Mrs Fields
Neighborhood: The Loop

32 E Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60601

Filly G. writes: As I was leaving work yesterday, a foxy mamacita stood outside Mrs. Field's offering free samples.

She said to me, "Would you like a free sample?"

In situations like this, the first thing that always pops into my head is, "Will this give me AIDS?" So…

Uptown Bikes
Neighborhood: Uptown

4653 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640

Paige W. writes: Negative things that might have mattered if I weren't so in love with Uptown Bikes:
- relentless Red Line ear assault
- no air conditioning
- no accounting for aesthetics
- constant hazard of death by errant air hose (I speak from experience)

However.…

Merz Apothecary
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4716 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Lisa B. writes: It's not often I walk into a store and am moved to exclaim, "Cool!"  

This store looks 100 years old (probably because it is,) but it is stocked with all the newest and finest self-care products as well as the old standbys.  There are collections of…

Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

1953 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

molly c. writes: for reasons that i cannot necessarily disclose...i needed an ugly doll. now, my favorite is ice bat, but since i don't want to bite certain people's style, i didn't want to get one. BUT they had ninja ice bat. awesome. he's having a nice sleep in my…

Uncle Fun
Neighborhood: Lakeview

1338 W. Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

kate w. writes: instructions for visiting uncle fun...
1) if driving, put extra money in the meter, this trip will take you longer than you anticipate.
2) grab a basket as soon as you enter the store, you will need it.
3) take you time and don't be afraid to open every…

WGN TV
Neighborhood: North Center

2501 W Bradley Place
Chicago, IL 60618

Nancy K. writes: WGN has some really good programming.  The Morning News is what we watch to keep us up to date on what's going on in Chicago.  

Hi Larry, Robin, Paul, Pat, Valerie, Ana, Dean and Jim!

The Spice House

1941 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60201

Nancy K. writes: This is a great store for spices and much cheaper and fresher than what you can buy at a Jewel or Dominick's.

Bari Foods
Neighborhood: Near West Side

1120 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Nancy K. writes: Wow.  An old mom and pop store that was bought in '74 from people who worked there as kids.  It has been a grocery store since 1879.  I went in to buy a couple of subs, an Italian and an American.  12" for 5.75 !?!   Best sub outside of making one at…

Taste of Lebanon Restaurant
Neighborhood: Ravenswood

1509 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

Thane M. writes: I will eat any of the following items at any time whatsoever, except for the first meal after I wake up (whenever that is), because I prefer to eat only classic breakfast items at that point in my day:

1. The wraps, either with hummus, falafel, hummus…

Wine Discount Center

1826 N. Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Colleen C. writes: Dude, it's the TJ Maxx for wine-aholics.

Elston Avenue provides not only a spectactular back drop (joking, its an industrial wasteland over here)...but also ample parking! Better to cart out your 40 bottles 'o vino, and not have to walk 3 miles.…

Freddy's Pizza & Gelateria

1600 S 61st Ave
Cicero, IL 60804

Mark C. writes: The best italian ice u will ever have in the world. Interesting flavors like black raspberry (my favorite). Awesome pizza and pasta.

Odd Obsession
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1822 N Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60647

Vaughn C. writes: A little birdie--who happened to be a film geek--slipped word to me that an underground (literally) video store happened to be across from the Steppenwolf, in a dark corner where I would imagine Malkovich sometimes relieved himself when bathroom…

Charlie Beinlich's Food & Tap

290 Skokie Boulevard
Northbrook, IL 60062

carolynne r. writes: Just thinking about a Charlie Beinlich's burger with swiss cheese and onions with a cold beer brings a sting to the old eye.  Man is that good stuff! I dont care where you live, it is worth a trip to Northbrook just to try this place if you have…

Taza
Neighborhood: The Loop

176 N Franklin St
Chicago, IL 60606

Teddy C. writes: What can I say about Taza?!?  I love this place...Ellie B. introduced me to Taza because I was asking her what all the rage was about on Yelp?  How could this tiny little spot be so highly rated on Yelp?  So we went...That was about 4 weeks ago, and…

Ashland Tire & Auto
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3737 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Erin J. writes: When my car died, in a snowstorm, while I had a fever, these guys truly made me feel better.

