Brian’s guidebook
Favorite Breweries
A hip, low-key spot that is unique to the South Side, Whiner Beer Company focuses on barrel aged beers and is dedicated to the Belgian tradition of bacteria and alternative yeast fermentations. The brewery is housed in The Plant, a collaborative community of food businesses focusing on material reuse and closed loop systems in Chicago’s historic Back of the Yards neighborhood.
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Whiner Beer Company
1400 W 46th StA hip, low-key spot that is unique to the South Side, Whiner Beer Company focuses on barrel aged beers and is dedicated to the Belgian tradition of bacteria and alternative yeast fermentations. The brewery is housed in The Plant, a collaborative community of food businesses focusing on material reuse and closed loop systems in Chicago’s historic Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Wide range of beers, industrial-chic vibe. They also have an arcade room!
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Marz Community Brewing Company
3630 S Iron StWide range of beers, industrial-chic vibe. They also have an arcade room!
This is my all-time favorite brewery. If you like barrel-aged beer, this place is for you! Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter, need I say more? I will anyway: They also offer an award-winning food menu!
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Moody Tongue Brewing Company
2515 S Wabash AveThis is my all-time favorite brewery. If you like barrel-aged beer, this place is for you! Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter, need I say more? I will anyway: They also offer an award-winning food menu!
Favorite Restaurants
Great takeout spot! They have a dining room too! The Djolof Rice could be a meal all by itself.
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Yassa African Restaurant
3511 S King DrGreat takeout spot! They have a dining room too! The Djolof Rice could be a meal all by itself.
Best Fast Food Option: Burger chain from Wisconsin. Their butter burgers really hit the spot, and their custard concrete mixers are a real frozen treat!
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Culver's
3355 S Martin Luther King DrBest Fast Food Option: Burger chain from Wisconsin. Their butter burgers really hit the spot, and their custard concrete mixers are a real frozen treat!
This combination cafe and culinary gift shop takes great care in what they make. This is a good spot for a quiet conversation or reading a book while sipping on gourmet coffee. Their food is organic and very fresh. Enjoy the local art!
Carver 47 Cafe and Experiment Bar
1050 E 47th StThis combination cafe and culinary gift shop takes great care in what they make. This is a good spot for a quiet conversation or reading a book while sipping on gourmet coffee. Their food is organic and very fresh. Enjoy the local art!
Innovative tacos, cocktails, horchata shake, patio with lawn games.
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Antique Taco
1000 W 35th StInnovative tacos, cocktails, horchata shake, patio with lawn games.
We go for dinner to feast on their fabulous pot pies, though we hear their weekend brunch is great, too.
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Pleasant House Pub
2119 S Halsted StWe go for dinner to feast on their fabulous pot pies, though we hear their weekend brunch is great, too.
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
810 N Marshfield AveDelicious take-away food!
Franco's Ristorante
300 W 31st StClassic Chicago Italian food
I'm still dreaming about a shrimp torta and margarita I had there once. Walk over to the National Museum of Mexican Art when you're done.
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5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StI'm still dreaming about a shrimp torta and margarita I had there once. Walk over to the National Museum of Mexican Art when you're done.
Delicious Mediterranean and Med/Mex fusion! Best for Takeout.
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Cedars Mediterranean Kitchen
1206 E 53rd StDelicious Mediterranean and Med/Mex fusion! Best for Takeout.
Michelin Bib Gourmand black-owned business: Occupying a corner of Hyde Park within view of the University of Chicago, this is an inviting retreat with a welcoming bar, striking dining room, and buzzy kitchen helmed by the very talented Erick Williams. His well-executed Southern cooking draws a smart crowd, largely from the university nearby.
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Virtue Restaurant
1462 E 53rd StMichelin Bib Gourmand black-owned business: Occupying a corner of Hyde Park within view of the University of Chicago, this is an inviting retreat with a welcoming bar, striking dining room, and buzzy kitchen helmed by the very talented Erick Williams. His well-executed Southern cooking draws a smart crowd, largely from the university nearby.
Grocery
A one-stop-shop and walkable from our place. Besides groceries, they offer a number of counter-service and carry out cafes: juice bar, guacamole bar, wine bar, coffee and gelato counter, BBQ grab 'n go, etc. Starbucks and Stan's Donuts inside
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveA one-stop-shop and walkable from our place. Besides groceries, they offer a number of counter-service and carry out cafes: juice bar, guacamole bar, wine bar, coffee and gelato counter, BBQ grab 'n go, etc. Starbucks and Stan's Donuts inside
Free (or Inexpensive) Things To Do
Why spend more money? Chicago is bursting with free activities to enjoy!
