Chicago/Bridgeport-Chinatown

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Wentworth Ave is Chinatown's main restaurant street

Bridgeport-Chinatown is a district in Chicago's South Side, which includes the Armour Square and Bridgeport community areas.

[edit] Understand

Most visitors head to this district for either Chinese food or baseball. Chicago's Chinatown is pleasantly authentic, where local Chinese customers dominate the restaurant space, but are complemented by visiting Chicagoans from all over the city "going Chinese" for the night. Chicago's Chinatown is the 3rd largest in the United States, the Midwestern business center for Chinese-Americans, and home to large populations of Cantonese and Taiwanese. The main street, Wentworth Ave, is a great place for dining out and rummaging through eccentric stores. US Cellular Field, better known as Comiskey Park, is several blocks south of Chinatown and is home to the South Side's favorite baseball team, the Chicago White Sox.

The main attractions Chinatown and Comiskey Park are in the east of the district in Armour Square—a neighborhood with a large Chinese population as well as significant Vietnamese, Croatian, and Italian communities—but the majority of the district is covered by the large working class neighborhood of Bridgeport. Bridgeport is home to a large Irish-American enclave that has produced some of Chicago's most famous South Side Irish, such as Finley Peter Dunne and the two mayors Daley. Bridgeport is now seeing a large influx of Mexican immigrants, which means more good food options are springing up left and right. For visitors seeking the "quintessential South Side experience," they are likely to find it in Bridgeport—this is the real Chicago.

[edit] Get in

District map

Chinatown area

[edit] By train

The main L stations are on the Red Line at Cermak-Chinatown and Sox-35th for visiting Chinatown and US Cellular Field. Other options include Halsted and Ashland on the Orange line, which are on the northern and western outskirts of Bridgeport, and 35-Bronzeville-IIT on the Green line, which is a block and a half east of the Sox-35th station.

[edit] By bus

The main routes into Bridegport-Chinatown from the Loop are #62, which runs the length of Archer Ave from State St, and the #24, which runs from Clark St to Wentworth Ave through the center of Chinatown and next to US Cellular Field. Route #8 is also useful, as it runs north-south along Halsted St, which runs through the Near West and Near North neighborhoods as well as the middle of Bridgeport.

[edit] By car

A car is a good way to visit Bridgeport, but a bad way to go to Chinatown or US Cellular Field (where parking is very limited). The Dan Ryan and Stevenson Expressways cut across the east and north of the district and the main city streets are Halsted St (north-south), 35th St, and Pershing Rd (east-west).

[edit] Get around

The easiest way to get around Bridgeport by public transport is on the two main east-west bus routes #35 and #39, which run along 35th St and Pershing Rd, as well as the aforementioned #8 running north-south on Halsted St.

[edit] See

• Chinatown Square, : 2100 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-0088. This shopping center is a bit of a Chinatown landmark, with some cheesy pagoda-like structures as well as animal sculptures of the Chinese zodiac. Be sure to check out the Chinatown Mural—a mosaic of painted tiles depicting the migration of Chinese-Americans from China to, ultimately, Chicago's Chinatown.
• Chinese-American Museum of Chicago, : 238 W 23rd St, : +1 312 949-1000, : office@ccamuseum.org, Website: http://www.ccamuseum.org. F 9:30AM-1:30PM, Sa-Su 10AM-5PM. A museum of Chinese-American culture and history $1-2
• Dr Sun Yat Sen Museum, : 2245 S Wentworth Ave (3rd floor, above the Chicago Food Market), : +1 312 842-5462. A one-room museum good for some Kuomintang nostalgia. Free admission
• Nine Dragon Wall (just across Wentworth Ave from 200 W Cermak Rd). A smaller semblance of the ancient glazed tile Nine Dragon Wall located in [[Beijing]]'s Behai Park.
• Ping Tom Memorial Park, : 300 W 19th St, Website: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/312B8327-51FB-4D79-984D-B8BD3EB3AF32.cfm. A riverside park with a Chinese touch, including a riverside Chinese pavilion and a bamboo garden. On a clear day the park has nice southwest side views of the Chicago skyline. The park offers many summertime events from movie screenings to the very popular dragon boat races. Check the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce's website[http://www.chicagochinatown.org/] for details.
• Pui Tak, : 2214 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 328-1188, Website: http://www.puitak.org. A historical landmark building notable for its traditional Chinese architecture now houses a Christian community center.
• Saint Barbara Church, : 2859 S Throop St, : +1 312 842-7979. Built in 1914 to house overflow from Saint Mary of Perpetual Help, in the so-called "Polish Cathedral Style." Dominates the Bridgeport skyline along with St Mary's.
• Saint Mary of Perpetual Help, : 1039 W 32nd St, : +1 773 927-6646, : stmaryph@aol.com, Website: http://www.stmaryofperpetualhelp.com/. Another massive, opulent church of the Polish Cathedral Style, built in 1882.
• Zhou B Art Center, : 1029 W 35th St, : +1 773 523-0200, : o@zhoub.com, Website: http://www.zbcenter.org. 11AM-6PM daily. A big arts center in the heart of Bridgeport hosting three contemporary painting galleries: Oskar Friedl, 33 Collective, and the Zhou Brothers Art Foundation. The Oskar Friedl Gallery in particular really warrants a visit as it is one of the city's better spots for avant-garde works. Check ahead to make sure the gallery that interests you is open.

