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City Cast Chicago

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

The Metra can take you all over Chicagoland

Nearly 20 miles south of the Loop, the suburb once boasted thousands of manufacturing jobs. Even though its population and wealth have dwindled, Harvey remains rich in food, architecture, and history.

Harvey native Amethyst Davis launched the 

 last year. The only full-time staffer, Davis shares what to do in the south suburb that she said was her “playground growing up.”

“The ‘Storefront’ has some of the best tacos and tortas in all of Cook County. People travel from across the south suburbs to eat there. It's really called 

 is a can't-miss — the food and the building. … The biggest co-sign is for their breakfast, namely their omelets, which are really filling.”

“If you're looking to kick it at a speakeasy, grab a drink with friends at 

, the city's only Black-owned bar downtown.”

“Harvey's biggest draw is architecture. Much of the downtown area retains its early 20th-century buildings. Look at the original City Hall, Harvey Park District headquarters, the Stevenson building, Harvey Public Library District, and historic homes along 155th Street and Turlington Avenue.

. The city's Indian population has quadrupled over the past two decades, best exemplified on 152nd Street and Broadway Avenue.

, Harvey's only high school. Its campus is grandiose and commanding.”

,’ a mural by Dixmoor native and Thornton alum Amoz Wright and other local artists that rests on the side of the famed Harvey Boxing Club. The mural was designed to spread positivity and light across the city.”

Harvey native Amethyst Davis and founder of the Harvey World  shares what to do in the south suburb that she said was her “playground growing up.”

Get to Know Harvey

Neighborhood Guides

Next up in our neighborhood series: West Elsdon.

Near Midway Airport and lined with bungalows, the Southwest Side neighborhood played a central role in public housing riots in the mid-20th century. The neighborhood remained mostly white until the ‘90s when more Mexican residents began to settle there.

Pepe Barajas moved as a kid from Mexico to Little Village and later to West Elsdon. From a family who worked in and owned taquerias in Chicago, Barajas opened 

 (formerly El Solazo) more than 15 years ago. He shares his favorite things to do in the neighborhood.

, serving up Chicago-style dogs, burgers, and Italian beef. Get authentic seafood cuisine from the state of Nayarit, Mexico, at 

 on the northwestern corner of 63rd Street and Pulaski Road that was featured in 'Wayne's World.'”

“Agave 101 at Solazo, which offers a wide selection of agave spirits, including tequila, mezcal, and raicilla.”

which Hey Chicago also has a neighborhood guide for

Solazo owner Pepe Barajas moved as a kid from Mexico to Little Village and later to West Elsdon. He shares his favorite things to do in the neighborhood.

Get to Know West Elsdon

Thousands are expected to attend the Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade Saturday along 26th Street. While you’re in the area, be sure to explore other parts of the neighborhood.

Injustice Watch’s Carlos Ballesteros grew up in the Southwest Side neighborhood, once an Eastern European immigrant enclave that has since become known as the “Mexico of the Midwest.” He shares his recommendations.

 pop up on your TikTok feed. I’m not a fan (it’s too much cheese), but I do like birria, sans queso, especially from 

 near Marshall Boulevard. I recommend ordering two of their birria tacos and a small side of the consommé. It’s cash-only, so you know it’s the real deal.”

“Walk off the food by taking in the historic architecture heading west on Cermak. First up is 

, an old movie palace turned into an events venue. A block ahead is 

, where my grandma baptized my mom and her siblings. Across the street is my personal favorite: an ornate two-story bluish-gray building at 

. I’ve never seen a building quite like this one.”

“Take a left on Christiana Avenue. Keep going straight, and you’ll see the 

 that wrap around Farragut Career Academy. Follow the mosaics until you hit 24th Street. Make a left, follow Farragut’s old school building, with all of its windows bricked up, until you hit a wooden fence at the entrance of an alley. Turn left, and you’ll see a memorial for 

. Take a moment here to reflect on the history of this neighborhood, its people, and the place it occupies — physically, mentally, spiritually — in our city.”

