fRedhots and Fries

1707 Chestnut Ave
Glenview, IL 60025

Nancy K. writes: Soft opening 10.25.06  

New hot dog place that serves wild game sausages (along the line of Doug's), burgers, beef sandwiches (made in-house) and meatless choices (dogs, burgers).  They also have daily and weekly special sandwiches.

belgian potato…

Pompei

7215 W Lake Street
River Forest, IL 60305

Nancy K. writes: Charming story about the history of this bakery/restaurant and now mini chain, six locations in the Chicagoland area that started in 1909.  At selected locations, full service banquet facility and/or private party space are available.  This location…

The Cortiva Institute Chicago Massage Therapy Center
Neighborhood: The Loop

18 N Wabash St
Chicago, IL 60686

Patrick B. writes: I had been shredding random documents for 35 minutes when boredom crept into my pores and seeped into my muscle tissue and I thought of going to the Peninsula Hotel to be seen walking past Avenues as I found out the Luis Carruthers somehow landed a…

Planet Sub
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

734 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Nancy K. writes: A small chain submarine shop has opened up their first location in Illinois.  They make their whole wheat breads in house and the subs are oven baked.

We brought our subs home cold, the meats and cheese are put on the bread and the rest are put in…

Ipsento
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2035 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Lindley E. writes: Onward and upward with my free wifi tour of Chicago cafes near my home. Today's entry: Ipsento cute overload.

Good things:
1. Free wifi
2. A toaster = warm sandwiches, albeit slowly warmed
3. Relatively warm, at least away from the windows
4. Really…

Sephora
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile, Streeterville

845 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Maya C. writes: I consider myself lucky to have won the gene pool when it comes to my complexion. I wear the least amount of make-up possible; and, truth be told, I'm a huge tightwad when it comes to spending money on cosmetics. But, I'm a sucker for good perfume.…

Pierogi Factory
Neighborhood: Lakeview

1034 W Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

Nancy K. writes: Great Pierogis!!!  We drove past here today and I turned the car around to visit here.  We had just eaten and wanted to take the frozen  pierogis home.  I was chatting with another customer while the young lady bagged and rang up my order.  I just…

Red Dog House
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2031 North Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647

Christa F. writes: This is a very new pet boutique that just opened up in Oct '06. They have very cute, hip sweaters and at a great price. Also the sweaters come in XXXL, so finally some clothes to fit our larger loved pets. They also have everything else you need:…

Cafe Latakia
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3204 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657

Evan W. writes: I like it. I like it, I like it, I like it. When you're tired of going to the breeding-like-rabbits Caribou's and Starbucks of the world, try this place out. Malek's a small business owner. He doesn't take plastic, only cash or cashier's check (I…

Baba Pita
Neighborhood: Near West Side

1032 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607

Maya C. writes: You don't want to come here. It's out of your way. Besides, you can get better Middle Eastern food in your own 'hood. It probably has better decor and higher prices.

That was my best Jedi mind trick...did it work? No? Okay...

Baba Pita is a bit off the…

Kitakata Japanese Restaurant

20 E Golf Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Toro E. writes: Kitakata-ramen and I go back years, possibly decades.  (I used to come here when the restaurant at this location was called Hyotan.)  Believe it or not, taste and quality of ramen at Kitakata has changed, for the good, over the years.  I've been a…

My Vet Animal Hospital
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1643 W Cortland
Chicago, IL 60622

Johnny K. writes: I just went there for the first time the other day when my cat was sick.  

Rachel was the doctor on duty and she was unbelievably friendly and professional.  She took a lot of extra time to talk to me about the issues at hand, and has also called to…

Sweets & Savories
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1534 W Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60614

andrea w. writes: Although I've yet to enjoy dinner or that fabulous Sunday brunch I keep reading about on here I did get a taste of what Sweets and Savories is all about at tonight's Yelp event....and boy am I impressed! Actually as soon as I'm done with this review…

Three Floyds Brewery & Pub

9570 Indiana Parkway
Munster, IN 46321

Lindley E. writes: DARK LORD DAY!

