To show appreciation for the 20,000+ dedicated homeowners who have joined as members of CBA in 20 years, we are posting one blog each month in 2020 listing 20 things of interest to bungalow and vintage home owners. #Bungalow2020!
Small businesses are what make our neighborhoods special. They're an extension of our home and family! This is an especially difficult time for small and legacy restaurants and brick-and-mortar stores, so we wanted to highlight some of the businesses that make YOUR neighborhood the best in the city.
On social media, we asked our followers to answer the question: "Which small Chicago businesses do you want your neighbors to join you in supporting?"
We received so many comments and messages from people boosting their favorite neighborhood spots. Not surprisingly, the vast majority were restaurants and eateries that are offering takeout and delivery! Twenty of our picks are listed below roughly in order of how many times they were mentioned (plus how many times their mention was 'liked' by others in agreement).
Scroll to the end for a map!
1. Perkolator
Portage Park
This Portage Park-based coffee shop was the most-mentioned by our social media followers! This past March, the owners had to close their coffeeshop location, as well as their Thrift & Thrive resale store. Now, they're offering their coffee and tea products for home delivery. They also have a coffee subscription service with free local delivery. Follow Perkolator on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
2. Majani
South Shore - 7167 S Exchange Ave
Pullman - 756 E 111th St in One Eleven Food Hall
If Majani’s well-known vegan cuisine wasn’t already enough of a reason to support them, knowing that they donated meals to frontline workers at Roseland Community Hospital should convince you. Both their original restaurant in South Shore and their spot in the One Eleven Food Hall in Pullman are open for takeout orders. Delivery is available through Uber Eats and Postmates. Follow Majani on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
3. Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club
Hermosa - 4459 W Belmont Ave
This breakfast and brunch restaurant is open for pickup and delivery. There’s no delivery fee if you order through them directly, rather than through a third-party app. In addition to the restaurant, they also have fresh produce and meat groceries for pick up and delivery! Call to place an order a couple hours ahead of time. All grocery products come from their sister store, El Mercado de la Manzana. Follow Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
4. South Shore Brew
South Shore - 7101 S Yates Blvd
You can stop into this local favorite for coffee, tea, and smoothies to go (mask required!). For pickup food orders, they appreciate when you call it in ahead of time. They’re on Uber Eats for delivery too. Follow South Shore Brew on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
5. BJ’s Market & Bakery
South Deering - 1737 E 95th St
BJ’s is a long-time neighborhood staple known for their fine Southern cooking. Now the restaurant is offering safe curbside pickup. Delivery is also offered through GrubHub, Uber Eats, and Doordash. Follow BJ’s Market & Bakery on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
6. Marie’s Pizza and Liquors
Albany Park - 4129 W Lawrence Ave
A neighborhood institution since 1940, Marie’s is especially known for their tavern style pizzas. Call in a food or liquor order for carryout or delivery. You can also order online through GrubHub and ChowNow. Follow Marie’s Pizza and Liquors on Facebook for updates.
7. Brew Brew Coffee & Tea
Avondale - 3832 W Diversey Ave
While their Pilsen location is closed until further notice, their Avondale location is open for pickup. Stop in for coffee and tea to go, or order online for pickup and delivery on the Toast app. Follow Brew Brew Coffee & Tea on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
8. Community Tavern
Portage Park - 4038 N Milwaukee Ave
Community Tavern is a husband-and-wife team serving lunch, dinner, and cocktail kits. Call in an order for curbside pickup or order online through their website. Delivery is also available through GrubHub. Follow Community Tavern on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
9. That's A Burger
Avalon Park - 8301 S Stony Island Ave
That’s A Burger is known for their delicious turkey burgers, but they have classic hamburgers, chicken burgers, tacos, and tamales, too. Stop in for takeout. Delivery is available through Postmates. Follow That’s A Burger on Facebook for updates.
10. Brgrbelly
Portage Park - 5739 Irving Park Rd
This award-winning burger joint is open for takeout and delivery. Call in a takeout order, or get delivery through Postmates and GrubHub. Follow Brgrbelly on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
11. Col·lec·tiv
Portage Park - 5743 Irving Park Rd
This Portage Park shop sells gifts and goods made by local artists and designers. For now, their store is closed to the public and they've suspended order pickup, but you can shop online and get free local delivery. If you’re outside the local delivery area, you can get free shipping on orders of $35 or more. Follow Col·lec·tiv on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
12. S & T Provisions
Mount Greenwood - 3804 W 111th St
S & T Provisions opened in 1960 as a wholesale business for South Side pizza parlors. Now, they’re known for their creative offering to the wider public: “The Original Pizza Setup.” Order everything you need to make pizzas at home, plus some pasta, deli, and dessert goods. Check the menu on their website, then call in your order for pickup. Follow S & T Provisions on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
19. Tacotlán
Hermosa - 4312 W Fullerton Ave
This family business has become very popular in the neighborhood since they opened in 2017. You can call in an order for pickup. Delivery is also available through Grubhub, UberEats, Doordash, and Postmates. Follow Tacotlán on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
11. Lexington Betty Smokehouse
Pullman - 756 E 111th St in One Eleven Food Hall
On top of serving customers, Lexington Betty Smokehouse has been busy donating meals to frontline workers at Roseland Community Hospital. You might catch their food truck around town, or you can stop into One Eleven Food Hall in Pullman to place a takeout order from their booth. Online ordering and delivery are available through UberEats and Doordash. Follow Lexington Betty Smokehouse on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
13. BISTRO 6050
Portage Park - 6050 Irving Park Rd
This pan-global restaurant serves savory snacks like fusion baked empanadas, as well as treats like bubble tea and crepes. Call in an order for curbside pickup, or order online through Ritual or Allset. Delivery is also available through Postmates and Grubhub. Follow BISTRO 6050 on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
14. Plant Based Junkie
Avalon Park - 1635 E 87th St
This vegan fast food restaurant is fairly new, but already making headlines for their menu. They don’t have a website yet, but you can read the menu on Facebook, and call ahead to place a curbside pickup order. Follow Plant Based Junkie on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
17. Candlelite Chicago
West Ridge - 7452 N Western Ave
This West Ridge restaurant has been serving pizza and much more since 1950. You can order online through their website for pickup or delivery. Follow Candlelite Chicago on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
18. Luna Empanada Shop
Dunning - 6011 Irving Park Rd
A family business five generations in the making, Luna Empanada Shop serves empanadas, Colombian sandwiches, and more. You can order online through their website for pickup or delivery. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
19. Weber’s Bakery
Garfield Ridge - 7055 W Archer Ave
This family business has been running since 1930! You can enter the bakery with your mask on to buy baked goods, or call to place an order for curbside pickup. For pickup at a later date, you can also order online. Follow Weber’s Bakery on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
20. B&B’s Ice Cream & Candy
Auburn Gresham - 8238 S Racine Ave
Walk-ins are welcome (with masks and social distancing) for cold treats or hot food. Delivery is also available through UberEats. Sometime soon, they’ll be opening a second location in East Side. Follow B&B’s on Facebook and Instagram for updates. (A sweet note: Earlier this month, Englewood Branded picked up seven random customers' tabs—they’re another small business that was recommended when we asked social media who they’re supporting! It’s great to see small businesses standing together.)
Now, see which of these small businesses are closest to you and go support them!