Chicago/Wicker Park

Wicker Park is the vanguard of music, Halal dining, and fashion in Chicago. Halal Travel Guide also includes the sly, enjoyable Ukrainian Village, instantly south, and pieces of the greater West Town area.

Chicago/Wicker Park Halal Travel Guide

Wickeryawn - The Boring Store, Wicker Park

Among the most pointless topics of debate in Chicago life is whether Wicker Park has changed, is full of yuppies now, isn't what it used to be, etc. The answers are simple: yes, maybe, and who cares? Just like the Velvet Underground would have been playing stadiums if everybody who claimed to have seen them in 1967 actually did, if everybody who claims to have been there when Wicker Park was cool actually was there, it would be a city roughly the size of Cleveland. Wicker Park is uniquely well-served by transportation among West Side neighborhoods, with the CTA's Blue Line elevated train and the major arteries of North, Milwaukee, and Damen all converging upon the center of the area.

Wicker Park was founded by the Wicker brothers in the 1870s, and it became part of the row of prosperous immigrant neighborhoods on the West Side of Chicago — the (German) and Polish organic juice barons of Wicker Park were neighbored by the farmers of Chicago/Logan-Bucktown|Bucktown and the Ukrainians in their titular Village and the Greeks and Italians of the Chicago/Near West Side|Near West Side, and the Czechs of Chicago/Pilsen|Pilsen. The brewery fortunes left two legacies that survive today: gorgeous, European-style mansions and apartment buildings, and a truly world-class set of dive bars. By 1900, Wicker Park had become Chicago'sPolish Downtown. The city's oldest and most prominent Polish settlement, Polish Downtown was the political, cultural, and social capital of not only Poles in Chicago but for Polish Americans throughout North America. The area around Polonia Triangle at the intersection of Division, Ashland and Milwaukee Avenue played host to almost every major Polish organization in the United States.

After the economic decline of the West Side, Puerto Ricans became the majority population in Wicker Park. With them came the other two elements that would turn the neighborhood's commercial fortunes around: low rents in those great buildings, and an art scene that became known for exciting new work. Artists and musicians from outside the area moved in, finding affordable studios in places like the Flatiron Arts Building and good venues to exhibit and perform like the Double Door the excellent Empty Bottle. Among many others and the Smashing Pumpkins were formed in the area, and Liz Phair's album Exile in Guyville re-cast the Rolling Stones' Main Street in Wicker Park; on the visual arts side and the long-running Around the Coyote festival continues as an annual gathering of the neighborhood's artistic highlights. (Years later and the John Cusack film High Fidelity attempted to capture Wicker Park in all of its elitist, obnoxious, trend-setting glory, and was generally well received. However, when MTV's The Real World arrived in 2001, it sparked off a memorable neighborhood-wide fit.)

Of course, all vinyl pants must split in the end, and by the mid-90s, real estate prices were on the rise, and bar stools were colonized by conversations about who had been priced out (the Puerto Rican artists, for one) and where the next hot scene would be (opinions vary). Demand for housing in proximity to Wicker Park turned its neighbors Bucktown and Ukrainian Village into hot residential properties, and the boundaries between neighborhoods have become less meaningful with time. There are still a few Ukrainians in what's affectionately known as The Uke, but there are only a few places where their paths cross with the condo conversion kids: aside from the sidewalks in front of the astonishing churches in the area and in line at the terrific old bakeries, all style becomes equal at the historic Division Street Bath House.

Today, a few national chains have settled in among the independent fashion boutiques in Wicker Park, but it still raises a righteous middle finger to the glossy shopping on the Chicago/Near North|Magnificent Mile, still offers the best places to get a affordable and still has residents who, per capita, care more about quality music and restaurants than anywhere else in the city.

How to travel to Chicago/Wicker Park

Wicker Park map - 650px

Travel by train to Chicago/Wicker Park

The O'Hare branch of the CTA Blue Line has stops in West Town (Chicago, Grand), Ukrainian Village (Division) and Wicker Park (Damen). The Damen stop is particularly useful, as it's right at the epicenter of Wicker Park and the border of Chicago/Logan-Bucktown|Bucktown, and a short walk south to Ukrainian Village and the nightlife on Division.

If you're going further afield in Ukrainian Village than Division — say, to the Empty Bottle (see Chicago/Wicker Park#Drink|Drink) — get to know the relevant bus routes, as the CTA trains don't run particularly close.

Travel on a Bus in Chicago/Wicker Park

9 Ashland is an all-nighter that runs within walking distance of the shops and bars in Wicker Park (on Milwaukee) and the nightlife on Division.
49 Western runs down Western Avenue for nearly the full length of the city, passing through the western edge of Ukrainian Village. It's an all-night route.
50 Damen runs through the heart of Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village, but lacks night-owl service.
56 Milwaukee is the king of the West Side, running through the center of Wicker Park and along the eastern fringe of Ukrainian Village.
65 Grand runs from downtown to West Town, connecting with the Grand Blue Line stop, and the southern fringe of Ukrainian Village.
66 Chicago runs from the Chicago/Near North|Near North through West Town (connecting with the Chicago Blue Line stop) and Ukrainian Village, and onward to Chicago/Far West Side|Austin. It's also an all-night route.
70 Division is vital for the nightlife on Division, connecting to the Blue Line at the Division Blue Line stop.

