What are some tips for the best "back door" experience in Chicago?

Question

Natives of Chicago! What's some inside scoops that the books don't necesarily tell you about? I hear there's a great Indian (as in India) section of the city.

Answer 1

jdm has some interesting stuff there, but clemm is off-base.
The Indian neighborhood is on the far north side centered at Devon and Western. Lots of storefront restaurants on Devon, but I am not an expert. This is the real deal too. Hardly any non-Indians or Pakistanis walking the streets here.
Avoid Navy Pier - it exists only for tourists. Plenty of locals in Wrigleyville (lakeview) and Lincoln Park, but these are not exactly secrets.
One place is Southport - nothing special here, but it is just enough off the path that there are not too many suburbanites. Try Southport Lanes or catch the live music at Schubas. You could go to Lange's - it's a dive bar that is becoming trendy.
Bucktown is ok too. Again, not exactly a secret, but still cool.
You could try Uptown. This area is still a little sketchy, but pretty safe. It is turning around so there are no tourists and it has a genuine urban feel.

Another thing I like is neighborhood theater. There are tons of these. Too many for me to list.

Check out www.metromix.com

Answer 2

Not sure what you mean by "back door" experience, but be careful how you phrase that. It could result in an uncomfortable situation and a lot ombarassment.

If you're looking for out-of-the-way places to check out, you have to go into the actual neighborhoods to discover the little places that only locals know about. The Andersonville neighborhood, located on north Clark St., is a mix of old Scandinavian and alternative funk. I'd also check out Roscoe Village, The Irving Park-Lincoln-Damen area, the Pilsen neighborhood (the Mexican fine arts Museum is there and it's pretty cool), Hyde Park, parts of Edgewater, Little Italy, the German themed area near Lincoln and Lawrence and the still-kinda-hippieish Rogers Park (there a funky "new" bar called Morseland - not new actually, but renovated and now hosts jazz, hip hop DJs, etc.). Do a search on the 'net for these places and I'm sure you can find out more and see their exact locations.

If you're looking for Indian restaurants, the primarly location is Devon Ave. (as most people have said). It's actually an Indian/Pakistani mixed neighborhood (with a little Orthodox Jewish thrown in too - how's that for a mix?). Going there is like taking a trip to Mumbai. There are Indian grocery stores, sari shops, etc. It smells great walking down that street, but it can get extremely crowded on the weekends. I recommend a restaurant called Tiffen. They have a great buffet on Saturday afternoon.

But there are also a few other great Indian restaurants scattered around the city. There's Marigold on Broadway and Lawrence, Raj Dabar on Halsted near Diversey and Klay Over in the Loop. Here's a list of most (if not all) of the Indian restaurants in Chicago:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/search-venues.front?name=&attributeType=mmx-cuisine&attribute-mmx-cuisine=mmx-cuisine-Indian

Answer 3

The Indian and Pakistani neighborhood is on the north side along Devon Avenue, around Western (I think).

Not sure exactly what you are looking for. The Wiener Circle is a hot dog stand near a strip of bars/clubs. The place is full of drunks on Friday and Saturday nights. I'm sure some find this scene wonderful, but others do not.

Feel free to e-mail me with specific questions, I'll try to help as much as I can.

Answer 4

The Indian sections are more in the suburbs. There are beautiful Hindu temples in the Naperville/Aurora area. Inside of Chicago, you should go to Rush Street on a Friday or Saturday night. That is the nightlife of Chicago. Lincoln Park (north near Wrigley Field) is also lively at night and on weekends. Walk up Michigan Avenue from about 600 south up to the Gold Coast (Hancock Center). Visit the North Peir Childrens Museum if you have kids. Rent a boat and go for a ride if it is warm when you go. See the skyline from the lake, it is a great sight.

Answer 5

Not sure if you're into Frank Sinatra at all, but there's a great little bar/lounge called Rizzo's. The owner is a great guy named Stan who will talk your ear off all night about Frank (he was a manager and bodyguard for a time I believe).

Also, there's a restaraunt called the Weiner Circle. I've personally never been, but I'm told late Friday nights are a scene at this place. Ditto with Dirty Dick's Crabhouse.

Answer 6

The best "back door" experience? Umm...try "Boys Town"

