Noel's Guidebook
Bakeries
Neighborhood Bakeries
Self-serve Mexican bakery serving the neighborhood since 1973. They have the best Mante-Conchas in the city. Look it up!
9 personas locales recomiendan
Panaderia Nuevo Leon
1634 W 18th StSelf-serve Mexican bakery serving the neighborhood since 1973. They have the best Mante-Conchas in the city. Look it up!
A New York original located in the middle of the West Loop, open late, and on most delivery platforms. I usually go with the chocolate chip walnut.
Levain Bakery – West Loop, Chicago
A New York original located in the middle of the West Loop, open late, and on most delivery platforms. I usually go with the chocolate chip walnut.
Record Stores
Vinyl Record Shops
Great place for vinyl records, just west of the 18th street EL Station. Scott can talk music for hours, while Marco the cat holds it down.
Pinwheel Records
1722 W 18th StGreat place for vinyl records, just west of the 18th street EL Station. Scott can talk music for hours, while Marco the cat holds it down.
606 Records
1808 S Allport StNeighborhood record store across from Thalia Hall.
Breweries
Breweries
Large, socially distanced, patio. Alulu is a 2-3min walk, beers are brewed on premise, and food is also served.
29 personas locales recomiendan
Alulu Brewpub
2011 South Laflin StreetLarge, socially distanced, patio. Alulu is a 2-3min walk, beers are brewed on premise, and food is also served.
In the Bridgeport neighborhood, and one of the most creative, tasty breweries in Chicago. They serve good food, and host Karaoke on weeknights. Great place to have a bite and brew, before of after a Sox game.
34 personas locales recomiendan
Marz Community Brewing Company
3630 S Iron StIn the Bridgeport neighborhood, and one of the most creative, tasty breweries in Chicago. They serve good food, and host Karaoke on weeknights. Great place to have a bite and brew, before of after a Sox game.
Pizza Spots
Local Pizza Greatness
Located close to Comiskey Park, in the Bridgeport neighborhood, serving up delicious pub style Chicago Pizza since 1960. By far one of my top 3 pizza spots, cash only, about an hour for delivery, worth the wait.
24 personas locales recomiendan
Phil's Pizza
1102 W 35th StLocated close to Comiskey Park, in the Bridgeport neighborhood, serving up delicious pub style Chicago Pizza since 1960. By far one of my top 3 pizza spots, cash only, about an hour for delivery, worth the wait.
If you need to order Chicago style deep dish, Lou’s is definitely my go to. The cornmeal butter crust is delicious, most locations are available for dine in as well.
513 personas locales recomiendan
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State StIf you need to order Chicago style deep dish, Lou’s is definitely my go to. The cornmeal butter crust is delicious, most locations are available for dine in as well.
Another Chicago pub style pizza staple in the Brighton Park neighborhood. It may take over an hour for delivery, but it’s worth the wait. Credit cards accepted.
Falco's Pizza
2806 W 40th PlAnother Chicago pub style pizza staple in the Brighton Park neighborhood. It may take over an hour for delivery, but it’s worth the wait. Credit cards accepted.
In the Wicker Park neighborhood, and a short Uber from the Airbnb, is Piece a Chicago staple that serves New England style thin-crust, and delicious beer brewed in small batches on premise. One of the owners is in the band Cheap Trick. (that 70's show theme song)
488 personas locales recomiendan
Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveIn the Wicker Park neighborhood, and a short Uber from the Airbnb, is Piece a Chicago staple that serves New England style thin-crust, and delicious beer brewed in small batches on premise. One of the owners is in the band Cheap Trick. (that 70's show theme song)
This place is definitely in my top 5 Chicago pizza places. Located in Hyde Park, a little over an hr for delivery on Uber Eats, and Obama's favorite when living in the neighborhood.
20 personas locales recomiendan
Italian Fiesta Pizzeria
1306 E 47th StThis place is definitely in my top 5 Chicago pizza places. Located in Hyde Park, a little over an hr for delivery on Uber Eats, and Obama's favorite when living in the neighborhood.
