Cheetah Gym
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5838 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660

Hannah D. writes: So yes, it's the first time since the whole David Wilshire meth enduced debacle since I've been back here.

And coming in with little to no expectations...I came out sweaty and pleased.  That's always a good thing.

Some changes:

-they no longer require…

Ben's Noodles and Rice
Neighborhood: Edgewater

1139 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660

Steve T. writes: I went to Ben's with a friend Saturday night and had some delicious Pad Thai and potstickers.  I would definitely recommend this place to anyone that would like good, authentic Thai.  You will not be disappointed.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore

5405 W. Touhy Avenue
Skokie, IL 60076

Alice S. writes: My daughter is a book fiend. Seriously. This kid can go through books like nobody's business; she just read a 412 page book in less than two days. I wonder where she gets it from? Oh yeah...me. We love to read! Although we also love the library,…

Jefferson Park Transit Center
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park

4917 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60630

Ryan S. writes: This is one of the bestest Metra platforms evar!!!! There are so many views. Spin around and you'll see them all. Then you'll probably fall on the tracks. Not good. Don't get caught in the barbed wire. Double not good!

I barely ever take the Metra…

White Castle System Inc

1879 Indianapolis Blvd
Whiting, IN 46394

bill s. writes: Best White Castles ever!!!!!!!  Tasty! Tasty! Tasty! This place rocks my socks, foh shizzle.

Tiffany & Co

153 Old Orch Shoppng Ctr
Skokie, IL 60077

Dee W. writes: 3.5 stars, I guess.  I still never understood how people could pay so much for sterling silver.  Until I received a piece of Tiffany's jewelry as a gift and then, I see how it's simple and "classic" and noticeable.

I recently received a gift card here…

Southshore Pantry
Neighborhood: South Shore

2160 E 71st St
Chicago, IL 60649

Lee-Han J. writes: Cute place to shop. I love it here...put on some sweats and go shopping. You can get alot of things for $15.

Fox Hair
Neighborhood: North Center

3919 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Julie B. writes: In the name of full disclosure, Sean is a friend of mine.  But I hesitated before making an appointment with him, as I did not want to cross that line between friendship and a bad hair cut.  I shouldn't have been worried-- my hair looked raggedy and…

A Finkl & Sons
Neighborhood: DePaul

2011 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Keith C. writes: Best appreciated while drunk and after having walked north on Ashland beneath the interstate late enough at night to be worried for your safety, this is one of the very beautiful places in the city. Watching crews of men pour liquid steel into molds…

Filene's Basement
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile, Streeterville

830 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Katarina X. writes: So what if the elevator and the escalator are both always broken?
Sweet Madonna... I just bought a pair of glossy, metallic, gold Juicy Couture flat sandals (With bows! And Charms!) here. They are either the most tacky or most glorious pair I'm…

Thai Aroma
Neighborhood: Uptown

4142 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60613

Nicoletta R. writes: Edit: I had to bump it to five stars. We've had such a long and loving relationship. You knew they would redeem themselves, having the best Thai delivery on da norf side. However, the green curry has too much coconut milk and not enough curry. Nobody…

REI

17 W. 160 22nd Street
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Liz P. writes: Ok, I'm a little biased.  I worked at this particular store for several years (97-02) and loved every minute of it.  They have outlasted several other outdoorsy stores in the immediate vicinity (the old EMS next to DSW shoes, the old Erehwon up on 83…

Boulevard Cafe
Neighborhood: Logan Square

3137 W Logan Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647

Gina S. writes: Thanks for all those drinks and for doing shots with me and for making sure i always stumbled home and for dead night and for all the memories when I used to live across the street in the cool place that is currently being turned into a condo. I…

That's Our Bag
Neighborhood: The Loop

200 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60601

Nicoletta R. writes: I need a bag to take on vacation, and this place seemed to have a lot of bags. When I finally found one that met some very basic specifications, I took it to the register. This is where the salesman looked at the bag, looked up at me, and firmly…

Au Bon Pain
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

350 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60654

Kira L. writes: I used to not like Au Bon Pain because I had no idea what was going on or where to order or what to order.  But now that I've been there a few more times and have realized that you can order your sandwich or get a pre-made salad.  The chicken caesar…

Harold's Chicken Shack No 62
Neighborhood: South Loop

636 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Diana S. writes: I've been to a few different Harold's and each one can be a little different. Sometimes, you order through a window that has iron bars on it and a little window to push you money though. It's like ordering fried chicken at a maximum security prison.…

Lille
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1923 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Mark S. writes: Update- STORE CLOSED.  Looks like the website's up and running though....

________________
I found Lille through their website after a search for a particular china pattern I'd seen elsewhere and fell in love with, but couldn't justify in my budget.…

United Video

2143 Ridgeland Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402

Lee-Han J. writes: I like this store because they have the super old you like that you haven't seen in a while and the movies that just came out to. They have super connections!

Whole Foods Market

7245 Lake St
River Forest, IL 60305

Nancy K. writes: Expensive, but really good quality merchandise.  The dry aged meat is awesome.  Good wine selection -- 10% discount if you buy six.

Submarine Tender

200 S. Des Plaines Ave
Forest Park, IL 60130

Suzanne S. writes: Here are your instructions...

