Panaderia Nuevo Leon
A nearly 50-year-old Pilsen panaderia turning out conchas, pan dulce, and Mexican pastries the traditional way.
Carnitas Uruapan
A Pilsen institution since 1975, revered for slow-cooked crispy carnitas from a family recipe out of Uruapan, Michoacan.
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
A 1907 jazz lounge that once served Capone’s crowd and still hosts live jazz nightly in its original Art Deco room.
Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
A fourth-generation Jewish deli and cafeteria beloved since 1942 for towering corned beef and old-school service.
The Berghoff
Chicago’s historic German restaurant, family-run in the Loop since 1898, with its own house beer and a landmark dining room.
Old Town Ale House
A legendary Old Town dive across from Second City, lined with original paintings and decades of late-night lore.
Seminary Co-op Bookstore
A renowned Hyde Park bookstore near the University of Chicago, so celebrated it was designated a literary landmark.
Valois Restaurant
A cash-only Hyde Park cafeteria running since 1921, famous for hearty breakfasts and its ‘See Your Food’ motto.
Quimby’s Bookstore
An independent institution for zines, small-press comics, and the wonderfully weird — a cornerstone of Chicago’s DIY scene.
Women & Children First
One of the country’s largest feminist bookstores — a beloved Andersonville hub for women’s, LGBTQ+, and children’s writing since 1979.