.png)
West Town
Profile
West Town strikes a really nice balance. It’s kind of a general region as well as its own distinct neighborhood, and if you ask different people in Chicago just what “West Town” covers, you’ll probably get different answers. Basically, it’s home to parts of Ukrainian Village, East Village, and Noble Square — sometimes including sections of Wicker Park and River West. But no matter where exactly you draw the boundaries, it’s the mix of converging communities that makes West Town such a fun and interesting place to live.
There’s a combination of cute homes, neighborhood bars, and quirky independent stores, all in one central location. The residential scene is full of options, from small boutique buildings and duplexes to single family homes, all along quiet, leafy neighborhood streets. You’ll also find family owned bakeries, unique antique shops, and tiny independent restaurants. It’s a nice place to live if you want a homey, laid-back feel while staying fully connected to the city.
West Town is coming home from a busy day downtown to enjoy a relaxing evening on your deck, lighting up the grill as the breeze drifts by. It’s stopping at the corner cafe and bumping into your neighbors. It’s heading out for happy hour drinks at a trendy new restaurant on Chicago Ave, then picking up takeout from your favorite mom-and-pop down the street. It’s the peace and space of residential living, in a neighborhood dotted with both local legends and new hot spots to explore.
Backstory
West Town was settled in the early days by a mix of Polish, German, Ukrainian, and Scandinavian immigrants who moved here to build railway lines and work in factories. In fact, there was once an area around Division and Ashland known as Polish Downtown, and in 1983 Ukrainian Village was designated an official neighborhood.
By the end of the century and into the present day, things have diversified even more. It feels like West Town has always been a place where many people come together, and you’ll see that reflected in the food, art, and culture of the area.
West Town’s convenient location and relatively affordable housing continues to attract all sorts of residents, from students and artists to new families. Rents have been on the rise, and new restaurants and shops are always popping up, but throughout it all West Town has maintained its own community character.
Local Fare
- Aya Pastry - Founded by a multi-award-winning chef, the pastries here are out of this world. You have to try their famous Samoa cake, but it’s also worth following them to keep an eye on their ever-changing seasonal specials.
- Funkenhausen - South Carolina southern comfort meets German cooking for a new kind of fusion food you never knew you needed. Think pork loin schnitzel and BBQ spare ribs washed down with a (literal) bootfull of kellerbier.
- Beatnik - A stunning bohemian hideaway filled with lush greenery, an eclectic world-tour menu, delicate cocktails, and hand-selected antique furniture. Seriously, you’ll think you’ve been whisked away to some dreamy storybook world.
- JJ Thai Street Food - A small but unique menu of completely addictive street fare. The spicy papaya salad is great, and Gina’s fried chicken with ginger rice is not something you want to skip.
- Tempesta - An inspired combination of store, bar, and restaurant that offers some of the most irresistible gourmet deli items in Chicago. The turkey sandwich here is amazing, served on sourdough with pickled Fresno chiles.
- Dark Matter Coffee - Well-known for their “Unicorn Blood” roast, all the coffee at Dark Matter is expertly roasted and lovingly brewed. If there was an award for the boldest coffee packaging, Dark Matter Coffee would nail it.
Things to Do
- Salvage One - You could wander for hours through this 60,000 ft antique emporium. It’s filled with a massive collection of salvaged furniture and one-of-a-kind vintage artifacts from all over the city. It’s also an amazing place to host an event.
- Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art - Dedicated to the Ukrainian-American art experience, this place has strong links to the community, and offers a regular program of readings, films, and exhibitions.
- Alcala’s Western Wear - The walls are stacked with thousands (actual thousands) of western boots and hats. Such a fun place to pop into, it’s like instantly traveling to some outpost from the distant past — which kind of makes sense, because they’ve been here since the 1970s.
- The Empty Bottle - An unpretentious concert venue with laid-back staff, friendly regulars, solid beers, and a full schedule of live music. Stop by Pizza Friendly Pizza (not a typo) on your way in.
Sights to See
Transportation
For easy access to downtown and the Loop, take either the Blue Line from Division, or grab a bus traveling east along Chicago or Grand Avenue. The Milwaukee bus also takes you downtown, or up to Wicker Park and Logan Square. But honestly, if you’re in the mood for a little bit of a wander, you can easily stroll to nearby neighborhoods.
- the Loop: ~25 min by public transit
- the Lake (Ohio Street Beach): ~30 min by public transit
- Fulton Market: ~15 min by public transit; ~30 min walk
- Wicker Park: ~15 min by public transit; ~25 min walk
- O’Hare: ~50 min by public transit
