Since its opening in 1999, Logan Square’s Lula Cafe has been one of the city’s most thoughtful restaurants and a leader in farm-to-table dining. Led by chef and owner Jason Hammel, the all-day spot features dishes with loads of fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, and other locally sourced ingredients. But nothing quite captures Lula’s seasonal ethos … Read more
The 24 sandy beaches that line Chicago’s eastern edge all have distinct personalities and flavors. But instead of jostling with throngs of beachgoers at North Avenue Beach or 35th Street Beach, make your way to quiet little South Shore Beach. Tucked deep behind the renowned South Shore Cultural Center, this overlooked treasure is bordered by … Read more
Immaculately preserved gowns worn by the great Khaleesi? Sculptures of spread-winged baby dragons? Furniture and tableware that survived the Red Wedding? Not quite. The Deering Family Galleries of Medieval and Renaissance Art, Arms, and Armor at the Art Institute of Chicago doesn’t ply in faux Game of Thrones artifacts. It offers something far more magical: … Read more
Whether it’s the menu of wieners and milkshakes, the giant hot dog sculptures perched on the roof, or the chance to dine at a drive-in restaurant, Superdawg will make you feel like a kid again. The restaurant, which Maurie and Flaurie Berman opened in 1948, serves its own takes on classic favorites, like the namesake … Read more
Few places offer more serenity for Chicagoans (dead or alive) than the Graceland Cemetery graveyard and arboretum, where you can enjoy a peaceful walk amid 119 acres of green space and an all-star lineup of tombstones. Among the grand mausoleums and winding pathways, you’ll find the final resting places of numerous influential Chicagoans. There’s Louis … Read more
Chicago has a robust fine dining scene, with restaurants like Alinea, Oriole, and Smyth offering refined high-end experiences and earning multiple Michelin stars for their work. To experience the artistry of these spots in its fullest form, book a reservation at one of the latest to open, Ever. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant, from chef Curtis Duffy … Read more
Major League Baseball typically avoids scheduling home games for the Cubs and White Sox on the same day. But on rare occasions (it happened five times in 2021), you can visit both Chicago ballparks in succession, with a day game on the North Side followed by a nightcap on the South Side. We’re one of … Read more
Golden fried wings drenched in burnt-orange-glazed mild sauce over a bed of fries and bread from this local chain is a staple of Black Chicago. But Harold’s Chicken is bigger than just food. It captures the essence of the South Side. The sweet and tangy aroma, the sound of grease doing a round of applause, … Read more
Tucked away on a second-floor shelf of Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen is a library of gourmet mustards that will forever change your lunch life. Be forewarned: Given all the temptations on the ground floor, many visitors never make it upstairs. Gene’s owners, the Luszcz family, have been making gourmet sausages in the city since … Read more
You haven’t seen the Northwest Side unless you’ve walked or biked the Bloomingdale Trail, a 2.7-mile elevated path running between Ashland and Ridgeway Avenues. It’s the largest greenway on a former rail line in the country. New York City’s High Line may be more glamorous, but it’s smaller and not as practical for getting from one … Read more