If you are at all curious about skyscrapers and architecture this is a must see. Tour the exhibits at the center, ride the boat tour (boards across the street), or schedule a walking tour. We are members so if you're interested let us know!
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Chicago Architecture Center
111 E Wacker DrIf you are at all curious about skyscrapers and architecture this is a must see. Tour the exhibits at the center, ride the boat tour (boards across the street), or schedule a walking tour. We are members so if you're interested let us know!
A best-kept secret in Chicago. A great beach without the crowds. Technically, it's walkable from our place but only if you're looking for some exercise :) If you walk or bike, take MLK south to Oakwood Blvd, East to Ellis, South to 41st, take the new 41st street bridge over the tracks/Lakeshore Drive. After you settle in, look for the Mermaid statue carved out of rocks!
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Oakwood Beach
A best-kept secret in Chicago. A great beach without the crowds. Technically, it's walkable from our place but only if you're looking for some exercise :) If you walk or bike, take MLK south to Oakwood Blvd, East to Ellis, South to 41st, take the new 41st street bridge over the tracks/Lakeshore Drive. After you settle in, look for the Mermaid statue carved out of rocks!
Part of Burnham Park, this scenic peninsula & picnic spot juts into Lake Michigan and provides sweeping views of downtown. Pack a lunch or pick up something in Hyde Park and enjoy an afternoon on the Third Coast.
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Promontory Point
5491 S Shore DrPart of Burnham Park, this scenic peninsula & picnic spot juts into Lake Michigan and provides sweeping views of downtown. Pack a lunch or pick up something in Hyde Park and enjoy an afternoon on the Third Coast.
Garden of the Phoenix is a small Japanese garden within Jackson Park. It was established for the 1893 World's Fair Colombian Exposition held in Chicago. Yoko Ono recently installed Sky Landing, a sculpture composed of 12 large steel lotus petal! This park epitomizes all that is Japanese: Small yet ornate, isolated and serene. The garden resides on Wooded Island which is accessible with two bridges, one on the north and one on the south. Cheap parking is available off of E. Hayes Dr.
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Garden of the Phoenix
6300 S Cornell AveGarden of the Phoenix is a small Japanese garden within Jackson Park. It was established for the 1893 World's Fair Colombian Exposition held in Chicago. Yoko Ono recently installed Sky Landing, a sculpture composed of 12 large steel lotus petal! This park epitomizes all that is Japanese: Small yet ornate, isolated and serene. The garden resides on Wooded Island which is accessible with two bridges, one on the north and one on the south. Cheap parking is available off of E. Hayes Dr.
If you have kids (or are an adult who likes to play) visit one of Chicago's newest parks with rock climbing, skating (roller in the summer, ice skating in the Winter), mini golf, and tennis courts. Also a great place to have a picnic downtown.
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Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph StIf you have kids (or are an adult who likes to play) visit one of Chicago's newest parks with rock climbing, skating (roller in the summer, ice skating in the Winter), mini golf, and tennis courts. Also a great place to have a picnic downtown.
Beautiful in the winter or summer! We used to live on the westside so the conservatory has a special place in our hearts. :)
Grab brunch/lunch at Inspiration Kitchens nearby.
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Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park AveBeautiful in the winter or summer! We used to live on the westside so the conservatory has a special place in our hearts. :)
Grab brunch/lunch at Inspiration Kitchens nearby.
Although you might be in town for a concert at Huntington Bank Pavilion at the top of the island, Northerly is a 91-acre peninsula with skyline views, hiking, fishing & playing. This is the best place to experience nature and Chicago's skyline simultaneously! 12th Street beach is also beautiful place to lounge and enjoy the lake with a snack shop on site.
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Northerly Island
Although you might be in town for a concert at Huntington Bank Pavilion at the top of the island, Northerly is a 91-acre peninsula with skyline views, hiking, fishing & playing. This is the best place to experience nature and Chicago's skyline simultaneously! 12th Street beach is also beautiful place to lounge and enjoy the lake with a snack shop on site.
Tour the beautiful Gothic + modern architecture at the University of Chicago campus and stop in at the Oriental Institute Museum. It's full of the most amazing artifacts of the most ancient civilizations known to humans. They have real, fully preserved mummies!