Answer 7

There is so much to experience in Chicago, it’s difficult to know where to begin. You may want to start with an overview of the city. First, see the expanse of the Chicagoland area from 1,000 feet above at the John Hancock Observatory or the Sears Tower Skydeck. Next you can head over to Navy Pier to experience the Amazing Chicago Funhouse Maze, which takes you through a journey of Chicago landmarks and history. Also at Navy Pier, Time Escape is a 3-D motion simulation experience allowing you to travel through Chicago’s history, present and future. There are a variety of boat tours departing from Navy Pier and other city locations, as well as city bus tours, which point out significant landmarks and provide interesting information about Chicago and its history. See our tours section for more tour information and see our Navy Pier section for more exciting things to do while you’re there.the Museum Campus, near Soldier Field, is home to The Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium, two excellent museums. See our museums section for more information. Also located at Museum Campus is the Shedd Aquarium, which is the world's largest indoor aquarium with more than 8,000 aquatic animals representing more than 700 species from all parts of the world. You can take a water taxi between Museum Campus and Navy Pier.Two of the finest zoos in the country are located in the Chicago area and both are highly recommended. First, on the city’s north side is Lincoln Park Zoo. This free zoo is open every day of the year. While it is one of the oldest zoos in the country, it is also one of the most modern. Brookfield Zoo, located in Brookfield, Illinois, just west of Chicago, is situated on 216 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, featuring over 2,000 animals. No matter what time of year you visit Chicago, there is bound to be special events that you won’t want to miss. Many of the special events are held in the summer, but check our Events Calendar to see all that Chicago is offering during your stay. Just a few annual favorites -- the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Air & Water Show and Venetian Night. navy pier.Index of Chicago Stuff - Places to Visit
Auditorium Theatre - Built in 1889, and was immediately acclaimed as one of the most beautiful and functional theatres in the world. Located downtown Chicago. Buckingham Memorial Fountain - One of Chicago's most popular attractions. The fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park. Located downtown Chicago. Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau - Chicago is a business center, with a diverse, powerhouse economy. It is also a tourism center, with world-renowned shopping, dining, museums, architecture, theater, music and more. For business. For pleasure. We're your kind of town.Chicago Blackhawks - NHL hockey Chicago style Chicago Bulls - Chicago's NBA team
Chicago Cubs - The National League Baseball team in Chicago
Chicago White Sox - The American League Baseball team in Chicago
Chicago Wolves - AHL hockey in Chicago's northwest suburbs.
Chicago Landmarks - Information on designated Chicago historical landmarks.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Rich in tradition. Innovative in vision. The CSO is a musical force in Chicago and around the world. Located downtown Chicago.
Chicago Trolley Co. & Chicago Double Decker Co. - Chicago Trolley and Double Decker customers have unlimited access to any of the designated stops on the route. The tour takes about an hour and forty-five minutes, but for those who would like to explore a bit of the city, there will be another Trolley or Double Decker along shortly to continue your tour and take you back to your starting point. Located downtown Chicago.
DuPage Children's Museum - The mission of the DuPage Children’s Museum is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving in young children through: self-directed, open-ended experiences - integration of the arts, science and math - the child-adult learning partnership. Located in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Lyric Opera of Chicago - Lyric Opera of Chicago is recognized internationally as one of the truly great opera companies of our time. Located downtown Chicago.
Navy Pier - Navy Pier offers endless entertainment and attractions to Chicagoans and their guests of all ages. One of the best places on the Chicago's lakefront to visit!
the Goodman Theatre - Chicago's oldest and largest theater. Features drama and musical performances. Located downtown Chicago.
The Morton Arboretum - The Arboretum is open 365 days a year! Excellent Living Collections consisting of more than 41,000 plants, representing 3,300 different types of plants from around the world, that provides research scientists, horticulturists, arborists, teachers, students, and homeowners with a wealth of information. Located in the western suburbs of Chicago.The Sears Tower Skydeck - The best view and best overview of Chicago. At 1,353 feet (412 meters), the Skydeck is the highest observatory in Chicago. Located downtown Chicago.Wendella Boat Tours - Chicago's most comprehensive boat tour. It's signature tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River includes a live narration featuring an overview of Chicago architecture and history. Located right on the Chicago River in downtown Chicago.MILLENNIUM PARK
Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets, Chicago, IL
While you're down on the lakefront, don't miss the newest addition to Chicago's long-standing tradition of public art--Millennium Park. Chicago has long been known for its public art--the Picasso statue in the late 1960s, the "Cows on Parade" in the summer of 1999, and now "Cloud Gate" and the Crown Fountain, which celebrates its first birthday in July.
