City of neighboods, right?

September 2, 2007 7:33 PM

Chicagofilter: West Loop 101. I live here, now what?

I lived until recently in Humboldt Park. Ms Vegetable (she objects to being called Ms Meat) and I never spent a lot of time downtown, and now we find ourselves living at about Adams (200S) and Jefferson (600W). It's pretty intimidating. We're looking for neighborhoody restaurants and hangouts like we had back in the north west. Around here I see tons of chains and uber-expensive joints. Everyone likes live music, but we cherish places that we can talk to friends rather than yell. Where should we be looking to be regulars? Is there a neighborhood scene around us or has downtown sucked it up? Other general our-area recommendations are of course welcome.

posted by a robot made out of meat to sports, hobbies, & recreation (7 comments total)

Cal's?
posted by hypocritical ross at 7:56 PM on September 2, 2007

The South Loop has lots of great places that fit your description, and is only ten blocks and a few dollars away by cab.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:14 PM on September 2, 2007

West Loop is nothing like Humbolt Park. It just plain isn't.

Poke around on metromix.com

Perez Restaurant on Randolph is inexpensive and good, but not much atmosphere. Wishbone on Washington (1000 W.) is good and inexpensive, great for brunch.

I've heard there are some hipster bars and clubs around Ashland and Lake, and even as far west as Western, but I don't know them personally. Google around some for these. Keep in mind that that out there used to be a really bad neighborhood, so you might want to scout it out first - could be hard getting a cab back. It's been a long time since I've been there.

For the most part though, West Loop is an older person's neighborhood, and what you're looking at is what it is.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:21 PM on September 2, 2007

Well, I live in exile in central Illinois, so what can I say? But the Underground Bee provides some pretty neat tips about music in Chicago, including a brief consideration of Cal's (to which I've never been).

I do have a sense that the area right around you is a bit of a Dead Zone, but then again what the hell do I know? I say take a cab to The Hideout.
posted by washburn at 11:29 PM on September 2, 2007

Greektown is just west of you (past the expressway). There are plenty of decent places there. I did my undergrad at UIC and we used to go there all the time to eat. I couldn't tell you anything specific because I was always following someone else. Just wander around and you'll find something.
posted by crios at 6:14 AM on September 3, 2007

To add: I understand the existence of Metromix. I'm looking for what you think.

Mm, too bad. I used to live within 2 blocks of a lot of cool little places :( Maybe greektown will save me.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:30 AM on September 3, 2007

You may also want to check out westloop.org. That said, for lunch I like Bombacigno's (Italian) and the place next door (diner-style food + some good enchiladas) -- Oxaca or something similar. Jefferson Tap sometimes is the host of "green drinks". Tufano's (look up Vernon Park Tap) is near UIC and has great lemon chicken. But I just work in the area, so it's hard to say what the neighborhood places are.
posted by ejaned8 at 6:14 PM on September 3, 2007