Andersonville

Like most Chicagoans in the frigid winter months, I opt to explore nearby neighborhoods and save the long distance travels for the warmer times of year. I’m taking this opportunity to learn a little more about the neighborhoods in my area and I am excited to bring you this blog featuring my top 10 favorite places in Andersonville!

Andersonville is a section of the larger neighborhood of Edgewater in northern Chicago, about 7 miles north of the loop.  It is bordered on the north by Victoria street, the south by Winnemac Avenue, the west by Ravenswood and east by Magnolia Avenue streets, and the heart of Andersonville is located around the corner of Berwyn Ave and Clark Street.  Not so close to the train (the closest stop being the Berwyn Red line), it is easier to access via bus (the 22 Clark bus will take you right there). This neighborhood started out as a quiet village with a predominately Swedish immigrant population. Nowadays, it is well known for it’s continued Swedish-American influence, independent stores and shopping, a wide variety of restaurants and cafes and its large gay and lesbian community. 

Some well-known Swedish owned businesses that still exist here include The Swedish American Museum, The Swedish Bakery and Simon’s Tavern, a former speakeasy. My first reaction to the neighborhood (upon having just moved here from a far more outspread northern Arizona) was a feeling that there was an almost overwhelming number of stores, pedestrians, bikes and cars crowded upon each other along a somewhat narrow stretch of Clark Street. Having spent more time there now, and getting to know the ins and outs and the personality of the place, as well as developing a local’s knowledge of my favorite places to go and take people, I am better able to navigate this busy and thriving area. I hope my recommendations will help you better acclimate yourself to visits there, too.

Without further ado, here is my top 10 list of my favorite places in Andersonville!

10. Calo Ristorante
5343 N. Clark Street

Calo has been family owned and operated since 1963, and has delicious Italian food and drinks for reasonable prices. The place boasts a beautiful mahogany bar and floor to ceiling windows overlooking Clark Street. It is the perfect place to soak in Andersonville’s ambiance. When I got back from my trip to Italy last fall, I was desperately craving authentic Italian food, and this place did not disappoint.

9. Middle Eastern Bakery and Grocery
1512 W. Foster Ave

This is slightly off the main drag, but don’t miss it. Here, you'll find outstanding and authentic Middle Eastern ingredients and prepared foods. Their hummus and baklava are out of this world, but my favorite treats here are their delicious spinach and feta pies. The store supplies several of my favorite local cafes with them, but they tend to jack up the prices. When I’m in the area, I make sure to stop in here to the place they’re made and get them for the discounted price.

8. Ombra Wood Fired Pizza
5310 N. Clark St

I love a good wood fired pizza! This is another great dining spot. Come in and get a beautiful and perfectly cooked wood fired pizza. Their cocktails and ambiance come in at a CLOSE second to their pizza. The raised booths are upholstered with old leather jackets and the service I received was quite helpful and prompt. Ombra shares an entryway with Acre, but their food is a cut above their competition.

7. Four Sided
5061 N. Clark St

If you’re looking for a gift or to get inspired for your next crafty project, look no further than Four Sided. This place is so full of interesting stuff, you could walk around the store 20 times and see new things during each lap. Funny books, vintage rubber stamps and Chicago pride gifts are just a few of the things you'll find here. There’s enough attention and care paid to the displays that even though there’s an abundant variety of items, it doesn’t seem cluttered or messy. They can even get away with selling old test tubes and making them seem really kitschy and cute. The people that work here must be incredibly artsy themselves to pull this off.

6. Borderline Music-Media-Pop Culture
5351 N. Clark St

Madonna central!

This place is absolutely owned by a Madonna fanatic. That being said, it also has a nice variety of non-Madonna items as well, including one of the best vinyl collections I’ve seen in a long time. While the owner/buyer for Borderline definitely gears merchandise toward fabulous blond females (including but not limited to: Lady Gaga, Robyn, Marilyn Monroe and of course, MADONNA), there is still something for (nearly) every music lover here, including cds, autographed posters, calendars, DVDs, vinyls and gift items. I guess if you have such a small space for a media store, it’s helpful to have a genre you’re going for, rather than trying to cover all of the bases. This is a place that sums up why Andersonville is so great — a place this specific can exist on the main drag.