The Crown Fountain, designed by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, is two 50-foot tall glass towers with a reflecting pool situated between them. Projected from within each tower is a face of a Chicagoan--up close and 50-feet tall! Water cascades from the top down the sides of each tower into the shallow reflecting pool below. At seemingly random intervals, the "Chicagoans" spit 50-foot streams of water at each other while visitors frolic and splash in the water. It reminds me of those long, hot, muggy Chicago summer days when I was a child and the neighborhood teenagers would open a fire hydrant so everyone could cool off--until the fire department came to turn them off. sears tower. museams. downtown.Buckingham Fountain
Grant Park, Congress Pkwy. and Columbus Drive
312/742-7529
Centennial Fountain
300 E. McClurg Ct., at Chicago River
312/751-6635
Chicago Board of Trade
141 W. Jackson Blvd.
312/435-3500
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 am-2 pm. Free admission.
Chicago Board Options Exchange
400 S. LaSalle St.
312/786-5600
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
30 S. Wacker Dr.
312/930-8249
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am-3:15 pm. Free admission.
Chicago Stock Exchange
440 S. LaSalle St.
312/663-2980
Cuneo Museum & Gardens
1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
847/362-3042
Daley Civic Center
Washington and Dearborn Sts.
312/346-3278
Picasso Sculpture
ESPN Zone
43 E. Ohio St.
The Hancock Observatory
875 N. Michigan Ave.
888/875-VIEW
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St.
312/814-6660
New Maxwell Street Market
Sundays Only
Canal and Roosevelt Sts.
312/922-3100
Merrill C. Meigs Field
15th Street at Lakefront near Adler Planetarium
773/465-0388
The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
(at Columbus Hospital) 2520 N. Lakeview
773/388-7338
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
312/595-PIER
outside Chicago call 800/595-PIER
Robie House - Frank Lloyd Wright
Architectural Landmark.
5757 S. Woodlawn St.
708/848-1976
DisneyQuest
55 E. Ohio St.
818/526-4242
Donley's Wild West Town
Rt 20 and South Union Rd., Union
815/923-8000.
Empress Casino Hammond
825 Empress Dr., Hammond, IN
888/4-EMPRESS
Empress Casino Joliet
2300 Empress Dr., Joliet
888/4-EMPRESS
Enchanted Castle Restaurant & Entertainment Complex
1103 S. Main St., Lombard
630/953-7860.
ESPN Zone
43 E. Ohio St.
Fox River Games
1891 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora
630/585-5651
Majestic Star Casino
One Buffington Harbor Dr., Gary, IN
888/2B-LUCKY
Six Flags Great America
I-94 at 132 East (Grand Ave.), Gurnee
847/249-1776
USA Rainbo
4836 N. Clark St.
773/271-5668
WhirlyBall
1880 W. Fullerton Ave.
800/894-4759
880 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard
630/932-4800
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312/922-STAR
TDD/TT: 312/322-0995
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave.
312/443-3600
Chicago Architecture Foundation
224 S. Michigan Ave., Recorded Tour Information
312/922-TOUR
Chicago Children's Museum
Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., 312/527-1000
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington St., 312/744-6630
Chicago Historical Society
Clark St. at North Ave.
312/642-4600
Chicago Public Library
Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State St.
312/747-4300
DuSable Museum
740 E. 56th Pl.
773/947-0600
The Field Museum
Roosevelt Rd. at Lake Shore Dr.
312/922-9410
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park
708/848-1976
Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
1852 W. 19th St.
312/738-1503
Museum of Broadcast
Communications
Chicago Cultural Center
Michigan Ave. at Washington St.
312/629-6000
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave.
312/280-2660
Museum of Science and Industry
57th St. at Lake Shore Dr.
773/684-1414
outside of Chicago 1/800-GOTOMSI
Shedd Aquarium/Oceanarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
General Information
312/939-2438
Ticketmaster: 312/559-0200
Brookfield Zoo
8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
708/485-2200
Lincoln Park Zoo
Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Pkwy.
312/742-2000
Medival times, rainforest cafe. visit http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/........ for great restaurents and night clubs...
chinatown, greektown. in summer we have taste of chicago, it's so cool
shpping down town especially, we have nice stores and monumentx.....
the great india is called Devon
Devon Avenue (IPA pronunciation: [dɪˈvɑn]) is a major east-west thoroughfare in the Chicago metropolitan area. It begins at Chicago's Sheridan Road, which borders Lake Michigan, and it runs west until merging with Higgins Road near O'Hare International Airport. Devon recontinues on the opposite side of the airport and runs intermittently through Chicago's northwestern suburbs. The street is located at 6400 N in Chicago's address system.


A view of Devon Avenue's "Little India".Devon Avenue was originally known as Church Road[1], but it was renamed in the 1850s by English immigrants from Devonshire [2]. Since then, the street has been settled by many other immigrant groups, which is perhaps most evident between Kedzie and Ridge Avenues in West Ridge, Chicago. Here, one travelling eastward will encounter, in succession, an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, an Indian neighborhood, a Pakistani neighborhood, and a Bangladeshi neighborhood. Indeed, portions of Devon in this area have been renamed in honor of Golda Meir, Mahatma Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman [3].

Devon's Desi corridor is one of the best-known and largest communities of its kind in North America. South Asian shops, restaurants and grocery stores abound along this strip, and it has become a popular tourist destination. Vivek Mukherjee of Rediff.com writes, "There are similar desi markets in New Jersey, at the famous Oak Tree Road or in the Bay Area, but nothing like Devon Street. [...] Devon Street's sidewalks are even speckled with the paan stains" [4].

Other points of interest along Devon Avenue include Superdawg, Loyola University Chicago, Bryn Mawr Country Club, Edgebrook Golf Course, Thillens Stadium, and the Misericordia Home, which serves children with mental disabilities.