Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
There's a reason they've found their way onto nearly every "Best of Chicago" list. They specialize in Royal Pies (English style potpie), but also make a great burger, brunch, cocktails (their Royal Gibson is my favorite in the city), and also have solid coffee mid-morning. Beautifully designed space as well.
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Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StThere's a reason they've found their way onto nearly every "Best of Chicago" list. They specialize in Royal Pies (English style potpie), but also make a great burger, brunch, cocktails (their Royal Gibson is my favorite in the city), and also have solid coffee mid-morning. Beautifully designed space as well.
MingHin Cuisine
2168 S Archer AveIf you're looking for Dim Sum, this is the spot!
We love this family-run neighborhood spot for quick burritos and tortas. Their salsas are also fantastic.
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Mary's Taqueria
1901 S Canalport AveWe love this family-run neighborhood spot for quick burritos and tortas. Their salsas are also fantastic.
Yvolina makes gigantic amazing tamales. She has good veg options, but if you eat meat, I highly recommend the chicken with red mole.
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Yvolina's Tamales
814 W 18th StYvolina makes gigantic amazing tamales. She has good veg options, but if you eat meat, I highly recommend the chicken with red mole.
This brand new restaurant by an award-winning Vietnamese cuisine chef just opened to rave reviews. If you're really going for it, I highly recommend their tasting menu for two. It's not cheap, but the food is incredibly thoughtful and authentic. The space is beautiful and unique, and their cocktail program is fantastic as well.
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Mandarin Kitchen hot pot
2143 S Archer AveThis brand new restaurant by an award-winning Vietnamese cuisine chef just opened to rave reviews. If you're really going for it, I highly recommend their tasting menu for two. It's not cheap, but the food is incredibly thoughtful and authentic. The space is beautiful and unique, and their cocktail program is fantastic as well.
DeColores
1626 S Halsted StHome to our favorite mole in Chicago.
This is real-deal authentic Pilsen. Highly recommend a visit to this spot. It's a locals favorite, not too many tourists usually, but some of the best carnitas in the city.
Squeeze past the "to go" lines on the weekend to get into the restaurant. You are brought a tray with several toppings to add to your carnitas. The only decision is which cut and kind of meat you want. Portions are family sized, and can be shared with up to 6 people.
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Carnitas Don Pedro
1113 W 18th StThis is real-deal authentic Pilsen. Highly recommend a visit to this spot. It's a locals favorite, not too many tourists usually, but some of the best carnitas in the city.
Squeeze past the "to go" lines on the weekend to get into the restaurant. You are brought a tray with several toppings to add to your carnitas. The only decision is which cut and kind of meat you want. Portions are family sized, and can be shared with up to 6 people.
Lotus Cafe & Banh Mi Sandwich
719 W Maxwell StVery good Banh Mi and spring rolls on the go!
Bodhi Thai Bistro
6211 Roosevelt RdGreat Thai for take out.
Our favorite panaderia in the neighborhood. Always worth the walk!
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Panaderia Nuevo Leon
1634 W 18th StOur favorite panaderia in the neighborhood. Always worth the walk!
Coyotes Restaurant
1451 W 18th StWhen you need that late late night burrito.
Cheap, quick and tasty. We eat here on the go quite often and love the licuado de avena (cinnamon oatmeal shake)
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Taqueria Los Comales
1544 W 18th StCheap, quick and tasty. We eat here on the go quite often and love the licuado de avena (cinnamon oatmeal shake)
Great for BBQ and live music. Sunday night this is our favorite spot in the neighborhood. A dixie band called Fat Babies performs while Pilsen swing dancers light up the floor.
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Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StGreat for BBQ and live music. Sunday night this is our favorite spot in the neighborhood. A dixie band called Fat Babies performs while Pilsen swing dancers light up the floor.
Don't forget to swing by and get a paleta sometime during your stay. Our favorite flavors are piñon, mamey, and oreo.
