Guidebook for Chicago
Shopping
Boost is the go-to store in our neighborhood for calling cards, international calling plans, and certified pre-owned phones.
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Boost Mobile
2357 W Cermak RdBoost is the go-to store in our neighborhood for calling cards, international calling plans, and certified pre-owned phones.
Family Thrift Store
2527 W Cermak RdDecent selection of used clothes, reasonably priced.
Just a mile south of us on Damen. If Theresa rings up your purchase, be sure to tell her that Shaun and Chris said hello!
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Target
4433 S Pulaski RdJust a mile south of us on Damen. If Theresa rings up your purchase, be sure to tell her that Shaun and Chris said hello!
Walgreens
1931 W Cermak RdAmerica's best-known drugstore chain is just a few blocks away.
Chicago's best used bookstore is just a block away from the Damen stop on the Blue Line. Myopic features 18,000 books, plus music and poetry performances, chess matches, and a friendly house cat.
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Myopic Books
1564 N Milwaukee AveChicago's best used bookstore is just a block away from the Damen stop on the Blue Line. Myopic features 18,000 books, plus music and poetry performances, chess matches, and a friendly house cat.
Chicago's best store for music, bar none. Their selection is incredible, and both the CD and vinyl bargain bins have plenty of quality selections. Skilled and helpful staff spin good music, as well.
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Reckless Records
929 W Belmont AveChicago's best store for music, bar none. Their selection is incredible, and both the CD and vinyl bargain bins have plenty of quality selections. Skilled and helpful staff spin good music, as well.
Located downtown north of the State/Lake stop, with an amazing collection of jazz, plus blues, soul, and spoken word, on vinyl (including 78rpm), CD, DVD, and other mediums.
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Jazz Record Mart
27 E Illinois StLocated downtown north of the State/Lake stop, with an amazing collection of jazz, plus blues, soul, and spoken word, on vinyl (including 78rpm), CD, DVD, and other mediums.
Speedway
2303 S Western AveGas, snacks, and chips are just around the corner.
Everything Else
Bank of America Financial Center
1439 E 53rd StThis ATM is nearby, as well.
Chase Bank
2228 S Western AveThe closest ATM is right here.
Open 24 hours a day, and located in the Fairplay Plaza on Western and Cermak, Funwash Laundromat is within comfortable walking distance, and has an abundance of washers and dryers available.
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Funwash Laundromat
Open 24 hours a day, and located in the Fairplay Plaza on Western and Cermak, Funwash Laundromat is within comfortable walking distance, and has an abundance of washers and dryers available.
The Central Bakery serves an amazing array of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, and other Mexican sweets and treats at a very reasonable price.
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Central Bakery
2100 W Cermak RdThe Central Bakery serves an amazing array of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, and other Mexican sweets and treats at a very reasonable price.
This library is so big, they named an el platform after it! Eight stories worth of books, electronic media, and events are just a few Pink Line stops away.
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Harold Washington Library Center
400 S State StThis library is so big, they named an el platform after it! Eight stories worth of books, electronic media, and events are just a few Pink Line stops away.
Books, CDs and DVD, magazines, and tons of other media are at our local Chicago Public Library, just a half hour walk away.
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Lozano Branch, Chicago Public Library
1805 S Loomis StBooks, CDs and DVD, magazines, and tons of other media are at our local Chicago Public Library, just a half hour walk away.
It’s the largest museum of Mexican art in the country, unless you include the Pilsen neighborhood and its stunning murals. Offers a sense of history that is keenly descriptive and visually engaging.
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National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th StIt’s the largest museum of Mexican art in the country, unless you include the Pilsen neighborhood and its stunning murals. Offers a sense of history that is keenly descriptive and visually engaging.
It's fun to stay there! Group and personal fitness activities, in a nice facility just a few blocks away. Check their website for a free 1st time guest pass, and for information on monthly rates.
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Rauner Family YMCA
2700 S Western AveIt's fun to stay there! Group and personal fitness activities, in a nice facility just a few blocks away. Check their website for a free 1st time guest pass, and for information on monthly rates.
18 acres of greenery in the heart of Pilsen, with basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. The indoor facility features a gym, swimming pool, meeting rooms, and a computer lab.
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Harrison Park
1824 S Wood St18 acres of greenery in the heart of Pilsen, with basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. The indoor facility features a gym, swimming pool, meeting rooms, and a computer lab.
