Food Scene
Great pizza-- in my opinion better than the typical Chicago tourist places-- love both their deep dish and thin crust, great salads, and they deliver. Takes about an hour to deliver.
22 locals recommend
My Pi Pizza
2010 N Damen AveGreat pizza-- in my opinion better than the typical Chicago tourist places-- love both their deep dish and thin crust, great salads, and they deliver. Takes about an hour to deliver.
Our favorite people in the hood-- awesome BBQ, great scene and live blues nearly every night! Tell them Brian and Tracy sent you! Brian performs (blues) there often. Great for carryout ribs too!
115 locals recommend
Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division StOur favorite people in the hood-- awesome BBQ, great scene and live blues nearly every night! Tell them Brian and Tracy sent you! Brian performs (blues) there often. Great for carryout ribs too!
This is an awesome restaurant/ bar that tourists don't know much about-- it's built inside the vault of a historic bank, and just 4 blocks from our house! Would recommend a reservation. +1 7732358800
58 locals recommend
The Bedford
1612 West Division StreetThis is an awesome restaurant/ bar that tourists don't know much about-- it's built inside the vault of a historic bank, and just 4 blocks from our house! Would recommend a reservation. +1 7732358800
You can walk there or they DELIVER- great mexican food and cheap. Brian loves the Mother Clucker, and I love their fish tacos. Get flour tortillas vs corn chips if they ask. Great salsas. BYOB
26 locals recommend
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
810 N Marshfield AveYou can walk there or they DELIVER- great mexican food and cheap. Brian loves the Mother Clucker, and I love their fish tacos. Get flour tortillas vs corn chips if they ask. Great salsas. BYOB
If you have not been to one of Mario Batali's concepts before I highly recommend this! You can make reservations when you get there and then walk Michigan Avenue for a while and go back for dinner.
140 locals recommend
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StIf you have not been to one of Mario Batali's concepts before I highly recommend this! You can make reservations when you get there and then walk Michigan Avenue for a while and go back for dinner.
If you need to entertain clients for lunch or dinner, this is a great place with excellent service and quiet for biz discussions-- you can also get semi-private corners.
19 locals recommend
Sepia
123 N Jefferson StIf you need to entertain clients for lunch or dinner, this is a great place with excellent service and quiet for biz discussions-- you can also get semi-private corners.
Stephanie Izzard's smaller concept from Girl & the Goat, this is an excellent bfast or lunch spot and they have a nice rooftop for cocktail parties if you need to book for client event!
159 locals recommend
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StStephanie Izzard's smaller concept from Girl & the Goat, this is an excellent bfast or lunch spot and they have a nice rooftop for cocktail parties if you need to book for client event!
This is my local SBUX-- love the people and it's 4 blocks walk. If you are more of an Indie lover, check out Caffe Streets (read later).
214 locals recommend
Starbucks
1 E Delaware PlThis is my local SBUX-- love the people and it's 4 blocks walk. If you are more of an Indie lover, check out Caffe Streets (read later).
Great Pour Over coffees, decent ambience but not very comfy to sit in all day. If you like indie sci fi coffee this is for you.
76 locals recommend
Caffè Streets
1750 W Division StGreat Pour Over coffees, decent ambience but not very comfy to sit in all day. If you like indie sci fi coffee this is for you.
This is a few blocks west of us and a local gem-- great food, nice ambience and not too hipster!
55 locals recommend
The Winchester
1001 North Winchester AvenueThis is a few blocks west of us and a local gem-- great food, nice ambience and not too hipster!
Drinks & Nightlife
Hipster tastic- great people watching experience in Bucktown. Cash only-- they have an ATM there. Some of the best gourmet tacos that you'll find in Chicago, wicked fresh margaritas & cheap beer.
1174 locals recommend
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveHipster tastic- great people watching experience in Bucktown. Cash only-- they have an ATM there. Some of the best gourmet tacos that you'll find in Chicago, wicked fresh margaritas & cheap beer.
This is a local dive that is open very night, w/ live music on the weekends, pool, a beer garden and a great selection of beers, but mostly really nice people! Good if you want to go late w/o crowds.
14 locals recommend
Nick's Beer Garden
1516 N Milwaukee AveThis is a local dive that is open very night, w/ live music on the weekends, pool, a beer garden and a great selection of beers, but mostly really nice people! Good if you want to go late w/o crowds.