April 28, 2007 will go down as the day I waited in line for 3 hours to buy 4 bottles of Dark Lord for $15 each. Am I a bozo? Am I a sucker? Am I a beer aficionado? Hell no...I just like experiencing something as way out as Dark Lord day…

Zipcar
Neighborhood: The Loop

160 N Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60601

andrea w. writes: I used to have a car, but then decided that for the amount I was using it (once every week or so) it wasn't worth the price of the car, parking, and insurance.  I got rid of the car and have been very happy taking cabs and using the CTA.

Recently…

Merry Christmas
Neighborhood: The Loop

55 E Monroe
Chicago, IL 60603

Kristina R. writes: THE TWELVE DAYS OF YELP

On the first day of Christ-mas, the Yelp gang wrote a thread,
of how much we all ha-ate K-Fed.

On the second day of Christ-mas, the Yelp gang added this:
Who is the hottest?
And how much we all ha-ate K-Fed.

On the third day of…

Buffalo Exchange
Neighborhood: Lakeview

2875 North Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Katarina X. writes: One size 4 Marc Jacobs black silk-satin bias-cut dress, One Calvin Klein hot-pink miniskirt, One gray 100% cashmere Nike hoodie, One black French Connection T-shirt, One Dolce And Gabbana tank top; Total? $70.00. Priceless!
On a previous visit, I…

Pho Xe Lua
Neighborhood: Uptown

1021 W Argyle St
Chicago, IL 60640

Mike K. writes: You can count me among the recent converts to Pho Xe Lua.  If it wasn't for Yelp, I would have never tried this place and my life would still remain incomplete in search of pho greatness.

The broth here sealed the deal for me.  With other pho places,…

Cornerstone Cafe
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2753 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

andrea w. writes: After picking up Kevin N, of Austin Yelp fame, from the airport I was looking for a good lunch spot just right off the highway and Colleen C suggested Cornerstone Cafe.  And as always, she led us in the right direction! Yum, yum, yummmmmmm.....

Their…

Sapore di Napoli
Neighborhood: Lakeview

1406 W Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

Natalie F. writes: The day after eating at this place i was crying. I had run to the refrigerator to grab my leftovers and realized i never put them in the fridge. i ran to my bag and pulled out the box.....i cradled it like a wounded friend should be held in their…

Sine Qua Non Salon Lakeview
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3417 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Kristin R. writes: This place is fantastic! I just moved here from San Francisco, and after having finally found a guy in SF that could cut hair, I moved :( It's always difficult finding the right stylist and color expert, in my case, but I have found somebody I love…

Tigerlilie Salon
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4755 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Jim B. writes: Warning, this review is a little self centered.

You probably shouldn't go to Tigerlillie.  And if you do, you shouldn't book an appointment with Antje (Stylist and co-owner.)  

THAT'S BECAUSE I WANT HER ALL TO MYSELF!!!

You see, I've been going to Antje…

Bookman's Alley

1712 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60209

E C L. writes: This is truly a magical place.  It's not just the books, but the whole ambience.  

It's like no other place I've ever been.  It's a maze with many different little rooms filled paraphenalia related to the different book catogories.  Sometimes you feel…

Blue Stem Martini Lounge
Neighborhood: North Center

1935 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60613

Colleen C. writes: First of all...I don't even LIKE martinis. I know, I should as an aspiring urban warrior of all things social...and I have tried countless times to dig 'em. I just don't. They are so...reeking of alcohol. I take two sips and I am done with 'em. As…

Sultan's Market
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2521 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60689

Darcy L. writes: Another Sultan's???  Am I in heaven???

Now I can have the exalted falafel sandwich when I'm at work on Friday in Lincoln Park, and AGAIN on Saturday when I wake up hung over in Wicker Park!

And the prices at the new Lincoln Park location?.....  the…

Rite Liquors
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1649 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622

Crys R. writes: A foxy boy brought me here after breakfast early Sunday afternoon. We were hunting for cheap bloody Mary's to dull our headaches (and in my case, other body pains caused by a nasty spill on the ice the previous night.)

