Little Village
Little Village (part of the South Lawndale Community Area) was originally settled by Irish and Eastern European immigrants in the late 1800s, after the Great Chicago Fire sent the population of Chicago rippling out from the city's center to the outlying countryside. Jobs created by industrial development in the early twentieth century also attracted residents to the Little Village area, adding to the community's strength and viability as its own independent borough. By the mid-1900s, Little Village saw a marked increase in Polish immigrants, escaping the ravages of war-torn Europe, and in the '50s a large influx of Mexicans moved to the neighborhood. Many of these new residents were transplants from neighboring Pilsen. They were displaced during the construction of the University of Illinois Chicago campus, which chewed up a large section of residential land, pushing inhabitants further west from downtown.
But is the injection of Latino culture that gives the Little Village neighborhood its vibrant and distinct character today. In fact, the neighborhood is called "Mexico of the Midwest" by many of its residents. Little Village celebrates Mexican Independence Day every September with a parade down 26th Street. It's the largest Hispanic parade in the city and attracts thousands of spectators each year who flock to the neighborhood to show support and pride for their heritage. Of course, Little Village has a wealth of great Mexican restaurants that also help to reinforce the community's strong cultural ties. The family owned Taquerias Atotonilco has been in business for over 25 years. This friendly neighborhood spot is simple, inexpensive and delicious. Prefer a menu with a Mexican-American mix? Los Dos Laredos is a popular place to eat out that features huge platters of authentic Mexican cuisine with a Tex-Mex twist.
For a little music with your meal, stop in to La Justicia on a Friday night to catch live entertainment. The lineup isn't limited to just a traditional "cancion" here and there (although the musicians may sing in Spanish), you're just as likely to see a metal band as a band of mariachis at this place, so be prepared for anything! The list of Mexican restaurants in Little Village goes on (Sabor Mexico, Moreno's, Los Candiles, El Vitor Naco Tacos, El Fandango), but if you're looking for some good American fast food made Chicago-style, there's George's Hot Dogs and Maxwell Street Original. While George's does dogs up right, Maxwell Street serves up the original Maxwell Street Polish, piled high with grilled onions and mustard (a Chicago staple since the 1930s). But what's an American neighborhood without a local Chinese food takeout? Every dining district has at least one Chinese restaurant and Shanghai Restaurant is Little Village's. So, if you're craving oodles of noodles, egg rolls or wonton soup, you know where to go!
For cowboys and cowgirls, Little Village has two great options to spice up your dude ranch wardrobe. Herrera Western Wear and Mariano's Western Wear both have a large selection of clothing, boots and accessories. If you're in the market for a pair of shoes then you're in luck - just head to 26th Street. There's Delgado Shoe Store and Perez Shoes for more formal men's and women's footwear. For sportier kicks, check out Linda's Sport Shoes or Foot Locker. Atlantic Mall features a wide variety of toys and treats for kids as well as all sorts of party favors including piñatas, a must for any child's birthday bash. Bargain shoppers who don't know what they're looking for until they find it will love Village Discount Outlet. This mega mark-down store stocks all kinds of odds and ends in addition to clothes for "big and tall" gentlemen and ladies.
For green spaces and recreation in Little Village, residents can make a visit the community parks. Washtenaw Park has a baseball diamond and offers up a variety of arts and crafts classes for adults as well as day camps for kids. Shedd Park is a little park in Little Village named for John G. Shedd (known to most Chicagoans as the founder of the Shedd Aquarium). There may not be an abundance of fish and sea life here, but there's plenty of room for land lubbers to have a picnic or lay out and enjoy the summer sun. Piotrowski Park is the neighborhood's largest public park and is the most popular outdoor retreat for Little Village residents. With an outside pool, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and jogging paths (plus a soft surface play ground for tots), this good-size patch of green has something for every member of the family.
When it comes to traveling around Little Village, you've got options ... Several bus routes service the neighborhood and the "L" runs through the northern section of the area, a couple blocks from Cermak Road. The Cermak Road bus runs east/west through Little Village, as does the Blue Island/26th Street bus line, which heads through the center of the community. The Pulaski Road and Western Avenue buses operate on a north/south path along the neighborhood's western and eastern edges, and the California Avenue bus runs the same direction a few blocks over from Western Avenue. The CTA Pink and Blue lines have three stops in Little Village on the north end at Western, California and Kedzie avenues.