Brian is Scottish so he often goes to watch soccer at one of three places- you have to call to see what's on- their number is 1 773-772-2727
23 locals recommend
SmallBar Division
2049 W Division StBrian is Scottish so he often goes to watch soccer at one of three places- you have to call to see what's on- their number is 1 773-772-2727
Brian loves soccer and this place is an authentic fan hub, small and cozy with locals, and it has great menu deals every night like $5 pizzas and $2 tacos +1 312-243-5600 to see what games are playing
55 locals recommend
Diag Bar & Grill
2856 N Southport AveBrian loves soccer and this place is an authentic fan hub, small and cozy with locals, and it has great menu deals every night like $5 pizzas and $2 tacos +1 312-243-5600 to see what games are playing
Brian is a blues musician and this is a local and tourist favorite. It's right across from Kingston Mines which has live blues so you can go there for late night!
44 locals recommend
B.L.U.E.S.
2519 N Halsted StBrian is a blues musician and this is a local and tourist favorite. It's right across from Kingston Mines which has live blues so you can go there for late night!
Another great blues bar, our friends all work there -- ask for "wee Emma" and mention Brian's name and hopefully you will get great service!
25 locals recommend
Blue Chicago
536 N Clark StAnother great blues bar, our friends all work there -- ask for "wee Emma" and mention Brian's name and hopefully you will get great service!
Great food all times of the day, locally made wines as well as globally sourced, and live entertainment options free and paid tickets in their adjacent hall.
70 locals recommend
City Winery
1200 W Randolph StGreat food all times of the day, locally made wines as well as globally sourced, and live entertainment options free and paid tickets in their adjacent hall.
Essentials
This is our closest grocery store in the Mariano's chain. Jewel is only 4 blocks away but we don't really like it. This location is about 6 blocks walk, or go to Ashland store w straight shot to bus.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveThis is our closest grocery store in the Mariano's chain. Jewel is only 4 blocks away but we don't really like it. This location is about 6 blocks walk, or go to Ashland store w straight shot to bus.
This is our favorite grocery store-- great produce, way better prices than Whole Foods and you can take Ashland bus up with no delays. They have fabulous deli meals for $6 if you don't want to cook!
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveThis is our favorite grocery store-- great produce, way better prices than Whole Foods and you can take Ashland bus up with no delays. They have fabulous deli meals for $6 if you don't want to cook!
We love these guys for grocery delivery-- our favorite location is Mariano's on Ashland w/in 2 hrs!
www.instacart.com
when you sign up use this code for $10 free credit
http://inst.cr/t/NZc7Zg
Instacart Chicago
We love these guys for grocery delivery-- our favorite location is Mariano's on Ashland w/in 2 hrs!
www.instacart.com
when you sign up use this code for $10 free credit
http://inst.cr/t/NZc7Zg
If you need a touch up hair color and ran out of time before your trip-- this is a great place-- go to Allison or Yvette! You can email for appt to info@editsalons.com phone +1 773-235-4085
Edit Salon
1369 W Chicago AveIf you need a touch up hair color and ran out of time before your trip-- this is a great place-- go to Allison or Yvette! You can email for appt to info@editsalons.com phone +1 773-235-4085
salonblonde
1416 West Fullerton AvenueGreat place for haircuts-- everyone there is good! +1 773-235-4085
My friend Jackie owns this salon-- not posh but she is one of the best in town. Get in same day, good prices; helps to call-tell her Tracy sent u if she says she's busy. Closed Tues. +1 773-384-0717
Fantasy Nails and Spa
355 W North AveMy friend Jackie owns this salon-- not posh but she is one of the best in town. Get in same day, good prices; helps to call-tell her Tracy sent u if she says she's busy. Closed Tues. +1 773-384-0717
Juan is one of the best 3 cobblers in town and the man I trust with our shoes. Takes a few days but if you have urgent repairs, they usually can make it happen!
Clybourn Cobbler
2216 N Clybourn AveJuan is one of the best 3 cobblers in town and the man I trust with our shoes. Takes a few days but if you have urgent repairs, they usually can make it happen!
If you want to buy a day pass this is a great gym with all of the amenities as well as classes it's typically only $10-15 USD, and just 3 blocks north of us on Division Street across from the Wendy's.