5. The Brown Elephant
5404 N. Clark St

Located inside the historic Calo Theatre, this fun and funky resale shop donates its proceeds to the Howard Brown Health Center — which specializes in the health and wellness of Chicago’s LGBT community. They’ve got an ever changing supply of gently used designer clothing, vintage furniture, books and movies. I personally like to stock up on interesting glassware when I’m here.

4. Andersonville Galleria
5247 N. Clark St

Local artisans can rent out stalls inside the Andersonville Galleria to contribute to a year-round indoor art fair. If I’m looking for a locally made gift for someone, this is usually my first stop. Unique Chicago themed shirts and prints, jewelry, original artwork, hats, bags, candles and greeting cards all with a local flair are just some of the things you’ll find in this multi-level maze of treasures. If you’re lucky, they might be holding a chocolate, popcorn, toffee or wine tasting while you’re there. 

3. First Slice Pie Cafe
5357 Ashland Ave

Mmmmm.... pie.

Right across the street from the Edgewater Historical Society and Museum, I found one of my favorite places! There are 3 locations total (the others are in the Lilstreet Art Gallery in North Center and the other one is by my house in Albany Park off the Francisco Brown line). I mean, who doesn’t love a delicious slice of pie in the middle of the day, or in the morning, or at dusk… basically any time?? They sell these adorable mini pies for only $6 (perfectly sized for two people… or one very hungry person). My favorite is probably the balsamic raspberry pie. Delicious!!!

I was drawn through the pie shop into a connecting store called Green Sky. They specialize in selling really cute green and local things. Inside I found (and bought) this amazing book called “Cool Chicago” by Kathleen McGuire (a local guide) with beautiful writing and photos of the city that only made me a little bit jealous. 

2. Women & Children First Bookstore
5233 N. Clark St

Some people say this store in particular is to credit for  Andersonville’s strong gay and lesbian community. I like to think this store was partially influential in the creation of Portlandia’s Women & Women First sketches. Probably contributing to both of these things and beyond, Women & Children First is an incredible feminist bookstore in the heart of Andersonville. This is the perfect place to brush up on the works of new or classic women authors. The store hosts several intriguing book clubs (which I admittedly have not attended, however I have gained some great memoirs and novels from their reading lists), a great children's reading section, as well as regular book readings and workshops led by some well-known authors.

                .... and finally...... drumroll, please.........

Kopi wins!!!

1. Kopi- A Traveler's Cafe
5317 N. Clark St

Welcome to my favorite café in the city. You’ve got your choice of A.) sitting at a table (boo-rring) or B.) popping a squat on a giant mass of cushions next to short-legged bohemian style table by the window. I love to let my mind wander aimlessly while chilling here, dreaming of the far off places I want to go while sipping a dirty chai and eating Meggsicano (a spicy mixture of streamed eggs with veggies and tortillas—it may not sound impressive but trust me, it’s GREAT). A small boutique in the back houses items for sale from all over the world, and travel books to spark your wanderlust. The service is community style with many servers helping you out and sharing tips. One thing some people don’t like about Kopi (but I do) is that there is NO WIFI here. Instead of most people being glued to their phones and laptops, you’re more likely to find people engaged in a book or even (*gasp*) conversation!

Runners up to my top 10 list included Alleycat Comics, Neo-Futurists, Sine Qua Non Salon and The Hop Leaf.

It's down the narrowest alley ever!

I’ll wrap up my blog with a little bit of Andersonville related trivia. If you spend time in Andersonville you’re likely to see signs advertising glogg. "What is glogg?", you might ask? Well, my friends, glogg is not at all what you may expect. I guess with the sound of the word, I was expecting a type of egg nog type drink, but no. It is in fact a Swedish mulled wine consisting of port, red wine, brandy, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, orange peel as well as raisons and almonds. So, if you need to warm up and you’re in Andersonville, you know what to get.

It's glogg:30!

As the Swedes say, trevlig resa! Lycklig resa!

~Amy