Bicycles for rental: a great way to tour the neighborhood and the city! There is also a Divvy Station a few blocks south, on 24th Street and Western Avenue.
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Divvy Station: Western Ave & 21st St
Bicycles for rental: a great way to tour the neighborhood and the city! There is also a Divvy Station a few blocks south, on 24th Street and Western Avenue.
Got a big day planned in the city, and need to get your hair done? Oakley Hair Salon will have you styling at a reasonable price! Just minutes away, walk-ins are welcome.
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Oakley Hair Salon
2253 W 24th StGot a big day planned in the city, and need to get your hair done? Oakley Hair Salon will have you styling at a reasonable price! Just minutes away, walk-ins are welcome.
From here, go east on Harrison Street, then go one block north (left) on Clinton Street to the Blue Line train (Clinton stop). Take it to Western, get off, and take the #49 bus south to our place.
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Greyhound Bus Station
630 W Harrison StFrom here, go east on Harrison Street, then go one block north (left) on Clinton Street to the Blue Line train (Clinton stop). Take it to Western, get off, and take the #49 bus south to our place.
From here to our place, go right (east) on Jackson Blvd for a few blocks, then go left (north) on Wells St. Get on the Pink Line train at Quincy/Wells, take it to Western Ave, walk a few blocks south.
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Chicago Union Station
225 S Canal StFrom here to our place, go right (east) on Jackson Blvd for a few blocks, then go left (north) on Wells St. Get on the Pink Line train at Quincy/Wells, take it to Western Ave, walk a few blocks south.
It takes less than an hour to get to our place from Midway! Take the Orange Line to the Western stop, hop on the #49 bus going northbound, and you're all set.
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Chicago Midway International Airport
5700 S Cicero AveIt takes less than an hour to get to our place from Midway! Take the Orange Line to the Western stop, hop on the #49 bus going northbound, and you're all set.
From O'Hare, take the Blue Line train to downtown, and transfer to the Pink Line train at the Clark/Lake stop. Take the Pink Line to Western Avenue, walk a few blocks south, and you're here.
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O'Hare International Airport
10000 W O'Hare AveFrom O'Hare, take the Blue Line train to downtown, and transfer to the Pink Line train at the Clark/Lake stop. Take the Pink Line to Western Avenue, walk a few blocks south, and you're here.
A bonus for medical students staying in Chicago, the Medical District is less than 2 miles away. From our place, get on the Pink Line from Western, go four stops toward downtown, and get off at Polk.
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Illinois Medical District
A bonus for medical students staying in Chicago, the Medical District is less than 2 miles away. From our place, get on the Pink Line from Western, go four stops toward downtown, and get off at Polk.
Essentials
We recommend taking the 15-minute bus ride to Ukranian Village for their incredible selection of Eastern European and Mexican foods, produce, meats, and cheeses. Their tamales... muy delicioso!!
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Farmers Pride Produce
756 N Western AveWe recommend taking the 15-minute bus ride to Ukranian Village for their incredible selection of Eastern European and Mexican foods, produce, meats, and cheeses. Their tamales... muy delicioso!!
Good overall selection of groceries, including fresh produce, bakery, and deli.
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Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StGood overall selection of groceries, including fresh produce, bakery, and deli.
Fairplay Foods
2200 S Western AveAll your basic grocery needs are in the neighborhood.
The variety, quality, and value of their fresh produce is excellent!
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Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak RdThe variety, quality, and value of their fresh produce is excellent!
Food Scene
Located off the south end of The Loop, Gino's East serves a fine pizza pie, but their forte is deep dish with an incredibly delicious golden crust.
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Gino’s East - South Loop
521 S Dearborn StLocated off the south end of The Loop, Gino's East serves a fine pizza pie, but their forte is deep dish with an incredibly delicious golden crust.
Free wi-fi for dine-in, and dependable delivery. Get a large pizza with three ingredients for under $20. Ricobene's is renowned for their delicious fries and breaded steak sandwiches.
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Ricobene's
252 W 26th StFree wi-fi for dine-in, and dependable delivery. Get a large pizza with three ingredients for under $20. Ricobene's is renowned for their delicious fries and breaded steak sandwiches.
There are many excellent restaurants in Chicago's own Chinatown neighborhood, but none of them compare to Three Happiness, for delicious and very affordable Cantonese dining.
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Three Happiness Restaurant
209 W Cermak RdThere are many excellent restaurants in Chicago's own Chinatown neighborhood, but none of them compare to Three Happiness, for delicious and very affordable Cantonese dining.
