Catherine’s Chicago Guidebook

Catherine
Catherine’s Chicago Guidebook

Coffee Favorites

Letizia's has the best muffins in the neighborhood! Lemon poppyseed is my favorite but they are sure to have a baked good to your liking. Their breakfast sandwiches are also tasty if you are looking for something more savory. The coffee is solid here.
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Letizia's Natural Bakery
2144 W Division St
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Letizia's has the best muffins in the neighborhood! Lemon poppyseed is my favorite but they are sure to have a baked good to your liking. Their breakfast sandwiches are also tasty if you are looking for something more savory. The coffee is solid here.
Not a coffee shop. But if you like the stuff we provide, you can order some. Pickup or shipping options available.
Sparrow Coffee Roastery
2040 West Fulton Street
Not a coffee shop. But if you like the stuff we provide, you can order some. Pickup or shipping options available.
Great coffee by the Damen “L” station with French Latin pastries.
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La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark St
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Great coffee by the Damen “L” station with French Latin pastries.
Serves a range of coffee roasted right here in the neighborhood.
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Star Lounge Coffee Bar (Dark Matter Coffee)
2521 W Chicago Ave
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Serves a range of coffee roasted right here in the neighborhood.
Local coffee shop with Venezuelan pastries.
TYPICA CAFE
2034 West Division Street
Local coffee shop with Venezuelan pastries.

Essentials

Local supermarket chain with organic products, fresh produce, local products, standard supermarket essentials and a bakery. A convenient place to pick up some locally brewed Lagunitas IPNA or a frozen pizza from Chicago’s own Home Run Inn.
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Mariano's
2021 W Chicago Ave
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Local supermarket chain with organic products, fresh produce, local products, standard supermarket essentials and a bakery. A convenient place to pick up some locally brewed Lagunitas IPNA or a frozen pizza from Chicago’s own Home Run Inn.
Compact neighborhood market with a wide selection of seasonal produce, deli meats & cheeses.
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Farmers Pride Produce
756 N Western Ave
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Compact neighborhood market with a wide selection of seasonal produce, deli meats & cheeses.
Our backyard chickens only lay enough eggs for our family. To get eggs with the same delicious flavor, take a short stroll to Amish Healthy Foods for farm fresh eggs, jams, organic products, and other Amish treats.
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Amish Healthy Foods
1025 N Western Ave
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Our backyard chickens only lay enough eggs for our family. To get eggs with the same delicious flavor, take a short stroll to Amish Healthy Foods for farm fresh eggs, jams, organic products, and other Amish treats.
Famous for their Pierogies, go and see why celebrities go out of their way to come here to stock up on Polish deli favorites.
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KASIA'S DELI, INC.
2101 W Chicago Ave
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Famous for their Pierogies, go and see why celebrities go out of their way to come here to stock up on Polish deli favorites.
If you are a fan of wines from small vineyards, interesting varietals, organic or biodynamic, check this place out!
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Red & White Wines
1861 N Milwaukee Ave
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If you are a fan of wines from small vineyards, interesting varietals, organic or biodynamic, check this place out!
Need Mexican ingredients? Maybe, but the real reason to go is for the amazing carne asada tacos or a weekend carnitas binge.
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Carnicerias Guanajuato
1436 N Ashland Ave
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Need Mexican ingredients? Maybe, but the real reason to go is for the amazing carne asada tacos or a weekend carnitas binge.
Artisanal Bread, local responsibly sourced meat products, and a couple of menu items from their restaurants.
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Publican Quality Meats
825 W Fulton Market
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Artisanal Bread, local responsibly sourced meat products, and a couple of menu items from their restaurants.
The best cider doughnuts.
Pierre's Bakery Chicago
1956 W Chicago Ave
The best cider doughnuts.
Whether you want to jazz up your breakfast eggs or make that rare dish, you name the spice, they have it. Just ask the proprietors if you don’t see what you are looking for. The garlic pepper is ridiculously good. Great for gifts as well. Open Fri-Sun only. They are busy supplying restaurants the rest of the week.
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Epic Spices
1725 W Chicago Ave
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Whether you want to jazz up your breakfast eggs or make that rare dish, you name the spice, they have it. Just ask the proprietors if you don’t see what you are looking for. The garlic pepper is ridiculously good. Great for gifts as well. Open Fri-Sun only. They are busy supplying restaurants the rest of the week.
Pick up artisan charcuterie, small-producer cheese and pair it with a bottle of natural wine, and you've got all the makings of a picnic. Their all day menu spotlights local fare and is available for pick up or delivery.
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All Together Now
2119 W Chicago Ave
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Pick up artisan charcuterie, small-producer cheese and pair it with a bottle of natural wine, and you've got all the makings of a picnic. Their all day menu spotlights local fare and is available for pick up or delivery.
The bread, the pastries and croissants. The cakes. All world class, and only a few blocks away.
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Lost Larson
5318 N Clark St
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The bread, the pastries and croissants. The cakes. All world class, and only a few blocks away.
This is where locals go for produce and groceries at a reasonable price. A lot of Chicagoland and local products for everyday shoppers.
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Cermak Produce
2701 W North Ave
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This is where locals go for produce and groceries at a reasonable price. A lot of Chicagoland and local products for everyday shoppers.
Solid farmers market within walking distance on Sundays starting at 8am in the Summer and Fall. Winter and Spring hours vary so check their schedule online.
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Wicker Park Farmers Market
1425 N Damen Ave
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Solid farmers market within walking distance on Sundays starting at 8am in the Summer and Fall. Winter and Spring hours vary so check their schedule online.
Want to experience what a gourmet grocery store is like in Ukraine? Come here and find out!
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Ann's Bakery and Deli
2158 W Chicago Ave
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Want to experience what a gourmet grocery store is like in Ukraine? Come here and find out!
Next level bread shop. All the bread are naturally leavened. Worth the splurge.
Publican Quality Bread
Next level bread shop. All the bread are naturally leavened. Worth the splurge.

