What are the highlights of Greektown and Chinatown in Chicago?

Question

I love culture and would like to visit Chicago's Chinatown and Greektown (we are REALLY REALLY interested in Greektown).
What are the best authentic shops and dining, and what are some things we absolutely must see?
Are there any places we should avoid or anywhere we shouldn't park or go around dark, etc.?

Answer 1

Greektown is getting gentrified, a lot of the older ethnic stores are gone, on Halsted just from VanBuren up to Monroe is about all that's left, still there is Pan Hellenic pastry shop that is very good, Artopolis is new but pretty nice, it's a bakery, cafe, bar, gift shop and coffeehouse all in one, the Parthenon has very good authentic greek food, not so touristy and the homemade pink table wine is by the quart, the Lucky shop is not really greek but it's pretty cool, they dont make mojo bags or cast spells like Papa Doc down at Augustine's tho, I have never been to the Hellenic Museum but the temporary home is 801 W Adams, 4th Floor, the hours are only something like 11am-4pm it's hard to get info because they are running a big fund raising campaign for a new home, Chinatown Square at Cermak and Archer is where alot of the Chinatown merchants have moved because of the one year free rent deal, there are carved statues of the Chinese Zodiac animals there, go north past the townhomes maybe a block, not even, to the Ping Tom Park on the river, cool garden and pagoda, oh yeah it's getting cold out, the best restaurant judging by the food, is the Original 'little' Three Happiness by far, 209 W Cermak request 'Gary's' chili oil. Two streets south of Cermak, but less than a block at 218 West Alexander Street is St. Therese Church, before 1963 this was Santa Maria Incoronata Church and had a largely Italian-American congregation, inside are a number of distinctively Chinese features, but an interesting non-Chinese feature is the large statue of Christ on the Cross donated to Santa Maria Incoronata by Teresina Capone, the mother of Al Capone, she is said to have been a devout woman who loved her son in spite of his faults, the Riciglianese congregation spoke a Salerno dialect similar to that of her home town, Castellammare di Stabia.
Go to Chinatown during daylight so you can see the architecture, tiles and ornamentation on the buildings, stay on well lite streets and you should be ok in Chinatown and Greektown, there are big parking lots right there for both.

While in Chicago you might want to try Atotonilco (they have the best al pastor I have had) 3916 W. 26th St. [phone]

Answer 2

I live 15 mins from Chinatown and you want to avoid parking on side streets that are sparsly lit and don't give any change to the homeless because you're unknowingly supporting a drug and alcohol habit and some of these people are homeless due to mental illness or a substance abuse problem they can't shake off. Most of the good places are on the main street which is Wentworth Ave. and you can get a good meal for any price, but most of the places have authentic cuisine pick a place and go there. As far as small shops they're all over the place and they sell pretty much everything from Cheogsams(traditional chinese garb) to small knick nacks. Stay on the lit streets and if you find a side street that's lit park there, but stay together for safety reasons.

Greektown is not nearly as spread out as Chinatown and the only real shop that's there is the Athenian Candle Company which is on the SW corner of Jackson and Halsted. You drive from Van Buren to Randolph you've pretty much driven through Greektown. Chinatown goes from 26th street to Cermak Road. Up north on Devon Ave are a lot of small Indian places and Taylor Street is home to Little Italy. Pilsen is home to many mexican places that has some good food. Humboldt Park and Wicker Park are home to many different kinds of Puerto Rican restaurants and shops.

Answer 3

Once again I've got to give you an answer about Chicago. As far as Greektown or Chinatown all you need to do is park the car and walk down the street. You'll see restaurants and shops ALL OVER the place. There are tons of amazing Chinese restaurants there.

Answer 4

Chinatown Mural, a mural showing the history of Chinese immigrants in United States

Chinatown Square, with sculptures of animals in the Chinese zodiac

Wentworth Avenue with shopping, restaurants, and landmarks, including the Chinatown Gate

Pui Tak Center was designated a Chicago Landmark at December 1, 1993. It was the On Leong Merchants Association Building.

Chinese-American Museum of Chicago, exhibits the pictures and objects for the history of Chicago Chinatown

Ping Tom Park, with Chinese gardens along the Chicago River

Answer 5

There are plenty of great restaurants in Greektown and Chinatown. In Chinatown, my personal favorite is the Moon Palace. As far as staying safe, don't walk around on your own, and stay on the commercial side.

Answer 6

Chinatown I'm not so sure, haven't been in about 20+ yrs. I hear they have really made it something to see though in the past few yrs.

Greektown... I'm there about 1x a week. We love Greek Islands it has many rooms with different levels to sit on. The room directly behind the receptionist desk has seating on 4 levels, ask for the very top level overlooking the room. The food is great & cheap. & it's jumping every night. Lots of local color hanging out at the bar. 9 muses is a nice bar to hang out at & you can sit in the window & people watch. It even has a token Irish bar Dugans. All are on Halsted.

Oopa!

Answer 7

Food, arts, and shopping bargains. Try the bakeries. Cheap and so good!

Answer 8

FOOD!
Go to metromix.com
chicagoreader.com
newcity.com