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
*The Girl and the Goat/Little Goat
The Chicago Diner (hip vegan/vegetarian joint)
Pizza
Spacca Napoli
Giordano’s
Lou Malnati’s - order the butter crust
Parlor Pizza
Gino’s East
Quick Eats
Frontera Fresco
XOCO
JP Graziano Sandwiches
Cafecito Sandwiches
Seoul Taco
Drinks
Park & Field
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
*Maplewood Brewing
*Cruz Blanca
*Corridor Brewery
*Half Acre Brewing
Old Irving Brewing*
Lagunitas
Alarmist
Solemn Oath Still Life
Middle Brow
Forbidden Root
Marz
Whiner Brewing
Lo Rez Brewing
Hopewell
Mikerphone Brewing (suburbs near O’Hare)
Beer Bars
*Local Option (a heavy metal industry bar)
*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
Hotels
Chicago Athletic Association
Freehand Chicago
* = faves
Please check individual websites to ensure they are still open