Food scene

With so many places to eat in the neighborhood, here are our favorites.
Beef-centric Argentinean menu with pastas & empanadas in a rustic candlelit setting with a full bar.
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Folklore | Argentine Restaurant
2100 W Division St
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Beef-centric Argentinean menu with pastas & empanadas in a rustic candlelit setting with a full bar.
Quaint neighborhood Italian wine bar serving Roman cuisine in rustic rooms & on a patio. It’s Leticia’s bakery’s restaurant.
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Enoteca Roma
2146 W Division St
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Quaint neighborhood Italian wine bar serving Roman cuisine in rustic rooms & on a patio. It’s Leticia’s bakery’s restaurant.
Mexican street food, plus margaritas & other drinks fuel a lively scene at this funky hangout.
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Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
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Mexican street food, plus margaritas & other drinks fuel a lively scene at this funky hangout.
When in Rome....... This is our favorite for a great Ukrainian dining experience!
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Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen
2201 W Chicago Ave
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When in Rome....... This is our favorite for a great Ukrainian dining experience!
Two brothers recreating real food from recipes handed down from their Chinese grandmother. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and housemade.
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Lao Peng You
2020 W Chicago Ave
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Two brothers recreating real food from recipes handed down from their Chinese grandmother. Everything is fresh, flavorful, and housemade.
Reliable sushi. Our go-to sushi takeout/ delivery joint.
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Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill
1751 W Chicago Ave
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Reliable sushi. Our go-to sushi takeout/ delivery joint.
Cozy steakhouse you can walk to.
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BoeufHaus
1012 N Western Ave
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Cozy steakhouse you can walk to.
A local vegetarian favorite.
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Handlebar
2311 W North Ave
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A local vegetarian favorite.
We think the Q here is the best in Chi-town. Good thing it’s close by!
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Smoke Daddy BBQ - Wicker Park
1804 W Division St
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We think the Q here is the best in Chi-town. Good thing it’s close by!
With Mediterranean joints everywhere, this Turkish restaurant excels with freshness and execution that is above the rest. One of our favorite restaurants in the area.
Cafe Istanbul
2014 W Division St
With Mediterranean joints everywhere, this Turkish restaurant excels with freshness and execution that is above the rest. One of our favorite restaurants in the area.
One of 2 Ramen standouts in this neighborhood ( there are too many to mention). You can’t go wrong here.
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Oiistar
1385 N Milwaukee Ave
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One of 2 Ramen standouts in this neighborhood ( there are too many to mention). You can’t go wrong here.
One of 2 ramen standouts amongst countless ramen joints.
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Ramen Wasabi
2101 N Milwaukee Ave
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One of 2 ramen standouts amongst countless ramen joints.
Upscale sushi that fuses creativity, aesthetics and flavor punch. Well worth the splurge.
Mako
731 W Lake St
Upscale sushi that fuses creativity, aesthetics and flavor punch. Well worth the splurge.
Great midwest sports bar favorites: burgers, nachos, wings, and fried cheese curds.
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The Fifty/50
