Montrose Dog Beach

Wilson Avenue and Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640

Justin B. writes: A trip to the dog beach, from Carter's perspective ...

"Where we going dad?  Where are we going?"

"Can't you get the thing around my neck faster?"

"Maybe if I just jump he'll get it right"

"Okay, we're off.  I'll just run down stairs really quickly so he…

Intercontinental Chicago
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile

505 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Michelle B. writes: Yep, the hotel was nice. My room was nice. The people were nice. Everything was nice.

The hotel has two towers. One is newer and "nice" and the other tower (obviously, not the one I stayed in *pout*) is the historic tower and it is absofreakinglutly…

Omni Chicago Hotel
Neighborhood: Near North Side

676 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Elise M. writes: Absolutely amazing property.
My room is so beautiful, and the whole hotel is so luxe! Coming in late last night, with the snow falling, was magical.
More to come!!

Rossi's Liquors
Neighborhood: Near North Side

412 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

Katie H. writes: Ladies, have you ever had an "emergency" in a bar or restaurant and checked in the restroom sink cabinet to see if there were any complimentary lady supplies?

Rossi's had the biggest maxi-pad I have ever seen in my life. It was either from 1970 or it…

Chicago Water Tower
Neighborhood: Near North Side

806 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

Julie K. writes: my first time seeing uncle..  he'd driven through the whole Chicago downtown for us..  and led to this Gothic style Water Tower..

He told us it's the only one that survived the Chicago Great Fire in 1871 and one of Chicago main symbol now..

it's…

Potbelly Sandwich Works
Neighborhood: Near North Side

508 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610

Jason L. writes: Snuggled amid much larger businesses on La Salle, this Potbelly's is usually calmer than the riotous one at the Merchandise Mart.  

Turkey on skinny wheat, no cheese, is my personal favorite.  If you order your sandwich "skinny" they cut a small slice…

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
Neighborhood: Near North Side

20 E Chestnut St
Chicago, IL 60611

Gabi K. writes: Staying at Sofitel Chicago was a definite treat for me... it was kind of a bummer that I was staying alone since this is the kind of place you want your significant other to enjoy with you!

Since we booked approximately 2 months in advance, we were…

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria

6649 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Ed to the M. writes: Ok - so I'm driving my wimpy-ass scooter to work a little over a year ago, in San Francisco.  A large SUV-type soccer-mom-mobile cuts me off, hits my front tire, and screams off down the street.  I go crashing in the middle of the intersection, my…

Cucina Paradiso

814 North Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60301

Amaliya L. writes: Mommy Yelpers representing!
Met up with Xtie, Ellen and Lisa for girl's night out.  We went with Lisa's all time favorite restaurant in Oak Park and we were not disappointed!

The restaurant is beautiful, service incredible.  Huge kudos to our server…

Quenchers Saloon
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2401 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Rosie V. writes: I've been going here for so long, I feel I'm defending it against gentrification. Free popcorn only goes so far when I have to start shoulder-checking yuppies who order water w/ a slice of lemon

Also, to the young 'uns who drive in for the shows: I'm…

Wholly Frijoles

3908 W Touhy Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Liz M. writes: I have never been disappointed here!

Good, fresh food, quality-consistent, family owned, wonderful Mexican Restaurant!

WARNING: They have been on "Check Please" so they do get BUSY!
The place is small, and they don't take reservations but you can phone…

Dusty Groove America

1120 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Deanna M. writes: People think this place is expensive?  Holy hell, what are your standards?

I for one think Dusty Groove is the most affordable place to buy new LPs in Chicago.  You mean I can now get almost all of Tim Buckley's records on lovely remastered…

George's Hot Dogs
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1876 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Nicole R. writes: George's is one of the few places that still looks the same on this street since I left Chicago eight years ago.  Now that I've moved back, I am extremely happy to know that a real old school Chicago hot dog/gyro (pronounced the right way!  Because…

Rolling Stones
Neighborhood: Dunning

7300 W Irving Park Road
Norridge, IL 60706

Nancy K. writes: I dropped some serious coin in this place growing up.  Recently stopped in and it has a nice selection of music.  CD's hanging from and affixed to the walls and ceilings.  Staff was helpful.  Prices seemed ok.

one sixtyblue
Neighborhood: Near West Side

1400 W Randolph
Chicago, IL 60607

Christina S. writes: One Sixty Blue is one of my favorite restaurants.  I have been to this restaurant about 6 times and they are always consistent.  

