Typically referred to by Chicagoans as the “West Loop", the West Loop Gate comprises the north central area of the Near West Side (one of the 77 defined community areas of Chicago), which is located west of Chicago's Loop.  The West Loop is bordered by I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway) to the east, Grand Ave. to the north, I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) to the south, and Ashland Ave. to the west.  The neighborhood also extends to the Chicago River located south of Madison Street.  Bordering and closeby neighborhoods include: The Loop; Fulton River District; University Village/Little Italy; United Center Park; Tri-Taylor; Greektown; Illinois Medical District.  

 A former manufacturing hub turned chic neighborhood, the area now consists primarily of warehouses that are still operating or have been converted to loft condominiums, restaurants, night clubs, art galleries, and retail stores.  This up-and-coming trendy spot is also the home of Harpo Studios, owned by the famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey, and the production site of her syndicated television show.

History

The West Loop neighborhood is one of Chicago’s newer neighborhoods. It has only recently begun to be developed, and thus its history is short and fairly straightforward. The area was first inhabited in the 1800’s by immigrants, many from Eastern Europe and Russia, who came to this region looking for employment. While the first settlers did find homes right here in the West Loop, much of the area was a warehouse district, full of factories and businesses. When Greektown was discovered later in the century, some commercial sites were developed as well.

Flapper dancers owned the dance scene in the 1920's, Prohibition prompted the Dry Law, and a wave of immigration brought in a diverse brood of folks, some of whom only came to work in the factories and ended up residing in the neighborhood.  The area continued to see growth, and then 40 years later, when the University of Illinois expanded to open its Chicago campus (located just south of the West Loop), the demand for housing increased significantly.  With this trend emerging, builders developed new properties
and thus, warehouses were converted into modern lofts and condos.

Modern Day West Loop

This ultra-urban, former warehouse district is one of Chicago's hip, up-and-coming neighborhoods, located just steps away from Loop.  The West Loop shares corner space with fine galleries and some of the city's trendiest lofts and condominiums great for those who like being next to downtown, but enjoy a little breathing room.  Even though the neighborhood had its start as an industrial storage center, the West Loop is making up for lost time by infusing the area with as much active life and entertainment options as space will allow.  Beginning with a couple public parks, the community is far from deprived of open expanses of green or recreation opportunities these days.  In fact, West Loop's Union Park is more than a playground since it doubles as an annual outdoor festival venue for the popular Pitchfork Music Festival.  Fashionable foodie fanfare also helps distance the neighborhood from its uninhabitable days with every taste from fusion sushi to a cluster of Athenian-inspired establishments collectively referred to as none other than Greektown. 

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Parks

Since warehouses and factories frame the area, the West Loop's two local parks create a perfect escape for local residents.  The smaller of the two is the recently-renovated Skinner Park (1331 W Adams St, 312-746-5560) at the corner of Adams and Laflin streets. This modest plot was originally purchased by the City of Chicago in 1850 as the neighborhood's well-known meeting spot. At that time it was called Jefferson Park and served as the setting for Theodore Dreiser's book Sister Carrie. But by the 1860s and 70s, the neighborhood began to decline, especially after the Great Fire of 1871. The park changed hands and remained a relative derelict until 1955 when the Chicago Park District renamed it Mark Skinner Park after the former U.S. attorney and State Representative (the park is also adjacent to a school of the same name). Today it's a dog-walker's paradise with a few perks like baseball fields, basketball courts and a home field for the Whitney Young High School's baseball team.

