Cedars Mediterranean Kitchen
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

1206 E 53rd Street
Chicago, IL 60615

Kara B. writes: Cedars Restaurant is actually good food, not just good food for Hyde Park (which is almost an oxymoron) but darn good food.

Kimbark Plaza, where it is located, is very run down and looks pretty unappealing from the outside. (And if you make the…

Jerusalem Cafe

1030 lake st
Oak Park, IL 60303

Tina B. writes: Holy Ancient Holy City! This place is yummy. Flavorful and not too dry kifta, fluffy warm pita bread and really spicy (not spicy hot, but spicy with a bunch of spices) chicken shwarma, charred and perfectly awesome mystery meat, really grape-leafy…

Karmelkorn Orange Julius

96 River Oaks Center Dr
Calumet City, IL 60409

Lee-Han J. writes: I like this place...it's not better than Jamba Juice though but they are working on that. Okay prices and yep the juices are delicious.

Tony & Tina's Wedding
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

230 W North Ave Ste 1
Chicago, IL 60610

Ann S. writes: I've seen it Twice over the years way back when it was at the Second City space (i think). its a fun show but in Los Angeles they have "Joni
and Gina's Wedding" (yep thats right 2 chicks) its funny as hell and very well written. lots of good music,…

Corner Pocket
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2610 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

Audra S. writes: The Corner Pocket takes the term 'pool hall' and cleans it up a bit.  The front bar area looks like a nicer Irish pub, but the back room is where the pool tables are at.  You wouldn't even know that it was a pool hall by walking in, and the clientele…

Angela's Burrito Style
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2556 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614

maggie r. writes: One of my girlfriends and I have Angela's burrito dates. Well, more like, we are going out and at some point one of us says "we need to see our girl Angela later".  We once called them at closing time and they stayed open for us to hightail it over…

Lord & Taylor
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Streeterville

845 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Nancy K. writes: Closing early 2007 -- this location only.

Expensive and not in touch with the masses.

Wildfire

232 Oakbrook Ctr
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Patty V. writes: We went here last night for "date night". We would have preferred an later seating,but I did wait until Thursday to make a reservation, so partially my fault
The service was outstanding and the food was equally good,we never wanted for a refill or a…

Red Eye Café
Neighborhood: North Center

4164 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

Stephanie S. writes: I am on a bit of a cafe jag these days.  I  work long hours on the weekends; can barely stay up past eleven pm; and no longer indulge in anything smokable, snortable, or injectable.  How I became a fine upstanding citizen is indeed somewhat of…

Jive Monkey
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3222 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657

Julia W. writes: So my brother Nick saw this "I Love Gary, Indiana" shirt in the window a few months back, but it was like, 3am or something, so he wasn't able to snag it... Luckily, I spied the shirt again in their window just after his graduation, so I was able to…

Saville Flowers

1712 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201

Jessica M. writes: I have been a long time costumer of Saville Flower's and I'm a young Northwestern graduate and my parents have  been costumer's since they were married in the 60's and we all have never had any complaints in our whole 40 years of buying their high…

Bennigan's
Neighborhood: Edison Park

8420 W Bryn Mawr Ave
Chicago, IL 60631

James B. writes: Took my wife and young kids here about 6pm on 12/31, a snowy night but we wanted to get out of the house.
I had been here before a couple of years ago, but the evening started strange when a AAA guy in the parking lot approached me as I returned to…

Schweppe

376 W North Ave
Lombard, IL 60148

Mary J. writes: Williams Sonoma this is not!  This is a big warehouse that sells restaurant supply stuff, but it's open to the public.  I've purchased some great knives from here, the pasta attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer and some popcorn boxes from here.  You…

Waldo Cooney's Pizza
Neighborhood: East Side

3651 E 106th St
Chicago, IL 60617

Debbie S. writes: Yummy,  heavy,  greasy pizza.  Lots of cheese which is a plus with me.  My personal favorite of all the pizza places around here.  They are pretty free with coupons too.  We often find them stuck in our front door.  Hubby even grabs the ones blowing…

El Taco Grill
Neighborhood: University Village

1412 W Taylor
Chicago, IL 60610

Ren H. writes: This is the ultimate cheapo burrito place!  For a little more than $3 you can get the biggest burrito I've ever seen... I can never eat it all in one sitting!  They have a little outdoor patio and the staff is really friendly!

Islamic Books and Things

2601 W Devon Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659

Robin H. writes: Islamic Books and Things is a great place to visit whether you have been a Muslim all your life, are a new Muslim , or simply want to know more about Islam. The sole purpose of the store is too provide Chicagoans with all their Islamic needs.…

Michael's Arts & Crafts

7055 Central Ave
Skokie, IL 60077

a w. writes: This place is the ultimate crafts store. You can find anything you can possibly imagine here -- from silk flowers to paint to wedding favors. And they have a section with lots of do-it-yourself books. I love this store and always end up spending…

Eurostyle Deli

4861 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60077

Jessica O. writes: Let's hear it for my Russian homies!

