Amanda's Chicago Guidebook
Food Scene
Great places to eat in West Town, Wicker Park and Logan Square
Great sandwiches and cute outdoor patio. Don't miss out on the lemon cookie - it's so soft and buttery
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Letizia's Natural Bakery
2144 W Division StGreat sandwiches and cute outdoor patio. Don't miss out on the lemon cookie - it's so soft and buttery
Super great vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian food. Great nightly specials for food and booze. Awesome back patio if the weather is good.
140 Einheimische empfehlen
Handlebar
2311 W North AveSuper great vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian food. Great nightly specials for food and booze. Awesome back patio if the weather is good.
WONDERFUL Brunch in walking distance from the apartment. Great for meat eaters AND vegetarians/vegans. A little something for everyone. It closes at 3pm and it's cash only.
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Flying Saucer
1123 N California AveWONDERFUL Brunch in walking distance from the apartment. Great for meat eaters AND vegetarians/vegans. A little something for everyone. It closes at 3pm and it's cash only.
Another amazing brunch spot in walking distance from the apartment. They are CLOSED Tuesdays. Chalkboard menu and you order at the counter and get placed at a table. It's really crowded on the weekends - much better during the week for ambience. Super good.
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Hash Chicago
1357 N Western AveAnother amazing brunch spot in walking distance from the apartment. They are CLOSED Tuesdays. Chalkboard menu and you order at the counter and get placed at a table. It's really crowded on the weekends - much better during the week for ambience. Super good.
If you're going to spend some time around the corner in Wicker Park, Wormhole is a must. They've got a 1980s theme and have a full-size Delorian car inside! But don't think it's all gimmicks - the coffee is LEGIT - you've got to try a Peanut Butter Koopa Troopa (it's like a mocha with peanut butter - omg!)
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The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee AveIf you're going to spend some time around the corner in Wicker Park, Wormhole is a must. They've got a 1980s theme and have a full-size Delorian car inside! But don't think it's all gimmicks - the coffee is LEGIT - you've got to try a Peanut Butter Koopa Troopa (it's like a mocha with peanut butter - omg!)
Do you need a reason? Absolutely delicious perfect ice cream served in cups or handmade cones. A Midwest treat.
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1505 N Milwaukee AveDo you need a reason? Absolutely delicious perfect ice cream served in cups or handmade cones. A Midwest treat.
We love the super thin crust pizza. Also Wednesday is $5 pasta and $5 glass of wine night - great for an inexpensive date. Plus it's across from the Logan Theatre!
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Reno
2607 N Milwaukee AveWe love the super thin crust pizza. Also Wednesday is $5 pasta and $5 glass of wine night - great for an inexpensive date. Plus it's across from the Logan Theatre!
Great little local coffee shop - great for studying. They also serve booze after 6 which is a nice way to transition into the evening.
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Cafe Mustache
2313 N Milwaukee AveGreat little local coffee shop - great for studying. They also serve booze after 6 which is a nice way to transition into the evening.
Great little italian spot - if the weather is nice, get a spot on the patio. It's in walking distance of the apartment and the food is really lovely.
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Enoteca Roma
2146 W Division StGreat little italian spot - if the weather is nice, get a spot on the patio. It's in walking distance of the apartment and the food is really lovely.
If you need a romantic or special dinner, Lula is one of the best in the city. They have an amazing farm-to-table menu including a 6-course vegetarian tasting menu. They also serve brunch and lunch that are a little more casual but still amazing. It's an absolute must for at least one meal in Chicago,
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Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie BlvdIf you need a romantic or special dinner, Lula is one of the best in the city. They have an amazing farm-to-table menu including a 6-course vegetarian tasting menu. They also serve brunch and lunch that are a little more casual but still amazing. It's an absolute must for at least one meal in Chicago,
yet another amazing brunch spot in the neighborhood. It's delicious and inexpensive. the biscuits and breakfast tacos are a must.
