Avondale
Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood “just earned a spot as the 16th coolest neighborhood in the world for 2022, part of Time Out’s annual ranking of neighborhoods across six continents.” It is a Northwest Side enclave known for its Polish and Latino populations, with a growing food scene and laid-back feel. There excellent restaurants, trendy bars and several micro-breweries and distileries.
My top recommendations include:
One of my favorite spots is Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant at 3471 N. Elston. Since 1999, this pub and restaurant features traditional Irish food and music. They have live music a few times a week, so make sure to check out their website. They also feature a buffet Sunday brunch. On my ast visit, I loved eating on the large outdoor patio
Across the street is Anelya at 3472 N. Elston. Opened by James Beard nominated chefs Johnny Clark and his wife Beverly Kim of Parachute which was located nearby and is currently being remodeled and rebranded. Anelya, named after Johnny’s grandmother, was started as a Ukrainian popup to provide humanitarian support for the region after the recent Russian invasion. It was then opened as a permanent location to preserve the culture of the area and of Johnny’s Ukrainian heritage. The kitchen staff is mostly Ukrainian. It has been featured in a number of publications including Eater Chicago’s “The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, April 2024” and The Infatuation’s “The Hit List: New Chicago Restaurants To Try Right Now.”
It has a contemporary menu in a beautiful setting.There is a small outdoor patio in the back. I suggest trying and sharing a number of dishes so you can taste as many as you can! There is an appetizer cart that will be rolled over to your table features 13 items. I recommend the trout roe tart, the deviled eggs with anchovies, the eggplant rolls and the sunflower seed hummus. The borscht made with smoked pears and duck was excellent as was the Napoleon made with a strawberry cream. Unfortunately the pasta that I wanted to try was sold out. Eastern European wines dominate the wine list along with a few selections from Greece. The Greek rose was very refreshing. I highly recommend the experience.
Loaf Lounge: At 2934 N. Milwaukee Ave., Loaf Lounge, a bakery and cafe, has been getting excellent reviews for it breakfast sandwiches, pastries and chocolate cake. I suggest going during the week as the lines can be very long on weekends. I went after reading the reviews and enjoyed a tasty almond bear claw for a snack while exploring the neighborhood during Open House Chicago 2022.
I also went to Brew Brew Coffee & Tea is a contemporary Mexican coffee shop with locations in Avondale and Pilsen in Chicago. They offer coffee and tea drinks along with cookies, pastries and food items. The latte was excellent. The owners and siblings moved to Chicago from Tijuana, Mexico in 2000. 3832 W. Diversey Ave.
Make sure to drive north to see St. Hyacinth Basilica, an historic Polish cathedral of baroque design that was completed in 1921 at 3636 W. Wolfram St.
A highlight of Open House Chicago in 2022 was to be able to visit Avondale Bowl at 3118 N. Milwaukee Ave. This is a vintage, eight lane bowling alley and bar offering craft cocktails, premium spirits, beer and wine. One must be 21 and older to enter. Minors may enter with their parents or guardians before 7:30pm. It is open daily. I loved the vibe. It is the perfect spot for an event.
Eden opened in June, 2022 after a move from the West Loop. It sits along the Chicago River with outstanding decor and nice outdoor patio. The menu features new American cuisine using seasonal, fresh and high-quality ingredients. They have their own greenhouse nearby where they grow plants, fruits, herbs and flowers to be used in the dishes. I really liked the atmosphere when I went for brunch. They also have several dining rooms for private dining and events. 2734 W. Roscoe.
I highly recommend that you visit Rockwell on the River at3057 N. Rockwell St. Located in former leather tannery, the historic buildings contain offices and event spaces along with merchant tenants including Judson & Moore Distillery, Metropolis Coffee Co. and Soul & Smoke barbecue. There is also a marina on the Chicago River for kayak rentals from Wateriders Kayaks and boat rentals from the Chicago Electric Boat Company.
