The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

General Features
Home›featured-blogs›General Features›Beyond the beaten path: Sneaky good Chicago suggestions from a well-connected hotel concierge

Beyond the beaten path: Sneaky good Chicago suggestions from a well-connected hotel concierge

By TheRealChicagoOnline
November 22, 2014
308
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Double Door for web - photo credit KBX lighting

Photo by KBX Lighting

By Caitlin Meeter

Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee in Wicker Park
The Double Door has been a rite of passage for a lot of young Chicagoans: first concerts, first beers, first nights under the el tracks. The drinks are a bit pricey and relatively uninspired, but with covers under $10 for bands that are under-the-radar amazing, it’s worth it. Barring some extreme crisis, I don’t think anyone has had a bad time here.

Maxwell Street Market

Photo by MeetUp.com

Photo by MeetUp.com

800 S. Des Plaines in University Village
Originally located along the street of Polish sausage fame, this weekly affair on Sundays has shuffled around for years due to gentrification. Now located on Des Plaines between Harrison and Polk Streets, you can find vendors selling anything from fresh food to carburetors and socks, along with live performances and events. Don’t forget to try some carne asada tacos. Yum.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

Square Bar
2849 W. Belmont
This establishment is nestled into the casual foodie district of Avondale. Their varied beer list and American pub food competes comparatively well with its more popular neighbor, Kuma’s Corner. Make sure you try the American Dream — a burger sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches — with their sweet potato fries, which are fried in a brown sugar batter that can be addictive.

Margie’s Candies
1960 N. Western IMG_5874
1813 W. Montrose
Everyone raves about Fannie Mae and Frango, but those pale in comparison to the true Candy Queen of Chicago. On hot summer nights, you will see a line of people down the block outside of Margie’s Candies. They are waiting for famous ice cream sundaes (topped with homemade vanilla wafers) and boxes of Margie’s scrumptious turtles. Don’t forget to take your picture next to the giant fiberglass ice cream cone man!

Taqueria Traspasada
3144 N California
If heaven were a taco joint, it would be this one. Go in, sit down, drink the Jamaica drink, sip the sope de fideo, sample their salsa, taste the tacos and play Pacman! But whatever you do, you must eat the salsa negro. It’s the best on their pollo tacos. But longtime patrons are partial to their al pastor and pescado (complete with red cabbage) tacos.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsCaitlin MeeterDouble DoorMargie's CandiesMaxwell Street MarketSquare BarTaqueria Traspasada
Previous Article

Shop Around the Corner: Handmade art, distinctive ...

Next Article

The Big City Blog: Holidose artisinal market, ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • General Features

    Cool treats for summer: Where to go in Chicago for peach pie sundaes, spiked milkshakes, ice cream donut sandwiches and ...

    July 3, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Stolen fidget spinners and homemade tacos — it’s raw Chicago culture at the Maxwell Street Market

    July 20, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, Margie’s Candies and the Town Hall Pub

    April 18, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Caitlin Meeter on RM Champagne Salon, LaBagh Woods, and bowling at Southport Lanes

    May 1, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Summer specialties: Where are you most looking forward to eating or drinking in Chicago this summer?

    July 20, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    The rich get richer: Three stellar new restaurants to further spoil Chicago

    December 20, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Swim Cafe, Rudy’s Roundup General Store and Colors and Bottles

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Top Chef, Chicago style: Analyzing the city’s hottest restaurants

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Rise and dine: Start your day off right at these fun Chicago breakfast joints

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.