Just three blocks north and a block west of Skinner Park you'll run into Union Park (1501 W Randolph St, 312-746-5494) a popular spot for picnics, dog runs and recreational sports. West Loopers gather here for baseball, basketball, co-rec volleyball and even seasonal swimming (the park offers family swim for all ages as well as open swim for specific age groups). Union Park also has day camps for youngsters (ages 6-12) and Movies in the Park during the summer. As far as history goes, the park was created by the request of the city in 1853, and in the early 1900s became one of the few leisure time locales to be racially integrated (at the time, several Chicago parks barred African Americans from enjoying the areas). The park's shape -- similar to a baseball diamond's home plate -- is appropriate seeing as a bunch of softball and baseball leagues play here. There's also a grassy field where a youth football program sets up practice and gears up for its fall season.

Real Estate

In the West Loop, residents can have that metropolitan feeling right in their backyard without the hassle of downtown living. It is no surprise that the number of condos here have doubled in just a few years with new condominium complexes continuing to go up all the time. Since the area is up-and-coming, prices are still cheaper than in parts closer to the waterfront or in established Chicago neighborhoods north of the Loop, and the population is significantly lower than in communities like River North and Lincoln Park. Plus, any complaints about it being unsafe are wearing thin: In the past two decades the West Loop has become one of the safer city neighborhoods and crime levels continue to decrease each year.

Developers here are also taking a different approach compared with other Chicago neighborhoods, vowing to preserve the charm of the area and working to integrate its history with modern living. In addition to the new developments, there are several rehab projects in the works, including loft condominiums and old warehouse buildings that are being converted into luxury units. The median sale price for a one-bedroom condo in the West Loop is approximately $267,000. For a two-bedroom, median prices run around $370,000. However, if you're interested in a single-family detached home, you're looking at prices between $800,000 and $900,000. Space to build is a high commodity in the city. As more developments go up and the West Loop grows, so will the prices. If you're in the market for a new place, we recommend checking out the West Loop sooner rather than later.

Good Eats

Myriad restaurants and hip foodie fanfare defines this diverse neighborhood on the rise. From fusion sushi to succulent seafood, the West Loop has you and your appetite covered.

Randolph Street's "Restaurant Row" begins on the eastern edge of the West Loop and makes its way west toward Union Park on the western border. Here you can hit up all kinds of culinary delights from pan-Asian cuisine at Red Light (820 W. Randolph St., 312-733-8880) to all-American fodder at Extra Virgin (741 W. Randolph St., 312-474-0700), brought to you by the same guys behind the local Bar Louie chain of trendy sandwich joints. For sushi lovers, you'll find several options, including Izumi Sushi (731 W. Randolph St., 312-207-5299) where sake bombs are so last year. Instead, you can take a sake tour to taste four variations of the potent, warm rice booze, or try a saketini, their take on the classic martini with a sake twist. Got a sense of adventure? The menu veers from traditional with maki rolls like the "drunken" (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, crabmeat, lettuce and masago with Thai spicy sauce) and the "tiger" (unagi, or eel, with tempura crumbs wrapped with shrimp, avocado, tobikko and wasabi mayonnaise).

We know it's standard to order dessert after dinner, but if all you really want is dessert, skip dinner and go to the Chicago Chocolate Company (847 W. Randolph St., 312-738-0888), the ultimate place to satiate your sugary desires. Drool over white chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate in a bar, in a piece or in a ball, and in case you don't know which to choose, there is always a tray of samples right on the counter. The sweet treats don't stop at just chocolate; the cafe also has muffins and pies along with various teas and coffees. They even serve soups and sandwiches, making it an excellent stop for a light lunch. For an eye-opening caffeine fix, there are several unique spots that brew a flavorful cup in the West Loop neighborhood. West Gate Coffeehouse (924 W. Madison, 312-829-9378), for example, has so much more than black coffee (although their Intelligentsia brew is a great place to start). You'll need a minute to look over the extensive menu of breakfast foods and lunchtime items, including smoothies, hummus and even ice cream. This cozy abode, decorated with local art, is also a great place to unwind. Once you've grabbed your grub, settle down with a board game on one of their comfy leather couches or have a nice chat with a friend by the fireplace. Come in to West Gate on a weekday when the house serves as a venue for local bands, book clubs and even a playgroup for toddlers (Thursday mornings are complete with toys, games and rocking chairs for mom).