Based in Evanston, Soul & Smoke recently opened their first Chicago location here at Rockwell on the River has received great press as having some of the best barbecued brisket and pulled pork in the area along with great sides. I loved the pulled pork sliders and a side of creamy apple slaw. They have both indoor seating and outdoor seating on the deck overlooking the river.
Judson & Moore Distillery: This local distillery makes a bourbon whiskey, a rye whiskey, a red corn bourbon whiskey and a single malt whiskey. Tours and tastings are offered and there is a bar where you can have a cocktail made with their products. They offer live music several times a month.
You can also visit the roastery for Metropolis Coffee where you can buy and taste their products including cold brew.
On the edge of Avondale and Logan Square are two other places to try, Ravinia Brewing and Maplewood Brewing & Distillery.
Ravinia Brewing, with a taproom in Highland Park as well, is an award winning part of the Chicago craft beer scene since 2016. Here you can enjoy one of their pilsners, IPAs, lagers and pale ales. Their Diversey Station Juicy Session Pale Ale just won a major award. I really liked its fruity notes. It has a large outdoor patio and serves food including tacos and brunch items. Cocktails are also available. 2601 W. Diversey Ave.
Nearby is the taproom and cocktail bar for Maplewood Brewing & Distillery. They focus on rye and malt whiskeys along with gin. On the beer side, they make several pilsners, pale ales and stouts. 2717 N Maplewood Ave.
Irving Park
Irving Park is north of Avondale on the northwest side of Chicago. During the 1990s the neighborhood saw an influx of Serbian immigrants. Today there are many Serbian-owned cafe and restaurants along Irving Park Road. Today the number of Serbians living in the neighborhood is well over 3,000.
Beograd Cafe & Restaurant at 2933/39 W. Irving Park has featured Serbian and Regional Balkan cuisines since 1984. They feature a number of salads, panini sandwiches, BBQ, burgers, pizza and pastas. They also have savory crepes and omelets. But a specialty are their decadent desserts. I loved the chocolate, hazelnut cake which was excellent! There is market where you can buy Serbian specialties and desserts next door.
Nearby is Leader Bar , a neighborhood sports bar featuring a beer garden, craft brews, thin-crust pizza and other pub fare. 3000 W. Irving Park.
Next time I want to try Shokran which I understand is excellent for authentic Moroccan cuisine. My favorite spot closed a few years ago and I have been trying to find a replacement. 4027 W. Irving Park.
A fun new find in Chicago is Smoque BBQ at 3800 N. Pulaski. It is right off of the Kennedy Expressway at Irving Park and is therefore easy to reach for city dwellers and suburbanites as well. It is a casual, locals spot where you order at the counter and then grab a seat. Just be prepared for some lines. They feature pulled pork which they smoke for over 12 hours, brisket with a 2-layer spice rub and a vinegar-based brisket BBQ sauce, chicken that has been smoked for over three hours and Texas sausage made in Taylor Texas for the restaurant. They offer sandwiches and platters along with a number of salads and sides. I really enjoyed the sliced brisket platter with slaw, BBQ beans and cornbread. I will definitely go back!! They also have a location in the Chicago Loop in the Revival Food Hall at 125 S. Clark. It is listed in the Chicago Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand.
Just a little northwest of Smoque is ERIS Brewery and Cider House at 4240 W. Irving Park. This is a wonderful new addition to the area which features their house-brewed cider and beer and a menu of American comfort foods. They produce six different ciders including a tart cherry, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry cider. I liked the Pedestrian crisp, dry apple cider. They make a number of pilsners, ales wheat beers and porters. The menu features a numbers of appetizers, salads, burgers and entrees. I can’t wait to go back and try the mussels steamed in cider. The atmosphere and design are really spectacular.
Nearby north of Avondale is Arun’s at 4156 N. Kedzie. This is a wonderful Thai restaurant in a very elegant setting that features beautiful art, artifacts and craft work from Thailand. The menu features a nine course prix fixe, degustation tasting menu with incredible food as well as an a la carte menu. It is featured in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. I have been twice in the past and it never disappoints.