- CLICK HERE FOR LITTLE VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD MAP
- CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REAL ESTATE IN LITTLE VILLAGE
 |
Interested in Little Village real estate? |  |
Little Village Restaurants & Bars |
 |
Little Village Resources |  |
Little Village Shopping |
 |
Little Village Entertainment |  |
Little Village Schools |
Dining in Little Village
| Atotonilco Taqueria 3916 W. 26th St Chicago IL. 60623 (773) 762-3380 |
Birrierias Riveras Ocotlan 3809 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)277-4116 |
|
Blanco & Negro Restaurant 4043 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)522-2176 |
Canton Chino 3900 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)521-8888 |
|
Carrasco's tacos 4001 W. Ogden South Pulaski Chicago IL 60623> |
Celis Pizza 2609 S. Kostner Chicago IL 60623 |
|
Church's Chicken 3216 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 -773 |
Coco Beach Restaurant 4377 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)762-3375 |
|
Concordia Restaurant 3805 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)521-4095 |
Del Campo Pizzeria 3125 W. Cermak Chicago IL 60623-3449 (773)522-2000 |
|
Dennis Pizza 3257 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)523-1620 |
Dennis Pizza 3806 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)277-2711 |
|
Dennis Pizza 4030 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773) 762-7088 |
Domino's Pizza 4039 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)277-3166 |
|
Dunkin Donuts 2803 S. Kezie Chicago IL 60623 (773)847-5930 |
El Barzon 3002 S. Pulaski Chicago IL 60623 |
|
El Chisme Rosticeria 3324 W. 26th ST Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-2533 |
El Colonial 2400 S. Pulaski Chicago IL 60623 |
|
El Faro Restaurant 3936 W. 31st St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-1155 |
El Molcas Restaurant 4125 W. 26th ST Chicago IL 60623 |
|
El Pueblo 4056 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)762-7447 |
El Tecolote Ostioneria y Restaurant 3519 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)277-1490 |
|
Harpers Grill 31 St. and Kedzie Chicago IL 60623 |
Home Run Inn Pizza 4259 W. 31st St Chicago IL 60623 (773)247-9696 |
|
Jalisco 4149 W. 31st St. Chicago IL 60623 |
Kermes 3425 W. 26th ST. Chicago IL 60623 (773)542-0000 |
|
La Chaparrita Tamales 2500 S. Whipple Chicago IL 60623 (773)247-1402 |
La Guadalupana 3842 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)522-7430 |
| La Kermes 3002 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)523-1666 |
Lalo's Restaurant 4126 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)762-1505 |
|
Lamas Birrieria 4323 W. 26th St Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-2296 |
Las Gaviotas 3235 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 |
|
Los Candiles Restaurant 2624 S. Central Park Chicago IL 60623 (312)522-8544 |
Los Dos Laredos Restaurant 3120 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)376-3218 |
|
Los Olivos 3400 W. 31 St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)247-1002 |
Lucy's Restaurant 3802 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)542-0930 |
|
Mauro Cafeteria y Neveria 3633 W. 26th St Chicago IL 60623 (773)542-9703 |
Mi Tierra 2528 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago IL 60623 773-254-7722 |
|
Nuevo Leon Restaurant 3659 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)522-1515 |
Oasis 4148 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773) 762-9214 |
|
Piezanos Pizza 3059 S. Pulaski chicago IL 60623 (773)521-0808 |
Pinedas Pizza 4150 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 |
|
Pizza Nova 3708 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)762-0100 |
Pizzaritos 2027 S. California Chicago IL 60623 (773)927-7516 |
|
Puerto Del Mar 4023 W. 31st St Chicago IL 60623 |
Restaurant Blanco & Negro 4043 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)522-2176 |
|
Taqueria El Arco 3105 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)376-3611 |
Taqueria El Laurel 3447 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773) 522-3566 |
|
Taqueria Los Comales 3141 W. 26th St Chicago IL 60623 (773)247-0977 |
