Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless
Celebrated Chicago chef Rick Bayless’s farm-to-terminal torta counter inside O’Hare itself, a genuinely distinctive made-to-order bite and an airport landmark that sits squarely in the O’Hare community area
Gerry’s Fish & Chicken
Long-running neighborhood fish-and-chicken counter serving fried catfish, shrimp, and wings on a stretch of Michigan Ave where few independent sit-down spots remain
Burnside Park
One of the only public gathering spaces inside the rail-bound Burnside triangle, a 5.5-acre playlot with playground, basketball courts and ball fields named for the community area itself
Ellis Park Arts and Recreation Center
Green anchor of the tiny Oakland community area, with a field house opened in 2016 that holds a competitive pool, gym and arts studios beside a Jens Jensen-designed park
Lindblom Park
Seventeen-acre West Englewood park with a field house, outdoor pool, a running track and recently renovated baseball and softball diamonds funded by Cubs Charities
Nick’s Gyros
Longtime counter-service Greek-American spot on 63rd Street known for oversized gyros, char burgers and fresh-cut fries at bargain prices
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
The nation’s oldest independent museum of African American history, set in a landmark roundhouse on the edge of Washington Park
Evelyn’s Food Love
A beloved Washington Park spot for from-scratch soul food, seafood and brunch run by chef-owner Evelyn since 2017
Carver 47 Food & Wellness Market
A Black-owned neighborhood cafe serving superfood smoothies, honey cortados and soulful healthy plates, with proceeds supporting a local arts academy
Daley’s Restaurant
Chicago’s oldest continuously operating restaurant (since 1892), now inside the Woodlawn Green Line station, serving soul food and classic diner breakfasts