I called and they came in a very timely manner. This was in a snowstorm if I had not mentioned that already. The tower gave me a card as soon as he got there…

Family Pet Animal Hospital
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1401 W. Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

april m. writes: I only wish that I had found Dr. Jennifer Smith 3 months ago! I moved to Chicago in February and went to the Banfield Animal Hospital which basically cost my companion Zak his remaining time with me to be partially paralyzed. They didn't find the…

Bryn Mawr Deli
Neighborhood: Edgewater

1101 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660

Rosie V. writes: Listen. I've eaten here a couple 5 times...I HAVE to overcome the Yelp-review-lethargy I often feel on this site & just fucking do it. Yesterday = last straw

My memory sucks. I never ask people their names a 2nd time. Yesterday. Voting Day. Owner Guy…

Loopy Yarns
Neighborhood: South Loop

47 W Polk St
Chicago, IL 60602

Gail L. writes: There are some days at work when you need a field trip.  Because, if you don't go on a field trip, you'll kill someone.   And I don't know about your work place, but at mine, killing people pretty much always gets you fired.

Well, before Loopy's, I'd…

Gina's Ice Cream Shop

6737 Roosevelt Rd
Berwyn, IL 60402

Meredith R. writes: Best Italian ice. definitly try the other flavors, like watermelon. Get several flavors in one cup- perfect in the summer. And its homemade and NOT  a chain (always a plus in my book!)

Greektown Gyros
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Greektown

239 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60686

Bonnie L. writes: I hate gyros, I associate them with pain like a drill with a dentist. One dewy rainy night long time ago.....

Dressed in a pink off the shoulder sweatshirt with black leggings, white patent mary jane high heels, hair-sprayed bangs and snapping my pink…

Half Price Books

5605 W Touhy Ave
Niles, IL 60714

Nancy K. writes: Why did it take Chicagoland so long for this chain to get here?  Now that it is, I'm hooked.  Friendly, large selection of reasonably priced  books.

Dollop Coffee Co
Neighborhood: Uptown

4181 N Clarendon Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Colleen C. writes: This morning I woke up and to my absolute HORROR realized I had no coffee to make...

For the love of all things holy, I cannot function in the morning without some type of caffeine, preferably drip coffee.

Luckily, very good whole bean coffee is sold…

Soggy Paws
Neighborhood: Uptown

1148 W Leland Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

Katarina X. writes: This store and their staff have changed my dog and my cat's LIVES! The bathing is self-done, so your pet will not stress- and in high stand up tubs (so your back will not ache) They offer grooming, claw trimming, ear cleaning and they also have food,…

Chicago's First Lady
Neighborhood: The Loop

Wacker Ave and Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Carolyn S. writes: Attention tourists!  You will be hard pressed to find any actual Chicagoans at the following: Sears Tower, Navy Pier, or Buckingham fountain. Want to do something fun, informative, and an activity that actual Chicagoans enjoy?!  Then you gotta do the…

Om On the Range Yoga Studio
Neighborhood: Lakeview, Wrigleyville

3759 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Angie M. writes: This review is strictly for the Bikram yoga class.

Let me preface by saying I have done yoga on and off for years.  At one point, I was actually nice and limber and getting myself into poses I never believed possible.  So when I read about Bikram yoga…

Red 7 Salon
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

210 W Kinzie St Fl 2
Chicago, IL 60610

Angela J. writes: Offers a drink?  Check.

Scalp massage during your shampoo?  Check.

Shampoo that smells so good I want to suck it out of the bottle?   Check.

Free gumballs and such?  Check.

Hand massages all around?  Check.