1.Go late at night after some drinking
2. Order a Regular Cheese Sub with lettuce, tomato, mayo
3. Bring the sandwich home
4. Devour Sub
5. Go to sleep

Dengeos Restaurant

3301 Main St
Skokie, IL 60076

Keiko S. writes: UPDATE: I had my salad and really liked it. The veggies were fresh and crisp. Also had a skirt steak that was a little well-done (we should've specified), but tasty regardless.

************************* **************
Regrettably, it took us two years…

Unique So Chique
Neighborhood: Uptown

4600 N Magnolia Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

John B. writes: This place is hard to find, even if you know where it's at. And the Yelp map places it at Broadway and Carmen, which nowhere near its true location at Wilson and Magnolia. This is how hidden treasures stay hidden. In the real world, it's just west of…

MCA Museum Store
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Streeterville

220 E Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

mike l. writes: this place made a trip to the MCA worthwhile. the museum itself was filled with soulless crap. but the store was bursting with brilliant design. Smarts made of arts.

9 Muses
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Greektown

315 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60661

Jennifer B. writes: Angus avocado cheeseburger, garlic mashed for under $10. The open-air seating by the window is what makes this 3.5 a 4.

So, who are the inspirational 9?

Calliope: Epic or heroic poetry.
Clio: History.
Erato: Love, erotic poetry.
Euterpe: Lyric poetry.…

Wmbi Radio
Neighborhood: Near North Side

820 N La Salle Dr
Chicago, IL 60610

Michelle F. writes: The best Christian radio station in Chicago, they have a mix of music and preaching. I swich back and forth from this station, but it's really great and uplifting - reminds you of your faith and why we're living.

Magic Tree Book Store

141 N Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL 60301

Tina B. writes: I love book stores with chairs. I like to feel encouraged to lounge around..makes me feel all money-spendy.  

This one even has a rocking chair and a really awesome huge tree-like canopy thingy inside, and is crammed full of kids books, from board…

Mojoe's Cafe Lounge
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

2256 W Roscoe St
Chicago, IL 60618

Nicholas R. writes: Coffee is delightful.  This is a quaint little neighborhood cafe that serves a mean cup.  There's a starbucks up the street, but you're a dickfor if you go there.  Oh, and one time I was in Mojoes and Jeff Garlin from Curb your Enthusiasm came in!…

Camille Et Famille

129 N Oak Park Ave
Oak Park, IL 60301

Ellen M. writes: Good place to look for gifts.

As far as the clothes, cannot recommend.  Well, maybe I would if you told me you wished Talbot's and Chico's would stop hanging slutty garb in their windows.

Jaks Tap
Neighborhood: Near West Side

901 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60607

PJ K. writes: Above average bar-food (including barbecue items that appear to have been put together by someone who gives a darn about the art form, praise be -- there's a difference between grilling and barbecuing, people), with occasional nods in the direction…

The UPS Store
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3501 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Michael S. writes: Great bunch of guys who work here. If you want a little humility and down-to-earthness that stands out in the progressively more snooty Southport Corridor, you will find it here.

My dad lives in Mexico and I periodically ship him things from here.…

Bachelor's Grove

143rd & Midlothian Turnpike
Cook County, Rubio Wood Forest Preserve
Midlothian, IL 60445

Joan S. writes: I'm feeling creeped out just from writing this review, despite the fact that it happened decades ago.  Bachelor's Grove is a very old cemetery, founded in the mid 1800's.  It was a cool place to hang out for us highschoolers, at least for those of us…

Josephine
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1405 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610

Dunzo S. writes: A nice shoe salon, and "salon" it is.  It has a very 'shoe salon in my private Upper West Side boudoir' feeling to it. Lavish and rich. The staff is exceptionally nice and friendly, warm even, the shoe selection upscale and very selective.  Doesn't…

April 7s Custom Framing
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

1945 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Leigh K. writes: In the last couple of years, I have been really into buying artwork. Only one of these purchases really left a dent in my checkbook and that was a screenprint by Radiohead's artist, Stanley Donwood, called ALARM ( see: http://shop.slowlydown... ). I…

Oak Park Public Library

834 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301

Deanna M. writes: Beautiful building right next to a lovely park.  The OPPL has a really good selection of DVDs and books--totally saved me from complete ennui when I lived in the 'burbs.  It's a great place to sit and read or write, and the children's library is…

Cocktail
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3359 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657

Brandon B. writes: Maybe it was just a good night, but stopping in quickly on the way to another event further north, this place seemed much improved from my past visits.  Better ambient lighting, nice glow-in-the dark bartop, more minimalist, less crowded.   Go-gos…

East African Restaurant
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5959 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60686

Dmac B. writes: Most of the African girls I went to high school with years ago eat here often. I had a rice chicken meal that was awesome. I don't remember the name of it though...sorry but it's worth the trip, it's inexpensive, and authentic.

Leon's Barbecue 4
Neighborhood: Brighton Park

4550 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60632

Hansol G. writes: hello BBQ!

This dingy, tiny, freestanding thing of a place has great food!

Don't expect to sit down at a table - there is none. Just walk in, order, inhale all the smokey grillness while waiting for food, and devour it.

Cheap lunch option as well, if…

ABC / WLS-TV
Neighborhood: The Loop

190 N State St
Ste 1100
Chicago, IL 60601

April M. writes: My favorite News station, ABC 7 Chicago! :D ABC also has the best primetime line up this year, at least in my eyes!