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 locals recommend
Martin's Corner
2058 W 22nd PlChicago 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 locals recommend
Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom
2101 S Carpenter StThis 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 locals recommend
Alulu Brewpub
2011 South Laflin StreetOne 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 locals recommend
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
2515 S Wabash AveExotic 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 AvenueOur 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 locals recommend
Raymond's Tacos No. 2
2406 S Blue Island AveOpen 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 locals recommend
El Taco Azteca - Mexican Restaurant of Chicago
2151 W Cermak RdBYOB 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 locals recommend
5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StA 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 locals recommend
Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant
1725 W 18th StChicago’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 locals recommend
Furious Spoon Pilsen
1316 W 18th StRamen 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 locals recommend
Giordano's
5311 S Blackstone AveEveryone 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 locals recommend
Il Vicinato Ristorante
2435 South Western AvenueOne of our favorites in Heart of Italy, go here for baked clams and a full pour of wine.
Ignotz's
2421 S Oakley AveWe recommend their baked gnocchi in Gorgonzola.
One of the few places in Heart of Italy that offers al fresco dining.
6 locals recommend
La Fontanella Restaurant
2414 S Oakley AveOne 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 locals recommend
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StAward-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 locals recommend
La Michoacana Premium
1855 S Blue Island AveAll-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 locals recommend
Dusek's Board & Beer
1227 W 18th StHipster 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 locals recommend
Super Mercados El Güero
2101 W Cermak RdEl 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 StThere’s not much food on the shelves here, but there is great selection of craft beer, liquor and wine.
ALDI
4934 S Kedzie AveIt'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 locals recommend
Walgreens
1931 W Cermak RdWhat 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 locals recommend
Harrison Park
1824 S Wood StA 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 locals recommend
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th StThe 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 locals recommend
Pilsen Outpost
1637 W 18th StThe 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 locals recommend
Damen Pink Line Station
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 PlThis 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.