The last time I went I got the rock shrimp gnocchi and the beef tenderloin..both were unbelievable.  Also, you have to…

Stanley's Fruit & Vegetables
Neighborhood: Noble Square

1558 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Caroline A. writes: I just picked up the best mangos from Stanley's this morning.
They also have Fage Greek Yogurt on some days.

There is nobody in the store on early weekday mornings.

Aloha Eats
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2534 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614

Erik M. writes: everyone's heard of hawaii, but it's a rare bird knows what you're talkin if you say you've lived in gardena, ca. that's ca for california. not canada. which would be gardena.ca, not gardena, ca. nevermind.

i used to live in gardena. it's like the…

Chipotle Grill
Neighborhood: The Loop

316 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60601

Dane K. writes: I used to have a love hate relationship with Chipotle too.  I still hate it some days... I always left way overstuffed and felt sick after... then I realized I was just ordering the wrong damn thing.  I agree on the corn "salsa" ...its the best!  I…

Sweet Mandy B's
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1208 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

George R. writes: My ode to Sweet Mandy B's after the Yelp Cupcake Crawl of November 2007. Red Velvet was one of their fabulous cupcakes.

"Red Velvet"
(To the tune of "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles)

Sweet Mandy B's in the middle of a Yelp crawl
Tempting cupcakes on the…

Spiaggia
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile, Streeterville

980 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Madalyn G. writes: One word--Pretentious.

Food is over-the-top exquisite, but what ruined the experience was the pretend robotic server from the moment she introduced herself in a Greta Garbo-like, raspy voice with, "Helloooo, my name is T-eeeeresa..."

Paaaaleaze ... I…

Transitions Bookplace
Neighborhood: Near North Side

1000 W North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

Chris B. writes: Now -- I'm no Wiccan, Buddhist, Eastern philosopher, or firm believer in the cosmic energy of Shakra stones, but I love going to this bookstore as often as I can -- I do, however, love to read about historical mysteries and ancient mythology, Knights…

Vive La Femme
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2048 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Delia C. writes: i like them and i'm glad their shop exists but i have some very small issues.

when VLF first popped up in buckertownpark (my word) i was glad.  at last, great outfits for Whenever.  and they still have great outfits for whenever - as long as that…

Barker & Meowsky
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1003 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Laura R. writes: It's hard being a cat person in a dog person world. Pet stores vastly lean towards dogs, and Barker & Meowsky is no exception BUT they still have a decent amount of good stuff for cats. First of all I just love being in this store to look at all the…

Fleet Feet Sports
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1620 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614

Shane H. writes: I had bought my last pair of shoes at a similar store back in Detroit, but Fleet Feet were a LOT better.  I am not a "runner" but I am working at becoming more of one.  I was finding I was getting shin splints still with my previously recommended…

Facets Cinemateque
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1517 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Colleen C. writes: So, I needed to rent La Dolce Vita for the Il Covo party a few nights ago...

Of course, since I am a movie moron, I figured I could just swing by my neighborhood Blockbuster and check one out. I walk up to the counter:

Me: Hi, do you have a copy of La…

Beehive Shoe Works
Neighborhood: The Loop

35 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60606

panda z. writes: Imagine.  Brand new Giuseppe Zanotti patent black leather pumps strutting about the Loop en route to some such important lunch meeting.  Now imagine these brand new pumps getting butchered--BUTCHERED!--by those relentless steel grates that line…

My Place For Tea
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3210 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Caroline A. writes: My two girlfriends and I decided to go out for tea (sans big hats) on a chilly and wet day.  So I Yelp searched "tea" in Chicago, and this gem of a spot popped up.  The new year calls for new spots, so we were on our way to My Place For Tea.

