Food/Restaurants Scene
Close-by and walking distance spots
Business hours only; some Saturdays. Sneaky good food items. Very popular among lunchtime crowd for Medical District workers. Lots of Italian sweets. Walking distance away.
15 locals recommend
Ferrara Bakery
2210 W Taylor StBusiness hours only; some Saturdays. Sneaky good food items. Very popular among lunchtime crowd for Medical District workers. Lots of Italian sweets. Walking distance away.
Pompei
1531 W Taylor StItalian/Mexican take-out restaurant. 2 blocks away. Long-standing restaurant. Quick delivery.
7 locals recommend
Damenzo's Pizza
2324 W Taylor StItalian/Mexican take-out restaurant. 2 blocks away. Long-standing restaurant. Quick delivery.
The most popular Italian Ice location in Chicago, only open during summertime.
31 locals recommend
Mario's Italian Lemonade
1068 W Taylor StThe most popular Italian Ice location in Chicago, only open during summertime.
A favorite for Thai street food. Nevermind the feng shui, the food is good. Brown rice options available also.
8 locals recommend
Thai Bowl
1049 W Taylor StA favorite for Thai street food. Nevermind the feng shui, the food is good. Brown rice options available also.
SUBWAY®Restaurants
77 W Jackson BlvdAround the corner on Western/Taylor Street. Nuff said.
The most popular Chicago style Italian Beef sandwiches are sold here. Bring $15 with ya though, cash only! I like mine with both sweet and hot peppers, lightly dipped.
62 locals recommend
Al's Beef
1079 W Taylor StThe most popular Chicago style Italian Beef sandwiches are sold here. Bring $15 with ya though, cash only! I like mine with both sweet and hot peppers, lightly dipped.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
6600 N Sheridan RdHealthy and quick eats for under $10.
Sweet Maple Cafe
1339 W Taylor StBest breakfast spot close by.
Stax Cafe
1401 W Taylor StA breakfast restaurant.
Drinks & Nightlife
Small dance floor on Weekends. Good food. Big tv. Sports. Nightlife.
Walking distance. Great for everything. Has a bar section and a restaurant section. Kinda like a nice sports bar. They show boxing and UFC ppvs, fyi. On Friday/Saturday nights, they have a live dj. Vintage bar across the street from here has dancing/small club scene on the weekends.
19 locals recommend
Hawkeye's Bar & Grill
1458 W Taylor StWalking distance. Great for everything. Has a bar section and a restaurant section. Kinda like a nice sports bar. They show boxing and UFC ppvs, fyi. On Friday/Saturday nights, they have a live dj. Vintage bar across the street from here has dancing/small club scene on the weekends.
Vintage Bar
1449 W Taylor StParks & Nature
Buckingham Fountain
301 S Columbus DrWaterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Bike trail, 10 miles around
Ride bike from Skokie Lagoons for 2 miles to the Botanic Garden and admission is free. Otherwise, $20 for parking admission.
167 locals recommend
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook RdRide bike from Skokie Lagoons for 2 miles to the Botanic Garden and admission is free. Otherwise, $20 for parking admission.
I have extra bikes for borrowing. You can bike it to the lakefront, or take the blue line train to downtown, and bike over to the lakefront and ride up north as far as you want. Very popular bucket list bike ride.
229 locals recommend
Lakefront Trail
Lakefront TrailI have extra bikes for borrowing. You can bike it to the lakefront, or take the blue line train to downtown, and bike over to the lakefront and ride up north as far as you want. Very popular bucket list bike ride.
Grocery/Market Stores
Target
4433 S Pulaski RdPete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StHas ethnic/international food items.
Jewel-Osco
550 N State StCheaper grocery items at this market, right next to Cermak Produce who also have good prices on fruits and veggies.
48 locals recommend
ALDI
4934 S Kedzie AveCheaper grocery items at this market, right next to Cermak Produce who also have good prices on fruits and veggies.
A Hispanic produce store. The prices have gone up since their recent renovations. Still a decent place to find cheap fruits and veggies and fresh meats.
170 locals recommend
Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak RdA Hispanic produce store. The prices have gone up since their recent renovations. Still a decent place to find cheap fruits and veggies and fresh meats.
A short blue line train ride away in Greektown. International foods/produce options.
866 locals recommend
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveA short blue line train ride away in Greektown. International foods/produce options.
Sightseeing
Willis Tower Skydeck
The very top of Chicago!!!
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph StDowntown Chicago lakefront attraction