Johnny Sprocket's
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3001 N. Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60657

Marc N. writes: I tied my dreams to a paper kite on a windy day. The wind carried my kite high above the lake as I stood, motionless, below. A large and dirty pigeon with a mangled foot hopped small circles around me.

My dreams flapped in the strong breeze and…

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2430 N Cannon Dr
Chicago, IL 60614

Nancy K. writes: Through Dec. 23

Wednesdays : 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saturdays : 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Chicago's Green City Market moves its Winter Market to a new location: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive.

There will be over 25 vendors participating, the…

Phil's Pizza
Neighborhood: Bridgeport

1102 West 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60609

Bernardo A. writes: First let me say right off the bat that I love Phil's but I deducted one star (and was considering another deduction but felt it would be too harsh) because the people that work there are severely challenged.  

1)  They get orders wrong and are…

East of Eden Carry-Outs
Neighborhood: Sauganash

6350 N Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60646

Melanie V. writes: My dad LOVES this place, so I've been going here ever since I was 10.  It has the BEST Greek chicken in the city.  The 1/2 chicken comes with choice of potato, rice, and soup/salad/or coleslaw.  Huge portions at a cheap price.  The menu is vast, so…

Diner Grill
Neighborhood: Lakeview

1635 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613

Karen A. writes: Sometimes known around the hood as Decapitation Diner, since in '89 one of the cooks was decapitated by a hoodlum. Now take a good look at that ham on the bone sitting on the counter....

I love a place where the only vegetable to be found is in the…

The Music Box Theatre
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3733 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Colleen C. writes: The Music Box Theatre...so beautifully nostalgic of a time when entertainment was entertaining. :::sigh::::

Also, nostalgic of a time when people did not demand comfort or extra large seats. So, some may find this a bit less plushy than modern day…

Auditorium Theatre
Neighborhood: South Loop

50 E Congress Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60605

Daniel T. writes: The Auditorium is hands down THE best sounding theatre in the city. In fact, it is the best sounding room out of any venue in town. I love, love, love to be in this building, and I would gladly do a show here any day of the week.

You'll hear the…

White Palace Grill
Neighborhood: University Village

1159 S Canal St
Chicago, IL 60607

Mori Y. writes: I was skeptical when I walked into this place around 5:00AM with a couple of friends after a night on the town.  We open up our menus to find a HUGE selection of breakfast goodies, way more than our addled minds can absorb.  Then I zero in on a…

Stir Crazy

Woodfield Mall
5 Woodfield Mall
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Kiyana B. writes: This is my favorite place to eat only because it costs $8.95 to create your own meal with the HUGE variety of veggies available at the stir fry bar & the different sauces you can choose from and then there are a variety of noodles/rice they let you…

Classic CInemas Lake Theatre

1022 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301

Nancy K. writes: This is one of the last movie theaters I have been to.  Nice and small.

Victory's Banner Restaurant
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

2100 W. Roscoe Street
Chicago, IL 60618

Taylor O. writes: Dining among left of democrat mommies and Che Guevara-esque mid 20s hipsters isn't always my cup of tea but I'll tolerate it to a certain extent for the food.  The homemade veggie burger was definitely from scratch and excellent.  My friend had whole…

Grape Leaves

129 S Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302

Ellen M. writes: Grape Leaves is a teeny tiny restaurant that I think might fit in the trunk of my car.  I believe there are only eight tables, so be prepared for carry-out, especially at peak lunch hours --- no big deal since Oak Park has plenty of benches around.…

Red Lion Pub
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

2446 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Sid S. writes: I'm surprised its taken me this long to review this classic establishment.  At first, I was skeptical, but I've been charmed.  It's been a while since I've been in there, but when I return, I know that Colin and/or Joe (the owners/bartenders) won't…

Pumpkin Moon

1028 North Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60301

Natalie S. writes: This is a fun little toy and gag shop, my husband called it "clean Uncle Fun." I kind of like digging through dusty drawers to find weird stuff at Uncle Fun and the lady screaming on her cell phone in the store about everything she saw "Oh, there's a…

