lincoln ave is pretty great

We looked at our condo on day one of Chicago’s Ribfest.  Both the condo and Ribfest happened to be on Lincoln Ave.  That day, we walked down the street peeking in restaurant windows.  We walked to Lincoln Square.  Walked to the Coonley school, where Eloise will go K-8.  We talked to strangers.  One woman told us that she and her husband plan to retire, right here in North Center.  Everyone we spoke to raved about the neighborhood.  A few weeks ago, I read this post about Lincoln Ave being Chicago’s best drinking street.  After living here for 6 months, I’m convinced that there is no better street for living than Lincoln Ave.

Here are some of my Lincoln Ave favorites.

Julius Meinl:  Proper cafe.

The Grind:  Cafe from a proper hipster. (flannel, thick rims, beard, they’ve got it all)  There’s also soup.

Huettenbar:  A great local.  Blackhawk games.  Music.  Spaten.  Gets packed.

Fork:  Duck confit everything.  Go there.  Eat duck.

The Grafton:  Proper Irish Pub.  Irish music in the corner.  Jameson.  Just like being in Dublin.  (less fights and cursing)

Gene’s Sausage Shop:  European market/sausage.  The cookies Amy and I bring back from Paris.  They have those at Gene’s.

Cafe Selmarie:  Eat pastries much?

Lincoln Ave.  It rocks.