Cornelia's Restaurant
Neighborhood: Lakeview

750 W Cornelia Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Nick R. writes: This place has a little bit of everything so it is a great place to go with people you are with who all want different things, since they serve pasta, seafood, sandwiches, and meat.  They are known for their infused vodkas as well as their pork chops…

Eye Spy Optical
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3350 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Jennifer P. writes: Have you seen the movie "Welcome to the Dollhouse"?  That was me, age six to about the prom-going years, shopping at the Mythical Janet Reno Eyewear Emporium Of Horrible Glasses.  As soon as I could get contact lenses I wore them all the time,…

Andy's Deli
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1721 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

Leang E. writes: This is total eye candy for meat and cheese lovers.  It's tough to see these slabs of meats that could be put in your sandwich.  This is the place to buy your sandwich meats and cheeses!  I had a great sandwich from here that they made according to…

Four Treys Tavern
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

3333 N. Damen Street
Chicago, IL 60618

Mike T. writes: This place is like your alcoholic uncle's basement. Upon walking in for the first time, you may have the brief sensation that you time traveled to 1972. Wood paneling, worn down/cigarette burned/booze stained carpet, cheap beer, dogs hanging out,…

Val's Halla Records

239 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL 60302

Ellen M. writes: I was raised in a used bookstore, in an area where such a place can no longer possibly remain in business, so my love stems partly from that nostalgia.

I nearly never find what I desperately want, but there's always something cool to be found at a…

The Comix Revolution

606 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201

Heath R. writes: As far as I know, this is the second location in Jim Mortensen's burgeoning comics retail empire. While students at Northwestern, we co-ran the Northwestern University Comic Book Interest Group, a loosely organized club that brought speakers such as…

Vienna Beef Factory Store and Deli
Neighborhood: DePaul

2501 N. Damen Street
Chicago, IL 60647

Craig B. writes: Welcome to vegetarian hell...

You can't get any closer to where your food is produced without hearing their agonizing death screams.

(There, that should have gotten rid of them)

Dear Fellow Carnivores,

Jenny Z and I hit up Vienna Beef to stock up for our…

Borders Books Music & Cafe
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile, Streeterville

830 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Caroline A. writes: For a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the lines weren't too long!  I stopped in to get a book I've been meaning to pick up, found it within five minutes and made my purchase within eight minutes!

Three floors of books of all genres, music, movies and…

Oberweis Dairy Fullerton
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1528 W. Fullerton Avenue
Floor 1
Chicago, IL 60614

Anthony O. writes: A new Oberweis IS open in Wicker Park.  The address is 1293 N. Milwaukee.  It's in the West Town Center at the intersection of Division, Milwaukee, and Ashland.  Even has tons of parking.  Same great ice cream, milk and cakes/pies.

Big Bowl

1950 E Higgins Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Justin W. writes: Trick to a good asian restaurant?  Look around.  If there aren't many asians, leave.

Big Bowl's an exception...well, because they have good Chinese-American food, but I expected that going in, so I won't compare apples to oranges.  I had the BBQ pork…

Cattails
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1935 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622

crister c. writes: perfect for those last minute... or weekly... i-was-wrong flowers. the selection is impressive always. you can get cheaper flowers most anywhere else, but it wouldn't be a small business and it wouldn't feel as good. and there wouldn't be a lovely…

Bakers Footwear Group
Neighborhood: The Loop

133 S State St
Chicago, IL 60603

Erica A. writes: They carry a fair amount of stripper shoes.  You know the ones w/the clear plastic on the bottom?  They make me laugh.  Despite that (or because of it), I really like Baker's.  It's like DSW but less overwhelming.  Their house brand is good-- cute…

Eppy's Deli
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River East

224 E Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60611

Mike T. writes: Oy, I get all ver clempt when I thinking about of zaftig corned beef sandwiches. First time her was with a  beautiful shayner from Jersey, which is impressive because I am a shaygets and she let me into her world. Now I do feel like a schmcuk for not…