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Oriental Institute Museum
1155 E 58th StTour the beautiful Gothic + modern architecture at the University of Chicago campus and stop in at the Oriental Institute Museum. It's full of the most amazing artifacts of the most ancient civilizations known to humans. They have real, fully preserved mummies!
Recommended route: Take the Green Line to the Clinton stop, walk east along lake and get on the Riverwalk at Lake & Wacker. Stroll east all the way to the lakefront. You can stop along the way for a drink, snack, or meal. You can detour to Michigan Ave, hop aboard a boat for an architecture tour, or make Navy Pier your end destination. If it's nice out, grab a Divvy bike and take the Lakefront Path all the way back (there's a docking station near Marianos) to Bronzeville. Here you can freshen up before heading out for the evening.
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Chicago Riverwalk
306-370 W Wacker DrRecommended route: Take the Green Line to the Clinton stop, walk east along lake and get on the Riverwalk at Lake & Wacker. Stroll east all the way to the lakefront. You can stop along the way for a drink, snack, or meal. You can detour to Michigan Ave, hop aboard a boat for an architecture tour, or make Navy Pier your end destination. If it's nice out, grab a Divvy bike and take the Lakefront Path all the way back (there's a docking station near Marianos) to Bronzeville. Here you can freshen up before heading out for the evening.
Another great beach with a harbor that includes rentals to enjoy the water! https://chicagowatersportrentals.com/
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31st Street Beach station
Another great beach with a harbor that includes rentals to enjoy the water! https://chicagowatersportrentals.com/
a Free museum with a nice park outside. Exhibits are profound and the gift shop is a treat.
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National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th Sta Free museum with a nice park outside. Exhibits are profound and the gift shop is a treat.
Entertainment
Visit a jazz club that Al Capone once frequented. Transport yourself back to the early 20th century.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayVisit a jazz club that Al Capone once frequented. Transport yourself back to the early 20th century.
See a show, grab a bite, and if it's warm enough hang out on the rooftop!
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Reggies Chicago
2105 S State StSee a show, grab a bite, and if it's warm enough hang out on the rooftop!
Excellent improv comedy shows at an affordable price. You just might get to see the next SNL star cast member. Check out Off Color Brewing across the street too.
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The iO Theater
1501 N Kingsbury StExcellent improv comedy shows at an affordable price. You just might get to see the next SNL star cast member. Check out Off Color Brewing across the street too.
Coffee & Sweets
A Chicago staple for good coffee and pastries.
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Bridgeport Coffeehouse
3101 S Morgan StA Chicago staple for good coffee and pastries.
Featured on the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, this ice cream is to die for. An adorable place to visit or grab a pint (or two) to go! (This photo is not accurate to the location on 47th Street.)
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Shawn Michelle's Homemade Ice Cream, Inc.
46 E 47th StFeatured on the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, this ice cream is to die for. An adorable place to visit or grab a pint (or two) to go! (This photo is not accurate to the location on 47th Street.)
If you're downtown, this is our favorite donut shop for both quality and different types of donuts. They also serve Dark Matter Coffee, which is our favorite local Coffee Roaster -- although Big Shoulders is amazing too :)
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Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee
50 W Randolph StIf you're downtown, this is our favorite donut shop for both quality and different types of donuts. They also serve Dark Matter Coffee, which is our favorite local Coffee Roaster -- although Big Shoulders is amazing too :)
Good selection of coffees and coffee drinks. Great seasonal drinks often with a Mexican flavor palette. They serve Sputnik coffees.
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The Stockyard Coffeehouse
558 W 37th StGood selection of coffees and coffee drinks. Great seasonal drinks often with a Mexican flavor palette. They serve Sputnik coffees.
Momentum Coffee
2119 S State StGreat coffee selection with delicious treats. They serve Dark Matter brand coffee.
One of Chicago's great Italian Ice spots. Open seasonally.
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Mario's Italian Lemonade
1068 W Taylor StOne of Chicago's great Italian Ice spots. Open seasonally.
Great cafe with Coffee, bagels, sandwiches, and smoothies. Easy walk! Grab a drink and snack and walk east on Oakwood to see beautiful historic homes.
Little Sandwich House
411 East Oakwood BoulevardGreat cafe with Coffee, bagels, sandwiches, and smoothies. Easy walk! Grab a drink and snack and walk east on Oakwood to see beautiful historic homes.