Nestled within the near west side Chicago neighborhood you will find the well-established dining district known as Greektown.  Parthenon (314 S. Halsted St., 312-726-2407) is at the center of it all, where you can get authentic Greek food at a price half that of most West Loop area restaurants. If you go, we recommend their famous saganaki: fried cheese soaked in brandy, then lit at your table with a shout of "Opa!" from your server. If you can't score a table at Parthenon (it gets packed at night), head a little farther north to Greek Islands (200 S. Halsted St., 312-782-9855). The popular restaurant is the biggest in Greektown with room for about 400 hungry visitors. The menu includes all kinds of fresh seafood, chicken and lamb, and in case you can't make up your mind, they have half-orders and combination entrees, too.

Not in the mood for dining out? Hit up Gourmet 47 (112 N. May St., 312-239-2873), a small, four-aisle non-chain grocery store stocked full of everything from organic produce to six-packs of soda. The best part: They carry prepared foods for those of us who just can't face making dinner from scratch some nights.

Shopping

Retail boutiques are a recent industry in the West Loop neighborhood, but word has gotten out and now there are quite a few storefronts attracting the interest of local residents and shoppers from surrounding areas.

A couple popular spots for dropping a dollar (or two hundred) include Bess & Loie (1015 W Lake St, 312-226-2247) and Ouest (1063 W Madison St, 312-421-2799). The former was a Chicago Reader "Boutique of the Week" in April 2007, and it's no surprise with its unique collection of handbags and purses. Boutique owner Allyson Holleb was a former buyer for Eileen Fisher's retail stores in New York, and now she has brought her love of arm-ware to Chicago. Bess & Loie's hand-crafted bags command anywhere from $200 to $800 and the custom-design jewelry also costs a pretty penny (a couple hundred bucks on average). At Ouest, women peruse the delicately placed rows of dresses and French-inspired tops and leggings in this über-chic showroom. The store carries lines with a classic style to them with prices that concur -- most pieces fall in the $300 to $400 range -- so bring your credit card.

Other businesses in the West Loop include a slew of gift shops, artsy stores and specialty markets. Greektown Gift & Music Shop (330 S Halsted St, 312-263-6342) stocks a variety of Greek-inspired trinkets, accessories, music, cookbooks, newspapers, and video rentals -- of films in Greek, of course. If for some reason you're in search of a miniature statue of an Athenian goddess, or you want a recipe for a fabulous tzatziki sauce, this is a good bet. But those are just sideline items really, the main focus of this West Loop neighborhood haunt is CD sales. Music-lovers will find rows and rows of albums that warrant an inspection and their movie collection is pretty decent, too. If you didn't discover that ideal gift there, try a couple doors down at Athenian Candle Co (300 S Halsted St, 312-332-6988) where spiritual candles and an mix of religious and pagan goods grace the shelves, enticing patrons with the promise of salvation, protective powers, good luck and fortune. At first mention, you may think Koros Art & Style (1019 W Lake St, 312-738-0155) is a regular old gallery or home decor emporium -- not so. This is the West Loop's portal to fashion at its finest. Only hand-picked clothing collections incorporating the most en vogue designs are allowed into this totally trendy art gallery-esque boutique. The clientele are offered champagne and plush robes to lounge around in while they look over the selection of ultra cool jeans, tops, dresses, jewelry and accessories. The salesclerks at Koros pamper their guests with individual attention and you even have the option of a personal shopper if you don't have time to come in yourself.