Gibson's Steakhouse & Bar

5464 N River Rd
Rosemont, IL 60018

Audrey J. writes: Embarrassed as I am to admit it, this goes out to those Barney lovers out there -- and, no, I don't mean Barney' s-the-shopping -mecca, I mean Barney-the-purple-dinosau r:

I love moo.
Moo loves me.
Moo feels gooooood in my tummy.
With a great big moo,…

Borders Books Music & Cafe
Neighborhood: Near North Side

755 W North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60610

Alex F. writes: I can't compare this location to any others in the city, but I do know that I enjoy the shit out of Borders. Sometimes on a weekend afternoon when I'm feeling particularly yuppie, I like to hop the 72 bus to Borders and maybe savor a tastily…

Shaw's Crab House
Neighborhood: Near North Side

21 E Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60611

Gabi K. writes: Perfect place to meet for dinner with a few girlfriends or on a date...

Aside from a bitchy hostess, we had a wonderful evening at Shaw's last night.  We loved the charming interior and cozy ambiance; it was a perfect escape from the outside freezing…

Hanger 18
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4726 N. Lincoln ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Jerry M. writes: Want to make your baby a punk with a mohawk and tattoos? They got all the fixings from skulls on their booties and onesies reminiscent of your concert tees from the 70s ad 80s of the Ramones and the Smiths. I think there was even a James Brown…

Planned Parenthood
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1200 N La Salle Dr
Chicago, IL 60610

Jenny R. writes: I came here with the hopes of getting cheap birth control, and cheap birth control is what I got....awesome. $24/m vs. the $60/m I was paying.

Garrett Popcorn Shops
Neighborhood: The Loop

4 E Madison St
Chicago, IL 60602

Jason C. writes: Oprah tells me what to read. Oprah tells me what my favorite things should be. Oprah tells me Tom Cruise isn't as crazy as he looks.

So when Oprah tells me that Garrett's popcorn is the best popcorn ever, I believe her.

Pinky Nail Studio
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3503 N Southport
Chicago, IL 60607

Michelle L. writes: I told myself I wasn't going to become one of those Southport girls, who travel 2 by 2, on a Saturday afternoon from boutique, to salon, to Starbucks...but I surprisingly enjoyed my visit.  After waiting a month for end of the summer pedicure, I…

D'Andrea's Italian Market

7055 W Cermak Rd
Berwyn, IL 60402

Vanessa R. writes: I cannot believe I have not Yelped D'Andreas! I will be turning 34 this year, and I can remember going to D'Andreas with my grandmother and mother when I was a little girl and could sit in the cart.

This is the real deal. Some days when it is busy…

Istria Cafe
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

1520 E 57th St
Chicago, IL 60637

Preet C. writes: I would throw a couple more stars on it BUT for the following: Tall, striking, hottie blond guy rolls up to the counter, all euro'ed out in his shee shee fant fant scarf/coat combo, and proceeds to order his coffee with coupons and this unsolicited…

Chicago Animal Care and Control
Neighborhood: Pilsen

2741 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60608

Jackie R. writes: No need to say how wonderful this place is.

Heres a little insiders look on this animal "shelter" and the system in general. ill try keep it brief as possible. I was a long time volunteer here, and was eventually elected to run a service and justice…

Alpine Food Shop

7538 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL 60707

Robert R. writes: I can't believe that Alpine isn't as yelped as Johnnie Beef in Elmwood park! Alpine is right down the street and ALWAYS busy. Don't let the line fool you. It is TOTALLY worth it to wait. If you don't like lines you can always call in and pick up your…

Cirque du Soliel - CORTEO!

United Center Parking Lot K
Chicago, IL 60612

Jean Z. writes: Cirque du Soliel is in town with their newest - Corteo!  Its an amazing story of the dreamed parade of a clown who has just died.

The storyline runs from beginning to end.  Bringing in all the best and worst memories of the clown's life.