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Bite Cafe
1039 N Western Aveyet another amazing brunch spot in the neighborhood. It's delicious and inexpensive. the biscuits and breakfast tacos are a must.
Need a fast burrito or torta? Just across the street is a great little joint that has our favorite avocado tortas.
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Guerrero's Tacos & Pizza
2534 W Division StNeed a fast burrito or torta? Just across the street is a great little joint that has our favorite avocado tortas.
Fantastic Coffee just a quick walk away - and of course delicious pastries too
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Dollop Bakeshop
1000 N Damen AveFantastic Coffee just a quick walk away - and of course delicious pastries too
Classic Fountain drinks, milkshakes, handmade pies! But also good coffee and the most delicious handmade biscuits (they'll make a great breakfast sandwich on them!)
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Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveClassic Fountain drinks, milkshakes, handmade pies! But also good coffee and the most delicious handmade biscuits (they'll make a great breakfast sandwich on them!)
If you're vegan or vegetarian, it's a must. Lots of faux-meat options and the faux-milkshakes are amazing
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The Chicago Diner, Logan Square
2333 North Milwaukee AvenueIf you're vegan or vegetarian, it's a must. Lots of faux-meat options and the faux-milkshakes are amazing
This place is so cool. A long bar and huge patio for when it's nice. They serve locally roasted coffee from Darkmatter and it's an absolute neighborhood favorite. Parking nearby can be hard, it's about a 10 minute walk from our space. Great for a cafe-style breakfast or for an afternoon with a book. Great people watching and the art is usually fantastic. The entire patio was painted by local mural artists.
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Star Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago AveThis place is so cool. A long bar and huge patio for when it's nice. They serve locally roasted coffee from Darkmatter and it's an absolute neighborhood favorite. Parking nearby can be hard, it's about a 10 minute walk from our space. Great for a cafe-style breakfast or for an afternoon with a book. Great people watching and the art is usually fantastic. The entire patio was painted by local mural artists.
cozy spot in walking distance that has an excellent wine list and delicious gastro-pub fare. perfect for a cold night.
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Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
954 North California Avenuecozy spot in walking distance that has an excellent wine list and delicious gastro-pub fare. perfect for a cold night.
Lovely french-style spot in walking distance. Great for brunch with their amazing smoked fish and pastry selections but also just as stunning for dinner. Make sure to try a cheese plate!
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Café Marie-Jeanne
1001 N California AveLovely french-style spot in walking distance. Great for brunch with their amazing smoked fish and pastry selections but also just as stunning for dinner. Make sure to try a cheese plate!
New Americana food at a new restaurant in the neighborhood. This great spot is in walking distance and serves twists on american classics and has an excellent cocktail menu
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Split-Rail
2500 W Chicago AveNew Americana food at a new restaurant in the neighborhood. This great spot is in walking distance and serves twists on american classics and has an excellent cocktail menu
This is our favorite italian ice place - organic fresh fruit. It's only open May - Oct, so get there when it's warm!
Ava's Italian Ice
1814 N Western AveThis is our favorite italian ice place - organic fresh fruit. It's only open May - Oct, so get there when it's warm!
Our favorite! Vintage decor and homemade pies, cookies, cakes, pastries and delicious cafe food. And don't skip the milkshakes and old fashioned soda fountain!
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Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
1000 N California AveOur favorite! Vintage decor and homemade pies, cookies, cakes, pastries and delicious cafe food. And don't skip the milkshakes and old fashioned soda fountain!
Shopping
This weird little shop has good gifts, used books and lots of taxidermy. Definitely for the weirdo goths :)
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Space Oddities
1007 N California AveThis weird little shop has good gifts, used books and lots of taxidermy. Definitely for the weirdo goths :)
One of the coolest shops around - they carry gorgeous vintage mid-century furniture and fantastic kilim rugs BUT they also have tons of local jewelry, handmade pottery and other wonders
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Humboldt House
1045 N California AveOne of the coolest shops around - they carry gorgeous vintage mid-century furniture and fantastic kilim rugs BUT they also have tons of local jewelry, handmade pottery and other wonders
The best used bookstore in the city. If you're a book-nerd, you can likely spend hours here. Highly recommended.