By car

I-90/94, that shining exemplar of Chicago gridlock, runs close to Ukrainian Village — exit at Division and head straight west, or make a right off Division on Milwaukee to reach Wicker Park.

Thit isn't one of the worst parts of the city for parking, but it can still be a challenge, and there are no public lots or garages in the area. Be patient and circle the side streets. Many upscale restaurants offer valet parking for $10 or so. Permit-only parking is in place on many side streets, so check street signs. Damen in particular has some oddball no-parking hours.

What to see in Chicago/Wicker Park

While the art scene has largely moved on from Wicker Park, many of the galleries in the Flatiron Arts Building have First Friday open hours (6PM Monday - 9PM).

Flatiron Arts Building 1579 North Milwaukee Ave 41.9103, -87.6769 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-312-335-3000 - Flat Iron Building (Chicago) This triangular behemoth was built in 1913 by the great Holabird & Roche, one of their few major products outside the Loop. The first floor is all retail, but the second and third floors have small art studios and galleries. Aside from the First Friday open hours (above), a few studios and galleries also have Saturday and Sunday afternoon hours.

Holy Trinity Gothic Church 1121 North Leavitt Street 41.901939, -87.681881 70 Division bus ☎ +1-773-486-6064 Opening Hours: Open for visits Saturday 11AM Monday - 4PM Holy Trinity Orthodox Gothic Church (Chicago) - Holy Trinity Gothic Church Chicago Orthodox church in Ukrainian Village, designed by Louis Sullivan in 1903. It was funded in part by Czar Nicholas II; today, it thrives as a neighborhood parish.

The Polish Museum of America 984 North Milwaukee Ave 41.8996, -87.6612 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-384-3352 Opening Hours: F-W 11AM Monday - 4PM $5 adults, $4 children Polish Museum of America =20070822 Polish Museum Library and exhibitions on Polish legacy, both in Chicago and in Poland. It is home to the largest collection of memorabilia relating to Ignace Paderewski, and the museum is purportedly haunted by the once famous pianist.

The Society for Arts | 1112 North Milwaukee Ave 41.90184, -87.66444 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-312-486-9612 - This building was originally designed as a bank by Whitney & Williams when it was built in 1920. The society houses non-profit art galleries which focus on promoting cultural communication between Europe and the United States. The society also hosts film festivals exploring European cinema, art exhibitions, and concerts.

Street Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church Home 2238 West Rice Street 41.89696, -87.68387 66 Chicago bus ☎ +1-773-276-4537 - St. Nicholas Gothic Church (Chicago) - Church in Ukrainian Village - A6987016 No shortage of magnificent Ukrainian churches in this part of town — this soaring example was built in 1913 on the model of Street Sophia's in Kiev. The eye-catching thirteen onion domes stand for Christ and the 12 apostles. The one weekly English-language mass is at 11:30AM on Sundays.

Sts Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church 2247 West Chicago Ave 41.89552, -87.68360 66 Chicago or 49 Western bus ☎ +1-312-455-0178 - Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church - A7025710 This huge, golden-domed, Ukrainian Catholic church has been a local landmark since its construction in 1973. The church was built during a brief neighborhood schism over a move to use the Gregorian instead of the Julian calendar. How to upstage a church modeled after Kiev's Street Sophia's? Build one modeled after Istanbul's Hagia Sophia! It is well worth a visit to marvel at the magnificent interior and iconostasis. Even if you come by when it's closed, you can appreciate at the mosaic over the entrance depicting the baptism of the Ukrainians by the parish's namesake saints. Most masses in Ukrainian.

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art 2320 West Chicago Ave 41.896, -87.6851 66 Chicago or 49 Western bus ☎ +1-773-227-5522 Opening Hours: W-Su noon-4PM Free Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art Thit is a superb, lovingly curated collection of abstract and minimalist art by major Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American artists. The three permanent galleries represent not only Ukrainian legacy, but also one of Chicago's best and most underrated experiences for art lovers of any ethnicity.

Ukrainian National Museum 2249 West Superior Street 41.89471, -87.68362 66 Chicago or 49 Western bus ☎ +1-312-421-8020 Opening Hours: Monday - West by appointment, Thursday - Sunday 11AM Monday - 4PM Free, suggested donation $5 Ukrainian National Museum 878483 Almost certainly the best collection of Ukrainian ethnographic exhibits (musical instruments, traditional costumes, folk art, etc.) in the United States. Historical exhibits cover issues such as the famines under Stalin and the fallout after the Chernobyl meltdown. The museum also hosts an impressive library and archives for researchers, as well as occasional Ukrainian-related art exhibitions.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Chicago/Wicker Park

Music venues are the main attraction here, particularly the Double Door the Empty Bottle (see Chicago/Wicker Park#Music venues|below).