Taqueria Los Gallos 4211 W. 26th St Chicago IL 60623 (773)762-7452 |
|
The Green House 2700 S. Millard Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-6684 |
Trohas Shrimp & Chicken 4151 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)521-7721 |
|
Villa del Mar Restaurant 4214 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-4908 |
Yolanda's 3058 S.Central Park Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-8409 |
|
Goodie Goodie Chinese Restaurant 2230 S. Western Ave. Chicago IL 60608 (773)376-9890 |
Resources in Little Village
| Hospitals Alivio Medical Center 966 W. 21st Street 2355 S. Western |
Post Office 2302 S. Pulaski Chicago IL 60623 |
| Resurrection Project 1814 S. Paulina |
|
| Saint Anthony Hospital Programa CIELO , 2875 W. 19th St. 2826 W. Cermak |
|
| Sinai Health Systems California Ave. at 15th St. |
Entertainment in Little Village
| Apollos 2000 Theater 2875 W Cermak Rd Chicago, IL 60623-3513 Phone: (773) 247-0200 |
Casino Tropical 3010 W. Cermak Rd. Chicago IL 60623 (773)927-3311 |
| El Nuevo Boston 3457 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)376-0362 |
Jacaranda Club 3608 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 |
| Latin Village Disco 3737 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773)521-5465 |
Los Globos 2501 S. Central Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-4141 |
Shopping in Little Village
| Alfafera Sn. Pedor Teq. 2314 W. Kedzie Chicago IL 60623 |
Aristo Craft 3001 S. Kilbourn Chicago IL 60623 (773) 523-6618 |
| Atlantic Mall 3948 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)521-7300 |
Ayalas Omanental 2420 W. Kedzie Chicago IL 60623 (773 )521-1148 |
| C & G Music, Inc. 3125 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)847-3402 |
Creasiones Alma 3711 W. 26th St. Chicago IL. 60623 (773) 542-4443 |
| Diana's Art & Crafts 3808 W.26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773 )762-1435 |
Discolandia Record Shop 3751 W. 26th St. Chicago, IL 60623 (773) 521-2800 |
| Discoteca Navarros 3241 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)847-1877 |
Discount World 3253 W. 26th St, Chicago IL 60623 (773)927-3588 |
| Fiesta America 3501 S. Laramie Ave. Chicago IL 60804 (708) 780-3719 |
Ginas Party & Crafts 3414 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)277-1444 |
| Herrera Mercantil 2602 W.26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773) 254-7071 |
House of Music 4308 W. 31st St. Chicago IL 60623 |
| Mexican Village Artesanias 3306 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773) 521-2435 |
Mira Descuento 3455 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773 )521-4341 |
| Recuerdos Crafts & Gifts 3507 W. 26th St. Chicago IL 60623 |
Silvia's 3617 W. 26th Street Chicago IL 60623 (773) 522-5581 |
| Tanya's Gift Shop & Craft 2242 S. Kedzie Chicago IL 60623 (773) 542-9037 |
Varelas Discotecas 4041 W.26th St. Chicago IL 60623 (773)542-9070 |
Schools in Little Village
| Cardenas
Modular 2406 South Central Park Avenue |
Cardenas,
Lazaro 2345 South Millard Avenue |
| Castellanos
Middle School, Rosario 2524 South Central Park Avenue |
Corkery,
Daniel J. 2510 South Kildare Avenue |
| Everett, Edward 3419 South Bell Avenue |
Finkl, William F. 2332 South Western Avenue |
| Farragut
Career Academy, David G. 2345 South Christiana Avenue |
Gary,
Joseph E. 3740 West 31st Street |
| Kanoon
Magnet, Gerald Delgado 2233 South Kedzie Avenue |
Little Village 2620 South Lawndale Avenue |
| Madero Middle, Francisco I 3202 West 28th Street |
McCormick, Cyrus H. 2712 South Sawyer Avenue |
| Ortiz De Dominguez 3000 South Lawndale Avenue |
Paderewski
Learning Academy, Ignace 2221 South Lawndale Avenue |
| Recovering the Gifted Child 2221 South Lawndale Avenue |
Ruiz, Irma C. 2410 South Leavitt Street |
| Saucedo Scholastic Academy, Maria 2850 West 24th Boulevard |
Spry, John 2400 South Marshall Boulevard |
| Telpochcalli 2832 West 24th Boulevard |
Whitney, Eli 2815 South Komensky Avenue |
| Whitney Annex, Eli 2845 South Komensky Avenue |
York Alternative High School, Consuella 2700 South California Avenue |
| Zapata Academy 2728 South Kostner Avenue |
© 2010 Chicago City & Neighborhood Guide
Site Map