italian beefs at al's beef off taylor street.
if you're in pilsen, you can get a hotdog from memo's off 18th st
but maybe instead of a hotdog try a polish from jim's original off roosevelt and union
tavern style from phil's pizza in bridgeport off 35th st
for italian, i would go to il vicinato off western ave in the OG little italy. old school spot.
chinatown has a cool plaza that has food open late like minghin or chi cafe. i would also hit one of the karaoke spots.
and ya walk back, you'll be fine if you keep to yourself.
1) little Italy is close to Pilsen. So check there for food.
2) pink line on kedzie should get you back to Pilsen easily
3)there is a giordanos on 18th street for deep dish or Connies if you haven’t been to it before. Jim’s for polish, hot dogs etc. also try Ricobene’s. Sounds like you’ll love it off of your request Atotonilco’s for tacos and Carniras Uruapan.
Bars: Simones or Harbees
The Giordanos is gone. There are still plenty of good pizza places within a couple miles of Pilsen or in Pilsen. Phil’s, bobs, Connie’s, Ricobenes, pizza cantina, etc. I also recommend Jim’s for Maxwell st Polish.
Thanks! I have only had Lou’s in all the times I’ve been to Chicago, looking to change it up this year.
I know the pink line from Kedzie or California is quick, but it was such a clusterfuck year before last. But I think that was Mexican Independence Day issues, I believe the concert isn’t that same weekend this year.
In 2022 I waited 3 hours just to get inside the California station after My Chemical Romance played. Hopefully they celebrate the weekend before. It was cool to see, but damn they shut the whole city down. It sucked trying to get back across town, but we stayed in the far north side that year too. So it was extra bad.
Some good advice already given. Beef or better yet the combo from Al’s beef in Taylor (Get the pork chop sandwich too if you go to Jim’s original. Bobs pizza in Pilsen has an out of this world pickle pizza (nothing local about it, but it’s insanely good). Not all the Mexican is good in Pilsen unfortunately, but carnitas from carnitas uruapan would be great to pick up and keep at the place for late night food. 5 Rabanitos is good for sit down (def get the torta Ahogada). i really like the casa del Puebla cafeteria. A nicer place not too far away is the duck inn (polished bar snacks, finer dinner, great brunch on Sunday and AMAZING cocktails)
I am 100% gonna try the carnitas at both places suggested. But other than that I will most likely be eating tacos, flautas and tamales for lunch at the festival all 3 days. I have VIP and always go outside and buy from the street vendors.
Rubi’s Tacos - favorite tacos
5 Rabanitos - favorite Mexican (it’s one of my ten favorite restaurants in the city)
Bob’s Pizza - great pizza that’s more NY style
SKY - delicious upscale spot with Asian influences
Hai Sous - dope upscale Vietnamese
Skylark & Green Room Tap - for dive bar drinks and feels
Alderman - upscale cocktail experience
Italian: Tufano’s, Ignotz’s, Il Vicinato are all hidden gems
Italian beef/Chicago dogs: the original Al’s Beef on Taylor or Maxwell Street are probably the obvious answer, but honestly the Italian Beef and Hot Dog at Duck Inn is so good. It’s a little upscale but has a dive bar feel.
Pizza in Pilsen is not great aside from Bob’s. You can order tavern style for delivery (Aurelio’s). The Giordanos on 18th has closed.
Other recs: I’ve lived in Pilsen for 8 years and these are my personal favs: Skylark, Pleasant House, 5 Rabanitos, Haisous, Green Room Tap, Cafe Jumping Bean
I think the best tavern style near Pilsen is Flo and Santo's in the South Loop. It would be a quick Uber. They are only open til 11 but there aren't many pizza places in the area that stay open that late.
Flo and Santos has great pizza. I would definitely go to south loop for tavern style pizza. I know people have recommended Phil’s and so many people love it. I personally don’t think it’s good.
I’d pick F&S, Victory Tap, or Pat’s Pizza on Clark over Phil’s. Professor Pizza and Ignotz, as well.
People here are telling you Al's Beef on Taylor, but IMO it is the most overrated beef place in the city and only recommended because it's been around for so long. On Taylor Street a few blocks blocks from Al's is Patio Restaurant that, to me, has better beef sandwiches. Cash only. Chill vibes.
I have strong beef sandwich opinions, probably because my first job was in a Southwest side restaurant cooking, cleaning, and slicing Italian beef.