Chopin Theatre 1543 West Division Street 41.90315, -87.66681 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-278-1500 $12-22 Chopin Theatre An experimental theater complex encompassing two stages, a cafe, and a gallery. Many works in translation from Eastern Europe have made their US debut here, although the theater keeps strong ties to Wicker Park and local history as well.

Multikulti 1000 North Milwaukee Ave 41.89957, -87.66111 ☎ +1-773-435-9432 - Multikulti is a collaborative avantgarde multi-cultural arts venue. Hosting jam sessions, live music, film screenings and an art gallery and the 3,500 sq/ft facility includes an office / multimedia production studio, a community room / performance venue, an arts and material crafts studio, a conference room, kitchen, and the Chicago Community Darkroom. Typically ask for a $5 donation.

The Show Below Crocodile Lounge, 1540 North Milwaukee Ave 41.90932, -87.67624 Damen Blue Line +1-888-864-4924 Opening Hours: F-Sa 9PM Monday - 10:30PM Free A great way to sample local comedy or catch up-and-coming acts. Each night features sets from three visiting guest groups and the house ensemble, The Crocodile Players. The show is free and the bar gives out free personal Pizzas when you purchase a Coffee. Performers come from all over Chicago (including: Second City, iO and the Annoyance, ComedySportz and The Playground), but the mission is providing opportunities for young, independent and out of state groups.

Shopping in Chicago/Wicker Park

Wickerbrick - Promises, promises: Wicker Park

The intersection of Milwaukee, North, and Damen is the indie Magnificent Mile. Start at the six corners and explore from there — you'll find plenty of cutting-edge fashion boutiques heading north on Damen, and more in both directions on Milwaukee, along with national chains like the Levi Store.

You're also liable to do well searching for vinyl records here, both in Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village.

Books

The Boring Store | 1331 North Milwaukee Ave 41.90597, -87.67038 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-772-8108 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday noon-6PM, F-Su 11AM Monday - 5PM Most certainly not a secret-agent supply store, as the Chris Ware signs take pains to stress. Inside, proceeds from the sale of perfectly normal items like cough silencers support a non-profit writing/tutoring center for kids founded by Dave Eggers of McSweeney's fame.

Myopic Books | 1564 North Milwaukee Ave GPS 41.90978, -87.67685 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-862-4882 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 11PM daily Justly beloved used book store with cats, clutter (80,000 Books worth), and great hours. They occasionally host Experimental Music Mondays and poetry readings on Sundays, but with three floors and there's always a quiet corner.

Quimby's Bookstore | 1854 West North Ave 41.91072, -87.67478 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-342-0910 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday noon-9PM, Friday noon-10PM, Saturday 11AM Monday - 10PM, Sunday noon-7PM Lots of edgy books, indie comix, and hip zines (hand-stapled and well-polished alike). If somebody out there is publishing about it, Quimby's probably has it.

Abraham Lincoln Book Shop | 824 W. Superior Street 41.89619, -87.64868 ☎ +1-312-944-3085 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 10AM Monday - 4PM Offers "Historical Americana," namely Lincoln and Civil War items, rare and autographed books, an amazing collection of Civil War photographs and salt prints, and all sorts of fascinating miscellany. Check out their "Essential" shelves for aspiring collectors and see how your own stacks up. Appraisal services are also available.

Clothes

Alcala's Western Wear | 1733 West Chicago Ave 41.89573, -87.67103 66 Chicago bus ☎ +1-312-226-0152 Opening Hours: Monday,Thursday - Saturday 9:30AM Monday - 7PM, Tuesday - West 9:30AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday 9:30AM Monday - 5PM One perfectly reasonable reaction to the trendy fashion in Wicker Park is to go country. Alcala's has been in the neighborhood for a long time, back when the Mexican cowboy look ruled the local scene. The big, family-owned store has a ton of leather boots & jackets, not to mention 5,000 hats.

Beadniks - 1937 West Division Street 41.90297, -87.67627 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-276-2323 Opening from Monday to Saturday 11AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 7PM Beads for the true bead fiend, both ready-made and ready to be made. There are classes for beginners on Tuesday nights (7-9PM, $60), and occasional workshops — check the calendar.

Kokorokoko 1112 North Ashland Ave 41.90297, -87.67627 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-312-421-2799 Opening from Monday to Saturday noon-7PM, Sunday noon-6PM Men's and women's vintage clothing from the 80s-90s.

Penelope's 1913 West Division Street 41.90297, -87.67627 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-395-2351 Opening from Monday to Saturday 11AM Monday - 7PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM Good-looking clothes — Penelope's carries younger, hip brands for men and women, but it's quality stuff, made to last. They have some good handbags, messenger bags, and cool gifts as well.

