Happy Thursday!! Only one day until Friday! It’s been a few weeks since the last neighborhood post, but we’re back! Today we are looking at the northern most neighborhood in the city of Chicago – Rogers Park.
Today’s post is coming to you from one of my dear friends Zenia! Zenia and I used to work together at our previous job and she is one of the funniest people I know! Along with a few of our other co-workers, we had the best time together at work and got in trouble way too often for talking and being loud – oops! Zenia is a soon-to-be married woman and has the cutest little dog Beau!
When Paige asked me to submit the guest post for Rogers Park, I thought “Perfect! This will give me the opportunity to give the neighborhood the send-off that it deserves!”
Because, you see, I have become a suburbanite. The fiancé and I, as of this past Saturday, packed up our little apartment on Touhy and moved to the south suburbs so that we can (eventually… much emphasis on eventually) start our family. While this is an exciting time, full of decorating and flower planting, I’m also pretty sad that I’ll be leaving this awesomely diverse neighborhood (it’s legit rated the most diverse neighborhood in Chicago!). It makes me feel better that I can leave you all with some of the true gems of the area.
Best Pizza: J.B. Alberto’s, 1326 W. Morse Ave.
By far, J.B. Alberto’s. This neighborhood establishment, located right off the Morse red line stop, wasn’t featured on Chicago’s Best for no reason! The thin crust pizza is a Chicago-true thin crust – buttery, crispy, and covered with delicious cheese. Although there is no dine-in option, it’s definitely worth it to stop in and pick it up if you’re in the neighborhood. You may also want to get an order of the bbq chicken wings. They’re delish. Trust me.
And after 20 orders you get a free pizza. We may have earned 4 or 5 free pizzas at our apartment on Touhy …… don’t judge us!
Best Burger/Best Fried Chicken/Best Cosmopolitan: Candelite Chicago, 7452 N. Western Ave.
This category caused division in my household! My fiancé and mother voted Candlelite Chicago best burger, while I wanted to vote them for best fried chicken and cosmo martini! Candlelite is the perfect chill neighborhood bar – on any given night you may find a group of cops getting off their shift, a group of teachers celebrating summer break (we ran upon this rowdy crowd two weeks ago!), or a couple and their young kids enjoying a great meal. That’s what I love about this establishment – it’s not pretentious and serves top notch food, drinks, and has Pac-Man and Galaga! Brief note – while you can get the burger and cosmo any night of the week, the fried chicken special is only available on Thursdays. If you ask them to extend the days, you’ll get a polite rebuff – I’ve tried several times to no avail.
Because this post is getting long, here are a few honorable mentions. They’re delicious, of course, just not as good as the pizza/cosmo/chicken/burger mix 🙂
If you want tacos: El Rey Del Taco
Don’t bother trying to Google them – the location has changed names several times, but they’re located at Clark and Touhy. Do yourself a favor and get the al pastor tacos!
Maybe you want healthy food: Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood
If you want a healthy entrée or delicious brunch, Heartland Café is your place! The coffee is delicious, the full bar is gratuitous, and sometimes there’s live music on the weekends. Also, they let you bring your dog on the outside patio. Who wouldn’t love that!?
Or you want something new: Den Den, 6635 N. Clark St.
Eritrea is a country bordered by the Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Dijbouti in the southeast. Oh, you won’t be visiting soon? Don’t worry, you can visit Denden! Denden is a family friendly restaurant that’s staffed by the most hospitable people I’ve ever met. It was all really good, but you should try the injera, zighni beigi’e (spicy lamb), and lentils for sure!
This is only a taste of the many delicious foods available to residents and visitors of Rogers Park! Happy exploring – you’ll probably see me up there even though I live so far away now!
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Wow! So many good places! Rogers Park is one area of the city I haven’t spent too much time in and I think that needs to change! Thanks for your awesome recommendations, Zenia! 🙂
What are some of your favorite places in Rogers Park?
Ugh you seriously make a girl wish she were in chicago!
It’s a pretty great city! 🙂
xo Paige
Thanks for the spotlight on this neighborhood! It’s one of the Chicago areas I’m less familiar with and have always been curious about. It’s always easier getting to know a place through food, though!
Agreed! I’ve only been to Rogers Park a handful of times and need to spend some more time there!
xo Paige