Blue Water Grill
Neighborhood: Near North Side

520 N Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60610

Brett D. writes: B.R. Guest owns several of my favorite eateries - Fiamma, Ocean Grill, David Burke's and of course, Blue Water Grill. I was really impressed my first few times at Blue Water, and the hits just keep on coming!! Not only is the food and service always…

Delicatessen Meyer
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4750 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Miss R. writes: My heart broke a little when they tore the building down. I didn't get a picture of the sign. Who got the sign? I'm so sad.

Things had gone horribly wrong here in the end, but in it's day it was a wonderful place to go get your deli meats, grab a…

The Map Room
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1949 N. Hoyne Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Denton J. writes: The Maproom is one of the coolest beer bars around.  Anywhere.  Fairly small and unpretentious, I always have a good time here.  The selection is outstanding (see draft Schlenkerla Fastenbier, New Belgium La Folie, etc.) and the employees know their…

Clark-Devon Hardware
Neighborhood: Rogers Park

6401 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60626

Scott K. writes: One of the best things about living near Clark and Devon is Clark Devon Hardware.  It's one of those big old-ish hardware stores where they have just about everything hardware-related and a staff that knows where it all is and can give good advice…

Sweet Occasions
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4639 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Karen A. writes: SUGAR JUNKIES BEWARE:

The cupcakes here sent me into a shivering shaking sugar nirvana...pretty to look at but even prettier in my mouth. Dead on excellent red velevet cake.
The ice cream is pure diabetic death, and I mean that in a really good way.…

Roy's Furniture Co
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

2455 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

elizabeth n. writes: I went to Roy's for the first time this weekend and was very impressed. I had heard how Roy's had really cheap stuff so I was imagining IKEA but with a little better quality (which isn't saying that much).  Anyway, as soon as I walked in I was so…

Bennison's Bakery

1000 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201

Keiko S. writes: A warm, comforting Eurpean bakery near Davis Station with lots of goodies to drool over. Their cakes and fruit pastries are both visually and tastefully rich (perhaps a bit too rich!), and I'm especially in love with their breads - the crispy…

Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop
Neighborhood: DePaul

2070 N Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

Nancy K. writes: Fish Happens Here!

Great fish monger, selection, hours and website with a plethora of info.  

Every Saturday they have samples from Noon till 3

Galway Bay

500 W. Diversey Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Jerry M. writes: I often think about moving out of my neighborhood - I've lived here for close to 8 years and I'm starting to feel, well, OLD among all these young 'uns. True, I used to be one of them back in the day. And then I end up at Galway Bay, and I'm reminded…

Sticky Rice
Neighborhood: North Center

4018 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

Keiko S. writes: Can't believe I'd been forgetting to yelp this place for so long! Though it probably deserves all five, I want to give it 4.5 stars for now as I haven't tried enough dishes yet. Not sure if that's going to happen any time soon, because they have the…

Graham Crackers Comics
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2562 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614

Johnny T. writes: This place is the best.  It's a bright, fun comic store that's fun to be in/around.  It's a store for comic nerds, but it invites everyone to join in on the fun that is comic books.  My only complaint is that they tend to run out of books on new…

Atomix
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

1957 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Vaughn C. writes: I'm actually at Atomix right now, and Atom's holding a gun to my head swearing divine vindication on all that spite him. I feel like an extra in "Falling Down."

Only kidding, of course. Atom's in the back, diligently doing dishes to the chill beats of…

Tattoo Factory Inc
Neighborhood: Uptown

4441 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640

Matthew S. writes: Surprised?  hmmm.

One  gray cloudy day, I got bored.  And decided I needed to get pierced.

So I got in my SUV and drove a few blocks, and parked infront of the Tattoo Factory.

After a consultation with Zach (who was awesome!) and chose my gauge - I…

Ron of Japan

633 Skokie Blvd Ste Ll111
Northbrook, IL 60062

Nancy K. writes: Great for large groups.  Entertaining.  Good food and service.  