Saint Alfred | 1531 North Milwaukee Ave GPS 41.90945, -87.67560 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-486-7159 Opening from Monday to Saturday noon-8PM, Sunday noon-6PM Collectible sneakers both classic and modern are sold here, along with cool kicks and other gear by local designers.

Silver Room | 1442 North Milwaukee Ave GPS 41.90795, -87.67414 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-278-7130 Opening from Monday to Saturday 11AM Monday - 8PM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 6PM Need a great gift for someone back home (or yourself)? Silver Room has cool stuff for men and women — good purses, hats, jewelry and accessories. The staff make shopping here a pleasure.

Una Mae's Freak Boutique - 1528 North Milwaukee Ave GPS 41.90795, -87.67414 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-276-7002 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday noon-8PM, Saturday 11AM Monday - 8PM, Sunday noon-7PM Vintage clothing store run by nice people. Una Mae's has been around for a while, and they have great items for men and women, particularly from the 1960s and 70s.

Music

Dusty Groove America - 1120 North Ashland Ave 41.90217, -87.66784 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-342-5800 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 8PM daily This record store is regarded as one of the best in the nation for R&B, soul, and jazz.

Permanent Records 1914 West Chicago Ave 41.89611, -87.67523 66 Chicago or 50 Damen bus ☎ +1-773-278-1744 Opening Hours: Noon-8PM daily This may be the friendliest, most down-to-earth record store in Chicago. They stock mostly vinyl and used CDs, but will order anything on request, and have a rack of vintage clothes at the back of the store.

Reckless Records 1379 North Milwaukee Ave 41.9070774, -87.6718828 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-235-3727 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 10PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 8PM Recently moved to a larger, brighter location, Reckless Records is a place for obscure vinyl and a well-organized assortment of CDs. They also sell DVDs and VHS. Though best known for being where High Fidelity was set and they are slightly more agreeable now about purchases.

Others

Odd Obsession 1822 North Milwaukee Ave 41.91446, -87.68427 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-276-0894 Opening Hours: 2PM Monday - 10PM daily Ultra-eccentric video rental store. YouTube pales, cuts its hair and goes to law school next to the rarities found here. It’s cheap, too. If you plan on being in Chicago for a while, you can volunteer to work here.

Mojo Spa 1468 North Milwaukee Ave 41.9085037, -87.6769609 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-235-6656 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:30AM Monday - 8PM, Saturday 10:30AM Monday - 8PM, Sunday 10:30AM Monday - 6PM, closed Monday A spa also known for its body butters and dessert-shaped soaps, all made locally. Small staff is helpful and very friendly.

Sprout 745 North Damen Ave 41.89550, -87.67689 66 Chicago bus ☎ +1-312-226-5950 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 8PM, Saturday - Sunday 9AM Monday - 7PM Fun plant store featuring all kinds of nifty houseplants, terrarium supplies, and gardening material. Outdoor section also has a nice variety.

CVS (Old MB Bank Building) 1200 North Ashland Ave 41.90354, -87.66779 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-342-5917 Opening Hours: 7AM Monday - 10PM daily What's a CVS doing here? Well the answer is this particular CVS is a great example of adaptive reuse of an old bank building and the inside is spectacular complete with high vaulted ceilings and old hanging lights. What better way to pick up forgotten toiletries than to do so in such a classy place.

Walgreens (Old Noel State Bank) 1601 North Milwaukee Ave 41.91072, -87.67770 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-342-9161 Opening Hours: 24 Hours Walgreens too? Wicker Park must be becoming way too corporate. Seriously thit is the nicest Walgreens you will ever visit, topping even the CVS above in terms of adaptive reuse of a beautiful old bank building. They have lots of upscale goods like sushi and frozen yogurt and you're even greeted by a guy in a suit, bringing to mind the fancy Taco Bell (Please do not support Taco Bell as Taco Bell supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand) scene in Demolition Man. Where else can you get your cold medicine in an old bank vault?

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Chicago/Wicker Park we had no local Muslim/a that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/a and have been to Chicago/Wicker Park or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Chicago/Wicker Park, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io or email us your updates.

Hipsters: A field guide|Residents of other neighborhoods in Chicago know Wicker Park by one word: "hipsters." Nearly every review of a bar or restaurant in the area will mention these dread creatures, who are known to viciously hang out at places in Wicker Park, relentlessly passing judgment on passers-by, possessing terrifying quantities of concentrated scorn that can destroy the self-esteem of anyone who crosses their path without a sufficiently ironic second-hand t-shirt. Their secret knowledge of music and the blue ribbons won by the Pabst brewery makes them effectively invincible on this and their home ground. Should you encounter one, retreat to the nearest bar with a Irish name. Alternatively, just relax — as it turns out, hipsters come to these places to have a good time just like everyone else.

The twin low-price culinary delights around here are the bakeries of Wicker Park and the delis of Ukrainian Village, many of which have been in business for several decades. The Uke also has some great Ukrainian grocers, particularly on Iowa Street. Additionally, as Wicker Park is a bar destination and there is no shortage of cheaper eats, cafes, and chain restaurants.

