Question about an area in Irving Park (Chicago, Addison: subletting, apartment)

[vagabondways]

I'm relocating to Chicago and considering subletting an apartment on N. Keystone between W. Berteau and W. Belle Plaine Ave. I didn't get to see the place because I'm not in town yet (I visited in May but I only passed through this area on the Blue Line to and from O'Hare); a friend of mine and her husband who already live in Chicago went to check it out for me and gave it a thumbs up and sent photos. They said the area seems fine, sort of like the Midwood neighborhood in Brooklyn. The current tenants said that they like the area and feel safe there, they are moving to be closer to work in the NW burbs. I like what I've read for the most part, I like cheap, good ethnic food and independent markets and produce markets. I don't need a lot of nightlife right now but I like that I can get to some via the Blue Line and I would probably take the Irving Park and Montrose buses a lot, but maybe not at night because I'm wondering if the walk from Montrose is safe -- okay, I guess that's my actual question -- if the area around Montrose, Elston and Pulaski is safe in general or should it be avoided after dark? I have done some research, I guess I'm looking for fresh answers. Thanks.

[Drover]

Irving Park resident chiming in here. I wouldn't worry about walking to or from Montrose at night that far west. The problem part of Montrose is a few blocks east of there.

The Montrose/Pulaski/Elston intersection is generally safe. There is a tiny bit of late-night activity there with some neighborhood bars, a 24-hour diner that is temporarily closed, a well-known 24-hour drive-in shack a block or so away, a 4am bar a couple blocks away, et cetera. There are some decent ethnic dining options around there including a couple Middle Eastern cafes and restaurants, an Afghan place right at the intersection, a Peruvian place not too far away, a Moroccon joint down on Irving Park, a solid Italian place a few doors down from the Morrocan place, a few Mexican places of varying quality, a Yemeni joint a few blocks northwest, a few pizza options, and the like.

[vagabondways]

Thanks, I was confused by warnings about living West of Kimball. Now if I could only be sure about the apartment itself...

[Drover]

Actually west of Kimball is the better part of Irving Park, particularly west of Central Park or so.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Drover

Actually west of Kimball is the better part of Irving Park, particularly west of Central Park or so.

So is the restaurant Mirabell is on the outskirts of Irving Park?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by MassVt

So is the restaurant Mirabell is on the outskirts of Irving Park?

Yeah. Mirabell is on the Irving Park/Avondale border, on the Irving Park side. If you park in the K-Mart lot across the street (which you're allowed to do until 12:30am), your car is parked in Avondale while your butt is parked on a stool or in a chair in Irving Park.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by MassVt

So is the restaurant Mirabell is on the outskirts of Irving Park?

Originally Posted by Drover

Yeah. Mirabell is on the Irving Park/Avondale border, on the Irving Park side. If you park in the K-Mart lot across the street (which you're allowed to do until 12:30am), your car is parked in Avondale while your butt is parked on a stool or in a chair in Irving Park.

Mass, if you are at all interested in German food, Mirabell is pretty much the best in Chicago. I love that place. We always go for my buddy's birthday to celebrate.

[MassVt]

[quote=Vlajos;30400326]Mass, if you are at all interested in German food, Mirabell is pretty much the best in Chicago. I love that place. We always go for my buddy's birthday to celebrate.[/QU


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So I've heard, thanks. I've walked by it on Addison after attending a Cubs game on a number of Sundays when visiting Chicago, but I've never stopped in. I've been to Berghoff's downtown, and I've been to Uberstein's on North Clark ( near Wrigley), but never Mirabell. On my next trip, I'm going to try to get there.