Oh, so I don't have to chat?  Check.

Like the…

Novelty Golf & Game Room
Neighborhood: North Park

3650 W Devon Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Michael S. writes: It's like playing miniature golf in the Adams Family or Munster's backyard.

The place is older than dirt. Peeling paint abounds. Ancient  "amusements" at each hole  -  so old it's a bit difficult to discern what they are. Tired, wrinkled astroturf…

Golden Pacific Market
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5353 N Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60640

Nancy K. writes: Great Asian market.  Very clean and organized,  the employees are very nice and helpful.  Small parking lot.

9:30am-9:00pm daily

Hungry Brain
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

2319 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

Courtney B. writes: I thought Rainbo was pretty ok, then I went to Club Foot.
I thought Club Foot was the best ever, then I went to Innertown.
I wanted to marry Innertown, take it in the back room and do bad things to it and then, then, THEN I went to Hungry Brain.

I…

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Washington/Clark/Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60610

Kristin C. writes: Remind me never to say,  "One year I would like to go to New York for Christmas and see the big tree" to a Chicagoan.  I practically got my bum dragged down to Daley Plaza.  "SEE.  THERE'S YOUR TREE."  Geesh.  Sorry to hate on Chicago Christmas!

Truth…

Podhalanka
Neighborhood: Noble Square

1549 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622

molly c. writes: the simple fact that i have lived in close proximity to podhalnka for over 3 years is great.

the bad BAD part is that i haven't ever been there before last night.

i got my hair cut last night and strange beauty show and was STARVING, so dan and i…

Threadless
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3011 North Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Miz Peg B. writes: How is it that I just found out about Threadless t-shirts? Maybe it's because I am not nearly as cool as the rest of you. Or maybe it's because anytime I spend more than $10 on any article of clothing for my son it's destined to end up at his…

Bark Bark Club
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5943 Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660

danielle C. writes: My picky pooch loves the staff here.  They walk and bathe her.  She goes in for baths every month and 1/2 and comes home shiny, fresh and happy from each visit. I cannot say enough positive things about the dog walkers either. They are great. They…

The Coffee & Tea Exchange
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3311 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Alexis K. writes: I love the coffee here. It's very good and has a decent variety. The staff has been very good to eh whenever I've gone in; sometimes, I have to wait even if there's no other customers there. However, the prices are most excellent as is the coffee.

Lillstreet Art Center
Neighborhood: Lakeview

4401 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

Jennifer L. writes: I am SO pleased with Lillstreet.  I'm taking the beginning painter class and our instructor makes it fun yet challenging.  I can just feel the right side of my brain growing!  The price is very reasonable, and all materials are included (for this…

D'lees Nail Salon
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3342 N Halsted
Chicago, IL 60657

Kathryn M. writes: I had been to D'Lee's before on my own and loved it, so when I took my mom here for her first ever mani/pedi on her 50th birthday when she came to visit me this summer, I was hoping she enjoyed it to.

We weren't let down. At the end of the appointment…

Manny's Coffee Shop & Deli
Neighborhood: University Village

1141 S Jefferson St
Chicago, IL 60607

Andrea R. writes: I bookmarked Manny's months ago and have been meaning to see what the big deal is.  Growing up in Boca Raton, Florida I've had my share of good corned beef sandwiches and I'm not sure Chicago really knows what a good corned beef sandwich is (based on…

Tedino's
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5335 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60640

Deanna M. writes: I used to be a My Pie whore
But I can't eat pizza anymore.
When I still did, you could bet your hide
that there better be a mountain of cheese inside
the delivery box, once it arrived at my door...
And Tedino's brought that, and so much more.

I've only had…

Frontera Fresco
Neighborhood: The Loop

111 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60602

Nancy K. writes: Named Chicago's "best deal" in the April issue of Food & Wine magazine

Gethsemane Garden Center
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5739 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60660

Nancy K. writes: Variety and quality here.  A wonderful place to linger.