I haven't been here recently but, went for many an occasion and had a good time.

Evanston Farmer's Market

University Place and Oak Avenue
Evanston, IL 60209

Lindley E. writes: The Evanston Farmer's Market is one of my favorites in Chicago, despite its location in Evanston. There are so many good things about this market:

1. Relative to the other markets in Chicagoland, it is HUGE
2. There is parking. Lots of parking.
3. A…

Caputo's Fresh Markets

510 W Lake St
Addison, IL 60101

Todd B. writes: Caputo's makes me happy! From the amazing prices and dizzying assortment of ethnic niche items like fruit nectars, coffees, cereals and meats, to the cheesy-but-charming theme song sung by a Sinatra-esque crooner, this is like a mini trip to another…

Timberlanes
Neighborhood: North Center

1851 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613

Mark S. writes: You know how in movies, places people go are always a little cooler than they are in real life?  Bowling alleys?  Well, they're all loaded full of cool characters, like in the Big Lebowski or Kingpin, right?  So why wouldn't a person want to hang…

Moto
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Fulton Market

945 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607

Waleed I. writes: Just like with Alinea, you must view the pictures simultaneously with the review to better understand. I won't write a bunch of comments about each, but rather primarily rank the dishes and mention the highlights for each dish. I prioritized the…

Kang Nam Restaurant
Neighborhood: Albany Park

4849 N Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60686

Caroline A. writes: A complete dive, but my family has been coming here for kalbi for years.  I've never had anything else here, so cannot review on anything other than the banchan and Korean BBQ.  

The moo is good.  Very good.  A korean ah-jum-ma comes out, sets up the…

Apart Pizza Company
Neighborhood: North Center

2205 W Montrose
Chicago, IL 60618

John B. writes: I have two words for you: chocolate pizza.

Okay, it's more like a cross between a baguette and a calzone, but it comes stuffed with chocolate and dusted with sugar and cinnamon. Or you can get it stuffed with mango, apricot, apple, or blueberry. But…

The Cheese Stands Alone
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4547 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Alison T. writes: Let's put it this way - Quicken has started to ask if it should schedule payments to Cheese Stands Alone.  I took that as a sign it might be time to cut back but its just so hard to resist that mozzarella, that aged appenzeller, that gouda - all so…

Target
Neighborhood: Avondale

2949 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618

Dave S. writes: I have been to this Target on numerous occasions now. I am VERY pleased that this place is right in my hood now. It doesn't matter what day or time I go here, even when the place is crowded, I never feel crowded in and never seem to wait in line very…

Louis Vuitton
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Streeterville

919 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Sean T. writes: Recommended for:  Bags, shoes and accessories.

Service 4, Selection 3.5, Quality 5.

I was surprised walking in to this boutique as I thought it would be much larger.  Alas, only 1 floor of LV so spaciously laid out, they honestly didn't have a lot of…

WDCB 90.9 FM

425 Fawell Boulevard
Glen Ellyn, IL 60138

Mark S. writes: Um, I know I should tell you this more often.  And you probably already know... but, um, I just wanted to let you know.

I Love you- you are perfect.

Love,

Mark

Pause
Neighborhood: Edgewater

1107 W Berwyn Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

Emily Y. writes: Great drinks, nice service, free wifi. Sweet deals on refills. Pretty much no matter what I've ordered, they've given me a refill of for 80 cents or something outstandingly awesome. They also get an extra star for carrying Southport Grocery's…

Beyond the Wall Posters & Frames
Neighborhood: Lakeview

935 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

carolynne r. writes: Yeah, this place seems to cater a bit more towards "dorm life" than anything else, but that's cool.  Where else are you gonna be able to get a Slipknot poster, a car air-freshener in the shape of a middle finger and a Jolly Roger bath mat all in one…

The Book Cellar
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4736 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60641

Katarina X. writes: My new home-away from home. The ultimate anti-sports bar.

