Roscoe Village
When German and Swedish settlers appeared on the scene in the late 1800s, Roscoe Village was a community wedged between two industrial corridors lying at the eastern and western borders of the area. Following WWII, a boom of residential construction occurred in Roscoe Village, including many two-story brownstones. The decline after the Great Depression kept development to a minimum – a slump which continued over the next four decades. By the 1980s Roscoe Village was on the rebound.
Today, this little corner of the Lakeview Community Area features a wealth of great restaurants, bars and boutiques and its shady and tranquil side streets make it an attractive locale for families. The majority of housing here is two- and three-flats, vintage walk-ups and single family homes with an injection of new condo constructions from recent building booms. Conversions like the Eversharp Pencil Factory (turned modern condominiums) offer even more options for new home-buyers in the area.
Antiques Row, the largest collection of antique stores in the Midwest is on Roscoe Village's southern border. Lazy Dog Antiques, Night and Day Vintage, Good Old Days Antiques and Father Time Antiques will keep the antique collector busy for days at a time. And when you're done searching through the dusties, keep in mind that Roscoe Village has its share of fashionable boutiques with never-been-used merchandise, too. Collection Privee features designer clothes, Skyscraper Heels has ultra-hip shoes styles, and Cinnamon stocks accessories. Niche shops in Roscoe Village include Little Threads, which has all the coolest labels in kids clothing and baby gear. Of Mutts and Men caters to the neighborhood’s pampered pet population and if it's tunes you're after, head to Hard Boiled Records and Video to flip through new and used vinyl and CDs.
Roscoe Village has quite the established dining district, which is always important when it comes to finding that perfect location to settle down. The vegetarian-menu at Victory's Banner offers great alternatives for meatless meals, including a great brunch selection and plenty of vegan-friendly dishes. If you are feeling a little more carnivorous, Kitsch'n on Roscoe can hook you up with a tasty brunch, just be prepared to line-up for it. This place is no secret and come 11 am on a weekend it really starts to fill up. Pizza pie and a bottle of wine is always a good combo. For that be sure to check out Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar. La Mora is another great option for Italian food, but that is just the beginning of Roscoe Village’s tour of international restaurants. El Tinajon serves up tasty Guatemalan cuisine while Turkish cooking is the specialty at Turquoise Cafe. Kaze Sushi brings you Japan's culinary gift to the world and Thai Cafe treats with the flavorful delights from Southeast Asia.
For on-the-go food, Roscoe Village has a whole other level of eateries and cafés. For starters, the neighborhood is home to the original Costello's location (there's one in Lincoln Square now as well). Costello's is a terrific alternative to the fast foodness of Quizno's or Subway. The turkey Rueben is pretty darn tasty and with a side of mash potatoes (skins on!) that makes for a pretty substantial meal. What would the restaurant business be without a little competition, though? Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches is right down the street and for desert there’s nothing better than frozen custard from Scooter's, a Roscoe Village family favorite. Yes there's a Starbucks in Roscoe Village (there's a few actually), but for a more laidback neighborhood vibe, MoJoe's Cafe Lounge can satisfy your caffeine needs and if it's bubble tea you're after, BeBoBa Bubble Tea House is right around the corner with over 50 varieties to chose from.
For a night out on the town, Four Moon Tavern is a cozy neighborhood haunt, often frequented by actors. Bar food, jukebox, pool table and outdoor seating, the Moon meets all the criteria for a quality local hangout. Another great spot for getting a drink and chilling with friends is the Village Tap. They do the bar, food and beer garden combo just as well as anybody, and the great thing about their beer garden is – it's open year-round. The staff just pulls the canopy down to protect from the elements and heats the enclosed area with an outdoor fireplace. Genius!
Public transportation in Roscoe Village is pretty convenient. You can catch the CTA Brown Line train at one of two stops – Paulina or Addison – both are on in the northeast corner of the neighborhood. Bus routes that service the area include the Addison Street bus (which includes the Wrigley Field Express) and Belmont, which both run east/west. Travel north/south through the neighborhood on the Damen and Western Avenue buses as well as the Lincoln Avenue bus, which cuts through Roscoe Village diagonally.
- CLICK HERE FOR ROSCOE VILLAGE & WEST LAKEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD MAP
- CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REAL ESTATE IN ROSCOE VILLAGE & WEST LAKEVIEW
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Interested in Roscoe Village real estate? |  |
Roscoe Village Restaurants & Bars |
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Roscoe Village Resources |  |
Roscoe Village Shopping |
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Roscoe Village Entertainment |  |
Roscoe Village Schools |
Dining in Roscoe Village
| El Tinajon 2054 W Roscoe St Cuisine: Mexican |
Otro Mas 3651 N Southport Cuisine: Mexican |
| Brett's Cafe Americain 2011 W. Roscoe Cuisine: American |
Hot Doug's 2314 W. Roscoe Cuisine: American |
| Kitsch'n on Roscoe 2005 W. Roscoe Cuisine: American |
Lee's Chop Suey 2415 W. Diversey Cuisine: Asian |
| Piazza Bella Trattoria 2116 W. Roscoe Cuisine: Italian |
Thai Linda Cafe 2022 W. Roscoe Cuisine: Thai |
| Bars: | |
| Beat Kitchen 2100 W. Belmont |
Benedict's 3937 N. Lincoln |
| Black Rock 3614 N. Damen |
Cody's Public House 1658 W. Barry |
| Four Moon Tavern 1847 W. Roscoe |
Four Treys 3333 N. Damen |
| JT Collins 3358 N. Paulina |
Mulligan's Public House 2000 W. Roscoe |
The Hungry Brain |
Tiny Lounge 1814 W. Addison |
Resources in Roscoe Village
| Chicago Fire Department 1732 W. Byron |
Chicago Police 2452 W. Belmont |
Entertainment in Roscoe Village
| Roscoe Village Farmer's Market W. Belmont & N. Wolcott |
American Blues Theater 1909 W. Byron |
| Chicago Underground Film Festival 3109 N. Western |
Music Box Theatre 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago 773-871-6604 |
| Mercury Theater 3745 N. Southport Ave. (773) 325-1700 |
Shopping in Roscoe Village
| Antique Resources 1741 W. Belmont |
Father Time Antiques 2108 W. Belmont |
| Good Old Days Antiques 2138 W. Belmont |
Lynn's Hallmark 3353 N. Lincoln |
| Serendipity 2010 W. Roscoe |
Toy Town 1903 W. Belmont |
Schools in Roscoe Village
| Hamilton Elementary 1650 W. Cornelia |
Bell Elementary 3730 N. Oakley |
| Scheider School 2957 N. Hoyne |
St. Andrew School 1710 W. Addison |
| St. Benedict Grade School 3920 N. Leavitt |
St. Benedict High 3900 N. Leavitt |
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