Maxwell Street Original

3952 W 31st St
Chicago, IL 60623

Bob T. writes: Oh man, so greasy but so good. The Damen and Clybourn location is more convenient but this is the original. Dont eat it in your car though! I thought my friends left their garbage in the car because it still smelled of it a week later. Grilled onions…

Embassy Suites Hotel
Neighborhood: Near North Side

600 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

Alexzandra A. writes: I work at this hotel, so my opinion is a bit bias, but none the less I will tell you the good, bad and the ugly about Embassy on State.
The suites here are some of the largest I have seen. We have been under a minor renovation this passed year and…

Boston Blackies
Neighborhood: Near North Side

164 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Michelle B. writes: While in Chicago I decided to opt for an all beef diet. I mean with nary a vegetable in sight, what was I to do?

Order a take-out cheeseburger, of course.

It was huge, it was cooked to a delicious char, they automatically put all the gross toppings on…

Daily Herald

155 E Algonquin Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Patrick W. writes: The Herald is a small step down in terms of what it offers compared to the Tribune. However, the Sun Times is such a joke nowadays that the Herald is a much better option. The Herald does a great job of covering the Northwest and Western suburbs.…

Bijan's Bistro
Neighborhood: Near North Side

663 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

Jelena Z. writes: I stumbled upon Bijan's on one of those unplanned evenings--my friend and I looked at each other with head nods that said, "let's check it out!".

We were quickly sat around 7 pm on a Sunday evening.  The décor is very classic, understated, and…

Asha Salon & Spa
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1808 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Jenny R. writes: I came here to get my hair done by professionals for the first time in YEARS. I had an appointment for partial highlights with Marlene and a cut with Patricia.

First off, they ask you on the phone whether you would like a seasoned person, or someone…

University of Chicago Medical Center
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

800 E 55th St
Chicago, IL 60615

Dan E. writes: After not being happy with how we were treated, we transferred my elderly mother here from another hospital in the area. The difference was night and day.

The problem with the other hospital was a total lack of communication. The PC doctor assigned to…

Fulton Lounge
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Fulton Market

955 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607

Teddy C. writes: Oh Fulton Lounge, we have a love hate relationship!  

I absolutely love the eclectic array of music pumping through the speakers of your trendy, posh little establishment!  But why must we fight all the time, you have too many people packed into your…

Sweet Thang
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

2142 W Roscoe Street
Chicago, IL 60618

Becky S. writes: I really love croissants.  I love saying "kwa-sont", I love slathering them in butter and/or jelly, and I love devouring them and looking like a messy child covered in the remnants of flaky goodness.  Sweet Thang is one of the best croissants I've…

Swissotel Chicago
Neighborhood: The Loop

323 E Wacker Dr
Chicago, IL 60601

Jay C. writes: The Swissotel is a beautiful contemporary hotel located on the heart of Michigan Ave. and Wacker Drive. I spent New Years Eve here and watched the fireworks at Navy Pier from our 17th story suite. I remember watching the sun rise over the lake front…

Bin 36
Neighborhood: Near North Side

339 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60610

Nancy K. writes: Great tips and a plethora of info on their site.   Info we have not seen in reviews and has tipped the scale for us and thought this would be helpful to others as well.  We have not as of yet been here -- the info we have discovered from their site…

Fairmont Chicago
Neighborhood: The Loop

200 N Columbus Dr
Chicago, IL 60601

elizabeth n. writes: There really isn't any other word to describe the Fairmont Hotel other than classy!  It is such a fantastic hotel with a beautiful lobby and great rooms.  I've been to parties here and the ballrooms are wonderful and the guest rooms are very nice as…

Murphy's Bleachers
Neighborhood: Lakeview, Wrigleyville

3655 N Sheffield
Chicago, IL 60610

Rob L. writes: If you are sitting in the bleachers in Wrigley, Murphy's is a great stop before the game. Actually it isn't a bad stop if you aren't sitting in the bleachers, or if you are going to the game. Really it isn't a bad bar at all. A lot bigger than I…

