Moved to Logan Square. What do I do?

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by AndyP612, May 9, 2013.

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  1. AndyP612

    AndyP612 Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2013 Illinois

    Hey guys and gals,

    My lady friend and I just moved to Logan Square in Chicago from St. Paul, MN. I am wondering what the must hit spots are here: I live at Armitage and N Kedzie essentially. I have been to Revolution, Go Tavern, Logan Bar & Grill, and I know Scofflaw is high up on my to do list but where else shall I go? I was born and raised in the Twin Cities and moved here with my girl friend who grew up in Chicago, so she knows the major streets and CTA but other than that we are blank canvasses.

    Any advice for the area would be greatly appreciated especially on how to break into the restaurant/ beer world here. I am a bartender by trade but was on sabbatical for the past 6 months from restaurants as a resident beer guy at a few liquor stores in Minnesota. I notice a lot of places really don't want people to stop into bars in person to apply for jobs, I don't want to be annoying but also don't really want to get lost in a mile long list of resume's in a manager's inbox. Let me know what to do!

    Cheers, Andrew
     
  2. nucmedmario

    nucmedmario Initiate (0) Sep 1, 2010 Illinois

    first off. welcome to chicago. you're in a pretty great area with lots of bars. just going to list off some of my favorites in logan that you haven't listed yet.

    the whistler, longman & eagle, the rocking horse, the boiler room, billy sunday, small bar, green eye lounge.

    start off with these then try others. cheers.
     
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  3. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    girlfriend lives near you. who happens to live around the corner from soon to be opening off color brewing. you're in for a fucking treat. Ale Syndicates just got some property and started sending kegs in the chicago land. That's due east on Armitage. near the map room. also, the map room. another great bar. pipeworks is opening shop to the public as well. just north of north ave and on western.
     
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  4. jtg5678

    jtg5678 Zealot (572) Nov 27, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    Welcome to the neighborhood.

    The Whistler, Scofflaw, Wasabi (BYOB sushi restaurant), Rocking Horse, Longman & Eagle, Quenchers, Owen & Engine, Small Bar.

    Dives: Bob Inn, Two Way

    EDIT: Feel free to message me if you'd like some other tips. Logan Square is a great neighborhood with lots of hidden gems.
     
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  5. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    Scofflaw

    /thread
     
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  6. robbiemoy13

    robbiemoy13 Devotee (366) Apr 29, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    I'm at Kedzie & Dickens. We should grab a beer sometime.

    Some other suggestions that haven't already been listed (some in Avondale, but not very far away)
    • El Charro - super cheap, super delicious Mexican food, especially breakfast specials before 11 am
    • Buona Terra
    • Cozy Corner - no frills breakfast
    • D'Noche
    • Logan Theater
    • Lula Cafe
    • Parson's Chicken & Fish (not yet open, but looks to be awesome)
    • Urban Belly / Belly Shack
    • Hot Doug's
    • Kuma's Corner
    • The Beer Temple
    • Margie's Candies
    • Table, Donkey & Stick
    • Fat Willy's
     
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  7. DROOO

    DROOO Initiate (0) May 5, 2009 Illinois

    plenty of good recommendations already... a couple more:

    if you're like me, and appreciate a chill spot without the crowds, weegee's can be that place at the right time, ie. not on friday and saturday nights.

    for the opposite, and food-focused, fat rice is a must. a wait is inevitable (almost).
     
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  8. ravot

    ravot Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2012 Illinois

    ^ another chill spot i recommend is marble. cheap foods, veg friendly and cheap drinks.
     
  9. kodt

    kodt Pooh-Bah (2,262) Mar 6, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Quenchers
     
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  10. Drucifer

    Drucifer Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Illinois

    Map Room and My Pie are a little east of there, but worth the trek. (FYI order My Pie and eat it at the Map Room)
     
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  11. bengore

    bengore Devotee (334) Nov 1, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    I also live at Armitage and Kedzie. Welcome, neighbor! Seconding all the recommendations thus far with a emphasis on checking out Marble. The beer selection is just OK, but the patio and super cheap food specials make it great. I usually go once a week, send me a message if you wanna grab a beer!
     
  12. Unbreakabolt

    Unbreakabolt Crusader (412) Nov 6, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    Go to La Boulangerie early and often for bread, and spit on New Wave as you walk by.

    Also, El Charro is straight garbage. Moran is the only spot near there I trust.

    If you want to have an Appletini with a lady of the night Two Way is your spot.
     
  13. mishuggah

    mishuggah Crusader (458) Jul 14, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    Add L'Patron to the "trust" column.
     
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  14. PDZ

    PDZ Initiate (0) Jun 26, 2012 Illinois

    First things first: Get yourself a pair of cowboy boots. Pretty much everyone wears them out here and you'd look quite dumb w/o em

    Id seriously like to add:
    Ipsento for your coffee needs
    Arturos for mexican (al pastor)
    Las Asadas for mexican (steak/barbocoa)
     
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  15. bengore

    bengore Devotee (334) Nov 1, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    Ah, almost forgot to add, an Intelligentsia just opened up on Milwaukee avenue, just near the Logan Theater. Highly recommended for coffee.
     
  16. mishuggah

    mishuggah Crusader (458) Jul 14, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    Nice, didn't know that!
     
  17. nucmedmario

    nucmedmario Initiate (0) Sep 1, 2010 Illinois

    also chicago craft beer week starts next week. perfect timing for you to move here.
    http://chibeerweek.com/
     
  18. AndyP612

    AndyP612 Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2013 Illinois

    Well shit. Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Now that I have places to eat for the next 6 months, I need a way to fund my outings. Keep them coming!
    This post made me laugh real hard. Love appletinis and hookers but not together. What's with the animosity towards New Wave? I stopped in there earlier this week... And yes Intellingentsia is great. We used to serve that at a bakery I worked at in St. Paul.

    Went to Marble and Scofflaw last night. Marble was great friendly staff and super cheap which was awesome. And Scofflaw is amazing can't wait to bring my girl friend there to eat I just had a cocktail.

    Also, anyone who wants to grab a beer pm me sometime I have nothing but time.
     
  19. danimalarkey

    danimalarkey Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2008 Illinois

    Start here: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...volucin-20110518_1_croissant-patio-revolucion

    Though, I don't know why La Boulangerie signed the lease in the first place with that restriction in place. They knew what they were getting into, no? None of which has much to do with beer, so... uh... never mind.
     
  20. incubuscience

    incubuscience Initiate (0) Jul 26, 2012 Illinois

    Lots of good stuff listed. I'll second Taqueria Moran; I live about a block from you and eat at Moran at least 3 times a week. Good liquor store next to it, too: Vas Foremost. Also, right near Go Tavern is a little Cuban joint called La Bomba. It looks sketchy, BT the food is fantastic and cheap. Lastly, skip Arturo's and instead hit Lazo's right nextdoor both are 24-hr burrito joints). The difference? Arturo's is only good when you're hammered. When you're sober, it's horrendous.

    Welcome to the 'hood.
     
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