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Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveThe best used bookstore in the city. If you're a book-nerd, you can likely spend hours here. Highly recommended.
Gorgeous shop that focuses on beautiful textiles (think sheets/napkins/tablecloths). Just a really unique store.
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Unison
1911 West Division StreetGorgeous shop that focuses on beautiful textiles (think sheets/napkins/tablecloths). Just a really unique store.
Cermak Produce
2701 W North AveLocal grocery store with great bulk items and produce
Technically this is a floral shop, but it's also the place to go for gorgeous hip boutique items by local and carefully curated makers
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Asrai Garden
1935 W North AveTechnically this is a floral shop, but it's also the place to go for gorgeous hip boutique items by local and carefully curated makers
A really rad boutique with lots of vintage motorcycle jackets and new jewelry.
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Tarnish
1948 W Chicago AveA really rad boutique with lots of vintage motorcycle jackets and new jewelry.
This Ukranian grocery store and bakery is filled with fresh breads/ pastries, fresh fruits, fish, prepared items - and just has delicious groceries not usually found in most american grocery stores. Recommended for stocking up or just to get some treats for a day.
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Ann's Bakery and Deli
2158 W Chicago AveThis Ukranian grocery store and bakery is filled with fresh breads/ pastries, fresh fruits, fish, prepared items - and just has delicious groceries not usually found in most american grocery stores. Recommended for stocking up or just to get some treats for a day.
Entertainment & Activities
This gorgeous renovated vintage theatre has cocktails but also cheap popcorn and great movies. They show current films, but also have late night old films - highly recommended
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The Logan Theatre
2646 N Milwaukee AveThis gorgeous renovated vintage theatre has cocktails but also cheap popcorn and great movies. They show current films, but also have late night old films - highly recommended
Arts & Culture
We are members of this amazing contemporary art museum. It's a pretty short bus ride on the Chicago Ave Bus - or a bike ride. Don't forget to check out their performances calendar - they have some great music and dance performances in the evenings.
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Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E Chicago AveWe are members of this amazing contemporary art museum. It's a pretty short bus ride on the Chicago Ave Bus - or a bike ride. Don't forget to check out their performances calendar - they have some great music and dance performances in the evenings.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a bar/music venue across the street from the apartment. They have some really great live shows and good cheap drinks
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The Empty Bottle
1035 N Western AveThis is a bar/music venue across the street from the apartment. They have some really great live shows and good cheap drinks
This bar/ restaurant around the corner has burgers and beers
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Lockdown Bar & Grill
1024 N Western AveThis bar/ restaurant around the corner has burgers and beers
Hip little place just around the corner. Often a spot to see hipster celebs but it's really just a pretty fun and well-decorated bar.
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Sportsman's Club
948 N Western AveHip little place just around the corner. Often a spot to see hipster celebs but it's really just a pretty fun and well-decorated bar.
Parks & Nature
This gorgeous park in the center of our neighborhood features a lake with a boathouse, miles of flat paths perfect for biking, tennis courts and loads of picnic areas. A lovely spot for an afternoon
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Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt DrThis gorgeous park in the center of our neighborhood features a lake with a boathouse, miles of flat paths perfect for biking, tennis courts and loads of picnic areas. A lovely spot for an afternoon
Getting Around
Bus pickup right on our corner - make sure to get a ventra pass from the airport or have exact change $2.50 to ride the bus. You can take this to the Blue Line Division Stop or ride it into the north side of downtown.
Division & Campbell station
Bus pickup right on our corner - make sure to get a ventra pass from the airport or have exact change $2.50 to ride the bus. You can take this to the Blue Line Division Stop or ride it into the north side of downtown.
Nearest Blue Line stop to us - about 1 mile - walk able or hop on the bus that lets out at Division and Campbell
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Milwaukee & Division station
Nearest Blue Line stop to us - about 1 mile - walk able or hop on the bus that lets out at Division and Campbell