[edit] Do

• Armour Square Park, : 3309 S Shields Ave, : +1 312 747-6012, Website: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/parks.detail/object_id/3EDBD844-EC85-4630-8701-4217D869FA42.cfm. M-F 9AM-10PM, Sa-Su 9AM-5PM. A good place to play some baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, or take a dip in the pool. Occasional events include outdoor movie screenings.
• Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, : 2145 S China Pl, : +1 312 842-1988, : info@chicagocci.com, Website: http://www.chicagocci.com. Offers an assortment of services and events, such as: neighborhood tours, film screenings, language instruction, and cooking classes.
• US Cellular Field (Comiskey Park) (take the Red Line to the Sox-35th Station), Website: http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/cws/ballpark/cws_attractions_map.jsp. Formerly known as New Comiskey Park, this south side stadium is the home of Major League Baseball's American League members, the Chicago White Sox, the champion of 2005 Major League Baseball. Long time fans are a bit disappointed with the new stadium (although the owners have been falling over themselves to try and change this), so if you just want to see a Chicago ball game and don't care who is playing, Wrigley Field is the better option.

[edit] Buy

• 32nd&urban Gallery, : 3201 S Halsted St, : +1 312 846-6569, Website: http://www.myspace.com/32ndurban. Th-F 5-9PM, Sa noon-6PM, or by appointment. Modern art gallery of paintings, photography, and sculpture. "Urban Expressionism" (their term) focused on art from the south and west sides of Chicago.
• Augustine's Eternal Gifts, : 3327 S Halsted St, : +1 312 326-5467. M-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 11AM-6PM. A store full of everything spiritual: from a rosary and cross collection to occult tomes and voodoo powders"
• China Arts and Gifts, : 235 W Cermak Rd. by appointment. Wide selection of interesting knick-knacks from China $2-500
• Chinatown Bazaar, : 2221 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-1088. 10AM-10PM daily. An odd gift shop with a good collection of cloth posters.
• CW Mei's Gift Shop, : 2290 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-7608. 10AM-8PM daily. Kung fu outfitters: swords, knives, outfits.
• Evergreen Jewelry, : 2263 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 808-0730. 10AM-5:30PM daily. Just what the name would suggest, the store sells jewelry.
• Feida Bakery, : 2228 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 808-1113. 7AM-9PM daily. Tasty Chinese baked treats on the cheap. A delicious little stop. 10¢-$1
• Golden Dragon Fortune Cookies, : 2323 S Archer Ave, : +1 312 842-8199. Yes, the man who writes the fortunes is in this factory. Buy bulk fortune cookies until you can't carry any more.
• Grandstand, : 600 W 35th St, : +1 312 927-1984. M-F noon-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A store with extensive inventory of sports memorabilia. A good place to pick up a reproduction Negro League jersey or rare baseball cards.
• Hoypoloi Gallery, : 2235 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-6477, Website: http://www.hoypoloi.com. Su-Th 11AM-8PM, F-Sa 11AM-9PM. All sorts of interesting stuff for interior decorators.
• Let's Boogie, : 3321 S Halsted St, : +1 312 254-0139. M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 11AM-3PM. A big vinyl store specializing in dance music from house to hip hop. No used records around, only new. A popular shop with Chicago DJs.
• Mei Wah Co. Inc., : 2401 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-9090. 11AM-7PM. Really worth a visit, even if not to buy anything. This is the biggest store in Chinatown and is full of groceries ranging from noodles to live turtles (for eating).
• Modern Bookstore, : 3118 S Halsted St, : +1 312 225-7911. M W F 1PM-5PM, closed T Th Sa-Su. Leftist literature in abundance at low prices that would outrage any self respecting capitalist dog.
• Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co of Chicago Ltd, : 2247 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 842-1171. 9:30AM-7PM daily. Wide selection of teas and tea accessories. Worth a visit just for the free samples! $2-50

