Here is my guide for what to eat and do while you’re in Chicago for the Live in The Stacks tour. I have to be honest, I asked for help from two of my favorite native Chicagoans, poets Nate Marshall and José Olivarez, because yes I have a few favorite spots in The Chi, but they are truly experts.. Plus, The Stacks Pack and my BFF also provided insights to make this a truly Chicago list!
WHAT TO DO
- The Chicago White Sox are in town if you’re up for a little baseball.
- Second City is an improv theatre that started the careers of some of your favorite SNL regulars, and was the theatrical home to friends of the pod Chelsea Devantez, Tawny Newsome, and Niccole Thurman.
- Walk The 606, which is the Chicago version of the NYC Highline, and grab a coffee beforehand at Ipsento 606.
- I loved doing the Architectural River Cruise, there are a bunch of companies who do it, and I don’t have a preference, but suggest the experience for sure.
- Nate and Jose, my poet friends wouldn’t let me not recommend the Poetry Foundation Library.
- If you want the photo with The Bean you gotta go to Millennium Park, and while you’re there you can hit up The Art Institute of Chicago, which came highly recommended from The Stacks Pack!.
- Harold Washington Library Center is beautiful and one of the biggest public libraries in the US.
- The DuSable Museum is the oldest African American History Museum in the world.
- National Museum of Mexican Art is great and free!
- Another great site that is also free is the Chicago Cultural Center.
- Did you know Chicago had a Writer’s Museum? Bonus points, because Nate advised on this exhibit.
- The Pizza City Festival is the same weekend as the show, so like, pizza anyone?
WHERE TO STAY
- The Godfrey Hotel is super cute hotel! Plus, I’ll be hosting a happy hour on their rooftop on Saturday night, so if you’re in town and want to grab a cocktail, I’ll see you at the Godfrey at 5pm on August 26th.
WHAT TO EAT
Near Hideout
- Pequod’s for a little deep dish moment and arguably one of the best deep dish spots in the city. If you watch The Bear, this is the spot Richie gets pizza from in his episode of season 2.
- Mable’s Table is one of Nate Marshall’s favorite restaurants in all of Chicago.
- Ada Street has American cuisine with a patio right down the block from Hideout, the venue for the live show.
- Head to Au Cheval for their burger, they also have a spin off quick eats spot called Small Cheval for more burger goodness.
- If you’re looking for thin crust pizza and chill vibes, Piece Brewery is your place.
- Parson’s Chicken & Fish has a patio with boozy slushies and yummy hush puppies, what else do you need?
- If you’re looking for tacos, guac, patio, and people watching, head to Big Star.
Bar Vibes
- The Skylark is an old school dive bar that also offers some classic bar food. Heads up, they are cash only.
- If you’re looking for hipster bar vibes, check out Scofflaw.
- Three Dots and a Dash is a tropical tiki bar!
- Maria’s Packaged Goods is a cool bar with great vibes, and it is attached to Kimski, a fusion restaurant (mentioned below).
- The Violet Hour is cute and an iconic Wicker Park speakeasy. There’s no sign so lookout for a mural and a door.
Other Food Spots
- Hands down my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago is Hub 51, not because I have eaten much off their menu (but I do love the nachos) but because they have the world’s best carrot cake. It is arguably my favorite dessert on the planet, which is saying a lot be cause y’all know how much I love dessert.
- José loves Kimski, a Korean and Polish fusion spot. I feel like you can’t not try that combo.
- Timeout Market Chicago is a glamorous food court feature a bunch of Chicago staples located in a Chicago neighborhood known for food. Worth checking out for lunch to get a real taste of the city.
- Portillo’s & Barnelli’s has hot dogs and chocolate cake milkshakes. Its a famous Chicago spot that locals and tourists love.
- I am aware there is a conversation about which deep dish place is the best. I personally have only had Gino’s East and it was bomb, but if you want to do a head to head of the two most well known spots, you’ll also need to try Lou Malnati’s (both pizzerias have multiple locations).
- Rose Mary is a fine dining experience that is truly delish. They also have a sister restaurant BLVD which is a hip steakhouse.
- Virtue is a Black owned restaurant with modern southern cuisine and a Michelin star.
- Get your sweet treats from Sugar Bliss, they’ve delish cookies, brownies, macroons, and more!
- Batter and Berries is a Black owned breakfast spot, and I’m told you must get the french toast flight.
- Another rec from Jose is Taquerias Atotonilco located near The Mexican Art Museum.
- Bronzeville Winery is a great Black owned restaurant and the owner also owns a cool store with clothes, accesories, home goods, and more called The Silver Room.
- Qing Xiang Yuan is great spot for dumplings.
- Fried chicken anyone? Check out Harold’s Chicken.
- If you’re a breakfast person you might like the Cozy Corner.
- Duck Duck Goat is a Chinese American spot worth checking out.
BOOKSTORES
- Semicolon Books will be onsite for the show running a popup, but their storefront will be closed due to a remodel. If you’re a Chicago local, be sure to swing by after they reopen on September 30th. They are Chicago’s only Black woman owned bookstore.
- Volumes Book Cafe is a bookstore and cafe with two locations in the city.
- Women and Children First is bookstore that was founded in 1979 by “intersectional trans-inclusive feminists” who “believe books are tools for liberation”.
- Seminary Co-op is known for their large collection of academic books.
- Here is a list of 40+ bookstores in Chicago that participated in this year’s indie bookstore day book crawl, in case you need way more bookstores in your life!
Recommendations from The Stacks’ Community
These picks were sourced from The Stacks listeners, as their favorite spots in Chicago!
- Stan’s Donuts
- Strings for Ramen
- Molly’s Cupcakes
- Scooter’s Frozen Custards
- HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen
- Chicago Bath House for a spa moment.
- Reckless Records for those of you looking for some Vinyl.
- Liberation Kitchen for all the vegans out there.
- Get “good food and an amazing view” at Cindy’s Rooftop. Cindy’s is located in a hotel that also has a fun game room and bar if you want to stick around.