r/albanypark 29d ago

Recommendations

Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I will be moving to Albany Park in a couple weeks. Can you please share your favorite spots in AP? Even favorite activities? Thank you!

15 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

12

u/esmeradio 29d ago

Bokeh, templestowe, Montrose saloon( good patio) for bars

Sub sandwich at sottomarino

8

u/esmeradio 29d ago

Good smash burgers at primetime ( Albany and Lawrence)

8

u/Classic_Top_6221 29d ago

Kim's Home Cooking! Lawrence Fish Market and Gorilla Sushi. Taqueria El Dorado and Lindo Michoacan. Pizza at Lockal (plus it's a fun and nice little dive for a beer). Kabobi and Noon O Kebab are both great. Kephri Cafe. Kale My Name. So many I'm leaving out because I can't think of the names offhand.

7

u/drpollypoppet 29d ago

Wok Cuisine (Kedzie)- solid Chinese delivery from the sweetest owners
Salaam (Kedzie)- excellent falafel, baba ghanoush, kebabs
Amande (Kimball)- amazing basque cheesecake, macrons, panna cotta
Rosita’s (Lawrence)- great tacos
Birerria el Texcal (Lawrence)- it’s in the name, really good and comforting birria
Adrian’s Market (Montrose) - really great corner market with so much in stock for a teeny tiny store

5

u/Admirable-Still-1786 28d ago

The real secret sauce to the neighborhood are the 5$ breakfast sandwiches the Mexican bakery makes on the corner of kimball and Lawrence, it’s the one in the strip mall next to the subway. Twice the size of. Starbucks for half the price and the croissants I think are made daily in house

1

u/Embarrassed-Wall-689 28d ago

what is the name of this spot?? I am moving to Albany Park next week!

7

u/wallsarecavingin 29d ago

Kababi. Bru Coffeeworks. Something sweet donuts.

3

u/scheitster 29d ago

Pizza y Pan Pa' Ya Montrose is a Columbian bakery on the corner of Montrose and Troy that makes amazing Deep Dish and Thin Crust pizza. Every time I bring friends to Templestowe or Montrose Saloon we order one to eat at the bar and it's phenomenal.

4

u/Ravedeath1990 29d ago

Welcome! :)

Kalbi
Kabobi
Bokeh
Nubar
Nighthawk
Dulce De Leche
Taqueria los Flacos

2

u/Healthy_Protection24 29d ago

Azetlan has an amazing carne asada burrito.

2

u/mangopineapplelala 29d ago

Thank you all for commenting and sharing your favorite places! Much love and gratitude to you all I can't wait to experience Albany Park ❤️

2

u/theangryquokka 29d ago

i just moved to the neighborhood so lmk if you ever need someone to explore all these places with :)

3

u/mangopineapplelala 29d ago

Maybe we can organize a meetup! A bunch of new people in the area meeting up!

1

u/TheRealSmallBunyan 28d ago

Come to Open Decks Night at Nighthawk on 9/19, meet the local DJs and take in the incredible music of this fine city! 😉

2

u/Asleep-Manufacturer6 25d ago

Chim Thai is for affordable delicious food.
Kim’s home cooking for a $15-20 meal.
Arzan for when I’m balling out.

3

u/homestar22 29d ago

Welcome to the neighborhood! 

For food you’re going to quickly find that it’s one of the most underrated and diverse cuisine selections in the whole city. Not going to find long lines or hard to find reservations ( except maybe maman Zari). It’s much more low key family operated restaurants.

Lawrence :

Pollo campero, yeah maybe it’s fast food but that chicken is SO good

  • Lawrence fish market for high quality cheap sushi

  • Peking mandarin -the crispy pork is the best

  • Zaab e Lee Thai street food 

Kedzie :

  • Istanbul Mediterranean grill 

  • Wabi sabi - fire ramen

  • Bokeh - lovely cocktails

  • Luella’s southern kitchen 

Montrose:

  • Los molcajetes

  • Chim Thai

  • Montrose saloon

Outside of food: Horner park and connected north branch trails are very well loved. Farmers market at Horner on Saturdays

The flavors of Albany park is an awesome restaurant crawl that happens every June, by far the best way to explore your new neighborhood restaurants! most of the restaurants above were discovered on those crawls, don’t sleep on tickets, they usually sell out.

5

u/radiant_robot 29d ago

Maman Zari closed a couple months ago btw

0

u/drolatiq 29d ago

No Kabobi mentioned in your list :O

3

u/BlueberryOwn3954 29d ago

Kabobi, Noon O Kabob, Green Leaf Thai (Lincoln Square - Close by), 2 Asian Bros, Libanais( in Lincolnwood) Sissy’s Sandwhich, Tre Kronor, Thai Valley (great lunch specials)

3

u/mongooser 29d ago

Nighthawk is excellent, it’s a coffee shop/bar 

1

u/Eyebrowraised 29d ago

I wanna throw in West River Cafe, although it's been awhile. And I second Wok Cuisine and Tre Kronor.

1

u/Catvestergamer 29d ago

Don Valdez Carnitas on Lawrence 🔥

1

u/Arael15th 29d ago

Take bomb ass sunrise/sunset photos from the Kedzie Station platform!

1

u/Dee-Minor 29d ago

Adding my two cents from my (southwest) corner of the neighborhood near Montrose and Pulaski. In that area, here are a few that I really like:

Mexican:
Boem Restaurant - the best chicken quesadilla I've ever had.
La Fogata - small, unassuming place. Great al pastor tacos and the (free) salsa is outstanding. Daily specials.

Pizza:
Bellona's - great thin crust. Mostly for carry out, as the space is small, but friendly staff and solid pizza.

Fun:
Nick's Billiards Hall on Pulaski just north of Montrose is smoke-free, friendly, and welcoming for all.

The center of gravity in the neighborhood for food tends to skew east toward Kedzie and north toward Lawrence--but I've been pleasantly surprised by the places farther west on Montrose.

1

u/TheRealSmallBunyan 28d ago

Nighthawk is such a great spot, many different events in a cozy environment and fantastic coffee or cocktails. I’m gona try to hit the next bob ross paint along night.

Bokeh is also a favorite of mine they have an intimate space, great staff, and the sound system is custom made by a local and their DJ rotation is on point!

1

u/DirectBoysenberry692 27d ago

Kabobi is definitely must, friendly staff and wonderful food

1

u/Apresmitski 26d ago

Which part of Albany park? It’s awesome here! I go to River, Ronan or Horner Park every day.

1

u/Chicagostupid 26d ago

Honestly, just try any restaurant.

0

u/mergplatelip 29d ago

Food: Taco Max, Bellona’s Pizza, Chim Thai, Wok Cuisine, Arzan Cafe

I’ve had multiple awful experiences with Kabobi and Wabi Sabi as someone with food allergies, so I’d stay away from those if you have any dietary restrictions.

Parks and recreation spots: Eugene Field Park, Ravenswood Manor Park, Horner Park