The Big, Badass BeerBabeJess Guide to Chicago
“Yet once you've come to be part of this particular patch, you’ll never love another. Like loving a woman with a broken nose, you may well find lovelier lovelies. But never a lovely so real.” ― Nelson Algren, Chicago: City on the Make
It’s my last week as a formal Chicago resident, so what better way to bid adieu than with a round-up of my favorite places to eat, drink and take in the views of this beautifully badass city.
And, yes, pizza gets its own section.
For the foodie
*Longman & Eagle
*Lula Cafe
Big Kids
The Publican
The Girl and the Goat/Little Goat
*Bang Bang Pie
*3 Arts Cafe
Bernie’s
Frontera Grill
Fat Rice
*Parson’s Chicken
Kuma’s Corner
Au Cheval
Ramen-San
The Chicago Diner
Eataly
The Gage
Pizza
*Pequod’s Pizza
Piece Pizza + Brewery
Parlor Pizza
Spacca Napoli
Giordano’s
Lou Malnati’s
Gino’s East
Quick Eats
Frontera Fresco
XOCO
JP Graziano Sandwiches
Cafecito Sandwiches
Seoul Taco
Shake Shack
Drinks
*Scofflaw
*Cindy’s
*Broken Shaker
Park & Field
The Game Room
The Violet Hour
Rooftop at The Wit
Raised
Maude’s Liquor Bar
AceBounce
The Aviary
Museums/Tourist
Illinois Institute of Art
*Museum of Contemporary Art
Millennium Park
*The Cloudgate, aka The Bean
The Tilt at John Hancock
Willis Tower Skydeck
The 606 Walking + Bike Path
*Chicago Riverwalk (bars/restaurants along the way)
*Lakefront Trail
Maggie Daley Park
Museum Campus - Field Museum, Adler Planetarium
Water Taxi ride
Architecture Boat Tour
Breweries
*Goose Island - 2 locations
*Revolution Brewing - 2 locations
*Cruz Blanca
*Maplewood Brewing
*Corridor Brewery
*Half Acre
Old Irving
Lagunitas
Alarmist
Solemn Oath Still Life
Middle Brow
Forbidden Root
Marz
Whiner Brewing
Lo Rez Brewing
Hopewell
Beer Bars
*Hopleaf
*Local Option
*Bitter Pops
Haymarket
DryHop
Beermiscuous
Sweets
*Stan’s Donuts
*Do-Rite Donuts - some locations also have some amazing fried chicken sandwiches
Firecakes Donuts
Bombo Bar
Magnolia Bakery
Sprinkles Cupcakes
Sweet Mandy B’s
Black Dog Gelato
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
Dylan’s Candy Bar
* = faves
Please check individual websites to ensure they are still open
