Guidebook for Chicago

Rachel And John
Rachel And John
Guidebook for Chicago

Drinks & Nightlife

Chicago is big on corner bars, and Martin’s is one of the best. Cheap drinks and standard bar food await. Food served until 8 pm.
32 residents recomanen
Martin's Corner
2058 W 22nd Pl
32 residents recomanen
Chicago is big on corner bars, and Martin’s is one of the best. Cheap drinks and standard bar food await. Food served until 8 pm.
This is probably the best brewery in our neighborhood. Great revolving beer selection with a few excellent staples. Bring your own food (sometimes there's a food truck outside) and hang out in the big room. It's super kid friendly as well.
30 residents recomanen
Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom
2101 S Carpenter St
30 residents recomanen
This is probably the best brewery in our neighborhood. Great revolving beer selection with a few excellent staples. Bring your own food (sometimes there's a food truck outside) and hang out in the big room. It's super kid friendly as well.
One of the newest breweries in our area, Alulu already has a reputation for tasty beer and food
29 residents recomanen
Alulu Brewpub
2011 South Laflin Street
29 residents recomanen
One of the newest breweries in our area, Alulu already has a reputation for tasty beer and food
Exotic beers are paired with oysters & cake at this cozy brewery tasting room with a fireplace.
19 residents recomanen
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
2515 S Wabash Ave
19 residents recomanen
Exotic beers are paired with oysters & cake at this cozy brewery tasting room with a fireplace.

Food Scene

Our favorite taco joint. Delicious, authentic and cheap. It’s not on the menu, but if you order Rajas con Crema, they’ll know we sent you.
Casa Cafe
2025 South Western Avenue
Our favorite taco joint. Delicious, authentic and cheap. It’s not on the menu, but if you order Rajas con Crema, they’ll know we sent you.
Open until 4:00 am on weekends and 2:30 am on weekdays. When you arrive late and hungry, this is the place to go.
9 residents recomanen
Raymond's Tacos No. 2
2406 S Blue Island Ave
9 residents recomanen
Open until 4:00 am on weekends and 2:30 am on weekdays. When you arrive late and hungry, this is the place to go.
BYOB modern taqueria. You pay more per taco but the food is fresh, elegant-ish and delicious.
15 residents recomanen
El Taco Azteca - Mexican Restaurant of Chicago
2151 W Cermak Rd
15 residents recomanen
BYOB modern taqueria. You pay more per taco but the food is fresh, elegant-ish and delicious.
A little pricier, but worth experiencing the chef’s (a Rick Bayless alumn) modern twist on traditional Mexican foods.
43 residents recomanen
5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th St
43 residents recomanen
A little pricier, but worth experiencing the chef’s (a Rick Bayless alumn) modern twist on traditional Mexican foods.
Chicago’s resident celebrity chef, Rick Bayless, says these are the best carnitas in the city.
28 residents recomanen
Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant
1725 W 18th St
28 residents recomanen
Chicago’s resident celebrity chef, Rick Bayless, says these are the best carnitas in the city.
Ramen and rap music. Need we say more? The noodles are made fresh and there’s a decent alcohol selection.
9 residents recomanen
Furious Spoon Pilsen
1316 W 18th St
9 residents recomanen
Ramen and rap music. Need we say more? The noodles are made fresh and there’s a decent alcohol selection.
Everyone needs to try authentic Chicago deep dish pizza at least once. Giordano’s is a true Chicago experience.
519 residents recomanen
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone Ave
519 residents recomanen
Everyone needs to try authentic Chicago deep dish pizza at least once. Giordano’s is a true Chicago experience.
One of our favorites in Heart of Italy, go here for baked clams and a full pour of wine.
13 residents recomanen
Il Vicinato Ristorante
2435 South Western Avenue
13 residents recomanen
One of our favorites in Heart of Italy, go here for baked clams and a full pour of wine.
We recommend their baked gnocchi in Gorgonzola.
50 residents recomanen
Ignotz's
2421 S Oakley Ave
50 residents recomanen
We recommend their baked gnocchi in Gorgonzola.
One of the few places in Heart of Italy that offers al fresco dining.
6 residents recomanen
La Fontanella Restaurant
2414 S Oakley Ave
6 residents recomanen
One of the few places in Heart of Italy that offers al fresco dining.
Award-winning BBQ with a funky vibe. Blue grass and rockabilly bands most evenings.
141 residents recomanen
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th St
141 residents recomanen
Award-winning BBQ with a funky vibe. Blue grass and rockabilly bands most evenings.
All-natural, authentic paletas sit beside exotic and standard ice cream flavors.
21 residents recomanen
La Michoacana Premium
1855 S Blue Island Ave
21 residents recomanen
All-natural, authentic paletas sit beside exotic and standard ice cream flavors.
Hipster hangout and Michelin starred, Dusek’s restaurant shares the same building as concert venue Thalia Hall concert venue.
156 residents recomanen
Dusek's Board & Beer
1227 W 18th St
156 residents recomanen
Hipster hangout and Michelin starred, Dusek’s restaurant shares the same building as concert venue Thalia Hall concert venue.

