Visiting (Chicago, Mark: neighborhood, restaurants, shops)

[aj_21095]

Looking for some recommendations on stuff to do. I'll be in town with my girlfriend the second week of June. We have visited before and done most of the touristy things already. We have used the CTA before so we plan on taking the train into town from O'Hare and using it pretty much the whole time there. So we have started a list of things to do but i thought i would try and seek some local recommendations on restaurants, music stores, thrift stores, clothing stores.....any help is appreciated!

[nowincal11]

What kind of food, music, bars/clubs do you like?

There are just so many.

[Gunner0325]

If you take the blue line to Damen, it will drop you off at the intersection of Damen/North Ave/Milwaukee. That is the heart of many cool shops and restaurants. If you walk southeast on Milwaukee from there you will run into Reckless Records on your right which is a great record store. Continue down Milwaukee and there are a ton of thrift stores and stuff. Then head over to North Avenue and there are some great restaurants (Piece pizza is pretty good and they serve their own craft beers), hit up Sultan's Market if you like fallafel or mediterranian food, that place is the best and cheap and good for lunch. If you walk North on Damen you start to run into the more upscale boutiques and shopping but there are some good bars as well.

[aj_21095]

As far as food goes every time we're in town we go to Uno's, we've tried Portillos and Pathenon as well. We'll try almost anything. Just looking for something new to try. Same thing goes for music...rock, blues, jazz, hip hop.....

Thanks alot Gunner, we have about 2 days with no plans so we'll definitely check out that area.

[jdiddy]

Check out the neighborhood guides from the Chicago Reader.

Search the Reader: neighborhood guides | Chicago Reader

[nowincal11]

Originally Posted by aj_21095

As far as food goes every time we're in town we go to Uno's, we've tried Portillos and Pathenon as well. We'll try almost anything. Just looking for something new to try. Same thing goes for music...rock, blues, jazz, hip hop.....

Thanks alot Gunner, we have about 2 days with no plans so we'll definitely check out that area.

Try Gino's East or Lou Malnatti's. Much better than Uno.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by nowincal11

Try Gino's East or Lou Malnatti's. Much better than Uno.

This. I would actually say Giordano's or Lou's. That being said Uno's doesn't hold a candle to any of the other 3.