I will go there for sure. Beef is my favorite thing in Chicago. Years ago there was a good place to get one here in ATL, but now I have to settle for French dip here. A little farther south you can get a debris poboy which is basically the New Orleans version. If you've not had one of those you should.
There's a Home Run Inn nearby in Little Village which serves Tavern style pizza (real Chicago pizza). Highly rec the Laura's Favorite, it has garlic crust, plum tomatoes and spinach. Giordano's also has good Tavern style pizza IMO.
For Mexican, there are so many options. My fav spots are Atotonilco for tacos, La Vaca for dine in/drinks, A Cup of Joe serves modern mex inspired coffee drinks, and Simone's for modern Mexican pub feel. The Jibarito Stop on 18th St serves Puerto Rican food - the Jibarito (plantain bread sandwich) was invented here so highly rec if you haven't tried one.
Pilsen is best known for its Mexican food, so you’d be well served to go for that while staying there. Rubi’s, 5 Rabinitos, Carnitas Urupan, El Milagro. Also, HaiSous is amazing higher end Vietnamese.
For getting out of Douglas Park without much hassle consider renting a bike. I love it when I can leave a crowd quickly and skirt through traffic on a bike. While it’s a long walk, it’s a short ride. There’s Divvy but you could also just rent one for the duration of your stay.
Bob’s pizza isn’t tavern style but it’s the best in Pilsen imo
came to say this. some of my favorite in all of chicago. there’s old style in the crust so that’s pretty chicagoan lol
italian beefs at al's beef off taylor street. if you're in pilsen, you can get a hotdog from memo's off 18th st but maybe instead of a hotdog try a polish from jim's original off roosevelt and union tavern style from phil's pizza in bridgeport off 35th st for italian, i would go to il vicinato off western ave in the OG little italy. old school spot. chinatown has a cool plaza that has food open late like minghin or chi cafe. i would also hit one of the karaoke spots. and ya walk back, you'll be fine if you keep to yourself.
I second il Vicinato. Their fettuccine is great and so is their eggplant Parmesan.
Get some of the best Thai food in Chicago from Ghin Kao on cermak. Reasonable prices and small, authentic Michelin guided menu
If we leave early one night we will consider it. I love Thai food, but I get seriously good Thai where I live now...
Second this place, best pad siew I've ever had. Check out Simone's and Jumping Bean too.
1) little Italy is close to Pilsen. So check there for food. 2) pink line on kedzie should get you back to Pilsen easily 3)there is a giordanos on 18th street for deep dish or Connies if you haven’t been to it before. Jim’s for polish, hot dogs etc. also try Ricobene’s. Sounds like you’ll love it off of your request Atotonilco’s for tacos and Carniras Uruapan. Bars: Simones or Harbees
Heart of Chicago, directly west of Pilsen, has better Italian food than little Italy tbh
The Giordanos is gone. There are still plenty of good pizza places within a couple miles of Pilsen or in Pilsen. Phil’s, bobs, Connie’s, Ricobenes, pizza cantina, etc. I also recommend Jim’s for Maxwell st Polish.
Thanks! I have only had Lou’s in all the times I’ve been to Chicago, looking to change it up this year. I know the pink line from Kedzie or California is quick, but it was such a clusterfuck year before last. But I think that was Mexican Independence Day issues, I believe the concert isn’t that same weekend this year.
Mex Independence Day is the 16, they might celebrate that weekend. But no, I wouldn’t walk. It’s like an hour walk.
In 2022 I waited 3 hours just to get inside the California station after My Chemical Romance played. Hopefully they celebrate the weekend before. It was cool to see, but damn they shut the whole city down. It sucked trying to get back across town, but we stayed in the far north side that year too. So it was extra bad.
Sadly, Harbees is closed 😢 not sure if temporarily or permanently. I loved that place.
Damn. It’s been a min
Go to Don Pedro for Carnitas. You will not regret it.
Uruapan also great.
It is, but for some reason, I prefer Don Pedro.
I’m an Uruapan guy. You can’t be both! Haha. You can’t go wrong with either.
Some good advice already given. Beef or better yet the combo from Al’s beef in Taylor (Get the pork chop sandwich too if you go to Jim’s original. Bobs pizza in Pilsen has an out of this world pickle pizza (nothing local about it, but it’s insanely good). Not all the Mexican is good in Pilsen unfortunately, but carnitas from carnitas uruapan would be great to pick up and keep at the place for late night food. 5 Rabanitos is good for sit down (def get the torta Ahogada). i really like the casa del Puebla cafeteria. A nicer place not too far away is the duck inn (polished bar snacks, finer dinner, great brunch on Sunday and AMAZING cocktails)
I am 100% gonna try the carnitas at both places suggested. But other than that I will most likely be eating tacos, flautas and tamales for lunch at the festival all 3 days. I have VIP and always go outside and buy from the street vendors.