Located near the center of Pilsen, they cook their BBQ right: over a wood-burning fire. Baby back ribs, pulled pork, and cornbread, candied bacon, along with drinks and live music every night.
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Honky Tonk BBQ
1213 W 18th StLocated near the center of Pilsen, they cook their BBQ right: over a wood-burning fire. Baby back ribs, pulled pork, and cornbread, candied bacon, along with drinks and live music every night.
Just a few blocks east of the 18th Street Pink Line stop, Pilsen's premiere coffeeshop/art gallery features delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, and a full-service espresso bar.
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Cafe Jumping Bean
1439 W 18th StJust a few blocks east of the 18th Street Pink Line stop, Pilsen's premiere coffeeshop/art gallery features delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, and a full-service espresso bar.
An all-American diner, and the place to go in our neighborhood for breakfast. 2 bacon, 2 sausage,2 slices of ham, 2 pancakes, and hash browns for $6.99... now *that's* a special.
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T J's Restaurant
1928 West Cermak RoadAn all-American diner, and the place to go in our neighborhood for breakfast. 2 bacon, 2 sausage,2 slices of ham, 2 pancakes, and hash browns for $6.99... now *that's* a special.
The staff is friendly, and the grill crew serves with pride the best fast food (hamburgers, hot dogs, beef sandwiches, gyros, ribs) in the neighborhood.
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Donald's Famous Hot Dogs
2325 S Western AveThe staff is friendly, and the grill crew serves with pride the best fast food (hamburgers, hot dogs, beef sandwiches, gyros, ribs) in the neighborhood.
Recommended is their lunch special ($5.95), which includes rice (white or shrimp fried), egg roll, and choice of soup or pop.
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Canton Star
2230 S Western AveRecommended is their lunch special ($5.95), which includes rice (white or shrimp fried), egg roll, and choice of soup or pop.
A classic Italian deli/corner grocery in the Heart of Chicago features gnocchi, chicken focacchia, ravioli, mostaciolli, lasagna, and lunch specials that will fill you up without emptying your wallet.
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Miceli's Deli
2448 South Oakley AvenueA classic Italian deli/corner grocery in the Heart of Chicago features gnocchi, chicken focacchia, ravioli, mostaciolli, lasagna, and lunch specials that will fill you up without emptying your wallet.
Featured on WTTW's "Check, Please," the Ignotz is yet another neighborhood gem. Delicious food (gnocchi, steak Bernardo, and cream of mushroom soup are stand-outs), personable service, great value.
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Ignotz's
2421 S Oakley AveFeatured on WTTW's "Check, Please," the Ignotz is yet another neighborhood gem. Delicious food (gnocchi, steak Bernardo, and cream of mushroom soup are stand-outs), personable service, great value.
This is Chicago's crown jewel of authentic central Mexican food. Bacon lovers will not want to miss out on the Alambres. Comfortable seating, chips, salsa, and a welcoming staff await you.
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Taqueria Tayahua
2411 S Western AveThis is Chicago's crown jewel of authentic central Mexican food. Bacon lovers will not want to miss out on the Alambres. Comfortable seating, chips, salsa, and a welcoming staff await you.
For a more organic Pilsen coffeeshop experience, please check below! However, if you need your coffee and need it fast, Dunkin Donuts is just around the corner.
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Dunkin'
749 W 31st StFor a more organic Pilsen coffeeshop experience, please check below! However, if you need your coffee and need it fast, Dunkin Donuts is just around the corner.
Subway
2352 W Cermak RdThey do fast food well, and it's close by.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is our neighborhood pub. Martin's has a decent selection of brews, a pool table, TV's for sporting events, tasty homemade soups and grilled bar food, and nightly events (karaoke, comedy open mic)
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Martin's Corner
2058 W 22nd PlThis is our neighborhood pub. Martin's has a decent selection of brews, a pool table, TV's for sporting events, tasty homemade soups and grilled bar food, and nightly events (karaoke, comedy open mic)
Arts & Culture
Founded by jazz legend Fred Anderson in 1982, Chicago's #1 hot spot for experimental sound showcases live music three times a week from the best local and national recording artists and DJs.
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Velvet Lounge Chicago
67 E Cermak RdFounded by jazz legend Fred Anderson in 1982, Chicago's #1 hot spot for experimental sound showcases live music three times a week from the best local and national recording artists and DJs.