Artists

More than 30 art galleries hide in the nooks and crannies of this near west side Chicago neighborhood, offering a grab bag of style, artistic mediums and even artists themselves. The area has become a haven for inspired souls, and over the years local artists have created a tightly knit artists' community (many of the galleries participate in synchronized openings and have maps that highlight other gallery locations). The following are some of our favorites&

The Linda Warren Gallery (1052 W. Fulton Market, 312-432-9500) brings multiple styles of art together in its large-windowed storefront. The gallery houses everything from traditional to more avant-garde and conceptual works, mixed in with some commercial and alternative pieces for taste. Art Enterprises Ltd. (835 W. Washington Blvd., 312-226-6800) displays the designs of more than 200 artists, including Donald Judd, Jasper Johns and Jackson Polack. Located in the Thomas McCormick Gallery, it often loans its works to museums and art exhibitions across the country. First opened in 1979, the Peter Miller Gallery (118 N. Peoria St., 312-951-1700) was one of the pioneering fine art galleries to the area. Many Chicagoans claim it as their favorite, even after it moved from its original River North neighborhood location. Focusing mainly on an array of emerging Chicago artists, the venue has a diverse showing of sculptures and paintings side by side with video installations and contemporary photography. The gallery isn't lacking in space, either. With 3,500 square feet and three exhibition rooms, there's more than enough whitewall for everyone.

From Pop Art to pop icon, plopped right smack in the heart of the West Loop neighborhood is perhaps the area's most well-known Chicago moniker. Harpo Studios (1058 W Washington Blvd, 312-591-9222), home to the Oprah Winfrey Show, runs its successful daytime television program from the corner of Washington Boulevard and Carpenter Street. The queen of daytime talk shows bought the former armory in 1988 and renovated it into its current state: a stand-alone broadcast studio producing one of the most successful and longest-running programs on television. It's the only studio complex in the world owned by an African-American woman, and Oprah's show is the only one produced here on a regular basis. Tape-days are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (with no taping during the summer months), but don't plan your week around anticipated tickets; they are notoriously difficult to get.

Nightlife

With a population of University of Illinois students butting up to the neighborhood's southeast corner, the West Loop bustles at night with a sundry lot: a young crowd of artists and musicians blend right in with sports lovers and day traders. With a bar for every mood, you'll never be at a loss for a place to unwind in this Chicago neighborhood.

No beer is too cheap or too high-end for Beer Bistro (1061 W. Madison St., 312-433-0013). With more than 90 on the list and 12 more on tap, this welcoming spot begs for at least a handful of visits to sample the array of hoppy delights. Flat screen TVs and beer-friendly food make it an ideal setting for watching the game -- or a pre-game meal before heading to the game (the bar offers a shuttle to and from the United Center arena, located in the next neighborhood over to the west). Sports lovers can also hit up Union Park (228 S. Racine, 312-243-9002) for a snazzier take on the average sports pub. The marble-covered bar top adds a hint of bling, but the 15-foot flat-screen plasma TV brings the bar right back to a plain "cheer-on-your-home-team" level.

Anyone who spends a day on the trading room floors knows to make a b-line for Ceres Cafe (141 W. Jackson Blvd., 773-427-3443). Drinks are stiff and within budget, and the smoky atmosphere is surprisingly fitting. Even though it caters to the financial crowd with its stock quote board in the lounge and ticker-tape stock info along the bottom of the TV screens over the bar, you'll find suits and jeans mingling side by side at this local favorite.

If the dance floor beckons you, then join the gussied-up crowd at see-and-be-seen Transit (1431 W. Lake St., 312-491-9729). Grab a drink at one of the several bars, then hit the large oval dance floor. The only thing we don't like about this West Loop nightspot is the line out the door -- although it does give us ample time to check out the other partiers making their way into the club before we dance the night away. For a slightly shorter wait, check out Chromium (817 W. Lake St., 773-292-9010). The 1970s might be long gone, but the spinning disco ball sets a semi-retro scene, while steel-rod go-go cages and elevated dance floor adds more of a 1980s punk touch. As the name suggests, chrome is the theme, and yes, it sparkles. Consider yourself a high roller? Make your way to the "Red Room" VIP lounge, complete with maroon sofas and its own sound system. When we're in the mood for drums and guitar rather than synthesized electronic beats, we hang at Club Babalu (1645 W. Jackson Blvd., 312-733-3512). Set in the same location as the pizza joint Moretti's, Club Babalu is where you can salsa dance for hours on end. Fifteen bucks gets you in the door on Saturdays, and its three rooms of salsa, old-school Hip Hop and reggae will keep you shaking your hips all night long.