+ Carlos showed us around the Little Village Discount Mall 

Thousands are expected to attend the Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade Saturday along 26th Street.

What Else to See in Little Village During Mexican Independence Day Parade

We asked Hey Chicago readers to pen neighborhood and suburb guides, and one Hinsdale resident wrote in with her own suggestions.

In the mid-19th century, the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad was set to build a track through Fullersburg — now at York and Ogden. But topographical issues led the railroad company one mile south, where Hinsdale was later developed. Wealthy Chicagoans and immigrant tradesmen were among Hinsdale’s early settlers. Today, the west suburb is one of the most affluent cities in the state.

PR professional Megan Richards Martin moved to the suburb almost a decade ago with her family. She shares some of her recommendations.

“I convinced myself the suburbs would be full of chains, but we have great restaurants. We love 

 for steaks. At least once a week, you can find me eating lunch at 

“We live in Fullersburg Woods and love to walk the path to 

 and love to use the pool in the summer and play paddle in the winter. The 

is always on our list to visit when I pick the girls up from school. I also work out a few times a week at 

+ Find yourself in the western suburbs? Explore 

📥 Share your neighborhood guide! 

Get to Know Hinsdale

There’s no shortage of things to do in Logan Square — from the popular farmers market (

) to walking the 606 to dining and drinking at any number of restaurants in the area.

,” the Northwest Side neighborhood first saw an influx of residents after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Many immigrants have since called Logan Square home — including Latinx Chicagoans. Activists have organized to fight gentrification in the area.

Media personality Jill Hopkins is a South Side native who moved to the area in the late ‘90s. Having bought her Logan Square house 10 years ago this month, she shares her favorite spots in the neighborhood.

. In a residential area, the patio is a neighborhood meet ‘n’ greet with BLTs and house-made chips.”

 hosts gallery showings and concerts as well as community meetings and pop-up markets. Not bad for a former transit stop!”

 is what I thought grown up nightlife was when I was a kid. They have the best selection of pinball machines in the city, an amazing staff, and immaculate vibes. If you like to laugh, the 

 has high quality comedy and comedy classes all week long.”

There’s no shortage of things to do in the Northwest Side neighborhood.

Get to Know Logan Square

Ready to soak up fall art? Consider heading out to Aurora to enjoy the west suburb’s rich entertainment scene.

Aurora was once a robust manufacturing center until many factories closed in the ‘80s. The shift spurred development like riverboat casinos, mixed-use business parks, and residential communities.. As the second most populous city in Illinois, the “City of Lights” also has a large Latinx population.

Jim Jarvis is vice president of programming and sales at RiverEdge Park, an Aurora concert venue. Also emceeing shows at the park, Jarvis is a familiar face among west suburbanites. He shares his recs.

 for salteñas (empanadas), stuffed arepas, and Peruvian Inca Kola. Both the food and the family have become Aurora favorites.

Park your car, and walk through downtown Aurora to take in the 

 created by local artists. Stop in at one of seven galleries to take in the different styles and to talk to owners about the pieces.

, a popular Chicago band on WXRT in the ‘90s, is playing at 

 to rent a kayak or canoe and breathe in the tranquility of the Fox Valley from the water.

+ Want to help pen a guide for your neighborhood or suburb? 

Inside Aurora's Rich Entertainment Scene

Pro golfers like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are in Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship through Sunday. Headed to the south suburb for the tournament? Here’s what else to know.

The village grew from the Olympia Fields Country Club, which was created in the early 20th century. Once known as the largest private clubhouse in the world, Olympia Fields has hosted two U.S. Opens. The area also has one of the wealthiest Black-majority populations in the U.S.

Poet Taylor Byas grew up in the area and shared her recs. And City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran sprinkled in some spots, too.

 has Chicago food staples like the classic Polish and Italian Beef as well as Philly steaks, catfish, and ribeye sandwiches. 

 has a rotating french toast special each week, and 

For its size, Olympia Fields has a surprising number of parks. Visit 

 for nature and recreational sports. Tolentine Park also has a garden maze and a sensory garden playground!

 holds family-friendly events, and summer camp. It brings a little adventure to the Midwest with wall climbing, ropes courses, and other activities.