We were walking toward the…

Lucy
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2122 N. Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

andrea w. writes: A first to review...whoo hoo!

These days I seem to be living in my yoga clothes and can never quite have enough.  I noticed the adorable active wear in the window of this new store and couldn't resist checking it out.

My mom and I were very impressed…

Golden Rise Bakery And Cafe
Neighborhood: Avondale

2957 W Diversey
Logan Square
Chicago, IL 60647

Lissette M. writes: For the Fact that i live right on top of this bakery....maybe that's too much info but i smell the bread being made at like 3 am! just imagine your mouth all watery when you wake up..not because your drooling but because you can just taste the…

Whole Foods Market
Neighborhood: Sauganash

6020 N Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646

Nancy K. writes: Phenomenal.  This is a must do at least once.  Wow.

This place is HUGE (for Whole Foods).  The variety of stations and products are staggering.  

17 hot soups
gelato
smoked meats made in house
beer on tap
wine samples on tap (.75-1.25 for about 4 oz. in…

Dan Gin Photography

Chicago, IL 60608

Dee W. writes: I love Dan's photography!  When our first wedding photographer cancelled on us, I immediately contacted Dan and he was super helpful and friendly and his portfolio is amazing, fun, and intimate all in one.

Unfortunately for us, Dan was already booked…

Lincoln Karaoke
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square

5526 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625

Jon J. writes: Owner - "Where did you hear about us?"
Me - "The Internet"
Owner - "The Korean internet??"
Me - "No... the American internet"
Owner - "Ah, we're famous!"

This was how the night at Lincoln Karaoke began.  You walk in, and it seems like a divey hotel or…

Pasticceria Natalina
Neighborhood: Andersonville, Edgewater

5406 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640

Lindley E. writes: Not in recent memory have I put in my mouth anything as delicious  as Natalie and Nick's old fashioned Sicilian lemon cookies. Light and covered in a sugary and tart lemon glaze, these small cookies are addictive and satisfying. At $5.95 for a dozen…

Cafe Too
Neighborhood: Uptown

4715 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640

Colleen C. writes: Eat well, feel good about it.

Cafe Too is the division of Inspiration Cafe (located at Wilson/Broadway) that is a real restaurant/diner that allows people to gain experience in the restaurant industry as a transition to acheiving gainful employment…

Yelp Beer Garden Club

The Beer Gardens of Eden in Chicago
Chicago, IL 60686

John B. writes: I imagine BarnacleBilly is gonna rag on us for being all self-congratulatory, but after two outings, I must say that this is a great way to kick back with some booze swilling fellow Yelpers. I've met new people both times, and gotten to really know…

Whole Foods Market
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3640 N Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613

Katie H. writes: I love grocery shopping. Yes, I am a freak but I get a strange pleasure from writing out my menu for the week and then shopping for ingredients. It relaxes me and gets me excited for the tasty healthy meals I will cook in the next week.

Whole Foods…

Kasia's Polish Delicatessen
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

2101 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Kelly M. writes: I have very mixed feelings about this place.  Now, I brought this home for grandma and she seemed content with the czernina (if you don't know what that is, don't ask, you'll want to gag :)), and the cabbage rolls.  so ok, two stars.  But they didn't…

Binny's Beverage Depot
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

213 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60610

andrea w. writes: While I've ordered alcohol from Binnys on many occasions I've never actually been in the store until I made my way inside today to pick up some kosher wine for the Jewish holidays.  Wow- this place is HUGE and being 10 am on weekday I had the entire…

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

439 N Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Jean Z. writes: This was the first place I got drunk without adults around.  Lisa and I were like 15 i think, 14? wow. Those were the days.

Lou's = Chicago Style Pizza.  Period. End of discussion.

Resi's Bierstube Restaurant & Tavern
Neighborhood: North Center

2034 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618

Dan T. writes: I'd put this up there on the list as one of the top bars in my old neighborhood, St. Bens.  For those who don't know, before the suburban flight of the 1960s-1970s, St. Ben's/North Center was a predominantly German neighborhood of Chicago.  The owner…