Hard Rock Hotel
Neighborhood: The Loop

230 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60601

Kevin N. writes: Thanks for the yuks, Hard Rock Hotel.  My stay here was perfectly amenable, and, come to think of it, pretty much what I expected.  I've been juggling my hotel choices a little upon my trips to your town, and thought I'd give the Hard Rock a whirl.…

Matsuya Restaurant
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3469 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

Patty V. writes: This was the first place I had sushi.It has been around a long time and has always been good. They have all the standard sushi rolls and some specials. Very good,not trendy or a place to be seen. If that matters to you, then, go to one of the newer…

Union Park
Neighborhood: Near West Side

228 S Racine West Loop
Chicago, IL 60607

Ellen M. writes: Union Park is a nice place.  The section reserved for the Yelp Chicago Launch party was spacious and the servers were always on hand to take your drink order.  I actually got a space in their lot, just north of the bar.  It's very clean and not…

California Pizza Kitchen

1550 E Golf Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Eric M. writes: This is where fat gay guys have romantic dinners.

I dined here last nite with one of my asian buddys last night...and seated next to us was couple of really fat gay guys apparently on a date. WE COULD HEAR EVERYTHING as they giggled and jollied their…

A Taste of Heaven
Neighborhood: Andersonville, Edgewater

5401 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640

carolynne r. writes: I will frequent ANY establishment that threatens to toss you and your naughty beast-child out onto the street if you insist upon disturbing the staff and the other patrons.  So I go to Taste of Heaven as often as I can.  

However, the service is…

Andies Restaurant
Neighborhood: Lakeview

1467 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Kelsey O. writes: Ok, so I've only been here once but I can definitely say I love love love this place and am so glad it's in walking distance of my new apartment!

First of all, I'm the biggest fan of middle eastern EVERYTHING, so it's almost like a "you had me at…

Chen's Chinese & Sushi
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3506 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

Colleen C. writes: It's still a date killer, but I've found the loophole!

When I order delivery by myself, there's no date to ruin...BRAVO!

I dig the online ordering. For some reason, the effort of calling them, repeating my credit card number over and over, and hoping…

Broadway Cleaners
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3439 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Jookie K. writes: The owner tolerates me, even when I bring in tiny-ass sewing jobs for her, because my fingers are long and elegant but utterly useless for anything besides holding cigarettes and typing.  And I don't smoke.  But for real, I brought in a busted coat…

Illinois Bar & Grill On Taylor
Neighborhood: University Village

1421 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607

Colleen S. writes: Well, for starters, the phone number is easy to remember.

Nice, laid back bar that's got great beer specials. The buckets seemed to come with one extra every single time, not sure if that's normal or if we just had a really cool waitress/bartender.…

Pistachios
Neighborhood: Near North Side

55 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Caroline A. writes: Very cute!  They have truly unique and interesting pieces of jewelry.  Not my style, but I still appreciate the artistic quality.  The staff is very friendly and not too pushy.  Every piece has a story to tell!

Beware though... the prices are very…

Cafe Borgia Gourmet Catering

10018 Calumet Ave
Munster, IN 46321

Rachael W. writes: I left Chicago about a year ago, but lived there for almost 30 years and I had been eating at Cafe Borgia for about 15 of those (no, not continuously). I love this place. I'll be honest. Sometimes the service isn't perfect. But the food is awesome.…

Nordstrom Rack
Neighborhood: The Loop

24 N State St
Chicago, IL 60602

Preet C. writes: I've been duped!! Arghh!! I thought this was a discount vendor; run in, score some deals, get the hell out. Of course, you gotta research this shit, which I have now done to save you the trouble.

I came here hunting for some Murad skin products. My…

Le Sabre Restaurant
Neighborhood: North Center

1969 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Justin V. writes: Le Sabre, Le Sabre, Le Sabre ...

I almost forgot about you, Le Sabre.  It's been a couple years.

For a week or so back in '04 or '05 I was staying right down the road in a friend of a friend's brother's apartment/recording studio and spending my off…