the challenge—some of the city’s best restaurants and ethnic grocers can be found here, including Thai vegan spot Amitabul and Korean Joong Boo Market. American Science and Surplus has you covered for telescopes, army gear, UV spy pens, and (to say the least) more. Farther south, Logan Square’s young contingent is sprawling out along a quiet stretch of Armitage at Kedzie thanks to a new crop of bars and restaurants.
Nightlife
• The Abbey • 3420 W Grace St
• Babe’s • 4416 N Milwaukee Ave
• The Burlington • 3425 W Fullerton Ave
• The Double • 3435 W Fullerton Ave
• Edison Park Inn • 6715 N Olmsted Ave
• Emerald Isle • 6686 N Northwest Hwy
• Fifth Province Pub • 4626 N Knox Ave
• Fischman Liquors & Tavern •
4780 N Milwaukee Ave
• Ham Tree Inn • 5333 N Milwaukee Ave
• Jimmy Mack Bar •
5581 N Northwest Hwy
• Moretti’s • 6727 N Olmsted Ave
• New Polonia Club • 6101 W Belmont Ave
• Rabbits • 4945 W Foster Ave
• Rosa’s Lounge • 3420 W Armitage Ave
• The Three Counties •
5856 N Milwaukee Ave
• Vaughan’s Pub • 5485 N Northwest Hwy
• Weegee’s Lounge •
3659 W Armitage Ave
• West on North • 2509 W North Ave
Restaurants
• Amarind’s • 6822 W North Ave
• Amitabul • 6207 N Milwaukee Ave
• BRGRbelly • 5739 W Irving Park Rd
• The Brown Sack • 3581 W Belden Ave
• Café Con Leche • 2714 N Milwaukee Ave
• Café Prague • 6710 W Belmont Ave
• Chai Asian Bistro • 4748 W Peterson Ave
• Chicago Kalbi • 3752 W Lawrence Ave
• Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream •
5337 W Devon Ave
• Dimaggio • 7326 W Lawrence Ave
• Don Juan’s • 6730 N Northwest Hwy
• Eat First • 3337 W Belmont Ave
• El Cubanito • 2555 N Pulaski Rd
• Elliott’s Seafood Grille & Chop House •
6690 N Northwest Hwy
• Friendship Chinese Restaurant •
2830 N Milwaukee Ave
• Gale Street Inn • 4914 N Milwaukee Ave
• Great Sea Chinese Restaurant •
3254 W Lawrence Ave
• Grota Smorgasbord •
3112 N Central Ave
• Hiromi’s • 3609 W Lawrence Ave
• La Villa Restaurant • 3638 N Pulaski Rd
• Lawrence Fish Market •
3914 W Lawrence Ave
• Mayan Sol • 3830 W Lawrence Ave
• Mirabell • 3454 W Addison St
• Monastero’s • 3935 W Devon Ave
• Pasta D’Arte • 6311 N Milwaukee Ave
• Pork Shoppe • 2755 W Belmont Ave
• Red Apple Buffet •
3121 N Milwaukee Ave
• Ristorante Agostino Gustofino •
2817 N Harlem Ave
• Russell’s Barbecue •
1621 N Thatcher Ave
• Sabatino’s • 4441 W Irving Park Rd
• Shokran • 4027 W Irving Park Rd
• Smak-Tak • 5961 N Elston Ave
• Smoque • 3800 N Pulaski Rd
• So Gong Dong Tofu House •
3307 W Bryn Mawr Ave
• Sol de Mexico • 3018 N Cicero Ave
• Staropolska Restaurant •
3030 N Milwaukee Ave
• Tassili • 4342 N Elston Ave
• Teresa II Polish Restaurant & Lounge • 4751 N Milwaukee Ave
• Tre Kronor • 3258 W Foster Ave
• Via Veneto • 6340 N Lincoln Ave
• Wellfleet • 4423 N Elston Ave
• Zebda • 4344 N Elston Ave
• Zia’s Trattoria • 6699 N Northwest Hwy
Shopping
• Albany Office Supply •
3419 W Lawrence Ave
• American Science & Surplus •
5316 N Milwaukee Ave
• Discovery Clothing •
3348 W Belmont Ave
• Dom ITP • 6840 W Belmont Ave
• Fantasy Costumes •