The…

Italian Coffee Bar

1549 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60209

Keiko S. writes: Among the dozen cafes in Evanston, this is my most favorite one. On a cold, breezy winter day, I stepped into this little place for the first time to avoid the snow and instantly fell in love with its warmth. A friendly server welcomed me with a cup…

Bacchanalia
Neighborhood: Pilsen

2413 S Oakley Ave
Chicago, IL 60608

Natalie S. writes: Ohhhh deliciousness. I love this place, I throw a fit when anyone I know has Italian anywhere else. This place is cozy and warm and the staff reminds me of a team of sweet grandmas making sure you're so full you can hardly move. There's plenty for…

The Improv Comedy Club

5 Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Michael K. writes: I am basing my rating of 3 stars on two separate experiences. One significantly better than the other. This is a new comedy club that has opened at the Woodfield Mall. They have had a great line-up with many performers you would recognize from Comedy…

Renegade Craft Fair Chicago
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1425 N. Damen
Chicago, IL 60622

Mark S. writes: 3 stars split 3 ways....

5 stars -- Hipster spotting. My goodness the random outfit generator was in full force. Sure, I wore old cowboy boots with jeans and a plain white t-shirt in an urban setting, but the amount of hipster attire was off of the…

Alhambra Cafe
Neighborhood: Lakeview, Wrigleyville

903 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613

Thane M. writes: I honestly thought restaurants had given up on fresh vegetables. There's some logic to not bothering with quality if a good portion of your customers either don't care about plant-based food, or actively shun it. But this just creates a vicious…

Miko's Italian Ice
Neighborhood: Logan Square

2234 N. Sacramento Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647

Lindley E. writes: Miko's lemon ice is addictive. It ain't  Italian Ice in the style of Brooklyn(cheap, potential, widely available), but it is good, and certainly amongst the best I've had in Chicago. A few summers ago I stopped by every day for a small lemon ice.…

Playful Pets
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3609 N Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613

Elisabeth G. writes: Larry knows what he's doing, plain and simple.  He's experienced, knowledgeable, and above all, he loves the dogs.  And his staff is all just as great.  They're not afraid to correct a dog in front of an owner; that sounds bad, but their behavior…

Vosges Haut Chocolat
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

951 W. Armitage
Lincoln Park
Chicago, IL 60614

Mark S. writes: Be careful. Be very careful.

Vosges is like going back to the ex for a few rolls on the side. First you say, just this once, then you tell yourself that you can quit whenever you want, but then you look at yourself taking the Brown Line and wondering…

Simon's Shine Shop
Neighborhood: DePaul

1439 W Shakespeare Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

choong l. writes: The basic mechanics of getting your car washed at a car wash or detail shop is the same just about anywhere you go:

1. You tell the guy with the clipboard what you want done to the car and hand over the keys
2. Find your way to the counter and pay for…

Felines Inc.
Neighborhood: Edgewater

6379 N Paulina St
Chicago, IL 60660

Ellie B. writes: My ex (then boyfriend) and I visited this shelter on the recommendation of a close friend who had just gotten a cat for her family there.

There were so many adorable cats and kittens!  The only problem was picking which one we were going to take home.…

The Tamale Guy

Chicago, IL 60622

Liz S. writes: How much better can life get than when you're sitting with friends at a bar having a bunch of drinks and in comes great drunk food?  I mean really.  You don't even ask for the food and magically it appears.  The Tamale Guy is the best and he's a…

The Chicago Bears
Neighborhood: Near Southside

1410 S. Museum Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

Ellen M. writes: I have an unmistakable Chicago accent - it even comes across in my text messages.  Commuting to my hospital job in a blue-collar suburb only amplifies things.

Tomorrow, when the Bears win the Superbowl, I will call every out-of-town friend in the…

A Nearly New Shop
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3826 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60613

phil t. writes: i am actually addicted to buying and sending people to buy bikes from Ron, the price is always right and he really has allot of respect for old bikes - he brings them back to life so well)

i'm on bike number 9