This is a…

Soul Vegetarian East
Neighborhood: Greater Grand Crossing

203 E 75th St
Chicago, IL 60619

laura b. writes: if you didn't give this place 5 stars, you can go ahead and fuck yourself.  

i've reached the end of my life, folks, and then end of my line consists of me freaking out on every single person who doesn't think this is the best fucking place ever…

The Second City
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1616 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Colleen C. writes: Besides the gaggle of drunk children from Tennessee (I only know this because they managed to scream "GO VOLS!" about 14 times throughout the performance, at ill-situated moments)...Second City was a blast!

My friend organized a very large group (22…

Breadsmith
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1710 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60614

Jenny T. writes: I am so, so, so glad I found this place! I was out on a run one Sunday  morning and saw this little bakery just a few blocks from my apartment. What a find!

The breads, cookies, pastries, etc. are all handmade and baked in the morning so it makes for…

Patel Bros

2610 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659

Vamsi V. writes: Great place for buying spices and prepared snacks. They have an amazing assortment of Indian snacks.

My major complaint is the lack of good produce. All the vegetables look like they have been sitting there for at least a month.

Buy your spices and…

Zia's Trattoria
Neighborhood: Edison Park

6699 N Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631

Kathy R. writes: This has been on my list of places to try, and the Yelp raves proved spot on.  Wonderful, fresh and authentic Italian food in Edison Park. My friend and I agreed that food, ambiance and service were nearly perfect.

Fresh bread and mildly spicy carrot…

East Bank Club
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

500 N. Kingsbury St
Chicago, IL 60610

Koizumi Y. writes: Great club and amenities. You don't smell sweat here, though...only desperation as people posture and try to hook up. One woman's makeup  was running so badly, it sparked images of the Shroud of Turin as she wiped off with a towel.

North Avenue Beach
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1600 N. Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60614

Ellen M. writes: I picked up my first lifeguard at this beach.  It was incredible - he said he admired my Irish-Scandinavian alabaster skin juxtaposed among so many future skin cancer patients.  I suppose I was prettier than the dead fish sprinkling the urban sand.…

Conte Di Savoia
Neighborhood: University Village

1438 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607

Jennifer B. writes: Visit 1. The collegiate.
Classic Italian sub for $3 after 3.
I ate it on a bench next to the fountain at Starbucks.

Visit 2. The stranded-on-a-totally-fic titious-not bad, but not great-tropical-island-sce nario-and-I-couldn' t -catch-any-fish -for-my…

Jo Ann Fabrics & Crafts
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2647 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Sharlene K. writes: For the DIY dominatrix and shibari practitioner alike, this store is awesome. I used to think Home Depot was my favorite do it yourself sex shop with all their various project building supplies and ropes, but Jo Ann is where it's at.

They sell this…

Lincoln Park Farmer's Market
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

Armitage Ave & Orchard St
Chicago, IL 60614

Katarina X. writes: Is there anything better than buying a big ol' bucket of fresh, ripe, lush tomatoes and making sauce from scratch?
I don't think so... and if you wear your brightest smile you get samples!
Excellent quality produce, fair pricing (flirting gets better…

Chez-Joel
Neighborhood: University Village

1119 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL 60607

Aaron S. writes: Scene from the one and only time I've been to Chez-Joel:

Buddy (enjoying entree): "I love capers."

Other friend and I mumble agreement.

[pause]

Buddy: "No, I mean like heists and stuff."

I nearly spit viognier out of my nose I laugh so hard.

Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe
Neighborhood: The Loop

320 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60601

Arnab M. writes: I dropped by Moonstruck in the mood for a second dessert after dinner at Siam Rice. I walked in expecting a Cher-themed cholocaterie but forgot all about that as soon as I laid my eyes on all the chocolate, and instead started leering at all the…

Charles Ifergan Beauty Salon & Day Spa
Neighborhood: Near North Side

106 E Oak St., Fl 4
Chicago, IL 60611

Amaliya L. writes: It feels like a lifetime ago when I was a regular here.
This is the part of my pre-mommy life that I miss.  Spending hours being pampered without a care in the world and absolutely  no budget to worry about.  When my little one was still a baby, I…