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La Michoacana Premium
1855 S Blue Island AveDon't forget to swing by and get a paleta sometime during your stay. Our favorite flavors are piñon, mamey, and oreo.
This spot has quickly become one of our favorites. They walk a great line between traditional tacos and more adventurous new combinations of flavors. Head here on Tuesday and Wednesday for $2 tacos. Great cocktails too.
Twisted Cantina
1640 S Blue Island AveThis spot has quickly become one of our favorites. They walk a great line between traditional tacos and more adventurous new combinations of flavors. Head here on Tuesday and Wednesday for $2 tacos. Great cocktails too.
Neighborhood born and raised chef, worked under culinary world super-star, Rick Bayless, before returning to Pilsen to open this unassuming but fantastic restaurant. The pazole verde is my favorite in the city. BYOB.
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5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StNeighborhood born and raised chef, worked under culinary world super-star, Rick Bayless, before returning to Pilsen to open this unassuming but fantastic restaurant. The pazole verde is my favorite in the city. BYOB.
Go for the patio, stay for the $2 Tuesday tacos (especially the "big boss").
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La Vaca Margarita Bar
1160 W 18th StGo for the patio, stay for the $2 Tuesday tacos (especially the "big boss").
Greasy spoon diner run by some of the kindest people in the neighborhood. We love this spot.
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Parkview Restaurant Grill
2000 W 19th StGreasy spoon diner run by some of the kindest people in the neighborhood. We love this spot.
Azul 18
1236 W 18th StGreat for an easy breakfast.
Ken-Tone's Drive-In
551 W 18th StGreat for an on the go breakfast burrito. Also love their veggie juice.
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
2002 S Wentworth AveOur favorite Chinese soup dumplings in the city.
Aji Ichiban
2117A S China PlJapanese candy shop. Definitely a fun stop.
If you're looking for a slice of za or an Italian Beef, Ricobene's in Bridgeport is a pretty good spot. It's been around for ages and is a working-class institution.
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Ricobene's
252 W 26th StIf you're looking for a slice of za or an Italian Beef, Ricobene's in Bridgeport is a pretty good spot. It's been around for ages and is a working-class institution.
Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of Pilsen. A little on the spendy side, but good for brunch or dinner. We love their gin & tonic with local Letherbee gin and house-made hops-tonic.
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Dusek's Board & Beer
1227 W 18th StMichelin-starred restaurant in the heart of Pilsen. A little on the spendy side, but good for brunch or dinner. We love their gin & tonic with local Letherbee gin and house-made hops-tonic.
Fun vibe with a nice patio, great food and drinks. A little on the pricey side, but worth it... especially the fish tacos. Great margaritas.
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Antique Taco
1000 W 35th StFun vibe with a nice patio, great food and drinks. A little on the pricey side, but worth it... especially the fish tacos. Great margaritas.
Iconic Jewish cafeteria-style deli. A favorite of many politicians (including President Obama). Great for lunch.
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Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen
1141 S Jefferson StIconic Jewish cafeteria-style deli. A favorite of many politicians (including President Obama). Great for lunch.
This place is great for Banh Mi, Vietnamese coffee, cocktails, pho, and pastries. It's all slightly elevated and fresh, but still accessible and affordable.
Cà Phê Dá
West 18th StreetThis place is great for Banh Mi, Vietnamese coffee, cocktails, pho, and pastries. It's all slightly elevated and fresh, but still accessible and affordable.
New American fine dining. We haven't been yet, but have heard great things from friends.
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S.K.Y.
1239 W 18th StNew American fine dining. We haven't been yet, but have heard great things from friends.
Chengdu street food at its finest. I highly recommend a stop at Damao for adventurous foodies. The hand-pulled noodles are amazing in addition to the dumplings. The real highlight, however, is the pigs feet. The heavy use of Szechuan peppercorn gives a tingly sensation to the dish without overwhelming you with spicy. It's a kind of heat that pairs well with the perfectly prepared meat.