10 locals recommend
Wicker Park Athletic Club
1635 W Division StIf you want to buy a day pass this is a great gym with all of the amenities as well as classes it's typically only $10-15 USD, and just 3 blocks north of us on Division Street across from the Wendy's.
Great massages-- you can always get in-- and great prices--most are trainers, so they are serious about healing. (312) 929-3083 or book online http://chicagotouch.com/booking-online
Chicago Touch
1335 West Lake StreetGreat massages-- you can always get in-- and great prices--most are trainers, so they are serious about healing. (312) 929-3083 or book online http://chicagotouch.com/booking-online
If you have a dental emergency-- my dear friend Kasia is an amazing Dentist and just 10 mins from our house. 1635 W. Cortland, (773) 904-8400
PureDental Group: Katarzyna Lopez, DDS
1635 West Cortland StreetIf you have a dental emergency-- my dear friend Kasia is an amazing Dentist and just 10 mins from our house. 1635 W. Cortland, (773) 904-8400
This is not our favorite, but it's an easy walk just near the Division "L" stop-- just take a right out our alley door, a left to the corner and a left on to Ashland, walk north about 4 blocks across the major intersection at Division and go 1/2 block to the big parking lot. There is also a Lowe's Home, Potbelly and a Dunkin Donuts in that lot.
675 locals recommend
Jewel-Osco
3531 N BroadwayThis is not our favorite, but it's an easy walk just near the Division "L" stop-- just take a right out our alley door, a left to the corner and a left on to Ashland, walk north about 4 blocks across the major intersection at Division and go 1/2 block to the big parking lot. There is also a Lowe's Home, Potbelly and a Dunkin Donuts in that lot.
2 blocks north of us on Ashland-- small, cute grocer with largely organic foods, wine and beer too. Can be pricey but very nice people and convenient!
29 locals recommend
Garden Gourmet Market
1130 N Ashland Ave2 blocks north of us on Ashland-- small, cute grocer with largely organic foods, wine and beer too. Can be pricey but very nice people and convenient!
Everything Else
It's a 15 min drive, but if you have emergency tailoring or clothing repairs done, this is who I trust-- tell Elizabeth Tracy sent you. OR we have a dry cleaner immediately next to the house.
Cleaning Club Cleaners
2121 N Clybourn AveIt's a 15 min drive, but if you have emergency tailoring or clothing repairs done, this is who I trust-- tell Elizabeth Tracy sent you. OR we have a dry cleaner immediately next to the house.
Sightseeing
If you want to see the city skyline & don't want to spend $200 on dinner at the Signature Room, go to the John Hancock tower and head up to the Bar, a floor up. Ladies, take your camera to the loo!
521 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveIf you want to see the city skyline & don't want to spend $200 on dinner at the Signature Room, go to the John Hancock tower and head up to the Bar, a floor up. Ladies, take your camera to the loo!
Entertainment & Activities
A fabulous free zoo for families with kids, with a restaurant inside and easy access to our Lakeshore for a walk in the park!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StA fabulous free zoo for families with kids, with a restaurant inside and easy access to our Lakeshore for a walk in the park!
We love the Cubs for so many reasons, and this year they happen to have a good team! You can take a chance to get tickets outside from scalpers or even from the box office, and often have great luck!
Chicago Cubs Tickets
We love the Cubs for so many reasons, and this year they happen to have a good team! You can take a chance to get tickets outside from scalpers or even from the box office, and often have great luck!
Parks & Nature
A new path around Chicago that you can ride a bike or walk in an elevated path around the city and pop down into neighborhoods. Nearest access is 1722 N Ashland
http://www.the606.org/visit/map/
241 locals recommend
The 606
1805 North Ridgeway AvenueA new path around Chicago that you can ride a bike or walk in an elevated path around the city and pop down into neighborhoods. Nearest access is 1722 N Ashland
http://www.the606.org/visit/map/
This beach is fun for people watching and has expanded their rental seating and restaurants if you want to spend the day eating and drinking, or sunning!
26 locals recommend
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
25 E Ohio StThis beach is fun for people watching and has expanded their rental seating and restaurants if you want to spend the day eating and drinking, or sunning!
Named the best beach in Chicago, it's a bit north but highly regarded!
297 locals recommend
Montrose Beach
Named the best beach in Chicago, it's a bit north but highly regarded!