Located a few blocks from the Airbnb and as seen on TV and social media. Bob's pizza started in the neighborhood creating the Pilsen style pizza, whose secret ingredient is Old Style instead of water. Available for pick up and delivery on all food platforms.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Bob’s Pizza
1659 W 21st StLocated a few blocks from the Airbnb and as seen on TV and social media. Bob's pizza started in the neighborhood creating the Pilsen style pizza, whose secret ingredient is Old Style instead of water. Available for pick up and delivery on all food platforms.
My favorite Neapolitan style pizza in the city. It's usually pretty busy and great for people watching or taking a break from strolling around the West Loop. I'd recommend reservations, or try to snag a seat at the bar.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana West Loop
1048 W Randolph StMy favorite Neapolitan style pizza in the city. It's usually pretty busy and great for people watching or taking a break from strolling around the West Loop. I'd recommend reservations, or try to snag a seat at the bar.
Located in Lincoln Park and voted #1 pizza in the US by Yelp, serving Chicago style pan pizza with its signature caramelized crust. It is available via delivery platforms (70mins or so) or you can now make reservations.
536 personas locales recomiendan
Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueLocated in Lincoln Park and voted #1 pizza in the US by Yelp, serving Chicago style pan pizza with its signature caramelized crust. It is available via delivery platforms (70mins or so) or you can now make reservations.
Mexican Food
Taco Spots
Great place for a late night taco or burrito. On all good delivery platforms, just down the alley onto 18th.
53 personas locales recomiendan
Taqueria Los Comales
1544 W 18th StGreat place for a late night taco or burrito. On all good delivery platforms, just down the alley onto 18th.
Sit down Mexican restaurant with great food and margaritas.
43 personas locales recomiendan
5 Rabanitos Restaurante & Taqueria
1758 W 18th StSit down Mexican restaurant with great food and margaritas.
Cash only Mexican steak house, that is reasonably priced.
29 personas locales recomiendan
Cantón Regio Steakhouse
1510 W 18th StCash only Mexican steak house, that is reasonably priced.
Cash only taco spot and tortilleria. Great for a late night bite, their fruit smoothies are tasty. Al Pastor is their specialty.
Tortillería y Taquerías Atotonilco
1637 S Blue Island AveCash only taco spot and tortilleria. Great for a late night bite, their fruit smoothies are tasty. Al Pastor is their specialty.
On the low key, and in my book, the best taco spot in the neighborhood that is unassumingly also a liquor store with a huge Selena mural frequently visited for instapics. Grab a beer from the cooler, order some tacos and enjoy them both at the counter.
Carniceria Maribel
1801 W Cermak RdOn the low key, and in my book, the best taco spot in the neighborhood that is unassumingly also a liquor store with a huge Selena mural frequently visited for instapics. Grab a beer from the cooler, order some tacos and enjoy them both at the counter.
As seen on Netflix Taco Chronicles Season 3, and originally starting as a taco stand on Maxwell street in 1997. Great selection of tacos, and huge quesadillas. I'm usually good with one.
Rubi’s Tacos
As seen on Netflix Taco Chronicles Season 3, and originally starting as a taco stand on Maxwell street in 1997. Great selection of tacos, and huge quesadillas. I'm usually good with one.
Originally a grocery store my Mom used to shop at in the 70s, and now a popular brunch spot for the ladies. I have only been a handful of times. They have sidewalk seating, and at night the downstairs turns into a dance lounge, DJ and all.
8 personas locales recomiendan
La Luna
1726 S Racine AveOriginally a grocery store my Mom used to shop at in the 70s, and now a popular brunch spot for the ladies. I have only been a handful of times. They have sidewalk seating, and at night the downstairs turns into a dance lounge, DJ and all.
A neighborhood staple since the 1970's located just west of the 18th St. El Stop, and available on most delivery platforms. The restaurant is take out only.
28 personas locales recomiendan
Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant
1725 W 18th StA neighborhood staple since the 1970's located just west of the 18th St. El Stop, and available on most delivery platforms. The restaurant is take out only.