A Place BY DAMAO
Chengdu street food at its finest. I highly recommend a stop at Damao for adventurous foodies. The hand-pulled noodles are amazing in addition to the dumplings. The real highlight, however, is the pigs feet. The heavy use of Szechuan peppercorn gives a tingly sensation to the dish without overwhelming you with spicy. It's a kind of heat that pairs well with the perfectly prepared meat.
A brewery owned by our good friends. It also happens to be one of the best in Chicago (and I'm not just saying that haha, critics agree). This place is worth the cab ride to a kind of obscure part of Bridgeport. You'll see a side of the city that isn't on everyone's "must do" list. I have a lot of love for their "Ruby's Tears" and "Jungle Boogie" brews.
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Marz Community Brewing Company
3630 S Iron StA brewery owned by our good friends. It also happens to be one of the best in Chicago (and I'm not just saying that haha, critics agree). This place is worth the cab ride to a kind of obscure part of Bridgeport. You'll see a side of the city that isn't on everyone's "must do" list. I have a lot of love for their "Ruby's Tears" and "Jungle Boogie" brews.
Great for a hearty and casual breakfast or lunch. Mostly Mexican style food. Fun little spot.
Casa Índígō
1314 W 18th StGreat for a hearty and casual breakfast or lunch. Mostly Mexican style food. Fun little spot.
A newcomer to the neighborhood, La Mejikana offers a modern take on Mexican cuisine, but don't worry, it's not gringo-ified. You'll also notice that all the blue tortillas for the tacos are made from scratch, using fresh masa from Los Comanches, a local tortilleria. Highly recommend!
La Mejikana
1820 S Ashland AveA newcomer to the neighborhood, La Mejikana offers a modern take on Mexican cuisine, but don't worry, it's not gringo-ified. You'll also notice that all the blue tortillas for the tacos are made from scratch, using fresh masa from Los Comanches, a local tortilleria. Highly recommend!
Drinks & Nightlife
If you're looking for a real neighborhood institution trafficked by people from every walk of life, Skylark is the spot. They have a good beer list, fantastic bar food & a great friday night fish fry, but be sure to check out the specials board because it's usually where it's at! Cash only.
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Skylark
2149 S Halsted StIf you're looking for a real neighborhood institution trafficked by people from every walk of life, Skylark is the spot. They have a good beer list, fantastic bar food & a great friday night fish fry, but be sure to check out the specials board because it's usually where it's at! Cash only.
In the basement of Dusek's/Thalia Hall is a 70s themed punch bar. Their DJs never disappoint and neither do the drinks.
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Punch House
1227 W 18th StIn the basement of Dusek's/Thalia Hall is a 70s themed punch bar. Their DJs never disappoint and neither do the drinks.
This popular karaoke bar can get fun and rowdy. Good selection of tequila and fair prices.
Caminos de Michoacan
1659 W Cullerton StThis popular karaoke bar can get fun and rowdy. Good selection of tequila and fair prices.
Cash and carry liquor store with great beer selection, but walk past the matron of the house (Maria) and enter the back bar. The family brews their own great beer (Marz Brewery) and the scene in this Bridgeport haunt is always fun.
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Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StCash and carry liquor store with great beer selection, but walk past the matron of the house (Maria) and enter the back bar. The family brews their own great beer (Marz Brewery) and the scene in this Bridgeport haunt is always fun.
This brewery probably doesn't need an introduction, but be sure to check out their recently opened West Pilsen midwest headquarters!
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Lagunitas Brewing Company
2607 W 17th StThis brewery probably doesn't need an introduction, but be sure to check out their recently opened West Pilsen midwest headquarters!
Shopping
This new and used bookstore is incredibly quaint with a great selection. A very fun stop in Pilsen.
