insiders guide to Chicago
Bars and Gastropubs
Libations and gastronomy
Thalia Hall, a replica of the Prague Opera House, has live music 7 nights a week. WORTH IT.
Duseks restaurant is one of those places people who have lots of money go to brag about the price of their dish. There used to be a crab dip that was phenomenal but it was taken off the menu. Punch House, on the other hand, serves up old-world rum cocktails in a 70’s den atmosphere, complete with funky DJs and obligatory saltwater aquarium.
135 personas locales recomiendan
Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StThalia Hall, a replica of the Prague Opera House, has live music 7 nights a week. WORTH IT.
Duseks restaurant is one of those places people who have lots of money go to brag about the price of their dish. There used to be a crab dip that was phenomenal but it was taken off the menu. Punch House, on the other hand, serves up old-world rum cocktails in a 70’s den atmosphere, complete with funky DJs and obligatory saltwater aquarium.
Memphis in May finalist - excellent smoked pork. Chicken and beef are good too. Candied bacon and a beer for 3$. Live music 7 nights a week - perfect for the country, jazz, or roots rock soul in you.
141 personas locales recomiendan
Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StMemphis in May finalist - excellent smoked pork. Chicken and beef are good too. Candied bacon and a beer for 3$. Live music 7 nights a week - perfect for the country, jazz, or roots rock soul in you.
One of the oldest bars in Chicago, recently given a facelift. Packed on weekends.
46 personas locales recomiendan
Harbee
1345 W 18th StOne of the oldest bars in Chicago, recently given a facelift. Packed on weekends.
Excellent bar food (burgers, greens, tater tots!) with good prices. Vegan sloppy joes. This bar is by far one of the best in Chicago for unassuming nights out and meeting young singles.
73 personas locales recomiendan
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StExcellent bar food (burgers, greens, tater tots!) with good prices. Vegan sloppy joes. This bar is by far one of the best in Chicago for unassuming nights out and meeting young singles.
Drinks here are good. Food is available around the corner
112 personas locales recomiendan
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StDrinks here are good. Food is available around the corner
Neighborhood bar that gets WILD. Street smarts are a must here. Sal keeps a clean house, the billiards team is Chicago champions so don't get hustled by sharks.
Caminos de Michoacan
1659 W Cullerton StNeighborhood bar that gets WILD. Street smarts are a must here. Sal keeps a clean house, the billiards team is Chicago champions so don't get hustled by sharks.
Buffalo, Duck, or Kobe beef burgers on the menu at this gastropub. The wings and Brussel sprouts are both great.
44 personas locales recomiendan
Pl-zen
1519 W 18th StBuffalo, Duck, or Kobe beef burgers on the menu at this gastropub. The wings and Brussel sprouts are both great.
Simone's
960 W 18th StMore upscale bar/lounge with good burgers.
Coffee and Sweets
Get your day going right.
Pl-zen
1519 W 18th Stgastropub
La Traillita has the best damn Chicken Quesadillas. Bodega La Providencia has decent selection.
1656 W 21st St
1656 West 21st StreetLa Traillita has the best damn Chicken Quesadillas. Bodega La Providencia has decent selection.
Pozole Verde is amazing, weekend only. Otherwise a selection of traditional Mexican pan, tortillas, y mas. Vegan options available.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Panaderia Nuevo Leon
1634 W 18th StPozole Verde is amazing, weekend only. Otherwise a selection of traditional Mexican pan, tortillas, y mas. Vegan options available.
Tamale Lady
West 21st PlaceGreat tamales all over the hood. Stop by a cart
Getting on or off the train, grab a churro and a Maya mocha. For 5 bucks it’s well worth it.
11 personas locales recomiendan
Xurro
2214 S Wolcott AveGetting on or off the train, grab a churro and a Maya mocha. For 5 bucks it’s well worth it.
This is Pilsen’s original coffee shop. Decent food, good homemade soups as well. Treat yourself to a Choco Espresso. A newer shop is located in the Damen Pink Line stop at 2010 S Damen
134 personas locales recomiendan
Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StThis is Pilsen’s original coffee shop. Decent food, good homemade soups as well. Treat yourself to a Choco Espresso. A newer shop is located in the Damen Pink Line stop at 2010 S Damen
One of many bakeries in the neighborhood, try and stop in early to get fresh baked Donuts. Conchas are baked in the evening, which is a bummer. On weekends they have soup specials - you could score a pozole and bread roll for $3.25
9 personas locales recomiendan
Panaderia Nuevo Leon
1634 W 18th StOne of many bakeries in the neighborhood, try and stop in early to get fresh baked Donuts. Conchas are baked in the evening, which is a bummer. On weekends they have soup specials - you could score a pozole and bread roll for $3.25
Bombon
1457 W 18th StMaybe the best cakes we have ever tried.
Everything Else
Museo Nacional de Arte Mexicano
1852 W 19th Stfree, beautiful gem of a museum
the classic sunday market, home of the chicago blues
10 personas locales recomiendan
Maxwell Street Market
800 S Desplaines Stthe classic sunday market, home of the chicago blues
Shopping
Escaramuza USA
1644 W 18th Stbeautiful mexican handwork. gifts, pottery, and more
Pilsen Outpost
1637 W 18th Stlocal art by local artists
Getting Around
18th station
Pink Line
Ashland & 18th Street
9 Ashland Bus
18 Roosevelt/18th Bus
Loomis & 18th Street station
Bus Stop: 60 Blue Island
Cermak & Paulina station
21 Cermak bus stop
Blue Island & Paulina station
60 Blue Island bus stop
Damen Pink Line Station
Breakfast
Mexican Crepes? Yes please. Sweet or savory. The Pozole Verde de Pollo here is the best we can find in the city so far.
Creperia Nuevo Leon
1636 W 18th StMexican Crepes? Yes please. Sweet or savory. The Pozole Verde de Pollo here is the best we can find in the city so far.
La Esperanza
1864 S Blue Island AveBreakfast specials here are extremely affordable.
Street Food
La Traillita - Best Food Truck in Chicago.
(773) 531-7438
Only open Thursday, Friday, and Sunday for dinner. Vegetarian options. Their specialty are the Quesadillas, and the Chicken version is out of this world.
1656 W 21st St
1656 West 21st StreetLa Traillita - Best Food Truck in Chicago.
(773) 531-7438
Only open Thursday, Friday, and Sunday for dinner. Vegetarian options. Their specialty are the Quesadillas, and the Chicken version is out of this world.