Albany Park & Irving Park
As one of Chicago’s most ethnically diverse neighborhoods, Albany Park is home to a mosaic of residents hailing from global destinations like Mexico, Guatemala, India, Philippines, Ecuador and Bosnia, just to list a few. In fact, Albany Park has one of the highest foreign-born populations in the city and it is the third most diverse zip code in the entire United States with more than 40 languages spoken in the area’s public schools! The community is situated about eight miles northwest of the Loop, just west of the North Shore Channel waterway. It is surrounded on all sides by parkland and there are several pockets of green space tucked within the residential streets.
With so many cultures represented, Albany Park has a delicious mixture of cuisines that range from traditional American coffee shops like Starbucks to Middle Eastern fare from Noon-O-Kabab. Most restaurants and commercial retail in Albany Park are located on or near Lawrence Avenue, which bisects the neighborhood. One section of the main drag is referred to by Chicagoans as “Seoul Drive” because of the large number of Korean restaurants. Along this stretch of Lawrence Avenue is an assembly of Korean-owned shops and businesses. But the neighborhood’s diversity shines through even here, as the avenue is spotted with a variety of Mexican bakeries, Vietnamese restaurants and Middle Eastern grocery stores.
Although Lawrence Avenue is packed with unique independent storefronts and family-owned boutiqes, Albany Park’s shopping and eating options aren’t limited to its major east/west thoroughfare. Kedzie Avenue (which runs north/south) is also lined with a tantalizing assortment of eateries and merchants. Local ethnic food markets like Andy’s Fruit Ranch mingle with mainstream hotspots like Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway. Kedzie is also the place to find an excellent plate of pad thai or spicy order of curry, as it also hosts several authentic Thai restaurants.
Albany Park’s wide scope of backgrounds is just one of its many selling points. Access to expansive outdoor public recreation grounds is another neighborhood attraction that families are drawn to. In the northwest side of the community, the 12-acre Eugene Field Park offers amenities such as cultural arts, baseball/soccer/football fields, tennis courts, a playground, and a spray pool. Centrally located Jensen Park, Buckeye Park and Kiwanis Park are mini green refuges in the midst of built-up residential blocks.
- CLICK HERE FOR ALBANY PARK & IRVING PARK EAST NEIGHBORHOOD MAP
- CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REAL ESTATE IN ALBANY PARK & IRVING PARK EAST
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Albany Park Restaurants & Bars |
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Albany Park Schools |
Dining In Albany Park
| Ferndell and Marias Restaurant 3956 W North Ave Chicago , IL 60647 Phone: (773) 252-0840 Cuisine: American |
Chicago Kalbi Korean Restaurant 3752 W Lawrence Ave Chicago , IL 60625 Phone: (773) 604-8183 Cuisine: Asian |
| Cafe Lutz 2458 W Montrose Ave Chicago , IL 60618 Phone: (773) 478-7785 Cuisine: European |
Mirabell Restaurant & Lounge 3454 W Addison St Chicago , IL 60618 Phone: (773) 463-1962 Cuisine: German |
| Nancy's Original Stuffed Pizza 3970 N Elston Ave Chicago , IL 60618 Phone: (773) 267-8182 Cuisine: Pizza/Italian |
Sabatino's Restaurant & Lounge 4441 W Irving Park Rd Chicago , IL 60641 Phone: (773) 283-8331 Cuisine: Italian |
| Arun's Thai Restaurant 4156 N Kedzie Ave Chicago , IL 60618 Phone: (773) 539-1909 Cuisine: Thai |
Thai Little Home Cafe 4747 N Kedzie Ave Chicago , IL 60625 Phone: (773) 478-3944 Cuisine: Thai |
| Hot Shots Bar 5151 N. Lincoln |
Montrose Saloon 2933 W. Montrose |
Resources in Albany Park
| Hospitals Kindred Hospital 2544 W. Montrose Swedish Covenant Hospital 5145 N. California |
Post Office 2522 W. Lawrence |
Entertainment in Albany Park
| Lincoln Square Lanes 484 N. Lincoln |
Peek Inn 2933 W. Irving Park |
Shopping in Albany Park
| Supermarkets: | |
| Aldi Foods 2431 W Montrose |
Harvestime Foods 2532 Lawrence |
| John's Food Mart 4947 N. Kedzie |
Clark Market 4853 N. Kedzie |
| Thrift Stores | |
| Good Byes 3505 W. Lawrence |
Thrift & Resale 3240 W. Lawrence |
Schools in Albany Park
| Early Learning Center 3021 W. Montrose |
Gospel Outreach Christian School 2800 W. Cullom |
| Le Ballet Petit School 4630 N. Francisco |
Newton Bateman School 4220 N. Richmond |
| Our Lady of Mercy 4416 N. Troy |
Transfiguration School 5044 N. Rockwell |
| Waters Elementary 4540 N. Cambell |
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