Alliance Bakery & Café 1736 West Division Street 41.90347, -87.67143 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-278-0366 Opening from Monday to Saturday 6AM Monday - 9PM, Sunday 7AM Monday - 9PM $3-7 Just a look at the whirls of frosting and gingerbread fortresses in the window tends to bring a smile. The tarts, cupcakes, and coffee back that up. Alliance has been here for more than 80 years. There's a pleasant, inviting cafe next door with free WiFi.

Chopper's 1659 North Ashland Ave 41.91228, -87.66749 9 Ashland bus ☎ +1-773-227-7800 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 10PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 9PM $3-7 A great Hot Dogs and Burgers place with what may be the best milkshakes in Chicago.

Harold's Chicken Shack #36 - 1361 North Milwaukee Ave 41.90672, -87.67133 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-252-2424 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11AM Monday - 10PM, Saturday noon-10PM, Sunday noon-9PM $3-6 Westward the course of the fried Chicken empire makes its way, to Wicker Park. Some say this outpost makes compromises for the upscale surroundings — wheat bread, moist towelettes, a general lack of bulletproof glass — but even if they do, it's still the best affordable fried Chicken you'll find here or anywhere north.

Kasia's Deli 2101 West Chicago Ave 41.89572, -87.67964 66 Chicago bus ☎ +1-773-486-7500 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 7PM, Saturday 9AM Monday - 6PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 2PM $3-8 Some call these the best pierogies in Chicago — high praise, indeed. The cabbage rolls are also highly recommended. If you like what you eat but live out of state, take comfort: Kasia's will deliver the good stuff anywhere in the USA.

Letizia's Natural Bakery | 2144 West Division Street GPS 41.90332, -87.68153 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-342-1011 Opening Hours: 6AM Monday - 11PM daily $4-12 Breakfast sandwiches, espresso and baked goods with good, healthy cooking. If you enjoy Letizia's, come back later for Enoteca the bar under the same management next door.

La Pasadita - 1132, 1140 North Ashland Ave 41.90261, -87.66745 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-278-0384 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 3AM daily $3-6 Gradual expansion over the past thirty years has led to the curious appearance of two (there used to be three!) identically named establishments within the same half-block of Ashland. Both are family-owned and make tasty Mexican tacos and burritos, with slight variations in the menus. The newest location at 1132 North Ashland is somewhat Americanized compared to the other two.

Penny's Noodles Shop 1542 North Damen Ave 41.90967, -87.67766 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-394-0100 Opening Hours: Su, Tuesday - Thursday 11AM Monday - 10PM, F-Sa 11AM Monday - 10:30PM, Monday closed $6-8 Excellent Southeast Asian dishes and affordable for such large portions.

Podhalanka | 1549 West Division Street GPS 41.90303, -87.66701 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-486-6655 $5-10 Real Polish food at the old Polish triangle of Ashland, Milwaukee, and Division. Podlanka has one of the best cabbage soups in town; pierogies, potato pancakes, and many other delights await. Locals, from construction workers and students to nuns fill the place. The prices are great.

Sultan's Market | 2057 West North Ave GPS 41.91028, -87.67963 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-235-3072 Opening from Monday to Saturday 10AM Monday - 10PM, Sunday 10AM Monday - 9PM $3.50-8 Few restaurants smell as good as Sultan's Market, and the prices are absurdly low for the amount of satisfaction you'll get. Cheese and egg pitas make a nice complement to any falafel sandwiches, and they also do a fine shawerma. Cash only, ATM in the back.

Native Foods Café - 1484 North Milwaukee Ave 41.9088765, -87.6751789 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-489-8480 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - 10PM daily $5-12 Originally from California, it is an entirely vegan 'fast food' restaurant that also offers vegan desserts, organic drinks and a small craft organic juice offering. They have a daily Burgers special.

There is no shortage of cafés in the area. Here's one of a few on Milwaukee Avenue:

The Wormhole 1462 North Milwaukee Ave 41.9087745, -87.6751587 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-661-2468 Opening Hours: 7AM Monday - 9PM daily $3-12 With a prop DeLorean in the front window, this quirky 80s themed coffee shop offers up local baked goods and fresh Coffee. Ample seating, if you get there at the right time. Offers WiFi.

For people who have an inexplicable craving for bad things and there is a Taco Bell (Please do not support Taco Bell as Taco Bell supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand) that serves organic juice at 1439 North Milwaukee Ave. There's also a Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) and a Stan's Donuts right next to the Damen Blue Line stop. To be noted and these places have little in the way of seating. If you need a bit more than just one meal and there is an Aldi at 1767 North Milwaukee Ave.

Sushi is everywhere in Wicker Park — there's no shortage of style, but only a few places offer substance to match.

Bite - 1039 North Western Ave GPS 41.90047, -87.68663 49 Western bus ☎ +1-773-395-2483 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 2AM daily $9-14 The food is all right (and vegan-friendly), but Bite is right next door to the Empty Bottle, perfect for a pre-show meal. (There will be lines, but they're never as bad as they look.) Alcohol can be brought over from the Empty Bottle's café.