4065 N Milwaukee Ave
• FishGuy Market • 4423 N Elston Ave
• Galos Caves • 6501 W Irving Park Rd
• H & B True Value •
5329 N Milwaukee Ave
• Harlem Irving Plaza •
4104 N Harlem Ave
• Hats Plus • 4706 W Irving Park Rd
• Heavenly Gelato and Ice Cream •
2662 N Sawyer Ave
• Joong Boo Market • 3333 N Kimball Ave
• Kurowski’s Sausage Shop •
2976 N Milwaukee Ave
• Montrose Deli • 5411 W Montrose Ave
• Old Town Tatu • 3313 W Irving Park Rd
• Perfume Outlet • 3608 W Lawrence Ave
• Promise Data Recovery •
3525 W Peterson Ave
• Rave Sports • 3346 W Lawrence Ave
• Rolling Stones • 7300 W Irving Park Rd
• Rudy’s Cycle and Fitness •
5711 W Irving Park Rd
• Srpska Tradicija • 3615 W Lawrence Ave
• Sunrise Fresh Market •
2722 N Milwaukee Ave
• The Sweden Shop • 3304 W Foster Ave
• Unique Thrift Store •
6560 W Fullerton Ave
• Viking Ski Shop • 3422 W Fullerton Ave
• Village Discount Outlet •
3301 W Lawrence Ave
• Village Discount Outlet •
4635 N Elston Ave
• Whole Foods • 6020 N Cicero Ave
• Wig Bags • 4621 N Lawndale Ave
| Greater Chicago • Northwest 45 |
| Greater Chicago • Northwest 46 |
| Greater Chicago • Northwest 47 |
| Greater Chicago • Northwest 48 |
| Greater Chicago • West |
Despite the turf between Humboldt and Columbus Park’s lush greens, idyllic lagoons and historic buildings being some of Chicago’s roughest, the city’s west side is home to spirited folk. 26th Street is the commercial artery of Little Village’s thriving Mexican population, and Puerto Rican pride prevails along Division Street and North Avenue through vibrant public art and a jubilant annual parade. Garfield Park Conservatory is a popular spot to tie the knot. Brighton Park and Archer Heights epitomize the classic Chicago blue collar ethic, where labor unions rule and the Old Style flows freely.
Landmarks
• Austin Town Hall • 5610 W Lake St
• Bison Statues in Humboldt Park •
1400 N Sacramento Ave
• Chicago Center for Green Technology •
445 N Sacramento Blvd
• Chinatown Square • S China Pl
• Columbus Park Refectory • 5701 W Jackson Blvd
• Delta Fish Market • 228 S Kedzie Ave
• DuPont-Whitehouse House • 3558 S Artesian Ave
• Engine 44 Firehouse Mural • 412 N Kedzie Ave
• Garfield Park • 100 N Central Park Ave
• Garfield Park Conservatory • 300 N Central Park Ave
• Hitchcock House • 5704 W Ohio St
• Humboldt Park Boathouse Pavilion •
1301 N Humboldt Dr
• Jewish People’s Institute • 3500 W Douglas Blvd
• JJ Walser House • 42 N Central Ave
• King-Nash House • 3234 W Washington Blvd
• Laramie State Bank Building • 5200 W Chicago Ave
• Our Lady of Sorrows • 3121 W Jackson Blvd
• Union Stock Yard Gate • Peoria St & Exchange Ave
• Waller Apartments • 2840 W Walnut St
Try Flying Saucer for healthy, hearty breakfasts tailored to vegans and meat eaters alike. Vinyl collectors scour Out of the Past Records’ mountainous collection of blues, soul, jazz, and gospel recordings. Down in McKinley Park, La Palapa’s thatched umbrellas and mariscos will transport you to Mexico. (Just turn your chair away from Damen Avenue.)
