Guidebook for Chicago

Samantha
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

The pizza is amazing!
97 helybéli ajánlásával
Coalfire
1321 W Grand Ave
97 helybéli ajánlásával
The pizza is amazing!
The fried chicken and cocktails are on point and the patio is awesome.
658 helybéli ajánlásával
Parson's Chicken & Fish
2952 W Armitage Ave
658 helybéli ajánlásával
The fried chicken and cocktails are on point and the patio is awesome.
They have a french toast flight, and amazing savory options as well.
52 helybéli ajánlásával
Batter & Berries
2748 N Lincoln Ave
52 helybéli ajánlásával
They have a french toast flight, and amazing savory options as well.
MOZZARELLA STICKS. If you're like me, and don't love mozz sticks, but will eat them if they're in front of you, think again. These are THE BEST MOZZ STICKS IN THE WORLD. The pizza and other items are pretty good too, but please eat the mozz sticks.
126 helybéli ajánlásával
Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago Ave
126 helybéli ajánlásával
MOZZARELLA STICKS. If you're like me, and don't love mozz sticks, but will eat them if they're in front of you, think again. These are THE BEST MOZZ STICKS IN THE WORLD. The pizza and other items are pretty good too, but please eat the mozz sticks.
Great pizza, fun and lively vibe, great patio.
73 helybéli ajánlásával
Parlor Pizza Bar Wicker Park
1824 W Division St
73 helybéli ajánlásával
Great pizza, fun and lively vibe, great patio.
Amazing burgers, simple, double patties, double awesome. Great patio when the weather is nice as well. Beware, they ONLY sell burgers, fries, milkshakes, and booze, but who needs more than that?
161 helybéli ajánlásával
Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee Ave
161 helybéli ajánlásával
Amazing burgers, simple, double patties, double awesome. Great patio when the weather is nice as well. Beware, they ONLY sell burgers, fries, milkshakes, and booze, but who needs more than that?
Iced sugar cookies, iced molasses cookies, cupcakes, oh my. GO EAT THEM! It's a pretty cute shop too.
45 helybéli ajánlásával
Sweet Mandy B's
1208 W Webster Ave
45 helybéli ajánlásával
Iced sugar cookies, iced molasses cookies, cupcakes, oh my. GO EAT THEM! It's a pretty cute shop too.
The old fashioneds are just to die for. The other stuff is good too, but please get an old fashioned.
209 helybéli ajánlásával
Stan's Donuts & Coffee
1560 N Damen Ave
209 helybéli ajánlásával
The old fashioneds are just to die for. The other stuff is good too, but please get an old fashioned.
Very casual, VERY cheap, very tasty middle eastern food joint. Both order at the counter service and a buffet. Cash only!
99 helybéli ajánlásával
Sultan's Market
2057 W North Ave
99 helybéli ajánlásával
Very casual, VERY cheap, very tasty middle eastern food joint. Both order at the counter service and a buffet. Cash only!
Best burgers in the world. Beware, it is normally a multi-hour wait so best to go either very early, or very late. There are tons of other bars and restaurants nearby so you can always put your name down and then have a drink somewhere else while you wait.
620 helybéli ajánlásával
Au Cheval
800 W Randolph St
620 helybéli ajánlásával
Best burgers in the world. Beware, it is normally a multi-hour wait so best to go either very early, or very late. There are tons of other bars and restaurants nearby so you can always put your name down and then have a drink somewhere else while you wait.
Best deep dish that's so good, even locals will eat it. Fair warning, please prepare to wait. Deep dish pizza takes at least 45 minutes to prepare and the wait here is rarely short of an hour. That said, call ahead to confirm.
536 helybéli ajánlásával
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
536 helybéli ajánlásával
Best deep dish that's so good, even locals will eat it. Fair warning, please prepare to wait. Deep dish pizza takes at least 45 minutes to prepare and the wait here is rarely short of an hour. That said, call ahead to confirm.
Great tapas bar with delicious food and sangria. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
152 helybéli ajánlásával
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N Halsted St