2047 W Division St
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Great midwest sports bar favorites: burgers, nachos, wings, and fried cheese curds.
Solid Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices.
Hummus Grill Chicago
744 North Damen Avenue
Solid Mediterranean food at very reasonable prices.
Whether it’s freshly made pasta to cook at home or ready to eat, the pasta is as close to Italy as it gets around here.
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Tortello
1746 W Division St
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Whether it’s freshly made pasta to cook at home or ready to eat, the pasta is as close to Italy as it gets around here.
The well executed pastries and unique take on Filipino-Chicago fusion gets this place high marks. Our guests rave about this place.
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Kasama
1001 North Winchester Avenue
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The well executed pastries and unique take on Filipino-Chicago fusion gets this place high marks. Our guests rave about this place.
Stop by here for the best fruit or savory pie you can get in Chi-town.
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Hoosier Mama Pie Company
1618 W Chicago Ave
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Stop by here for the best fruit or savory pie you can get in Chi-town.
One of the more interesting farmers markets in the city. Location changes in the winter/spring each year. Gets super crowded so go with an empty stomach on Sunday morning and experience Chicago street food!
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Logan Square Farmers Market
3025-3113 West Logan Boulevard
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One of the more interesting farmers markets in the city. Location changes in the winter/spring each year. Gets super crowded so go with an empty stomach on Sunday morning and experience Chicago street food!
Known for vegan baked goods that attracts folks from afar, the diner also serves up a nice menu of local breakfast and lunch favorites.
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West Town Bakery & Diner
1916 W Chicago Ave
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Known for vegan baked goods that attracts folks from afar, the diner also serves up a nice menu of local breakfast and lunch favorites.
One of the better al fresco dining spots on Division Street for a range of classic American favorites. The place to go if the group can’t decide where to go!
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The Perch Kitchen and Tap
1932 West Division Street
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One of the better al fresco dining spots on Division Street for a range of classic American favorites. The place to go if the group can’t decide where to go!
fancy, tasty creative takes on tacos.
Taqueria Chingon
2234 North Western Avenue
fancy, tasty creative takes on tacos.
For a special meal that’s plant based, this is our neighborhood goto spot.
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen
For a special meal that’s plant based, this is our neighborhood goto spot.
If burgers and fries are all you crave, this is it. Multiple Chicago locations with one in Wicker Park.
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Small Cheval
1732 N Milwaukee Ave
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If burgers and fries are all you crave, this is it. Multiple Chicago locations with one in Wicker Park.
You can find all the Mexican restaurant basics plus the biggest and yummiest huaraches done very well.
Huaraches Mexican Restaurant
You can find all the Mexican restaurant basics plus the biggest and yummiest huaraches done very well.
Next level Tavern. The food is excellent. Peri peri chicken and Philly cheesesteak are out of this world.
Mirella’s Tavern
Next level Tavern. The food is excellent. Peri peri chicken and Philly cheesesteak are out of this world.
Mouthwatering Persian cuisine made with love in a cozy family run unassuming restaurant.
Caspian Kabab Fine Persian Cuisine
1413 N Ashland Ave
Mouthwatering Persian cuisine made with love in a cozy family run unassuming restaurant.