Save the Date

Anyone who knows Chicago knows Chicagoans like street parties, fairs, festivals, parades -- really any reason to celebrate outdoors with a bunch of neighbors and folks from all over the city, and even out-of-towners. Not surprisingly, West Loop residents are no different, which is apparent by the full schedule of fun neighborhood events they have planned throughout the year.

During the summer, the Taste of Randolph Street (900-1200 W. Randolph St., 312-458-9401) is a local version of the larger Taste of Chicago, and this street festival satiates more than just your palate. Running throughout the third weekend in June, the event hosts various bands and musical groups that serenade the streets as you munch. A suggested donation of $10 gets you in and you have the whole day to sample some of the best food from the cream of the Chicago-chefs' crop.

If it is just the music you like, then the Pitchfork Music Festival (1501 W. Randolph St) is where you should start. Head to Randolph Street in mid-July and $15 will get you an earful on Friday (single day tickets are also available for Saturday and Sunday at $25 per day), or you can splurge with a $50 three-day pass. Sink right in as a hodgepodge of top indie groups rock Randolph Street, or make your way through the crowd to the food and drink stands and treat yourself to a beer and burger before moving on to socialize with the other music-loving fans.

Get your exercise fix with other West Loopers and Chicago residents at the Niketown Bastille Day 5K Run/Walk and Block Party (1100 W. Jackson Blvd., 773-868-3010). The 3.1-mile run is held in July, but the actual race is just the beginning of this day-long affair. It takes you along a quick-paced route all around the neighborhood and ends right where the block party starts. Cross the finish line and two seconds later you'll be race-shorts-deep in food, drinks and live music. The event even benefits the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, so you can party to your heart's content knowing you're supporting a good cause. If you're not up for all that running, skip the race all together and just join in on the block party fun.

Starting in May and running through the end of October, you can visit the Chicago Antique Market (1300 W. Randolph St., 312-951-9939) on the last Saturday of each month. There you'll find everything from furniture and restored rarities to homemade crafts and paintings, all featured by local independent designers and artists. The show starts at 9 am but diehard antiquers can pay a little extra ($20 instead of $8 for regular admission) and begin browsing at 7:30 am -- don't forget to set that alarm!

Transportation and Getting Around

Situated directly west of Chicago's downtown Loop, West Loop residents have the prime setup for getting about the city with ease and limited traffic.

Along the north area of the West Loop neighborhood (mainly along Grand Avenue), we think the best way to get around is by putting one foot in front of the other. Both Grand Avenue and Randolph Street are walker-friendly areas with sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. But if you're moseying along somewhere in the middle, the Chicago Transit Authority (or CTA) bus system is probably your best bet. A network of bus routes following the West Loop's main thoroughfares provides passengers with a quick and cheap way to both travel within the neighborhood boundaries and head to destinations outside the borders.

The CTA also operates a subway and elevated train system -- known to locals as the "El" -- which offers an alternative to riding the bus. The Green Line train runs straight through the heart of the West Loop along Lake Street, stopping at the eastern and western edges of the neighborhood at Ashland Avenue and again at Clinton Street (about three blocks east of the Kennedy Expressway). This line heads into the Loop, curves and shoots down to Chicago's southern neighborhoods, or goes out to Oak Park in the other direction. One branch of the CTA Blue Line El train runs along the southern border of the West Loop. You can hop on the Blue Line at Racine Avenue or Halsted Street (at UIC), and arrive downtown in about five minutes. Head the opposite direction on the Blue Line and you'll be in Forest Park suburb in a half-hour or so.

