Geja’s Cafe
340 W. Armitage Ave. 773-281-9101
This classic fondue restaurant is a favorite for dates. Order a bottle of wine and dip by candlelight to the sounds of a flamenco guitarist.
Yak-Zies
506 W. Diversey Parkway 773-327-1717
Your parents may have partied hard at this basement bar, though it looks plenty different now than it did in the ’60s and ’70s, thanks to a glossy wood bar top and tableside TVs. The famous tangy wings—sold in orders sized from 10 to 100—are still the same recipe as always.
Carmine’s
1043 N. Rush St. 312-988-7676
The striped awnings and wicker furniture of this restaurant’s sidewalk cafe are an iconic Viagra Triangle sight. Inside, fill up on the classic pasta dishes that have made Rosebud Restaurants famous, plus broiled steaks, chops and plenty of seafood.
Twin Anchors
1655 N. Sedgwick St. 312-266-1616
This barbecue restaurant’s epic reign of ribs—it opened in Old Town in 1932 in a building that was reportedly once a speakeasy—has earned it status as an institution.
Half Shell
676 W. Diversey Parkway 773-549-1773
This divey basement seafood house started shucking oysters more than 40 years ago, way before trendy hangouts such as The Publican and GT Fish & Oyster made it cool again.
Pequod’s Pizza
2207 N. Clybourn Ave. 773-327-1512
This popular pizzeria serves its share of meatball sandwiches, ravioli and plenty of garlic bread, but it’s known for the addictive pan pizza, with its signature crust ringed with caramelized cheese.
Neo
2350 N. Clark St. 773-528-2622
Though goth and punk aren’t quite as counterculture now as they were back in 1979, when Neo opened, this small, late-night club still pulls in a crowd for its hardrocking dance nights featuring everything from house to ’80s New Wave to metal.
Rose Angelis
1314 W. Wrightwood Ave. 773-296-0081
Since opening in the early ’90s, this cozy Italian restaurant has become a tried-and-true favorite for first dates, wedding anniversaries and everything in between.
Karyn’s
1901 N. Halsted St. 312-255-1590
Raw foodism in Chicago is synonymous with Karyn Calabrese and her mini-mecca of healthy living. Pick up a quick nosh to take home in the cafe/market, or sit down for an allvegan, all-raw, often organic meal in the dining room.
The Wiener’s Circle
2622 N. Clark St. 773-477-7444
Known for Chicago-style hot dogs served with a side of sass, this latenight hot dog joint was recently the subject of a TruTV reality show. Ask for ketchup at your own risk.
Gibsons
1028 N. Rush St. 312-266-8999
This bustling steakhouse and bar— with its USDA prime steaks, oysters on the half shell and oversized desserts—has been a Rush Street fixture since 1989.
Palm Court at the Drake
140 E. Walton Place 312-787-2200
For the taste of the royal life, make reservations for the traditional afternoon tea service inside posh Gold Coast hotel The Drake.
The Hangge-Uppe
14 W. Elm St. 312-337-0561
Division Street’s hub for late-night dancing lies just a few steps south of the main drag on Elm and celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
![Four years into cannabis legalization in Illinois, celebrations of the April 20 informal weed holiday known as 420 are getting bigger and more widespread. Named for the time of day a group of friends met to get high, 420 has become a chance for marijuana users to publicly share a previously illegal drug and the counter-cultural atmosphere surrounding it. The main event in downtown Chicago likely will be the second annual 420 Sesh Fest, at Green Rose Dispensary. The party will include live music, a magic show, carnival games, food trucks, pop ups, and product discounts. It also will feature Grammy-nominated […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ctc-l-Illinois-marijuana_175925141.jpg?w=546 "Four years into cannabis legalization in Illinois, celebrations of the April 20 informal weed holiday known as 420 are getting bigger and more widespread. Named for the time of day a group of friends met to get high, 420 has become a chance for marijuana users to publicly share a previously illegal drug and the counter-cultural atmosphere surrounding it. The main event in downtown Chicago likely will be the second annual 420 Sesh Fest, at Green Rose Dispensary. The party will include live music, a magic show, carnival games, food trucks, pop ups, and product discounts. It also will feature Grammy-nominated […]")