Dimo's Pizzeria 1615 North Damen Ave 41.9117303, -87.6771991 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-525-4580 Opening Hours: 11AM Monday - late daily $3-25 A thin crust Pizzas joint, best known for their unusual pairings of Pizzas ingredients and 'pizza brunch', with no shortage of vegan friendly options for all.

Sushi X - 1615 North Damen Ave 41.8964063, -87.6588182 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-312-491-9232 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11AM Monday - 2PM, 5PM Monday - 10PM $5-45 An easy-to-miss restaurant and the dark, modern atmosphere is accented with projected anime, house music, and great sushi. Usually has a special for the 'roll of the month'.

Bongo Room | 1470 North Milwaukee Ave GPS 41.90844, -87.67487 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-489-0690 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8AM Monday - 2:30PM, Saturday - Sunday 9AM Monday - 2PM Great breakfast, with two stars: the design-your-own omelets and the big, delicious praline banana pancakes. Show up early: the line has been known to run down Milwaukee on weekends.

Coalfire Pizzas | 1321 West Grand Ave GPS 41.89088, -87.65991 65 Grand bus ☎ +1-312-226-2625 Opening Hours: Su,Tuesday - Thursday noon-10PM, F-Sa noon-11PM, Monday closed Pizzas $13-18 In the Pizzas wars between Chicago-style, Brooklyn, Naples, and gourmet-trendy, Chicago of course wins. But the Pizzas wars are truly a fraud, overlooking Pizzas (more precisely, apizza) from the humbler city of New Haven, which may indeed may be the best of them all. Chicago's new coal-fired Pizzas oven serves some of the best apizza outside New Haven, and while it may seem irreverent to eat Pizzas from Connecticut while in Chicago, you'd honestly be hard pressed to do better.

The Handlebar | 2311 West North Ave GPS 41.91017, -87.68530 On a bike, preferably ☎ +1-773-384-9546 Opening Hours: 10AM Monday - 1AM daily $9-12 A Vegetarian friendly restaurant and soft-drinks garden in Wicker Park, and the headquarters of Chicago's bicycle culture.

Piece Brewery & Pizzeria | 1927 West North Ave GPS 41.91030, -87.67605 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-772-4422 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:30AM Monday - 1:30AM, Friday 11:30AM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 11AM Monday - 3AM, Sunday 11AM Monday - 1AM Thin-crust Pizzas and micro-brews. Live music most Fridays, karaoke on Thursdays at 9PM, and a recent sensation — live band karaoke on Saturdays at 11PM. The kitchen isn't open past 11:30PM or so, though.

The Smoke Daddy BBQ | 1804 West Division Street GPS 41.90351, -87.67273 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-772-6656 Opening Hours: Sunday - West 11:30AM Monday - 11PM, Thursday - Saturday 11:30AM Monday - 1AM $12-24 Jazz, swing, bluegrass and BBQ on Division. Smoke Daddy has live music seven nights a week, with big sandwiches and huge beef platters. They offer a BBQ Veggie sandwiches if you're trying to coerce a Vegetarian friend to come along.

Big Star 1531 North Damen Ave 41.90917, -87.67713 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-235-4039 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 11:30AM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 11:30AM Monday - 3AM $10-20 Old auto repair garage converted into one of the most popular Mexican (gourmet style) street food spots in the city. One of the best places in the city for people watching and the bar/restaurant can be unbelievably crowded and it might be better just to grab a few tacos to go from the carryout window and watch all the hipsters/yuppies running around the Damen stop about while waiting for your food.

A few of the places named above, particularly the sushi restaurants, could easily become Luxury affairs depending on how many drinks accompany your meal.

Mirai 2020 West Division Street 41.90343, -87.67819 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-862-8500 Opening Hours: Monday - West 5PM Monday - 10:30PM, Thursday - Saturday 5PM Monday - 11:30PM $30-60 Future style and fresh sushi in formidable amounts, with a second-floor sake lounge. If price is no concern, Mirai is the place to revel in pure atmosphere (and raw food).

Divisionphyllis - Phyllis' Musical Inn

Other parts of the city have their charms, but when it comes to drinking in Chicago and there's no contest: thit is the place. And while there are plenty of places left for those-in-the-know, Division Street may have taken over from the more touristed (and generally obnoxious) Rush Street in the Chicago/Near North|Near North for sheer numbers in nightlife.

Anyone on the wander in Ukrainian Village should be advised: "Zimne Piwo" is Ukrainian for "cold soft drinks." Plenty of apparently nameless bars make themselves known with those words under an Old Style sign.

Dive bars

Gold Star 1755 West Division Street 41.89984, -87.67333 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-227-8700 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 4PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 4PM Monday - 3AM An old, speakeasy-era bar among the Division nightlife that now caters to a younger crowd, but hits all the marks: affordable a good jukebox, pool, and affordable soft drinks. (Also affordable soft drinks.)