For longer trips, head three blocks east of I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway) to Union Station (200 S. Canal St.) between Adams Street and Jackson Boulevard. From there you can hop one of 300-plus trains and head almost anywhere in the country since both the Metra (a statewide commuter train system connecting 230 stations across Illinois) and Amtrak run out of the station.

Anyone who has their own vehicle should know parking can be hit or miss in this area -- sometimes we find a space right away, other times we have to circle for a good 15 minutes. In general, parking spots are few and far between, although there are several meters that line the West Loop's central streets. There are a few parking lots near the south end of the neighborhood: one on the corner of Peoria and Madison streets, another just off the highway interchange, and one farther west on Jackson Boulevard. Despite any issues with parking, we have to say, this Chicago neighborhood has probably the best location for accessing the city's major freeways. Cradled by both the Kennedy (I-90/94) and the Eisenhower (I-290) expressways, residents in the West Loop can take their pick of open roads. Well, they are not necessarily open -- rush hour can cause pretty bad backups and construction is almost always a concern.

School Information

Local schools in the West Loop range from elementary to university-level education. A few private and public facilities dot the neighborhood where families can send their young scholars to class. For more information on the area's school district and for a list of all Chicago schools visit our Chicago Guide Schools page.

Skinner Classical Elementary School 111 S Throop St - (773) 534-7790
University of Illinois at Chicago Continuing Education 1033 W Van Buren St - (312) 996-8025
Whitney Young High School 211 S Laflin St - (773) 534-7500

And don't forget...

When living in or visiting the West Loop, you do not have to travel far for everyday necessities such as groceries, prescriptions or school supplies.  Going out for an evening on the town?  We've got you covered in that department as well.  We will even tune you into the area's coolest events and area happenings...

The following list includes restaurants, grocery stores, event information...and much more!!

Area Events

Chicago Antique Market 1300 W Randolph St - (312) 951-9939
Chicago Indie Designer Market 1300 W Randolph St - (312) 951-9939
Niketown Bastille Day 5K Run/Walk and Block Party 1100 W Jackson Blvd - (773) 868-3010
Pitchfork Music Festival 1501 W Randolph St
Taste of Randolph Street 900-1200 W Randolph St - (312) 458-9401

Art and Galleries

Art Enterprises Ltd. 835 W Washington Blvd - (312) 226-6800
Bodybuilder & Sportsman Gallery 119 N Peoria St - (312) 492-7261
Carrie Secrist Gallery 835 W Washington Blvd - (312) 491-0917
Gallery 2 847 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 563-5162
Giola Gallery 118 N Peoria St - (312) 850-4487
Kraft Lieberman Gallery 835 W Washington Blvd - (312) 948-0555
Linda Warren Gallery 1052 W Fulton Market - (312) 432-9500
Peter Miller Gallery 118 N Peoria St - (312) 951-1700
Skestos Gabriele Gallery 212 N Peoria St - (312) 243-1112
Thomas McCormick Gallery 835 W Washington Blvd - (312) 226-6800
Wendy Cooper Gallery 119 N Peoria St - (312) 455-1195

Bakeries/Sweets Shops

The Chicago Chocolate Company 847 W Randolph St - (312) 738-0888
Long Grove Confectionary 500 W Madison St - (312) 441-0263
Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop 322 S Halsted St - (312) 454-1886
Terry's Toffee 1117 W Grand Ave - (312) 733-2700

Entertainment

Blommer Chocolate Factory 600 W Kinzie St - (312) 226-7700
Harpo Studios 1058 W Washington Blvd - (312) 591-9222
The Intelligentsia Roasting Works 1850 W Fulton St - (312) 521-7963

