B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Loves Chicago

Summertime Chi: Lakeview

Chicago's shore of Lake Michigan is one of the city's most prized possessions.  The Lakeview dining scene is no different.  This week, we are highlighting eateries in Lakeview, as we continue touring the north side of the city.  We've even got some non-restaurant selections this time...

Let us know what you think.

Special thanks to Anne Szkatulski, Emily DeYoe, and Cathy Yu --fellow legislative attorneys and Chicago enthusiasts-- for their great contributions to this series.

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LAKEVIEW

Restaurants

Half Shell. 676 W Diversey Pkwy.

Cheap fresh seafood, great dive appearance! When I just want to stuff my face with crab and oysters and nothing else, this is where I go.

La Creperie. 2845 N Clark St.

Really cute but slightly pricier creperie. Good date place. Accordion player on the weekends.

Yuki Hana. 2920 N. Clark St.

Great prices, good quality fish – don’t go out of your way to get here

Erwin. 2925 N Halsted St.

Contemporary American, always solid nice-ish dinner.

Crisp. 2940 N. Broadway.

Korean – bi bim bop, wings – the wings are insanely good, but also insanely bad for you – get bi bim bop, share wings with a friend. 

Panes Bread Café. 3002 N. Sheffield Ave.

ED: Probably my favorite sandwich shop in Chicago – the tomato bread is unreal.

CY: My favorite sandwich place in the city – sweet French bread (“sweet” as in “they put sweeteners in it” and also as in “awesome”).

Matilda/Baby Atlas. 3101 N. Sheffield Ave.

ED: Good beer, good food, decent crowd – over 23 to get in – better than average lakeview bar with an AMAZING teeny tiny dance club in the basement. 

AS: The only bar in Lakeview that I would go out of my way for. Perfect for pre- and post-shows at the Vic.

Kickstand Espresso Bar. 824 W. Belmont.

Great tattoo spotting.

Shiroi Hana. 3242 N Clark St.

Favorite cheap sushi place.

Yoshi’s Café. 3257 N Halsted St.

Contemporary American, maybe my favorite “nice” place.

Sheffields. 3258 N. Sheffield Ave.

My favorite bar in the city – fantastic beer garden, excellent beer selection, nice staff, good crowd.

Wishbone. 3300 N Lincoln Ave.

Southern brunch. So delicious.

Wakamono. 3317 N. Broadway.

A bit of a splurge, dark/romantic sushi bar, sultry bar attached.

Thai Classic. 3332 N. Clark St.

Better than average thai food, better than average prices.

Saugatuck Coffee Company. 3344 N. Halsted St.

A bit sterile, but friendly service, strong coffee, and a great egg salad sandy – plus a great selection of magazines and newspapers to peruse.

Home Bistro (HB). 3404 N. Halsted St.

The best go-to for a slightly nicer occasion, but not so expensive that you need someone else to pay for you – Wednesdays are prix fixe, and best of all – byob. Also, the owner and chef are the nicest couple in the universe

Cozy Noodle. 3456 N. Sheffield Ave.

Favorite thai place in the city – very cutesy, BYOB, cheap.

Angelina Ristorante. 3561 N. Broadway.

Sunday bottomless mimosa brunch – fabulous gay-spotting.

Tango Sur. 3763 N. Southport.

ED: Cheap, romantic, fun.  Get the empanadas to start.

AS: I came here for NYE one year and the service was top-notch. Meat-palooza. Come hungry. And the fact that it’s BYOB puts this place over the top.

Diner Grill. 1635 W. Irving Park Rd.

The best diner I’ve found in Chicago – and I’ve been on an 8 year quest to find the best in the city.  No frills, just a counter, very greasy/dirty, great people watching, great coffee.

Bars

Kafka Wine Shop. 3325 N. Halsted St.

150 wines under $15.  Across the street from HB – dudes who work here are amazing.

Other

Unabridged Books. 3251 N. Broadway.

New and used books – a really fantastic magazine selection and the best travel section I’ve seen in Chicago.

Twosided. 2958 N. Clark St.

A great gift/card shop – excellent selection of cards and postcards and tons of cute wrapping paper, plus fabulous map collection.