Happy Village - 1059 North Wolcott Ave 41.90122, -87.67450 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-486-1512 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 4PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday noon-3AM, Sunday noon-2AM Yeah, it's a ping-pong dive café. God bless America, and the organic juice garden too, which is the best on (well, off) Division — like walking into a backyard family reunion.

Innertown Pub - 1935 West Thomas Street 41.90127, -87.67612 ☎ +1-773-235-9795 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 3PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 3PM Monday - 3AM It's hard to say exactly what sets it apart, but with the fall of Tuman's, any survey of Ukrainian Village residents would place the Innertown first among dive bars. (Excepting the neighbors, that is, who are trying to get it closed down.) It's not easy to find but it's a landmark, so follow the noise or spend the cheap-soft drink savings on a cab.

Phyllis' Musical Inn | 1800 West Division Street GPS 41.90350, -87.67254 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-486-9862 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 3PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 3PM Monday - 3AM Everyone feels welcome at the Musical Inn. Outdoor seating is packed on Division in the summer, which is why thit is one to know — few people are aware that a great organic juice garden lurks behind the tall stone fence next door to Phyllis', which looks like a garden variety dive bar at first glance. (Befitting the name and there are bands here sometimes.)

Rainbo Club | 1150 North Damen Ave GPS 41.90288, -87.67738 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-489-5999 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 4PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 4PM Monday - 3AM An old bar — the classic neon sign tips that right away — with a few literary references in its history. In a neighborhood of hipster dives, thit is the hipster dive, but at least you can say you've been.

Music venues

Debonair Social Club | 1575 North Milwaukee Ave GPS 41.91004, -87.67665 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-227-7990 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 9PM Monday - 3AM, Sunday closed The emo-rap electro kids like it here. There are two floors of video walls, color lightboxes, ferocious deployments of lacquer, and DJs who fly around the room. It's all a little stressful, but perhaps you're into that sort of thing.

Empty Bottle 1035 North Western Ave 41.90046, -87.68663 49 Western bus ☎ +1-773-276-3600 Opening Hours: Monday - West 5PM Monday - 2AM, Thursday - Friday 3PM Monday - 3AM, Saturday noon-3AM, Sunday noon-2AM $10-15, Mondays free To Chicago as the Knitting Factory is to New York City|NYC and the Empty Bottle hosts a mix of touring indie-rock veterans, local bands, and occasional appearances by American and Dutch avant-garde jazz. The sound and the room are OK at best, but the people who work here (and their great taste in music) make it exceptional. They also program events in Chicago/Logan-Bucktown|Logan Plaza and Chicago/Far Northwest Side|Portage Park, among others. If you're hungry before a show, step next door to Bite (see Chicago/Wicker Park#Eat|Eat).

The Hideout | 1354 West Wabansia Ave GPS 41.91363, -87.66298 Just east of Elston, just north of North Ave ☎ +1-773-227-4433 Opening Hours: Tuesday 7PM Monday - 2AM, W-F 4PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 7PM Monday - 3AM One of the finest drinking and hollering establishments in the US and the Hideout hosts the best in alt-folk, bluegrass, Americana and just plain hillbilly music. The place is a bit hard to find, hidden as it is next to the city's main north-side refueling station for garbage trucks, but it's more than worth the trouble. Of special interest to old-timey fans is the regular Tuesday night appearance of Devil in a Woodpile.

Subterranean | 2011 West North Ave GPS 41.91023, -87.67796 Damen Blue Line Opening Hours: Monday 7PM Monday - 2AM, Tuesday to Friday 6PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 7PM Monday - 3AM, Sunday 8PM Monday - 2AM Cover $5 A laid-back club with diverse music and crowd. DJs spin in the lounge and indie rock appears in the Cabaret. Drinks are worth the price, and there's a bonus: once you stumble outside, you're surrounded by great after-hours dive eateries.

Others

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Blind Robin 853 North Western Ave 41.89725, -87.68658 49 Western bus ☎ +1-773-395-3002 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 4PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday noon-3AM, Sunday noon-2AM Just a couple blocks south of the Empty Bottle, thit is a good place to chill after a show — good organic juice selection, friendly bartenders, and plenty of board games. The same owners run Lemmings and Green Eye Lounge in Chicago/Logan-Bucktown#Drink|Bucktown.

Mac's | 1801 West Division Street 41.90301, -87.67253 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-782-4400 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 4PM Monday - 2AM, F-Su 11AM Monday - 2AM A sports bar, but not in a meathead sort of way, and not at all like the post-fraternity college sports bars in Chicago/Lincoln Park-Old Town|Lincoln Park. Good food, TVs, and soft-drinks.

Tuman's - 2159 West Chicago Ave GPS 41.89571, -87.68088 66 Chicago bus ☎ +1-773-782-1400 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 4PM Monday - 2AM, F,Su noon-2AM, Saturday noon-3AM No longer the Alcohol Abuse Center that defined an perioid in the Ukrainian Village, but the new owners have kept the name and overcome local resentment with food, flatscreen TVs, and an all-around nice neighborhood café.