152 helybéli ajánlásával
Great tapas bar with delicious food and sangria. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
This small hole in the wall is legitimately one of the best fried chicken spots I've ever had - Chicago or otherwise. Their chicken wings are massive ... 5 is likely too many for most. Their boneless wings are also huge and if you order, say a 6 piece, it'll always come w/ 2 or 3 extra, so keep that in mind. Asian BBQ is the flavor that I get and it's pretty spicy too. That said, they've got a host of other flavors and chicken types to pick from. Can get this delivered via bike messenger or you can eat onsite, however beware that the dining area is small and always packed. But it's so worth the wait, should it come to that.
98 helybéli ajánlásával
Crisp
2940 N Broadway
98 helybéli ajánlásával
This small hole in the wall is legitimately one of the best fried chicken spots I've ever had - Chicago or otherwise. Their chicken wings are massive ... 5 is likely too many for most. Their boneless wings are also huge and if you order, say a 6 piece, it'll always come w/ 2 or 3 extra, so keep that in mind. Asian BBQ is the flavor that I get and it's pretty spicy too. That said, they've got a host of other flavors and chicken types to pick from. Can get this delivered via bike messenger or you can eat onsite, however beware that the dining area is small and always packed. But it's so worth the wait, should it come to that.
Great food, great atmosphere and great drinks. Nice patio when the weather is nice.
30 helybéli ajánlásával
Big Star Wrigleyville
3640 N Clark St
30 helybéli ajánlásával
Great food, great atmosphere and great drinks. Nice patio when the weather is nice.
This is a fun restaurant that brews their own beer (and it’s all super tasty), and makes some great pizza. They have live band karaoke on Saturday nights, too. Off the Damen stop. (Fun fact: the restaurant is owned by Cheap Trick’s guitarist, Rick Nielson)
488 helybéli ajánlásával
Piece Brewery
1927 W North Ave
488 helybéli ajánlásával
This is a fun restaurant that brews their own beer (and it’s all super tasty), and makes some great pizza. They have live band karaoke on Saturday nights, too. Off the Damen stop. (Fun fact: the restaurant is owned by Cheap Trick’s guitarist, Rick Nielson)
Pizza and beer. The good stuff, as well. By-the-slice or by-the-pie, this is thin crust exclusively, no Chicago-style deep dish here. Take out available, call ahead. Or wait at the bar while watching the indie movie projected on to the wall behind. Cash only, ATM at the back. If you make a withdrawal they give you a shot of Jamesons. Checking out the bathrooms is a must (seriously!) Can get busy Fri/Sat evenings. Fine for children earlier in the day.
152 helybéli ajánlásával
The Boiler Room
2210 North California Avenue
152 helybéli ajánlásával
Pizza and beer. The good stuff, as well. By-the-slice or by-the-pie, this is thin crust exclusively, no Chicago-style deep dish here. Take out available, call ahead. Or wait at the bar while watching the indie movie projected on to the wall behind. Cash only, ATM at the back. If you make a withdrawal they give you a shot of Jamesons. Checking out the bathrooms is a must (seriously!) Can get busy Fri/Sat evenings. Fine for children earlier in the day.
A nice away from the city BBQ spot. It can get busy however it's not your typical hustle-and-bustle Chicago spot. Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly and the meat - specifically the chopped brisket, it really good.
112 helybéli ajánlásával
Smoque BBQ
3800 N Pulaski Rd
112 helybéli ajánlásával
A nice away from the city BBQ spot. It can get busy however it's not your typical hustle-and-bustle Chicago spot. Even if there's a line, it moves pretty quickly and the meat - specifically the chopped brisket, it really good.
They've got great brisket. I repeat, GREAT BRISKET! This is Sam's favorite BBQ spot in the city.
107 helybéli ajánlásával
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green St
107 helybéli ajánlásával
They've got great brisket. I repeat, GREAT BRISKET! This is Sam's favorite BBQ spot in the city.

