Chicago Neighborhood Guide: Avondale
Avondale is known for having lots of authentic Polish and Mexican options as well as an increase in artsy and hip spots in recent years that are the result of Logan Square’s migration north.
Hello Avondale sticker designed by local artist Chelsie Tamms
Avondale’s location in Chicago (image via Wikipedia)
20 Avondale Staples
For context, my partner Daniel and I have lived in Avondale for three years and eat out at local restaurants 8-10 times per week. These are 20 of our favorite Avondale spots that are our go-to recommendations for family, friends, visitors, and new Avondale residents alike.
Avondale is on the northwest side of the city and is one of Chicago's 77 officially designated community areas. The northern border is Addison St from the north branch of the Chicago River in the east to Pulaski Rd in the west. The neighborhood extends further west along Belmont Avenue to the Union Pacific/Northwest Line. Its southern border is Diversey Ave from the Union Pacific/Northwest Line to the Chicago River.
Chief O’Neill’s
La Nonna
Staropolska
ZaZa’s Deli (remodeled March 2022)
Blue Food Company
Reasons to love it: healthy options, friendly owners
What to try: Okinawa soba bowl, rosemary sweet potato bowl, nutterbutter nanny smoothie
Brew Brew
Reasons to love it: cute coffee shop with great breakfast/lunch options, close to Kosciuszko Park
What to try: your coffee drink of choice, baja sunrise torta, bagel and cream cheese
Brother’s Restaurant
Reasons to love it: lots of breakfast options, classic family restaurant feel
What to try: Chilaquiles
Cafe Tola #2
Reasons to love it: flavorful food, fun branding
What to try: corn muffins and honey butter, chicken strips or sandwich
Chief O’Neill’s
Reasons to love it: authentic Irish food, great quality, huge outdoor garden/patio
What to try: Omaha beef poutine, Reuben sandwich, lamb burger, shepherd’s pie
DMen Tap
Reasons to love it: dungeons and dragons themed, intimate and dimly lit
What to try: fried cheese curds, curry fries, and doner over rice
Gordita’s Loli #2
Reasons to love it: very fresh food, family owned
What to try: gorditas of all types
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Reasons to love it: involved in the community, great service, quality food, patio
What to try: corn muffins and honey butter, chicken strips or sandwich
Joong Boo Market
Reasons to love it: Korean grocery store with lots of options, sashimi platter special
What to try: sashimi platter, produce, rice, curry mixes, mochi ice cream, Korean snacks and candy
Kurowski Sausage Shop
Reasons to love it: authentic Polish food and lots of imported grocery items
What to try: Polish sausage, bread, soup, and other grocery items
La Celia
Reasons to love it: authentic Latin food; vibrant and colorful decor, BYOB
What to try: ropa vieja quesadilla, any torta
La Nonna
Reasons to love it: authentic Argentinian food, tucked away in the neighborhood off the main streets, friendly staff, very large portions, BYOB
What to try: ham + cheese empanadas, Milanesa Napolitana (breaded steak with ham, cheese, and tomato sauce) served with fries; any of their sandwiches for lunch
Mic Ducks
Reasons to love it: right off the Belmont blue line stop; open late-night
What to try: Chicago style hot dogs, gyros and fries
Papa Ray’s
Reasons to love it: open late-night; best value on slices
What to try: monster slice, macaroni and cheese
Pisolino
Reasons to love it: very tasty Italian food - a contender for the best in the city; they have pasta, pizza, an Italian market, as well as a lunchtime sandwich offering
What to try: carbonara, truffle macaroni and cheese, Raquel pizza; Italian sub for lunch and Space Truffle dipping sauce from the market
Small Bar
Reasons to love it: tucked into the neighborhood
What to try: tots, macaroni and cheese (regular or special), sandwiches
Staropolska
Reasons to love it: authentic Polish food, great quality and generous portions
What to try: potato and cheese pierogi, Hungarian style potato pancakes (with beef stew) or layered zucchini pancakes (with chicken, peppers, and feta)
Taqueria Mazamitla
Reasons to love it: authentic Mexican food, friendly staff, answer the phone in Spanish (but you can still order in English), BYOB
What to try: chimichanga dinner with ground beef, tacos
Taqueria Traspasada
Reasons to love it: authentic Mexican food, free salsa and tomato soup
What to try: black salsa (their specialty), any kind of tacos
ZaZa’s Deli (previously Alex’s Deli)
Reasons to love it: affordable Polish food, great value, newly remodeled, grocery items and lunch in one place; options change daily
What to try: Polish sausage, fresh bread, any variety of soup, deli meats and cheeses; anything from the hot bar
Avondale is also known to have different street vendors that sell tamales and paletas. They are definitely worth trying!
Other popular spots worth checking out:
Avondale Coffee Club, Barra Ñ, Caravanserai (Dark Matter Coffee), Di Vita’s, Eat First, Friendship Chinese, Jaiyen Restaurant, (the original) Kuma’s Corner, Ludlow Liquors, Moonwalker Cafe, Parachute, Sipping Turtle Cafe, Tacos Tequilas, The Avondale Tap, The Brewed, Tribecca’s, and Wherewithall.
Other Avondale favorites we miss:
Belmont Snack Shop (closed due to large fire), Kerelys Cuban Cafe & Pizzeria (closed during pandemic), Moonlight Vulture (closed during pandemic), and Lost Lake (closed during pandemic).
Cocktails at Central Park Bar
Cocktails at Avondale Bowl
Cocktails at Mother’s Ruin
Cocktail + cider at Sleeping Village
A Perfect Avondale Bar Crawl
Choose any combination of these spots for drinks and you’re sure to have a fun time in Avondale!
Revolution Brewing - Brewery & Taproom (guided tours of the 60-barrel facility with a taproom)
Metropolitan Brewing (warehouse-like tasting room with river views & BYO food)
Central Park Bar (large patio, happy hour 4-7pm, 1/2 price all drinks)
Mother’s Ruin (NYC cocktail bar, serves food)
Avondale Bowl (Accidentally-Wes-Anderson-featured, second-floor bowling alley with craft cocktails)
Sleeping Village (music venue with countless taps that are always rotating)
Reed’s Local (classic cash only neighborhood bar)
Late Bar (4am bar with DJs)
Alice’s Lounge (late-night karaoke spot)
Explore more of Avondale at helloavondale.co.
Hello Avondale stickers and iron-on patches designed by Lettering Works (and funded by the Avondale Neighborhood Association) available FREE to neighbors at Monarch Thrift Shop, located at 2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618. While supplies last.
Chelsie + Daniel are all about supporting local businesses (they each own their own business as well) and have explored nearly all Avondale has to offer in their three years in the neighborhood.
Daniel created helloavondale.co as a way to highlight and support local bars and restaurants in Avondale.