It's quiet, small and cool... you get a stack of intellectual reading, a good glass of coffee or red wine and something chocolate in addition to actual literary recommendations (Other than:…

Follia
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Fulton Market

953 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607

Caroline A. writes: I celebrated my birthday here over the weekend, and thought it was fantastic!

We arrived on time at 6:30, and were seated right away. It was smaller than I had thought, but has an intimate feel to it. The owner of the restaurant is cheerful and high…

Original Pancake House
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Gold Coast

22 E Bellevue Pl
Chicago, IL 60611

Izzy N. writes: Oh Sweet.. another native of Portland, Oregon right in Chicago! This is much, MUCH better than the original of the original pancake houses in Portland. Bleh, the one in Portland sucked hardcore.. they were just inconsistently good, bad, always…

Socca
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3301 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

Lori L. writes: At the Socca, Socca Cabana, the finest food north of Italia.

Oh where to begin with this place.  First, it provides all the types of food I love.  French, Italian, and wine....ok, wine isn't a food, but you get my drift.
I had the scrumptious hanger…

All She Wrote
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

825 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Andrea R. writes: They really do have absolutely beautiful paper and invites in this store.  The staff is super friendly and although I've yet to purchase anything here I've come close many times. It's also a great place to purchase little gifts (especially this…

West Lakeview Liquors
Neighborhood: North Center

2156 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618

Mark S. writes: I've been coming to this place for years- it's always been as close to the perfect corner liquor store as I've found.  Cool staff into good wine and beer, great selection & open late.  I'd consider moving into the neighborhood just to have a resource…

Pequod's Pizzeria
Neighborhood: DePaul

2207 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Brett D. writes: With 80+ reviews already there isn't much I can say about Pequod's that hasn't already been said....

So here is my two cents on the 'Quod's experience:

Pequods has the most amazing deep dish pizza EVER!!! Yes, better than Uno's, Due's, Gino's,…

WBEZ FM
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River East

848 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

jose g. writes: We call this W-Bourgeoisie. There are some good shows, like 848 and Worldview, but I can't listen to a lot of it (including a lot of NPR shows) without getting a headache from frustration.  THIS is what liberals like? THIS is what goes for laudable…

Saks Fifth Avenue
Neighborhood: Near North Side

700 N Michigan Ave Lowr 1
Chicago, IL 60611

Christina S. writes: I no longer have any doubt that I have become a superficial and materialistic person.  The above statement is proved from my reaction upon entering Saks Fifth Avenue.  Because, really, how could I possibly live without that beautiful Prada purse, or…

The Chopping Block
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

222 Merchandise Mart Plz
Chicago, IL 60654

Andrea R. writes: I first visited the Chopping Block many moons ago for a holiday work outing with my team at my previous company.  We drank wine, made a delicious meal, and ate so much that I had a stomach ache all night long.  Didn't quite learn to cook (that's what…

Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5846 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660

Dave S. writes: Good Stuff People! I was an Ethiopian cuisine virgin until last night. I thought I might be in trouble when there was a section on their menu instructing people on how to order and what to expect when the food came to the table. These notes came in…

Northwestern Cutlery Supply Inc
Neighborhood: Near West Side

810 W Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Carol J. writes: This is the Pleasure Chest for all things culinary.  But sexier.  And sharper.  And we know what they have on under those kitchen whites.  Seriously, amazing service, great quality products and best of all, we know where the hands touching the…

Edgewater Lounge
Neighborhood: Andersonville, Edgewater

5600 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60660

Craig B. writes: Dive bar checklist-

Faded sign that's almost impossible to read- check
Eclectic furnishing- check
Cheap beer- check
Good eats- check
Fun juke box- check
Interesting mix of clientele- check
Beer garden- check
Dogs in bar- check
Attentive service- check

Other…