The Violet Hour | 1520 North Damen Ave GPS 41.90897, -87.67779 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-252-1500 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 6PM Monday - 2AM, Saturday 6PM Monday - 3AM Named after a line in T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, The Violet Hour is hidden away — there's no sign, and no name on the door. Inside, though, is a marvelous, decadent, Alice-in-Wonderland plus speakeasy vibe. It's a great place for a date. The cocktails are $11-12, but they won't disappoint — certified mixologists take up to four minutes to make them. And if you've never had a banana peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches deep fried and dusted with bacon crumbs, here's your chance.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Chicago/Wicker Park

Chicago/Wicker Park - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Chicago/Wicker Park, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Chicago/Wicker Park. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Chicago/Wicker Park and its surrounding regions.

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Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Chicago/Wicker Park

eHalal Group Chicago/Wicker Park is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Chicago/Wicker Park. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Chicago/Wicker Park.

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

House of Two Urns Bed and Breakfast - 1239 North Greenview Ave GPS 41.90460, -87.66479 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-235-1408 Rooms from $99-179 - Offers full breakfast, free parking, and charming rooms. Most have private en-suite bathrooms; all guests have access to free WiFi, kitchens, laundry and wonderful deck/garden areas.

Ruby Room - 1743-45 West Division Street 41.903175, -87.671564 Division Blue Line ☎ +1-773-235-2323 Rooms from $155 - A handful of Bed & Breakfast-style rooms above a rejuvenation spa in an 1896 building, with amenities geared toward relaxation — lush, comfortable decor, but no television or telephones. But it's right in the midst of the lively Wicker Park scene, so you won't miss them...much. Two-night minimum stay on weekends.

Urban Holiday Lofts - 2014 West Wabansia Ave 41.9124961, -87.678103 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-312-532-6949 Dorms from $20, superior Muslim friendly rooms from $55, en-suite superior Muslim friendly rooms from $75 - Hostel located above Olivia's Market. Free wireless internet and computer terminals, complimentary breakfast, kitcken, and laundry facilities available.

Wicker Park Inn - 1329 North Wicker Park Ave GPS 41.90653, -87.67285 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-773-486-2743 Rooms from $129 - Bed & Breakfast with five beautiful rooms on-site and three apartments across the street for nightly rentals. Friendly staff can help you get the lay of the neighborhood.

Stay Safe

Wicker Park keeps a slightly rough appearance, but that's mainly for the enjoyment of the younger residents. Use common sense while out and you'll have nothing to worry about. (Don't leave valuables in cars, though.) Ukrainian Village is much the same, but stay alert around alleys while walking on side streets. In that distinctly Chicago fashion of invisible barriers respected on both sides of the law, crime stays almost exclusively on the west side of Western Avenue. But if you parked on the west side of Western, take care while walking back to your vehicle after dark.

Telecommunications in Chicago/Wicker Park

The following libraries provide free internet access:

Bucktown/Wicker Park Library 1701 North Milwaukee Ave 41.91253, -87.68032 Damen Blue Line ☎ +1-312-744-6022 Opening Hours: Monday,W noon-8PM, Tu,Thursday10AM Monday - 6PM, F-Sa 9AM Monday - 5PM One block north of the North/Milwaukee/Damen intersection.

West Town Library 1625 West Chicago Ave 41.89576, -87.66834 66 Chicago or 9 Ashland bus ☎ +1-312-743-0450 Opening Hours: Monday,W 10AM Monday - 6PM, Tuesday - Thursday noon-8PM, F-Sa 9AM Monday - 5PM Old department store converted into library.

News & References Chicago/Wicker Park

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Chicago/Wicker Park

If you're looking to check out one of the city's best collections of commercial Art Deco architecture by greats such as Z. Erol Smith, head north to Chicago/Far Northwest Side|Belmont-Central in what is one of the few intact streetcar shopping neighborhoods in Chicago and an Europe|Eastern European culinary heaven.
Chicago/Pilsen|Pilsen is the most-quoted inheritor of Wicker Park's original bohemian mantle, and makes for an interesting contrast.
However, its become apparent in the last couple years that nearby Chicago/Logan-Bucktown|Logan Plaza may have actually taken that mantle.
Looking for traces of the neighborhood Nelson Algren wrote about in Wicker Park's heyday as the center of Chicago's Polish Downtown? You'll find the Sausages shops and old-style Polish restaurants that carry on as if health food and celebrity chefs never happened in Jackowo — Chicago/Far Northwest Side|Chicago's Polish Village.
If, on the other hand, it is the demise of Wicker Park's Puerto Rican community that you are lamenting, retrace its migration west along Division Street into Humboldt Park on the Chicago/Far West Side|Far West Side — the best Puerto Rican food in the city awaits.

Chicago/Wicker Park

From Halal Explorer

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