photo: Courtesy of Nick Flandro
A friend of ours once said, "everyone lives in Logan Square." That may not quite be true, but if this 'hood's perpetually evolving social scene continues to grow, rents might actually reflect her prophecy.
Best of the nightlife
Small Bar (Logan Square)
Try as you might, you'll have no luck in finding a dark, dank corner in this chill Logan Square establishment. Located on a block so residential you'll almost miss it, Small Bar is a welcome haven for locales looking for a good brew. Reasonably priced drinks abound (as do nightly drink specials), and the domestic and imported beer menu is a hearty one: Expect plenty of Goose Island on draft, plus Lindeman's Framboise, Dinkel Acker, Maudite, Two Brother's and more...at last count there were about 70 options. You'll have no problem chatting with the friendly bartenders here. While you're at it, put in a food order: Small Bar's solid menu runs the gamut from blackened catfish sandwiches to a hummus, pita and vegetable plate to hand-dipped cheese curds.
Good for groups
Zacatecas
Whether you have Latin in your blood or are just an admirer of the culture, Zacatecas offers a festive locale to sing your heart out to your favorite Spanish tunes. Every Wednesday and Saturday this bar/restaurant provides an all-Spanish karaoke, which gives customers the chance to shake their bon-bon ala Ricky Martin. Seating is plentiful, and the side booths have large, white awnings that offer privacy for dinner dates. The menu selection is huge and includes unique dishes like bistec con tostones (beef steak with fried green bananas) and chicharron con chile (pork skin in hot sauce). Work on your pronunciation because this eight-year-old establishment's staff primarily speaks Spanish.
In-the-know spot
Boulevard Bikes
A must for any bike enthusiast, this bike shop and repair center sits adjacent to Logan Square's famed Lula Cafe. Specializing in commuter bikes, this is the place to go if you've got a flat or a broken spoke. There's no need to wait weeks to get those crooked handlebars fixed: Boulevard Bikes offers same-day service on urgent repairs and will, at the very least, make a damage assessment on-the-spot. If you're looking to become your own bike mechanic, the store occasionally offers repair classes. During the summer, the shop leads a Thursday night ride up to the Northbrook Velodrome for some fast-paced bike racing.
Where to chill
Johnny's Grill (Logan Square)
This greasy spoon, once a 24-hour haunt, has been a staple of the Logan Square community for nearly 30 years. Serving up tasty diner classics, such as burgers, fried chicken and Ruben sandwiches, at even tastier diner prices, this is a great stop for those searching the nitty-gritty experience of eating at an old-fashioned burger joint. The entire kitchen, grill and all, is right out in the open, and the barstool-only seating makes this spot a great place to be seen solo and do a bit of seeing yourself: The panoramic view of Logan Square's busy circular drive sits just beyond the glass. Service isn't the friendliest; a sign above the grill states, "This isn't Burger King. You do it my way," which is about the attitude you get. But you can't beat the atmosphere and the prices. Menu selections are almost entirely under $6.
Cheap eats
El Cid 2
Right across the street from the L stop, El Cid 2 offers excellent Mexican cuisine at prices that won't have you saying aye caramba. The family-owned eatery is famous for its fish tacos, which it seasons and grills with onions and cilantro. It also serves up four flavors of margaritas in sizes ranging from nine to 16 ounces. For those with a carne aversion, El Cid #2 serves up vegetarian tacos and burritos. During the summertime, the back patio opens up giving customers a chance to bask in the sun while sipping back a cool margarita served straight from the patio's own margarita bar.
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