Parks & Nature

A really great conservatory with many rooms of plants. Quick and easy visit and free!
147 helybéli ajánlásával
Lincoln Parki üvegház
2430 N Stockton Dr
147 helybéli ajánlásával
A really great conservatory with many rooms of plants. Quick and easy visit and free!

Drinks & Nightlife

Wonderful views of Lincoln Park, the lake and downtown.
124 helybéli ajánlásával
The J. Parker
1816 N Clark St
124 helybéli ajánlásával
Wonderful views of Lincoln Park, the lake and downtown.
This wine bar isn't hip or trendy, so don't go for the decor, go for the amazing wine selection and the absolute best cheese boards.
28 helybéli ajánlásával
Bar Pastoral
2947 N Broadway
28 helybéli ajánlásával
This wine bar isn't hip or trendy, so don't go for the decor, go for the amazing wine selection and the absolute best cheese boards.
This place is part brewery and part restaurant. Great burgers with nice thick patties. Additionally, they've got some of the best local brews in the city. Anti-Hero, Revolution IPA, Fist City and others round out the selection of fantastic local beers at this one of a kind location.
724 helybéli ajánlásával
Revolution Brewing - Brewpub
2323 N Milwaukee Ave
724 helybéli ajánlásával
This place is part brewery and part restaurant. Great burgers with nice thick patties. Additionally, they've got some of the best local brews in the city. Anti-Hero, Revolution IPA, Fist City and others round out the selection of fantastic local beers at this one of a kind location.
Like other cities, Chicago has its own speakeasy inspired bar serving up meticulously crafted cocktails. House rules include "No cell phones" and "Don't bring anyone that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner." The cocktails here are pricey (~$15+), but they are worth it. Get there early evening or on weekdays to avoid the lines.
355 helybéli ajánlásával
The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
355 helybéli ajánlásával
Like other cities, Chicago has its own speakeasy inspired bar serving up meticulously crafted cocktails. House rules include "No cell phones" and "Don't bring anyone that you wouldn't bring to your mother's house for Sunday dinner." The cocktails here are pricey (~$15+), but they are worth it. Get there early evening or on weekdays to avoid the lines.
This is Chicagos first bar-cade featuring a full stage and a huge variety of best in class arcade games. Live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
139 helybéli ajánlásával
Emporium Logan Square
2363 N Milwaukee Ave
139 helybéli ajánlásával
This is Chicagos first bar-cade featuring a full stage and a huge variety of best in class arcade games. Live Dj sets on the weekends and a ton of old school arcade games that are about .25 cents each to play. Open late but super busy.
Fun dive-esque bar in Logan Square (hipster part of town). Low light and hip vibes.
106 helybéli ajánlásával
The Owl
2521 N Milwaukee Ave
106 helybéli ajánlásával
Fun dive-esque bar in Logan Square (hipster part of town). Low light and hip vibes.
Hip bar in Logan Square w/ cool drinks, numerous whiskey offerings and more.
57 helybéli ajánlásával
Spilt Milk
811 South Blvd
57 helybéli ajánlásával
Hip bar in Logan Square w/ cool drinks, numerous whiskey offerings and more.

Sightseeing

I love taking visitors to walk or bike along the lakefront trail. I recommend starting at the lake north of downtown, somewhere near Lincoln Park, and walking all the way down as far as you would like, but definitely to Oak Street Beach. You can continue on to Millennium Park if you have it in you!
229 helybéli ajánlásával
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront Trail
229 helybéli ajánlásával
I love taking visitors to walk or bike along the lakefront trail. I recommend starting at the lake north of downtown, somewhere near Lincoln Park, and walking all the way down as far as you would like, but definitely to Oak Street Beach. You can continue on to Millennium Park if you have it in you!

Entertainment & Activities

Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country. Whether you're a baseball purist or a tourist, this is a great place to witness in person. Not to mention, you have to take a picture in front of the iconic marquee out front. It's a short walk from our place or a shorter bike ride or Uber. Definitely worth catching a game or inquiring about the Wrigley Field Stadium Tour.
1004 helybéli ajánlásával
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison St
1004 helybéli ajánlásával
Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium in the country. Whether you're a baseball purist or a tourist, this is a great place to witness in person. Not to mention, you have to take a picture in front of the iconic marquee out front. It's a short walk from our place or a shorter bike ride or Uber. Definitely worth catching a game or inquiring about the Wrigley Field Stadium Tour.