[edit] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Bertucci's Corner, : 300 W 24th St, : +1 312 225-2848. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 3PM-9PM. This family-run Italian joint exudes so much Chicago character, you will feel like you just stepped off the Chinatown street into a 1930s gangster movie. $5-10
• Captain Cafe & Bakery, : 2229 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-8883. 7AM-9PM, Dim Sum offered 7AM-noon daily. Bakery offering dim sum before noon. Seating in the back. $1-8
• Carbon, : 300 W 26th ST, : +1 312 225-3200. 11AM-10PM daily. Tasty Mexican fare in a small, unadorned cafe. Excellent salsas. $4-7
• Connie's Pizza, : 2373 S Archer Ave, : +1 312 326-3443. M-Th 10AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 2PM-10PM. Hearty pizza's for hungry South Siders. $4-10
• Dragon Court, : 2414 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 791-1882. 11AM-2AM daily. Very good family-run restaurant with hot plates and authentic Chinese food. Unfortunately, the good stuff is only on the Chinese-language menu. $5-10
• Gourmet Food Inc., : 210 W 23rd St, : +1 312 842-3366. M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa-Su 9AM-8PM. Good chinese food for lower prices, in a small cafe off the main Chinatown strip. $4-8
• Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, : 2127 S China Pl, : +1 312 808-9686. 9AM-10PM daily. Standard Chinese fare in a laid back cafe. $5-9
• Joy Yee Noodle, : 2159 S China Pl, : +1 312 328-0001. 11AM-10:30PM daily. Don't be fooled by the Chinatown location, this is a chain (from Evanston of all places). But it is a rather good chain anyway, with great noodle bowls and bubble tea. $4-7
• Kam Fung, : 216 W 22nd Pl, : +1 312 949-9828. 11AM-2AM. Good cheap Cantonese food. $4-8
• Ken-Kee Restaurant, : 2129 S China Pl, : +1 312 326-2088. 11AM-1AM daily. One of the best bets on Chinatown Square with a long menu ranging from the tame to pork intestines. $4-8
• Kevin's Hamburger Heaven, : 554 W Pershing Rd, : +1 773 268-5748. Always open, never closes. A classic American hamburger joint serving malts, shakes, and floats for drinks. A fine diner for some greasy breakfast food as well. $3-6

• Mandarin Kitchen, : 2143 S Archer St, : +1 312 328-0228. M W Th 11AM-10:30PM, T 3AM-10:30PM, F-Su 9AM-11PM. Very good spot for authentic Chinese hot pots. $7-12
• Maxwell St Depot, : 411 W 31st St, : +1 312 326-3514. 24 hours daily. Real Chicago fare is the whole menu: Maxwell Street Polishes, pork chop sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers. $2-5
• Morrie O'Malley's Hot Dogs, : 3501 S Union Ave, : +1 773 247-2700. M-F 10:30AM-8PM, closed Jan-Feb. Since US Cellular Field can't seem to do them right, get your [[Chicago#The Chicago hot dog|real Chicago hot dogs]] here. Also, if you want any good insider information about the neighborhood, ask Morrie—he's helpful, friendly, and knows the area as well as anybody. $1-3
• The Noodle Vietnamese Cuisine, : 2336 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 674-1168. Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F-Sa 10AM-11PM. A solid Vietnamese pho (noodle soup with beef) joint. If you haven't already, try Vietnamese coffee. $3-6
• Ramova Grill, : 3510 S Halsted St, : +1 773 847-9058. 5AM-8PM daily. A diner that's been around for ever serving breakfast all day and locally renowned chili. $3-5
• Saint's Alp Teahouse, : 2131 S Archer Ave, : +1 312 842-1886. 11AM-midnight daily. A Hong Kong teahouse chain with a very long beverage list also serves entrees. ''Young'' crowd. $5-12
• Scoops, : 608 W 31st St, : +1 312 842-3300. Su-Th 6AM-11PM, F-Sa 6AM-midnight. Homemade ice cream in all sorts of flavors. $2-5