Local Parks

Seasonal farmers market on Sundays, June - October. http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/farmersmarket/farmers-market/
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Wicker Park
1425 N Damen Ave
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Seasonal farmers market on Sundays, June - October. http://www.wickerparkbucktown.com/farmersmarket/farmers-market/
Humboldt Park is one of many beautiful parks located in Chicago, offering nature trails, tennis courts and playgrounds. During the summer, you can rent swan boats and paddle around the lagoon.
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Humboldt Park
1400 N Humboldt Dr
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Humboldt Park is one of many beautiful parks located in Chicago, offering nature trails, tennis courts and playgrounds. During the summer, you can rent swan boats and paddle around the lagoon.

Nature and Recreation

It’s a big city, big enough to house places for recreation and to explore the natural world. Some favorites of ours....
A great place for kids and adults to explore and learn.
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Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave
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A great place for kids and adults to explore and learn.
The former railroad-turned-garden-trail is good for cycling, jogging and walking. Multiple access points.
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The 606
1805 North Ridgeway Avenue
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The former railroad-turned-garden-trail is good for cycling, jogging and walking. Multiple access points.

Pizza Joints

Name your style..Chicago has them all, and all close by.
Good takeout thin crust pizza.
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Craft Pizza
1252 N Damen Ave
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Good takeout thin crust pizza.
If you only have one deep dish pizza while in town, have one from Lou Malnati’s. Multiple locations, with a takeout location near by. It’s our son’s favorite. Their unique thin crust tavern style is also a winner!
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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
1120 N State St
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If you only have one deep dish pizza while in town, have one from Lou Malnati’s. Multiple locations, with a takeout location near by. It’s our son’s favorite. Their unique thin crust tavern style is also a winner!
It’s Sicilian-in a class by itself. The crust is a slow risen dough and every pizza is full of flavor, just a over a block away.
Pizza Friendly Pizza
1039 N Western Ave
It’s Sicilian-in a class by itself. The crust is a slow risen dough and every pizza is full of flavor, just a over a block away.
Rhode Island style. Clam pizza anyone?
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North Ave
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Rhode Island style. Clam pizza anyone?
A local favorite for deep dish and Chicago style thin crust.
Bartoli's Pizzeria & Catering - West Town
658 North Ashland Avenue
A local favorite for deep dish and Chicago style thin crust.
Okay- it’s not that close. But you can pick up a frozen tavern style pizza at Mariano’s on your grocery run for a bargain and bake in the oven in less time than ordering one. Uniquely Chicago and a favorite!
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Home Run Inn
4254 W 31st St
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Okay- it’s not that close. But you can pick up a frozen tavern style pizza at Mariano’s on your grocery run for a bargain and bake in the oven in less time than ordering one. Uniquely Chicago and a favorite!
Many argue that this is the insider’s secret favorite pizza joint in Chicago. It’s probably New York transplants that say this because the pizza is NY style. Hmm. They also have one of the best cheeseburgers in the area.
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The StopAlong
1812 N Milwaukee Ave
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Many argue that this is the insider’s secret favorite pizza joint in Chicago. It’s probably New York transplants that say this because the pizza is NY style. Hmm. They also have one of the best cheeseburgers in the area.
World famous Chicago pizza joint. Make sure you make a reservation or order for pickup well in advance. Very busy place!
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Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn Avenue
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World famous Chicago pizza joint. Make sure you make a reservation or order for pickup well in advance. Very busy place!

Shopping

Unique local one-of-a-kind shops for something to take home or for a special someone.
Our first stop when looking for a unique gift for a special occasion.
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Komoda
2559 W Chicago Ave
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Our first stop when looking for a unique gift for a special occasion.
Need a fun card for an occasion or something uniquely Chicago? Stop on by for a look!
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Paperish Mess
1945 W Chicago Ave
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Need a fun card for an occasion or something uniquely Chicago? Stop on by for a look!
Great place to find a Chicago souvenir.
Raw Edge Wicker Park - Modern Artisan Boutique
1943 West Division Street
Great place to find a Chicago souvenir.