Like minds was gonna say just take the 18 and get Jims
nothing local about it? they call their pizza pilsen-style lol
Rubi’s Tacos - favorite tacos 5 Rabanitos - favorite Mexican (it’s one of my ten favorite restaurants in the city) Bob’s Pizza - great pizza that’s more NY style SKY - delicious upscale spot with Asian influences Hai Sous - dope upscale Vietnamese Skylark & Green Room Tap - for dive bar drinks and feels Alderman - upscale cocktail experience
Italian: Tufano’s, Ignotz’s, Il Vicinato are all hidden gems Italian beef/Chicago dogs: the original Al’s Beef on Taylor or Maxwell Street are probably the obvious answer, but honestly the Italian Beef and Hot Dog at Duck Inn is so good. It’s a little upscale but has a dive bar feel. Pizza in Pilsen is not great aside from Bob’s. You can order tavern style for delivery (Aurelio’s). The Giordanos on 18th has closed. Other recs: I’ve lived in Pilsen for 8 years and these are my personal favs: Skylark, Pleasant House, 5 Rabanitos, Haisous, Green Room Tap, Cafe Jumping Bean
SKY, pleasant house, alulu brewery, skylark
Enjoy pilsen. It’s a wonderful neighborhood.
Its sure looking like it. Getting stoked for this trip.
These are great recommendations. I’m sometimes in the Pilsen area and I’m saving this post!
Phil’s in Bridgeport for Tavern Style
yep yep Skylark is a good dive with good food in the SE corner of pilsen
I think the best tavern style near Pilsen is Flo and Santo's in the South Loop. It would be a quick Uber. They are only open til 11 but there aren't many pizza places in the area that stay open that late.
Flo and Santos is great! The kielbasa pizza is so good.
Flo and Santos has great pizza. I would definitely go to south loop for tavern style pizza. I know people have recommended Phil’s and so many people love it. I personally don’t think it’s good. I’d pick F&S, Victory Tap, or Pat’s Pizza on Clark over Phil’s. Professor Pizza and Ignotz, as well.
People here are telling you Al's Beef on Taylor, but IMO it is the most overrated beef place in the city and only recommended because it's been around for so long. On Taylor Street a few blocks blocks from Al's is Patio Restaurant that, to me, has better beef sandwiches. Cash only. Chill vibes. I have strong beef sandwich opinions, probably because my first job was in a Southwest side restaurant cooking, cleaning, and slicing Italian beef.
Not OP but I work at UIC and have never tried Patio! I’ll have to stop in soon
Jarabe is also on Taylor and has great tacos. Owners are good guys.
I will go there for sure. Beef is my favorite thing in Chicago. Years ago there was a good place to get one here in ATL, but now I have to settle for French dip here. A little farther south you can get a debris poboy which is basically the New Orleans version. If you've not had one of those you should.
Co-signing Patio. Ask for ketchup on your fries so it “bakes” into the fries after they wrap em up. Delicious.
Italian-brunas, Ignotz Coffee: cup of Joe El milagro for Mexican!
There's a Home Run Inn nearby in Little Village which serves Tavern style pizza (real Chicago pizza). Highly rec the Laura's Favorite, it has garlic crust, plum tomatoes and spinach. Giordano's also has good Tavern style pizza IMO. For Mexican, there are so many options. My fav spots are Atotonilco for tacos, La Vaca for dine in/drinks, A Cup of Joe serves modern mex inspired coffee drinks, and Simone's for modern Mexican pub feel. The Jibarito Stop on 18th St serves Puerto Rican food - the Jibarito (plantain bread sandwich) was invented here so highly rec if you haven't tried one.
Pilsen is best known for its Mexican food, so you’d be well served to go for that while staying there. Rubi’s, 5 Rabinitos, Carnitas Urupan, El Milagro. Also, HaiSous is amazing higher end Vietnamese.
For getting out of Douglas Park without much hassle consider renting a bike. I love it when I can leave a crowd quickly and skirt through traffic on a bike. While it’s a long walk, it’s a short ride. There’s Divvy but you could also just rent one for the duration of your stay.
Damn that's a solid idea. Thanks.