Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Franklin Park

"Though Chicago is a city that prides itself on tradition, it is also a city that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Enter Alinea, a Michelin-starred restaurant that has consistently been named one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world. Since its opening, Alinea has redefined what fine-dining can be and nothing exemplifies that better than its edible balloon made from green apple taffy."

"The cuisine is a lesson in mastery, but also a blend of modern science and practical magic. Air-filled balloons are edible, senses of taste, touch, smell are tested, mental and emotional boundaries are pushed. The menu, an ever-shifting chameleon, is a reflection of the wizards in the kitchen, led by chef Grant Achatz himself—no two meals are ever alike."

"Experimental , Molecular Gastronomy"

"Like your mom and Wrigley Field, just because they've been around for a while, it doesn't mean they've lost a bit of luster. The Mediterranean-meets-the-Midwest avec has been a Chicago favorite for 16 years despite the hundreds of upstarts that come and go in the West Loop. And with good reason."

"Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space has seating for only 48 people, and it's a tight fit....Read More"

"Tango Sur is a Latin American Steakhouse up in Lakeview that literally everyone raves about. A cute neighborhood spot with amazing food that’s also BYOB?"

"Not only does my family splurge on getting the famous pizza grinders freshly flipped on your plate when you order, but we feast on appetizers too. This restaurant will create an inseparable bond with your family through comfort food and pleasure as the pizza is not your ordinary triangle slices. What to order: Classic Cheese Pizza Pot Pie"

"This one has been all over the internet lately because of its Pizza Pot Pie. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. brings history to its customers in the bottom floor of an old Lincoln Park home, while also redefining deep dish. The pies are made from scratch and can also be bought frozen to eat at home."

"A relative newcomer, having opened in 2012, L’Patron Tacos has quickly become a favorite for those in search for the perfect taco. The joint also offers tortas, burritos, and more of what the owners call “hearty, wholesome food.” The carne asada is a must-have. Pro tip: Try something new with the Gringo, which is a cross between a quesadilla and an al pastor taco."

"What pizza is to New York, tacos are to Chicago: we use it to fuel the party. Nothing will make you feel more prepared to take on a night of bar-hopping than the carne asada tacos. Enter Logan Square’s laid-back L’Patron, the best Chicago taco."

"These are a few of our favorite things: Pies from Eat Free Pizza, Kimski’s fried chicken and dessert from Pretty Cool Ice Cream are now served beneath the same Bridgeport roof. Choose your own adventure: perhaps you’ll go for a sausage and giardiniera pizza on thin cracker crust, some chicken tenders with buffalo ranch, followed by a rainbow chip ice cream pop?. But our list of favorite things doesn’t end there, as you’re welcome to take your food next door to the patio at Maria’s Packaged Goods to grab a cocktail to complement your hearty meal."

"Pizza , Ice Cream"

"Forget a Tiffany necklace, this massive stained-glass masterpiece at the Chicago Cultural Center is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence."

"Now open This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing."

"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features a large number of artworks presenting intuitive and outsider art. They have been featuring various artworks since 1991. Their world-class exhibitions give an opportunity for the public to explore this kind of art."

"The Poetry Foundation Library is another attraction that you can’t find anywhere else in Illinois. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find it anywhere else in the US. There are only a handful of poetry libraries in the entire world, but the good news is that the Chicago version is one of the best."

"Chicago's Poetry Foundation is all about the study of poetry. It was the first place in the city of Chicago to focus only on poetry as an art form, which was the dream of Poetry magazine's Harriet Monroe. The foundation's goal is to heighten public and cultural interest in poetry."

"Circle back toward the river, making a quick stop inside Macy’s State Street which is designated as a National Historic Landmark thanks to magnificent touches that make it feel more like a museum than a department store. Of note are the Great Clocks which weigh seven tonnes each, granite pillars that are the second-tallest of their type in the world, and the ornate Tiffany Ceiling which was painstakingly designed from 1.6 million pieces of hand-fired iridescent glass."

"Further down Randolph is Macy's on State Street, another stunning landmark building boasting seven floor of retail space and great dining options. Across the way, Block 37 is a five-story modern urban mall boasting its own gourmet food hall Latinicity and new Dine-in AMC Movie Theatre."

"3162 North Broadway Street Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 281-6111 www.hisstuffchicago.com. His Stuff offers attire for men who are in touch with their inner fashionisto. The clothing in this boutique can be gaudy, or casual, but they will never be outdated."

"Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, video consultant, three-time Emmy®-award winning TV producer, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical and traveled around the world for three years. She has been blogging atLLworldtour.comsince 2006."

"The timeless Chicago hotel has all the fame and historic charm to make your green-eyed followers even more envious of your travels."

"It doesn’t get any more old school than Chicago’s oldest family-owned bakery, which has been servicing Humboldt Park sweet tooths since 1911. As a specialty, Roeser’s offers low-glycemic options for birthday boys and girls who could benefit from reduced sugar, carbs and calories. Follow the bakery’s iconic neon sign to find cakes baked using recipes perfected over 4 generations with culinary skills to decorate to any theme you could possibly imagine, including a wide variety of licensed character cakes."

"Restaurants Bakeries Humboldt Park. One of Chicago’s oldest family-run businesses has operated out of the same storefront, distinguished today by its vertical neon sign and quaint painted lady facade, since its establishment in 1911. Today it’s a good all-arounder, with doughnuts and danish for breakfast, and a wide selection of cake slices and cookies (many in Chicago sports team motifs) for dessert."

"One of Chicago's oldest food purveyors, venerable Roeser's Bakery has been in business in Humboldt Park for more than 100 years. Beautiful custom cakes and tortes are a specialty, but don't miss the cookies and holiday items at this long-running local institution."