Nightlife
• Archie’s • 2600 W Iowa St
• The Beetle • 2532 W Chicago Ave
• Bullhead Cantina • 1143 N California Ave
• The California Clipper • 1002 N California Ave
• Illinois Bar & Grill • 4135 W 47th St
• La Justicia • 3901 W 26th St
• Rooster’s Palace • 4501 W Madison St
• Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar • 954 N California Ave
Restaurants
• Bacchanalia • 2413 S Oakley Ave
• Birria Huentitan • 4019 W North Ave
• Birrieria Zaragoza • 4852 S Pulaski Rd
• Bruna’s Ristorante • 2424 S Oakley Ave
• Coco • 2723 W Division St
• Coleman’s • 5754 W Chicago Ave
• Falco’s Pizza • 2806 W 40th St
• Feed • 2803 W Chicago Ave
• Flying Saucer • 1123 N California Ave
• Grandma J’s • 1552 N Kedzie Ave
• Huck Finn Donuts • 3414 S Archer Ave
• Ignotz • 2421 S Oakley Ave
• La Cebollita • 4343 W 47th St
• La Encantada • 3437 W North Ave
• La Palapa • 2000 W 34th St
• La Palma • 1340 N Homan Ave
• Lindy’s and Gertie’s • 3685 S Archer Ave
• MacArthur’s • 5412 W Madison Ave
• Nellie’s • 2458 W Division St
• The Submarine Piers • 4048 S Archer Ave
• Taqueria Atotonilco • 3916 W 26th St
• Taqueria Los Comales • 3141 W 26th St
• Taqueria Los Gallos 2 • 4252 S Archer Ave
Shopping
• Ashley Stewart • 800 N Kedzie Ave
• Buyer’s Flea Market • 4545 W Division St
• Dulcelandia • 3300 W 26th St
• Family Dollar • 5410 W Chicago Ave
• Family Dollar • 1360 N Pulaski Rd
• Humboldt House • 1045 N California Ave
• Out of the Past Records • 4407 W Madison St
• Swap-O-Rama • 4100 S Ashland Ave
• Unique Thrift Store • 3542 S Archer Ave
• Village Discount Outlet • 2514 W 47th St
• Village Discount Outlet • 4020 W 26th St
• Watra Church Goods • 4201 S Archer Ave
• West Town Bikes / Ciclo Urbano • 2459 W. Division
• Working Bikes Cooperative • 2434 S Western Ave
| Greater Chicago • West 49 |
| Greater Chicago • West 50 |
| Greater Chicago • West 51 |
| Greater Chicago • West 52 |
| Greater Chicago • Southwest |
The Southwest side comprises several communities steeped in Chicago’s ethnic blue collar history, including a large Lithuanian population, Italians, Arab Americans, African Americans, and the Irish. This cultural diversity has not come without conflict—Marquette Park was once a gathering spot for white supremacy groups. Today, the park is better known for its fishing pond, golf course, and occasional outbursts of gang violence. Southernmost in the southwest side, the Beverly and Morgan Park areas are chockablock with historic homes and civic pride.