[edit] Mid-range

• Cantonesia, : 204 W Cermak Rd, : +1 312 225-0100. M-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F-Su 11:30AM-midnight. Cozy spot offering Cantonese and Mandarin cuisine. $8-15
• China Cafe, : 2300 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 808-0202. 8AM-midnight daily. Authentic Chinese food with some adventurous offerings, offers Dim Sum. $10-15
• Dragon King Restaurant, : 2128 S Archer Ave, : +1 312 881-0168. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11:30PM. Northeast Chinese regional cuisine. Try the sesame oil pig ear on for size. $10-16
• Emerald City Restaurant, : 218 W Cermak Rd, : +1 312 326-4424. Th-T 5PM-3AM. Specializing in Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. $9-18
• Emperor's Choice Restaurant, : 2238 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-8800. 11:30AM-midnight daily. Cantonese cuisine with an extensive, authentic menu. M-F lunch specials. $7-15
• Evergreen Restaurant, : 2411 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 225-8898. Su-Th 11:30AM-11:30PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-midnight. Szechuan and Hunan cuisine. $7-17
• Golden Bull Restaurant, : 242 W Cermak Rd, : +1 312 808-1668. M W-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su noon-1AM. Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine in a hole-in-the-wall location. $8-16
• Franco's Ristorante, : 300 W 31st St, : +1 312 225-9566. M 3PM-9:30PM, T-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F 11AM-10:30PM, Sa 3PM-10:30PM. A bit more upscale, a good Italian restaurant. $9-16
• Happy Chef Dim Sum House, : 2164 Archer Ave, : +1 312 808-3689. 9AM-2AM daily, dim sum until 4PM. Delicious dim sum. $3-8
• Healthy Food Lithuanian, : 3236 S Halsted St, : +1 312 326-2724, : info@healthyfoodlithuanian-chicago.com, Website: http://www.healthyfoodlithuanian-chicago.com/. T W 7AM-4PM, Th-Sa 7AM-8PM, Su 8AM-5PM. Where else are you going to go for Lithuanian? Fortunately, the one option is a ''very'' good one and has been serving grandma's Lithuanian favorites since 1938. As a matter of fact, this is probably the best restaurant in down-to-earth Bridgeport and one of the city's finest offerings of a lesser-known cuisine. Don't miss the blynai (Lithuanian crepes). The "healthy" name comes from the fact that this restaurant only uses organic ingredients and serves a fair amount of breakfast foods made from buckwheat. Also sells jewelry made of Baltic amber. $5-10
• KS Seafood, : 2163 S China Pl, : +1 312 842-1238. 11AM-10PM daily. A ''great'' restaurant serving delicious Taiwanese cuisine. $10-14
• Lao Sze Chuan, : 2172 S Archer Ave, : +1 312 326-5040. 10:30AM-midnight daily. Easily one of Chinatown's best restaurants, specializing in Szechuan cuisine. $10-17
• Moon Palace, : 216 W Cermak Rd, : +1 312 225-4081. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. Mandarin cuisine with a long menu. $7-15
• Pancho Pistola's, : 700 W 31st St, : +1 312 225-8808. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. A delicious and authentic family owned Mexican restaurant with good margaritas. $8-15
• Penang, : 2201 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 326-6888. 11AM-1AM daily. A reason beyond Chinese food to come to Chinatown? Malaysian food! The menu is a bona fide culinary scavenger hunt, with over 150 entrees. $8-16
• Phoenix, : 2131 S Archer Ave, : +1 312 328-0848. M-F 9AM-3PM and 5PM-10PM, Sa-Su 8AM-10PM; dim sum: M-F 9AM-2:30PM, 8AM-3PM Sa-Su. A dim sum favorite in Chinatown. $8-15
• Three Happiness Original Restaurant, : 209 W Cermak Rd, : +1 312 842-1964. 9AM-2AM daily. Popular dim sum in the morning and good Cantonese and Mandarin food at night. $9-17
• Won Kow Restaurant, : 2237 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 842-7500. Su-Th 9AM-11PM, F-Sa 9AM-midnight. Chinatown's oldest Chinese restaurant boasts loyal clientele from the 1930s—it must be good. $10-15
• Yee Heung Seafood House, : 225 W Cermak Rd, : +1 312 326-3171. M-Th 5PM-4AM, F-Sa 5PM-5AM, Su 5PM-11PM. Feeling peckish for authentic food in the wee hours of the morning? This is the place. $8-16