Groceries

Athens Grocery 324 S Halsted St - (312) 454-0940
Dominick's 1 N Halsted St - (312) 279-8861
Gourmet 47 112 N May St - (312) 239-2873
Presidential Market 555 W Madison St - (312) 902-2800
Rubino's Seafood Inc 735 W Lake St - (312) 258-0020

Thomas McCormick Gallery 835 W Washington Blvd - (312) 226-6800
Wendy Cooper Gallery 119 N Peoria St - (312) 455-1195

Health & Fitness

Cardinal Fitness of Madison Ave 1301 W Madison St - (312) 226-2400
Curves 1151 W Madison St - (312) 491-0011
Hoops the Gym Stadium Club 1001 W Washington St - (312) 850-9496
Naturally Fit 310 S Racine Ave - (312) 226-3232
Nirvana Yoga 1151 W. Jackson Blvd., - (312) 829-9642
Pilates Studio of the Midwest 1151 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 492-8835
Slim and Tone 1142 W Grand Ave - (312) 733-8663
West Loop Gym 1024 W Kinzie St - (312) 421 8573

Pharmacies

Dominick's Pharmacy 1 N Halsted St - (312) 279-8861
Walgreens 111 S Halsted St - (312) 463-9139

Public Transportation

Chicago Transit Authority - (888) 968-7282

Shopping

Athenian Candle Co 300 S Halsted St - (312) 332-6988
Bess & Loie 1015 W Lake St - (312) 226-2247
Casati 949 W Fulton Market - (312) 421-9905
Executive Wardrobe by Lou Deal 1347 W Washington Blvd - (312) 666-4212
Greektown Gift & Music Shop 330 S Halsted St - (312) 263-6342
Koros Art & Style 1019 W Lake St - (312) 738-0155
Mission Bay Multisport 738 W Randolph St - (312) 466-9111
Northwestern Cutlery 810 W Lake St - (312) 421-3666
Ouest 1063 W Madison St - (312) 421-2799
Self Conscious 1021 W Lake St - (312) 633-4000

Dining

American Contemporary
Moto 945 W Fulton Market - (312) 491-0058
One SixtyBlue 1400 W Randolph St - (312) 850-0303
Saltaus 1350 W Randolph St - (312) 455-1919

American Traditional
Ina's 1235 W Randolph St - (312) 226-8227
Wishbone 1001 W Washington Blvd - (312) 850-2663

Asian Cuisine
Butterfly Sushi Bar and Thai Cuisine 1156 W Grand Ave
Dragonfly Mandarin Restaurant 832 W Randolph St
Izumi Sushi Bar & Restaurant 731 W Randolph St - (312) 207-5299
Red Light 820 W Randolph St - (312) 733-8880
Sushi Loop 810 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 714-1234

Cafe/Coffee Shops
Artopolis Bakery & Cafe 306 S Halsted Street - (312) 559-9000
Bialy's Cafe 1421 W Chicago Ave - (312) 733-7165
Corduroy's Espresso Spot 1650 W. Ogden Ave
Jerry's Sandwiches 1045 W Madison Street - (312) 563-1008
Le Peep Grill 1000 W Washington Blvd - (312) 563-9990
Meli Cafe & Juice Bar 301 S Halsted St - (312) 454-0748
Sip Coffee House 1223 W Grand Ave - (312) 492-7686
West Gate Coffeehouse 924 W Madison St - (312) 829-9378

Desserts/Sweets
Bombon Cafe 38 S Ashland Ave - (312) 733-8717

Fast Food
Billy Goat Tavern 1535 W Madison St - (312) 733-9132
Burger Baron 1381 W Grand Ave - (312) 733-3285
D'Agostino's Pizzeria 752 N. Ogden Ave

French Cuisine
La Sardine 111 N Carpenter St - (312) 421-2800
Marche 833 W Randolph St - (312) 226-8399