Landmarks
• Adams House •
9326 S Longwood Dr
• Arnett Chapel AME Church •
11218 S Bishop St
• Bell Tower Condos •
10317 S Longwood Dr
• Blackwelder Summerlin House • 10910 S Prospect Ave
• The Body of Lake Michigan •
5700 S Cicero Ave
• Bohn Park • 1966 W 111th St
• Burhans-Ellinwood Model House • 10410 S Hoyne Ave
• Campbell House •
9250 S Damen Ave
• Edward L. Roberts House •
10134 S Longwood Dr
• Edwin C. Young House •
9215 S Pleasant Ave
• Ferguson House •
10954 S Prospect Ave
• Frank Anderson House •
10400 S Longwood Dr
• Gately House • 10655 S Hoyne Ave
• Givens’ Irish Castle •
10244 S Longwood Dr
• Goodspeed House •
11216 S Oakley Ave
• Harris House •
10856 S Longwood Dr
• Holy Name of Mary Church •
11159 S Loomis St
• Hopkinson House •
10820 S Drew St
• Horton Mansion •
10200 S Longwood Dr
• Howe House • 10208 S Wood St
• JB Chambers House •
10330 S Seeley Ave
• Karge House • 2035 W 99th St
• Lackore House •
10956 S Prospect Ave
• McCumber House •
10305 S Seeley Ave
• Metra 103rd/Washington Heights Rock Island District Branch Line Station •
W 103rd St & S Vincennes Ave
• Metra Rock Island Main Line 111th St/Monterey Ave Station •
W 111th St & W Monterey Ave
• Midway International Airport •
5700 S Cicero Ave
• Morgan Park Apostolic Pentecostal Church •
11401 S Vincennes Ave
• Morgan Park United Methodist Church • 11030 S Longwood Dr
• Oakdale Park • 956 W 95th St
• Original Rainbow Cone •
9233 S Western Ave
• Raymond W. Evans House •
9914 S Longwood Dr
• Ridge Historical Society •
10621 S Seeley Ave
• Ridge Park • 9625 S Longwood Dr
• St. Walter Catholic Church •
11722 S Oakley Ave
• William MR French House •
9203 S Pleasant Ave
We’re still lamenting the reform of the nation’s largest, sloppiest St. Paddy’s Day parade into a more wholesome day of family fun. If you’re still looking to be reckless in this neck of the woods, the collection of neighborhood pubs dotting Western Avenue won’t turn you away.
Nightlife
• Bobby G’s • 6843 W Archer Ave
• Cookie’s Cocktail Lounge •
• Cork & Kerry • 10614 S Western Ave
• Groucho’s • 8355 S Pulaski Rd
• Halina’s Bar • 7023 W Archer Ave
• Keegan’s Pub • 10618 S Western Ave
• Lagunitas Brewing Company •
2607 W 17th St
• Lanigan’s Irish Pub • 3119 W 111th St
• Mrs. O’Leary’s Dubliner •
10910 S Western Ave
• O’Rourke’s Office •
11064 S Western Ave
• Patrick’s Tavern • 6296 S Archer Ave
• Sean’s Rhino Bar •
10330 S Western Ave
• Tom’s Tap • 6707 W Archer Ave
• Wrong’s Tap • 10014 S Western Ave
Restaurants
• Beverly Woods Restaurant •
11532 S Western Ave
• Birrieria de la Torre •
6724 S Pulaski Rd
• Bobak Sausage Company •
5275 S Archer Ave
• Fox’s Restaurant •
9956 S Western Ave
• Lumes House of Pancakes •
11601 S Western Ave
• New China Tea • 4024 W 55th St
• Nicky’s Grill and Yogurt Oasis •
10255 S Western Ave
• Original Rainbow Cone •
9233 S Western Ave
• Top Notch Beef Burgers •
2116 W 95th St
• Uncle Joe’s Jerk •
10210 S Vincennes Ave
• Vito and Nick’s Pizzeria •
8433 S Pulaski Rd
Shopping
• Beverage Art Brewer & Winemaker Supply • 10033 S Western Ave
• Beverly Cigar Co. •
10513 S Western Ave
• Beverly Costume & Novelty Shop • 11626 S Western Ave
• Beverly Rare Records •
11612 S Western Ave
• Bobak Sausage Company •
5275 S Archer Ave
• Bookie’s Paperbacks & More •
2419 W 103rd St
• Calabria Imports • 1905 W 103rd St
• County Fair • 10800 S Western Ave
• Ford City Mall • 7601 S Cicero Ave
• Optimo Fine Hats •
10215 S Western Ave
• Southwest Ace Hardware •
6908 W Archer Ave
• Southwest Book & Video •
7733 S Cicero Ave
• Village Discount Outlet •
6419 S Kedzie Ave
• Village Discount Outlet •
7443 S Racine Ave
| Greater Chicago • Southwest 53 |
| Greater Chicago • Southwest 54 |
| Greater Chicago • Southwest 55 |
| Greater Chicago • Southwest 56 |
| Greater Chicago • South |
Former lifeblood of the South Side economy, US Steel Company left behind expansive, desolate acreage decades ago. But despite squashed Olympic development hopes, transit artery Lake Shore Drive is currently being extended south, and solid plans for housing and infrastructure may become reality over the next few years. Still, life goes on in the South Side, one of the most crime-riddled areas in the city between Garfield Boulevard and Englewood, as well as the comfortable middle-class enclaves of South Shore to Chatham to Burnside, a bungalow belt that defies the area’s rough-and-tumble reputation.
