Not for Tourists Inc. - Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago 2017

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Not For Tourists, Inc

NFT TM Not For Tourists TM Guide to Chicago

www.notfortourists.com

Publisher

Skyhorse Publishing

Creative Direction & Information Design

Jane Pirone

Director

Stuart Farr

Managing Editor

Scott Sendrow

Production Manager

Aaron Schielke

City Editor

Anne Kasdorf

Writing and Editing

Benjamin Kelner

Anne Kasdorf

Scott Sendrow

Research

Nalini Ramautar

Graphic Design and Production

Aaron Schielke

Information Systems Manager

Juan Molinari

Printed in China

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1047-4 $21.99

eBook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1056-6

ISSN 2162-724X

Copyright 2016 by Not For Tourists, Inc.

15th Edition

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book is as up-to-date as possible at press time. However, many details are liable to changeas we have learned.

Not For Tourists cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book.

Not For Tourists does not solicit individuals, organizations, or businesses for listings inclusion in our guides, nor do we accept payment for inclusion into the editorial portion of our book; the advertising sections, however, are exempt from this policy. We always welcome communications from anyone regarding ANYTHING having to do with our books; please visit us on our website at www.notfortourists.com for appropriate contact information.

Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or .

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

www.skyhorsepublishing.com

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Dear NFT User,

There are certain things Chicagoans know: the best stories happen on the Red Line late at night; the Cubbies are going to win the World Series (next year); the swear jar in Rahms office is overflowing with coins; your out-of-town relatives are going to ask you about Al Capone; theres a 50/50 chance your alderman is going to be indicted this year; the winters make you stronger and the summers make you lazier; and every New Yorker you know will tell you how shocked they are that there arent cows and corn filling up your downtown (Wow, this actually is an amazing city!).

But you dont need us to tell you that Chicago is much more than this. As possessive and proud Chicagoans are of their city, theyre even more so of their neighborhoods, each one offering its own unique experience. Travelling from one to the next is like a different vacation onto itself, and thats where we come in. Consider us your insider to the best of your own city. Youre the ultimate urban adventurer and we cant wait to be your companion on the journey.

But print publishing has its shortcomingsit can only reflect what was happening in the city at the time of publication, and things are always changing. Thats where the website (www.notfortourists.com) and mobile apps come in. And while you cant scribble notes on a computer screen or iPhone app, we think they nicely complement what you now hold in front of you.

Thank you for picking up the Not For Tourists Guide to Chicago . As the only guidebook of the city written by fellow Chicagoans that includes detailed map-by-map descriptions of every neighborhood in Chicago (as well as Evanston, Oak Park, and Skokie), we hope to worm our way into your heart as your indispensable right-hand tool for navigating this dynamic and energetic city that we love.

Jane, Scott, Ben, Anne, et al.

Table of Contents

Chicago Neighborhoods

Map 1 River North / Fulton Market District

River North / Fulton Market District

Map 1

Crisscrossed by rail tracks, I-90/94 and the Chicago River, this section of the Windy City is quickly turning from industrial warehousing district to indie-hipster home. Cheaper rent lures artsy types and suits alike to the west where The Blommer Chocolate Company pumps sweet, chocolate-coated air into the streets all day. Diabetics, beware.

Landmarks

Blommer Chocolate Co. 600 W Kinzie St

312-226-7700

Opened in 1939. Eventually became the largest commercial chocolate manufacturer in the US.

Nightlife

Bub City 435 N Clark St

312-610-4200

Honky tonk for the River North scene.

Emmits Irish Pub 495 N Milwaukee Ave

312-563-9631

An old-school Chicago establishment.

The Motel Bar 600 W Chicago Ave

312-822-2900

Hotel bar without the hourly rates!

Richards Bar 491 N Milwaukee Ave

312-733-2251

Old man bar good for starter drinks.

Restaurants

Carnivale 702 W Fulton St

312-850-5005 $$$

Authentic, soulful Latin fusion cuisine.

Cemitas Puebla 817 W Fulton Market

312-455-9200 $$

Authentic Mexican from the Puebla region.

Glazed & Infused 813 W Fulton Market

312-226-5556 $

Doughnuts are the new cupcakes.

Iguana Caf 517 N Halsted St

312-432-0663 $

Internet cafe with bagels and such.

La Scarola 721 W Grand Ave

312-243-1740 $$

Authentic Italian in a super-close atmosphere.

Piccolo Sogno 464 N Halsted St

312-421-0077 $$$$

You wish your mama in the old country cooked this good.

Publican 837 W Fulton Market

312-733-9555 $$$

Much buzzed Kahan joint is meat and beer lovers nirvana.

Ramen Takeya 819 W Fulton Market

312-666-7710 $$$

First-class ramen plus small plates and cocktails.

Robust Coffee Lounge 416 W Ontario St

312-526-3420 $

Second location for the South Side coffeehouse.

Shopping

Doolins 511 N Halsted St

312-243-9424

Party decorations galore, closed Sundays.

Isaacson & Stein Fish Company

800 W Fulton Market

312-421-2444

Fish gutters! Quick and fresh!

Trunk Club 325 W Ohio Ave

312-801-7200

High-end menswear loft with attentive stylists.

Veruca Salt 520 N Kingsbury St

773-276-3888

Flirty ladies fashions.