Top 5 Highlights from Chicago’s Wrigleyville Neighborhood
I am a sophomore at DePaul and I live in an off-campus apartment in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. I started living here during the summer before the school year, and I have had a great time since. There are so many fun things to do and a ton of great spots that often get overshadowed by all of the Cubs-related attractions, so I thought I would make a post talking about them!
1. Small Cheval
Small Cheval is a spinoff of the larger famous Chicago restaurant Au Cheval, which is world-renowned for its burgers. Small Cheval may be a spinoff, but it is quite impressive in its own right. Located on Clark Street right next to Gallagher Way and Wrigley Field, it is right in the thick of Wrigleyville and is a great option if you are looking for some good food and are in the area. I would also personally recommend their milkshakes!
2. Metro
Metro is a music venue located on Clark Street just north of Wrigley Field and Small Cheval. The venue seats a little over 1,000 people, so it offers opportunities for both small and relatively large artists to perform. It’s also a pretty historic spot in the Chicago music scene, and has been home to many household names before they rose to fame, including bands like Nirvana and Metallica.
3. Big G’s Pizza
Sticking with this area, another great spot just north of Wrigley on Clark Street is Big G’s Pizza. They are famous for their mac and cheese pizza, and I have to say it is pretty incredible. Beyond that, their other pizza options are also pretty great and definitely reasonably priced which I am a big fan of as a college student on a budget.
4. Do-Rite Donuts
Do-Rite is a beloved Chicago donut shop chain. They have multiple locations, and the shops provide a nice cozy coffee-shop like environment. On top of the great ambiance, the donuts are definitely some of the best in the city. There are actually a surprising number of great donut shops in Chicago, so maybe Do-Rite can serve as your gateway into the Chicago donut scene!
5. Cozy’s Noodles and Rice
Cozy’s is a local favorite for Wrigleyville residents. The Thai restaurant has an eccentric and quirky atmosphere filled with all kinds of fun decor. The owner, Chef Cozy, is a huge fan of the Cubs and it really shines through when you visit and take a look around. It’s located just south of Wrigley Field on Sheffield Avenue, so I would highly recommend stopping by after or before a Cubs game.
Honorable Mention: Wrigley Field
Of course I could not complete this list without the namesake of the neighborhood: Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field is the historic home stadium of the Chicago Cubs major league baseball team, and it really does serve as the center of the neighborhood. There are so many businesses and restaurants that are themed after the field and the Cubs, and I think it’s definitely important to stop by and check it out if you are ever in the city.
Hopefully this list provided some insight into the Wrigleyville neighborhood and gave you some good recommendations beyond just the Cubs-related attractions. It really is an awesome place to hang out and I have enjoyed living here this year, so if you are looking for somewhere to live off-campus definitely keep it in mind!
~Jeff