Landmarks
• Abbott Park • 49 E 95th St
• Allan Miller House • 7121 S Paxton Ave
• Bronzeville Children’s Museum • 9301 S Stony Island Ave
• Cedar Park Cemetery & Funeral Home •
12540 S Halsted St
• Chicago Skyway • 8801 S Anthony St
• Chicago State University • 9501 S King Dr
• Foster House & Stable • 12147 S Harvard Ave
• Historic Pullman • 11141 S Cottage Grove Ave
• Kenna Apartments • 2214 E 69th St
• Lilydale First Baptist Church • 649 W 113th St
• Lilydale Progressive Missionary Baptist Church •
10706 S Michigan Ave
• Market Hall • E 112th St & Champlain Ave
• The Nation of Islam National Center •
7351 S Stony Island Ave
• New Regal Theatre • 1641 E 79th St
• Oak Woods Cemetery • 1035 E 67th St
• Palmer Park • 201 E 111th St
• Peoples Gas South Chicago • 8935 S Commercial Ave
• Pullman Clock Tower • 11141 S Cottage Grove Ave
• South Shore Cultural Center • 7059 South Shore Dr
• Trinity United Church of Christ • 400 W 95th St
• West Pullman Elementary • 11941 S Parnell Ave
• West Pullman Park • 401 W 123rd St
• Woodson Regional Public Library • 9525 S Halsted St
75th Street is a major hub of South Side action: Lee’s Unleaded Blues offers a truer Chicago blues experience than anything downtown or on the North Side. South Shore’s Jeffery Pub offers a friendly haven for the South Side’s GLBTQ folks. South Deering received its 15 minutes of fame when the smoked fish offerings of Calumet Fisheries were featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.
Nightlife
• Jeffery Pub • 7041 S Jeffery Blvd
• Red’s the New Generation • 6926 S Stony Island Ave
• South Shore Inn • 13611 S Brainard Ave
Restaurants
• 5 Loaves Eatery • 405 E 75th St
• 7 Seas Submarine • 11216 S Michigan Ave
• Barbara Ann’s BBQ • 7617 S Cottage Grove Ave
• BJ’s Market & Bakery • 8734 S Stony Island Ave
• Cal Harbor Restaurant • 546 E 115th St
• Calumet Fisheries • 3259 E 95th St
• Capri Pizza • 8820 S Commercial Ave
• Daddy O’s Jerk Pit • 7518 S Cottage Grove Ave
• Dat Donut • 8251 S Cottage Grove Ave
• Hienie’s Shrimp House • 10359 S Torrence Ave
• Jamaican Jerk Spice • 6500 S Cottage Grove Ave
• Lem’s BBQ • 311 E 75th St
• Old Fashioned Donuts • 11248 S Michigan Ave
• Parrot Cage • 7059 S South Shore Dr
• Phil’s Kastle • 3532 E 95th St
• Soul Vegetarian East • 205 E 75th St
• That’s-A-Burger • 2134 E 71st St
• Three J’s • 1713 E 75th St
• Yassa African Restaurant • 716 E 79th St
Shopping
• A&G International Fresh Market • 5630 W Belmont Ave
• The African Hedonist • 8044 S Cottage Grove Ave
• Hagen’s Fish Market • 5635 W Montrose Ave
• Hyman’s Hardware • 8614 S Commercial Ave
• Jordan’s Beauty Supply • 1911 E 79th St
• K & G Fashion Superstore • 7540 S Stony Island Ave
• The Underground Bookstore • 1727 E 87th St
| Greater Chicago • South 57 |
| Greater Chicago • South 58 |
| Greater Chicago • South 59 |
| Greater Chicago • South 60 |