Essentials

El Guero has most grocery basics, some beer, and a funky smell. Plus, you can often buy a whole hog’s head!
9 residents recomanen
Super Mercados El Güero
2101 W Cermak Rd
9 residents recomanen
El Guero has most grocery basics, some beer, and a funky smell. Plus, you can often buy a whole hog’s head!
There’s not much food on the shelves here, but there is great selection of craft beer, liquor and wine.
El Valle Food & Liquors
2024 S Leavitt St
There’s not much food on the shelves here, but there is great selection of craft beer, liquor and wine.
It's an Aldi. Identical to every other Aldi you've ever set foot in.
48 residents recomanen
ALDI
4934 S Kedzie Ave
48 residents recomanen
It's an Aldi. Identical to every other Aldi you've ever set foot in.
What can we say? They will sell you aspirin and fill your prescription.
183 residents recomanen
Walgreens
1931 W Cermak Rd
183 residents recomanen
What can we say? They will sell you aspirin and fill your prescription.

Parks & Nature

A good place for a run. The sidewalk around the park is 3/4 mile. An easy 5K route is run to the park, do 2 figure eights (a path bisects the park), and run back. There is a playground for kids and green space for relaxing.
60 residents recomanen
Parc Harrison
1824 S Wood St
60 residents recomanen
A good place for a run. The sidewalk around the park is 3/4 mile. An easy 5K route is run to the park, do 2 figure eights (a path bisects the park), and run back. There is a playground for kids and green space for relaxing.

Arts & Culture

The National Museum of Mexican Art features Mexican, Latino and Chicano art. Free entry.
222 residents recomanen
Museu Nacional d'Art Mexicà
1852 W 19th St
222 residents recomanen
The National Museum of Mexican Art features Mexican, Latino and Chicano art. Free entry.
The closest art gallery to our house, Pilsen Outpost always has a collection of fun and funky art.
10 residents recomanen
Pilsen Outpost
1637 W 18th St
10 residents recomanen
The closest art gallery to our house, Pilsen Outpost always has a collection of fun and funky art.

Getting Around

Get off the train at Damen and exit toward Hoyne Ave. Turn left and walk straight back here.
20 residents recomanen
Damen Pink Line Station
20 residents recomanen
Get off the train at Damen and exit toward Hoyne Ave. Turn left and walk straight back here.
The 21 bus takes you straight to Chicago’s Chinatown and the popular McCormick Place.
Cermak & Hoyne station
The 21 bus takes you straight to Chicago’s Chinatown and the popular McCormick Place.

Sightseeing

This architectural marvel is steps away from our place. Rumor has it, there isn’t a single nail in the entire building. It’s gorgeous inside and out.
St. Paul's Catholic Church
2127 W 22nd Pl
This architectural marvel is steps away from our place. Rumor has it, there isn’t a single nail in the entire building. It’s gorgeous inside and out.