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Pilsen Community Books
1102 W 18th StThis new and used bookstore is incredibly quaint with a great selection. A very fun stop in Pilsen.
Vinyl nerds, beware. This is the best record store in the city for finding deep cuts. The owners are great and VERY knowledgable.
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606 Records
1808 S Allport StVinyl nerds, beware. This is the best record store in the city for finding deep cuts. The owners are great and VERY knowledgable.
Sunday market with a few small local farms and vendors, usually from 9AM to 12PM.
Pilsen Farmers Market
1800 South Blue Island AvenueSunday market with a few small local farms and vendors, usually from 9AM to 12PM.
Our local liquor and beer shop. Pretty great selection of local and national stuff.
F & R Liquors Inc.
2129-31 S Halsted StOur local liquor and beer shop. Pretty great selection of local and national stuff.
Binny's Beverage Depot - South Loop
1132 S Jefferson StMassive wine, beer and liquor depot.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
1528 E 55th StMariano's
2021 W Chicago AveLa Casa Del Pueblo Inc.
1810 S Blue Island AveThis is our favorite local grocery store.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StUnited States Postal Service
2339 N California AveArts & Culture
Incredible institution that features Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture. The museum is the only Latino museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the museum is to display Mexican culture as one sin fronteras (without borders).
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Þjóðminjasafn Mexíkóskrar Listamyndlistar
1852 W 19th StIncredible institution that features Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture. The museum is the only Latino museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the museum is to display Mexican culture as one sin fronteras (without borders).
Parks & Nature
Beautiful little river park. 15 min walk from the house. This is also where the Chinatown Water Taxi picks up. Highly recommended way to get downtown. You can also rent kayaks in this park.
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Ping Tom Memorial Park
1700 S Wentworth AveBeautiful little river park. 15 min walk from the house. This is also where the Chinatown Water Taxi picks up. Highly recommended way to get downtown. You can also rent kayaks in this park.
We love this place. Clean and nice neighborhood pubic pool, a short walk from the house. Check online for current hours (always changing) and note to leave bags at the house because they're not allowed in the pool area.
Dvorak Park Pool (Outdoor)
1119 W Cullerton StWe love this place. Clean and nice neighborhood pubic pool, a short walk from the house. Check online for current hours (always changing) and note to leave bags at the house because they're not allowed in the pool area.
Getting Around
This is a credit card-based bike rental company. Highly recommended way to get around the city.
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Divvy
This is a credit card-based bike rental company. Highly recommended way to get around the city.
The Halsted Bus picks up very close to the house and will take you south to the Orange Line (if you're flying in and out of Midway) and North to the West Loop and the Blue Line Grand Stop (which will take you west to fun neighborhoods like Wicker Park (Blue Line Damen Stop) and Logan Square (Blue Line - Logan Stop).
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UIC-Halsted Blue Line Station
The Halsted Bus picks up very close to the house and will take you south to the Orange Line (if you're flying in and out of Midway) and North to the West Loop and the Blue Line Grand Stop (which will take you west to fun neighborhoods like Wicker Park (Blue Line Damen Stop) and Logan Square (Blue Line - Logan Stop).
The Red Line train essentially follows the lake shore and heads all the way south and all the way north in the city.
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Cermak-Chinatown Red Line Station
The Red Line train essentially follows the lake shore and heads all the way south and all the way north in the city.
The Pink Line picks up on west 18th St and is another great way to get downtown if you want to talk a walk through Pilsen on the way.
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18th station
The Pink Line picks up on west 18th St and is another great way to get downtown if you want to talk a walk through Pilsen on the way.
The water taxi picks up at the river pagoda in Ping Tom park and travels round trip to a few different stops downtown. This is my preferred method of transit — consider it a freestyle architecture tour.
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Chinatown Water Taxi Stop
The water taxi picks up at the river pagoda in Ping Tom park and travels round trip to a few different stops downtown. This is my preferred method of transit — consider it a freestyle architecture tour.