Neighborhood Bars
Neighborhood Cantinas
Pilsen staple, open at 11am for early drinking. Inside of the bar is made of recycled pinball machines, and pieces of bowling alleys. Outside patio when weather permits, decent beer selection.
151 personas locales recomiendan
Simone's
960 W 18th StPilsen staple, open at 11am for early drinking. Inside of the bar is made of recycled pinball machines, and pieces of bowling alleys. Outside patio when weather permits, decent beer selection.
Huge outdoor patio, that is usually full on nice days. The margaritas are delicious, and their tacos are also pretty good.
66 personas locales recomiendan
La Vaca Margarita Bar
1160 W 18th StHuge outdoor patio, that is usually full on nice days. The margaritas are delicious, and their tacos are also pretty good.
Good place to have a drink or cocktail, with a speak easy bar inside available by reservation. The food is subpar, great outside patio.
Pilsen Yards
Good place to have a drink or cocktail, with a speak easy bar inside available by reservation. The food is subpar, great outside patio.
By far the best bar in the neighborhood or city? Cash only bar with great beer selection, photobooth, pinball machine, and local peeps having a drink after work. Good place to have pre-game in case you're going to a show at Radius. The bar has been featured on HBO shows, and was the bar in the movie "The Breakup"
73 personas locales recomiendan
Skylark
2149 S Halsted StBy far the best bar in the neighborhood or city? Cash only bar with great beer selection, photobooth, pinball machine, and local peeps having a drink after work. Good place to have pre-game in case you're going to a show at Radius. The bar has been featured on HBO shows, and was the bar in the movie "The Breakup"
Housed inside Thalia Hall, and reminiscent of your uncle's basement apartment in the 80s, woodpaneling, fish tank and all. This is a great spot to drink before a show. They have alcoholic punch on tap that's pretty stiff, and will make you feel alright after a glass or two. There are rotating DJs on weekend nights.
78 personas locales recomiendan
Punch House
1227 W 18th StHoused inside Thalia Hall, and reminiscent of your uncle's basement apartment in the 80s, woodpaneling, fish tank and all. This is a great spot to drink before a show. They have alcoholic punch on tap that's pretty stiff, and will make you feel alright after a glass or two. There are rotating DJs on weekend nights.
Bridgeport headquarters, and one of the most beloved bars in the neighborhood. The bar is connected to Kimski that serves tasty "Korean-ish" food, and that is owned by Won Kim, who painted the mural in the courtyard. If you'd like to dance your Sunday away, they hold House Brunch on the second Sunday of each month.
112 personas locales recomiendan
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar
960 W 31st StBridgeport headquarters, and one of the most beloved bars in the neighborhood. The bar is connected to Kimski that serves tasty "Korean-ish" food, and that is owned by Won Kim, who painted the mural in the courtyard. If you'd like to dance your Sunday away, they hold House Brunch on the second Sunday of each month.
The Green Room Tap
Great spot for a drink before stepping into a show at Thalia Hall!
Bar that specializes in tacos, Mexican entrees, guacamole variations & cocktails with plenty of tequila.
Señoritas Cantina
Bar that specializes in tacos, Mexican entrees, guacamole variations & cocktails with plenty of tequila.
Grocery Stores
Neighborhood Grocery Stores
Neighborhood grocery store with great selection.
44 personas locales recomiendan
La Casa Del Pueblo Inc.
1810 S Blue Island AveNeighborhood grocery store with great selection.
Awesome produce section, prepared foods, and taqueria inside.
170 personas locales recomiendan
Cermak Fresh Market
1711 W Cermak RdAwesome produce section, prepared foods, and taqueria inside.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StClosest Whole Foods, delivery available.
One of my favorite grocery stores in the city, sourcing most of their food from local farms. They have a great variety of sandwiches and take home and heat foods.
60 personas locales recomiendan
Publican Quality Meats
825 W Fulton MarketOne of my favorite grocery stores in the city, sourcing most of their food from local farms. They have a great variety of sandwiches and take home and heat foods.