[edit] Splurge

• Lobster King Restaurant, : 2217 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 326-9898. 11AM-1AM daily. A nice restaurant with great duck and lobster. And hey, who could go wrong with "salt and pepper frog?" $15-25
• Polo Cafe & Catering Bridgeport USA, : 3322 S Morgan St, : +1 773 927-7656. lunch: M-F 11AM-3PM, dinner: W 6PM-8PM, F-Sa 5PM-9PM. Steakhouse/confectionery? $15-25

[edit] Drink

• Bernice & John's, : 3238 S Halsted St. A laid back and particularly friendly Bridgeport bar with Thursday open mic nights.
• Ethyl's Party, : 2600 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 326-3811. Su-F 7AM-2AM, Sa 7AM-3AM. A haunted Chinatown bar that used to be an Italian funeral home. $5 cover for live music
• First Base, : 3201 S Normal Ave, : +1 312 791-1239. 11AM-2AM daily. A lively bar with some good Irish stout on tap.
• Jimbo's Lounge, : 3258 S Princeton Ave, : +1 312 326-3253. M-F 10:30AM-2AM, Sa 10:30AM-3AM, Su noon-2AM. A working class bar just north of Comiskey Park. No Cubs fans allowed.
• Mitchell's Tap, : 3356 S Halsted St, : +1 773 927-6073. Su-F 11AM-2AM, Sa 11AM-3AM. Lots of different kinds of beer, bowling, golf machines, and frequent live music. cover on Sa only: $3-5
• Punchinello's/Grill 31, : 234 W 31st St, : +1 312 326-4013. 11AM-9PM daily, bar open until 2AM W-Su. A neighborhood bar that gets amped for White Sox games. $4-8
• Red-I, : 2201 S Wentworth Ave (above Penang Restaurant), : +1 312 927-7334. Su-F 5PM-2AM, Sa 5PM-3AM. DJs and dance floor after 10PM. VIP rooms available by RSVP. Serves snacks from downstairs Penang. cover usually $5
• Schaller's Pump, : 3714 S Halsted St, : +1 773 376-6332. M-F 11AM-2AM, Sa 4PM-3AM, Su 3PM-9PM. This bar serves a good Irish corned beef and cabbage sandwich. The place gets going when the Sox are playing.

[edit] Sleep

• Chinatown Hotel, : 214 W 22nd Pl (located at Cermak/Chinatown on the Red Line), : +1 312 225-8888, Website: http://www.chinatownhotel.net. Check in:3PM. Check out:noon. Free wired internet and computers. One of the best budget options anywhere near downtown Chicago. And to top it off, its right by all sorts of delicious and cheap Chinese restaurants. But do remember that it is a budget spot—staff speaks limited english and accommodations are pretty spare (might remind backpackers of China travels). from $67
• Benedictine Bed & Breakfast, : 3111 S Aberdeen St, : +1 773 927-7424, Website: http://www.chicagomonk.org/bandb.htm. Cozy spacious rooms within an urban Benedictine monastery. The price is ''way'' lower than what you would spend in a downtown hotel, but its just as comfortable, and the monastery and the surrounding neighborhood have much more character. The monks know how to cook up a tasty breakfast too! $145

[edit] Contact

• Chinatown Public Library, : 2353 S Wentworth Ave, : +1 312 747-8013. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM. Free public internet access. Also, the library manages to be a bit of an attraction in and of itself for its indoor coy pond, China-related displays, and collection of books in Chinese.
• Richard J Daley Public Library, : 3400 S Halsted St, : +1 312 747-8990. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM. Free public internet access.

[edit] Get out

• Chicago's "New Chinatown" is located on the Far North Side around Argyle Street, at the CTA Red Line stop of the same name. It is home to a large population of Southeast Asian immigrants and is a better bet for Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and other Southeast Asian regional cuisines. It is also far less touristed than Chinatown and as such is a better destination if you are looking for good deals on authentic Asian knicknacks.