Chicago's oldest and finest jazz club since 1907 (yes, Al Capone was here!), the Green Mill is standing-room-only on weekends, and features the internationally acclaimed Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays.
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The Green Mill
4802 North BroadwayChicago's oldest and finest jazz club since 1907 (yes, Al Capone was here!), the Green Mill is standing-room-only on weekends, and features the internationally acclaimed Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays.
Originally established in 1892, Thalia Hall is a premiere Chicago musical venue that includes a beer-inspired restaurant, cocktail bar, and a public hall, remodeled with reverence to its origins.
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Thalia Hall
1807 S Allport StOriginally established in 1892, Thalia Hall is a premiere Chicago musical venue that includes a beer-inspired restaurant, cocktail bar, and a public hall, remodeled with reverence to its origins.
Home to thought-provoking art since 1945, the MCA has a 300-seat theater, a terraced sculpture garden, and exhibitions.
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Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveHome to thought-provoking art since 1945, the MCA has a 300-seat theater, a terraced sculpture garden, and exhibitions.
The second-largest art museum in the U.S. houses classic works by Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, Gaughin, Picasso, and van Gogh, along with photography, architecture, and design galleries.
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The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveThe second-largest art museum in the U.S. houses classic works by Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, Gaughin, Picasso, and van Gogh, along with photography, architecture, and design galleries.
Sightseeing
Over 24 acres of floral beauty and artistic wonder: Cloud Gate (or, "The Bean"), Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Pritzker Pavilion bandshell. There's ice skating here in the winter, as well.
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Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StOver 24 acres of floral beauty and artistic wonder: Cloud Gate (or, "The Bean"), Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Pritzker Pavilion bandshell. There's ice skating here in the winter, as well.
A Chicago must-see since 1916, the Pier is home to the 50,000-square-foot Chicago Children’s Museum, a 440-seat IMAX Theater, a 150-ft Ferris wheel, and an abundance of food, shows, and attractions.
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Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveA Chicago must-see since 1916, the Pier is home to the 50,000-square-foot Chicago Children’s Museum, a 440-seat IMAX Theater, a 150-ft Ferris wheel, and an abundance of food, shows, and attractions.
Eels, piranhas, and sharks... oh my! Along with these scary delights, the Shedd Aquarium also features an otter habitat, a lifelike river/tide pool, and a century-old Australian lungfish.
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Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore DrEels, piranhas, and sharks... oh my! Along with these scary delights, the Shedd Aquarium also features an otter habitat, a lifelike river/tide pool, and a century-old Australian lungfish.
Founded in 1893, and home to over 24 million specimens and objects, including "Sue" the tyrannosaurus rex. A wonderful place to engage your sense of scientific mystery.
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The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore DrFounded in 1893, and home to over 24 million specimens and objects, including "Sue" the tyrannosaurus rex. A wonderful place to engage your sense of scientific mystery.
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere features a German WWII U-505 submarine, a 3,500 sq.ft. model railroad, and the original Apollo 8 capsule.
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Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S Lake Shore DrThe largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere features a German WWII U-505 submarine, a 3,500 sq.ft. model railroad, and the original Apollo 8 capsule.
Featuring stained-glass domes built in 1897, with free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events, the CCC is a great place to begin your tour of Chicago.
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Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington StFeaturing stained-glass domes built in 1897, with free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events, the CCC is a great place to begin your tour of Chicago.
Seven stories worth of downtown shopping is a good start for your trip down Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile," a must-see for shoppers and visitors during the holiday season.
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Water Tower Place
835 Michigan AveSeven stories worth of downtown shopping is a good start for your trip down Michigan Avenue's "Magnificent Mile," a must-see for shoppers and visitors during the holiday season.
For seeing downtown Chicago right under your feet, there is no better place to be than The Skydeck! Located on the 103rd story of the Willis Tower, second-tallest building in the U.S.
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Willis Tower
233 S Wacker DrFor seeing downtown Chicago right under your feet, there is no better place to be than The Skydeck! Located on the 103rd story of the Willis Tower, second-tallest building in the U.S.
Dine in The Signature Room on the 95th Floor, while enjoying the lake view and surrounding cityscape. On a clear day you can see four states from the John Hancock Observatory (now called 360 Chicago)
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875 North Michigan Avenue
875 N Michigan AveDine in The Signature Room on the 95th Floor, while enjoying the lake view and surrounding cityscape. On a clear day you can see four states from the John Hancock Observatory (now called 360 Chicago)