This place is great.  If you don't know what Russian food is all about.... let me tell ya!  It's about all sortsof sausages, pierogi (fried pastry surrounding either meat or potatoes), pilmeny ( like ravioli…

The Allerton Hotel Chicago
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile

701 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Christine M. writes: We visited the Allerton while searching for our wedding venue.  The penthouse floor was really nice, but something that they go out of their way to keep from you until you visit is that the beautiful reception (could also be ceremony) area has a…

Chicago Marriott Downtown
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile

540 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Alexander L. writes: This hotel is perhaps the best place to stay for your value. Let me emphasize that I've stayed at a lot of hotels in my time working in Chicago. I've stayed at:

Conrad Hotel on Monroe
Westin on Michigan Ave
Westin on River North
Residence Inn on Michigan…

River Trail Nature Center

3120 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062

Mike O. writes: Want to see some local wildlife, walk a trail and still have time to do more things later? River Trail might be right for you. It's not an all-day trip like a zoo, but it's enough to do for about 2 hours. Right as you come in, you see signs about…

Burton Place
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1447 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610

James B. writes: Burton's place hmmm never been there.
I don't recall a bachelor party there...
I don't recall the stripper who splashed the groom to be with hot candle wax...
I don't recall the pool table with unidentified stains in the felt...
I don't recall falling…

McCormick Place Convention Complex
Neighborhood: Near Southside

2301 S Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60616

Jonathan D. writes: Last week, myself and 9000 friends descended on Chicago and the McCormick Convention Complex for the largest Financial Services/ Wealth Management conference in the country.  There were 500 breakout sessions and literally hundreds of vendors (from…

Cheesecake Factory the
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River East

500 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Erika G. writes: The only thing I ever order here is the gigantic Cobb Salad, which I lived large on today and dropped $15 for lunch. It's like crack though, so delicious. Ordered take-out, too much of a zoo to put up with eating in. The outdoor dining area can be…

Cactus Gold Coast
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Gold Coast

1112 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

S to the izzo F. writes: During the Summer it's the best place to drink, people watch, chill out, party , whatever.  The pizza, believe it or not, is awesome!  From the time they open till they close the patio around 11PM It's a really fun place to hang.   The drinks are SO…

Patio Restaurant of Orland Park

7830 W 159th St
Orland Park, IL 60462

Jef B. writes: AKA "The Patio"

This has been one of our standard places to go for 20 years. It's the only place we go, in the southern suburbs, when we want barbecue. The new restaurant has a beautiful, spacious (almost warehouse) interior. I'm not sure why they…

Boardman's Urban Kitchen
Neighborhood: Near North Side

455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr
Chicago, IL 60611

Rog O. writes: No better way to start your morning than grabbing a large cappuccino and a doughnut, muffin or biscotti from Boardman's. They have awesome daily lunch specials. You can find salmon with steamed vegetables, roasted beef with mashed potatoes or some…

Treasure Island
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1639 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614

Jenny z. writes: I always shop at the Clybourn location, which has an incredibly friendly and helpful staff, a great selection, and tons of parking.  Fantastic deli (try the homemade chicken salsa, it sounds weird but is totally addictive), a wonderful and reasonably…

Taco Burrito King
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Greektown

811 West Jackson Street
Chicago, IL 60686

Andy C. writes: I go here sober.

There I said it.

Also for those of you that like to "GO GREEN" you will be happy to find out that TBK is a frontrunner in the "solar powered burrito" category.  An article in wired magazine praised the owner of this chain for his…

Caffe Baci
Neighborhood: The Loop

332 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60604

Julie K. writes: eye catchable modern stylish Italian caffe..
cuz of that, NEED to try their food..  ku ku ku..  =)
Veggie Fusion Omelette & Caffe Macchiato for breakfast..  (were under $7.00)
Oh My God!!  Macchiato was terrific, but Omelette??  please, please, give me…

Duron Studio Photography

4710 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60076

Bee B. writes: Our wedding photographer.  Both Duron and his assistant, Lana did a wonderful job of capturing everything that went on, and really "telling the story" of our wedding.  I was a fan of both the candid and posed shots, and we selected a good mix for our…

Lids Corp

4104 N Harlem Ave
Norridge, IL 60706

Daniel C. writes: I have been shopping at Lids for many years and they seem to always have excellent customer service. They have the greatest selection of hats of all sports. They have a great service where you can order your hat online and have it shipped to your…

Kinkos-Norridge
Neighborhood: Dunning

7217 W Forest Preserve Ave
Norridge, IL 60706

Alexzandra A. writes: Went here during the pouring rain during December and the guy was SO helpful. I was able to send a package for under $5!!! I was so happy considering my post office(not usps) always charges three times as much for tiny packages. Staff is great, lots…

Maple Tree Restaurant

1034 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301

Ellen M. writes: My mom says the coffee is dayum good.  I couldn't vouch for it since I never touch the stuff - wasn't impressed with either of the two cups of coffee I've had in my lifetime.  But I'm thinking of taking up the habit.  Sure, I don't have that…

Giordano's Restaurant

9415 W Higgins Rd
Rosemont, IL 60018

Holly T. writes: This was recommended to me as one of the best places to get pizza in Chicago. So imagine my delight on my first night that my roommate informed me that they delivered to our hotel. Perfect, that's where I wanted to go anyway! But then we called to…

Mig and Tig Furniture
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

540 N. Wells
Chicago, IL 60610

Bridget M. writes: I love Mig and Tig --- they have the best furniture around and I love everything about it!  Such stylish furniture pieces but they are so expensive- kind of upsets me that I can't get them, but if you just don't look when you pass by the store you…

The Wooden Spoon
Neighborhood: Ravenswood

5047 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640

Lauren H. writes: quaint store, with cookies by the register.  That gets a plus already.  Good selection of gadgets and cookware.  I took a candy making class and we learned to make lollipops, toffee, turtles, and truffles.  It was hands on, I enjoyed the instructor,…

Target Stores

10451 Indianapolis Blvd
Highland, IN 46322

bill s. writes: I think this is not a bad store. It's set up much better than the new Munster one. Plus it's close to Old Country Buffet!!