The unofficial guide to Chicago eating: Bucktown

Bucktown is sexy and officially known as "land of the hipsters". It's the undiscovered/discovered neighborhood of Chicago. Once upon I time I lived in this eclectic hood when the culinary options were narrow at best. Since then, a food explosion has occurred offering the Chicago foodie some of the best tacos in the city to outstanding BBQ to the most mouthwatering ramen you could rest your chopsticks on.

Gritty and upscale at the same time, you won't be sorry you explored this neighborhood. In fact, when tourists or family/friends come to town, I explicitly encourage them to get off Michigan Avenue and hop on their nearest blue line stop to Damen. Craft beers galore, amazing coffee shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques...this is a "must-explore" feature of Chicago.

{If you want to read up on past Chicago eating guides including Andersonville, Lakeview and Lincoln Park, River North...go here}

Here are my current favorites:
Best Brunch: Hot Chocolate/get the warm doughnuts and the cured salmon bagel sandwich
Best Sushi: Coast/get the ginger salad and the super white
Best Pizza: Piece/get a craft beer and the white pizza
Best Coffee/Cafe: Filter/anything caffeinated
Best Rustic Italian: Nando Milano Trattoria/get the calamari and the gnocchi della nonna
Best BBQ: Lillie's Q/get the pulled pork and the mac 'n cheese with collard greens
Best Ice Cream: iCream Cafe/get the green tea ice cream
Best Ramen: Oiistar/get the oiimen
Best Tacos: Antique Taco/get the crispy fish tempura tacos and the guac and chip basket
Best Thai: Thai Lagoon/get the pad thai
Best French: Le Bouchon/get the escargots and the steak grillé maître d’hôtel
Best Peruvian: Rios D'Sudamerica/get the arroz con mariscos
Best Eggs: Milk and Honey Cafe/get the huevos rancheros
Best Mediterranean: Sultan's Market/get the hummus and the chicken shawarma
Best Cocktails: The Violet Hour/get the Juliet and Romeo
Best Bar: Danny's/get a PBR
Best Alfresco Brunch: Prasino/get the kale and spinach salad with the pork belly blt
Best Sandwich: Jerry's Sandwiches/get the lobster po' boy
Best Overall: The Bristol/get the charcuterie board with the rabbit dopio ravioli

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