Pro golfers like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are in Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship through Sunday.

Explore Olympia Fields During BMW Championship

 is in Springfield through Aug. 20, where fairgoers will fill their bellies with fried delicacies and see headliners Nelly and Alanis Morissette.

Springfield became the state capital in 1839 thanks to Abraham Lincoln and his associates. Railroads, agriculture, and mining once contributed significantly to Springfield’s economy. Today, Illinois legislators wheel and deal at the Statehouse while tourists explore Lincoln’s legacy.

Hannah Meisel, a Capitol News Illinois reporter, has covered Springfield for the last decade. She shares her recs.

If you go to Springfield and don't eat a 

 — a slice of bread with a burger patty topped with fries and cheese sauce— did you even go to Springfield? If you can't eat a whole plate, order a ponyshoe! 

, spelled with two L's, is a lesser-known local specialty. Go with the original from 

. Going to the Illinois State Fair? Springfield is possibly the 

. Tired of fried food? Reserve an outdoor table at 

, the oldest restaurant in Springfield and still one of the best. The salmon is a personal favorite.

Downtown Springfield is full of reminders that 

Abe Lincoln walked the same streets for nearly 24 years

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

. See the Statehouse, which is under renovation. 

If you're in town on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, visit the 

” exhibit, a step back in time to the analog world of the 1980s. Get your kitsch on at a few downtown 

. Stop in for a beer and a game of bocce ball in the courtyard at 

 is a new alcohol-free bar and late-night coffeehouse.

Starting Thursday, the Illinois State Fair is in Springfield through Aug. 20.

A Statehouse Reporter's Guide to Springfield

 is inviting Chicagoans to enjoy food, music, and more this weekend.

The Northwest Side neighborhood has been known as the “Gateway to Chicago” as the site of Native American trails and the modern transportation hub where buses, the Blue Line, and Metra meet. Long home to a substantial Polish population, the 

Susanna Ernst is the Northwest Chicago Historical Society president. Ellie Elouadrhiri is from Jefferson Park. They share their recommendations.

After getting off the Blue Line, start your day with coffee and breakfast at 

 has tender savory chicken and crunchy empanadas. 

 has been serving thin, pan, and deep-dish pizza for decades. (It was Ellie’s first job!) 

 is also off the Blue Line, and it's dog-friendly.

 is the home of early settler Henry Esdohr, who purchased the home for $550 in 1874. Into citizen science? See birds at 

 for fresh food, crafts, books, free yoga, and more. 

👀 Even more Jefferson Park recommendations

Jeff Fest is inviting Chicagoans to enjoy food, music, and more this weekend in the Northwest Side neighborhood.

Get to Know Jefferson Park

Seeing Bon Iver and The Big Thief at Pitchfork this weekend? While you’re exploring Union Park, here’s what else West Loop has to offer.

The neighborhood was once an industrial area lined with factories, markets, and warehouses. It was also the site of the historic Haymarket Affair, a labor demonstration that turned violent.

The latter part of the 20th century in West Loop was marked by transformation, from the construction of the University of Illinois, Chicago to Oprah’s Harpo Studios to the new United Center.

Some of those developments have helped usher in posh apartments, upscale restaurants, and business headquarters like McDonald’s and Google that we see today.

Axios’ Justin Kaufmann, a longtime resident, shared his fav spots.

 is one of the best BBQ spots in the city. Get the pulled pork and broccolini side.

 has a great fountain sculpture, lots of green space, and unreal views of the Sears Tower. Also, check out the Saturday morning farmers market.

 has lots of cool exhibits, like the Yayoi Kusama installation.

+ Want to share recommendations in your part of the city? 

Seeing headliners Bon Iver and The Big Thief at Pitchfork this weekend? While you’re exploring Union Park, here’s what else West Loop has to offer. 