Greek Cuisine
9 Muses 315 S Halsted St - (312) 902-9922
Athena Restaurant 212 S Halsted St - (312) 655-0000
Costa's 340 S. Halsted Street - (312) 263-9700
Greek Islands Restaurant 200 S Halsted St - (312) 782-9855
Greektown Gyros 239 S Halsted St - (312) 236-9310
Mr Greek Gyros 234 S Halsted St - (312) 906-8731
The Parthenon Restaurant 314 S Halsted St - (312) 726-2407
Pegasus Restaurant & Taverna 130 S Halsted St - (312) 226-3377
Santorini Restaurant 138 S Halsted St - (312) 829-8820
Taste of Greece 250 S Halsted St - (847) 509-8050
Venus 820 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 714-1001
Zorba's House Restaurant 301 S Halsted St - (312) 454-0748

Indian/Pakistani
Kabob Corner 760 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 906-9885

Italian Cuisine
Boogie Cafe 1123 W Grand Ave - (312) 829-7433
Jay's Amore on Madison 1330 W Madison St - (312) 829-3333
Extra Virgin 741 W Randolph St - (312) 474-0700
Follia 953 W Fulton Market - (312) 243-2888
La Luce 1393 W Lake St - (312) 850-1900
Oggi Trattoria Cafe 1378 Grand Ave - (312) 733-0442
Vivo 838 W Randolph St - (312) 733-3379

Mediterranean Cuisine
Alhambra 1240 W Randolph St - (312) 666-9555

Mexican Cuisine
Amelia's Mexican Grille 1235 W Grand Ave - (312) 421-2000
Perez Restaurant 853 W Randolph St - (312) 421-2488
Taco Burrito King 11 West Jackson Street - (773) 637-1900

Pizza

Beggar's Pizza - 310 S. Clinton St. (312) 588-0055
Coalfire - 1321 W Grand Ave. (312) 226-2625
Di's Best -1521 W Grand Ave (312) 666-8331
Mod Pizza -1222 W. Madison St. (312) 666-1222
Primo's Chicago Pizza - 816 W. Van Buren St. (312) 243-1052
Risata's Pizza - 651 W. Washington St. (312) 627-0820
Tomato Head Pizza Kitchen - 945 W. Randolph St. (312) 226-1616

A Night on the Town

Allstar Sports Bar & Grill - 555 W. Madison Ave. (312) 277-0500
Beer Bistro 1061 W Madison St - (312) 433-0013
Byzantium 232 S Halsted St - (312) 454-1227
Ceres Cafe 141 W Jackson Blvd - (773) 427-3443
Chromium 817 W Lake St - (312) 666-7230
Cobra Lounge 235 N Ashland Ave - (312) 226-6300
Dugan's 128 S Halsted St - (312) 421-7191
Girl & the Goat - 809 W. Randolph St.  (312) 492-6262
Holiday Grill & Bar - 740 W. Randolph St.  (312) 207-0924
J Patricks 1367 W Erie St - (312) 243-0990
Jak's Tap 901 W Jackson Blvd - (312) 666-1700
Players Bar & Grill 551 N. Ogden Ave - (312) 733-2121
Market 1113 W. Randolph St. - (312) 929-4787
Maude's Liquor Bar  840 W. Randolph St.
Rhythm 1108 W. Randolph St - (312) 492-6100
Spectrum Bar & Grill 233 S Halsted St - (312) 715-0770
The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars 1415 W Randolph St - (312) 942-1212
Transit 1431 W Lake St - (312) 491-8600
West End Bar and Grill 1326 W. Madison St. - (312) 981-7100

 
Know Your Neighbors

West Loop Community Organization - is your local, centralized resource for a wealth of information ranging from
residential and business planning issues, to quality restaurants, galleries and retailers.

As one of the many diverse Chicago neighborhoods, West Loop offers homeowners a wide range of residential properties. West Loop homes include lofts, condos and townhomes, to name a few. In addition to Chicago real estate, you can get detailed neighborhood information...and much more!