Uptown
What started as a 19th century playground for affluent Chicagoans is now one of the city’s most desirable entertainment destinations. Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Wallace Beery and Francis X. Bushman used to walk the streets of Argyle when the historic Essany Studios was still in full-swing as a silent movie house in this northern section of Chicago.
It’s hard to find mention of Uptown without a reference to jazz. This Chicago neighborhood is, after all, home to the famous Green Mill Jazz Club. Back in the day, Al Capone used to frequent this once smoky joint with his henchman when big jazz names graced the stage, and even Frank Sinatra slung back a few through a couple of sets.
Today, locals head to Uptown’s main thoroughfare, Broadway, for wide-ranging dining choices and late-night noshing. Rather than being dominated by a particular ethnic cuisine, as many Chicago neighborhoods are (e.g. Mexican fare in Rogers Park and Indian food on Devon Avenue), this area has something to satiate the most discerning palate. Within the span of two blocks you can feast on regional dishes from Italy, India, Japan and Ethiopia, to name a few. Venture a few blocks north to Argyle Street and you can choose from several authentic Vietnamese restaurants, so many in fact that this small section of Uptown is often referred to by locals as “Little Vietnam.”
When local Uptowners aren’t eating out at the local cafés and storefront restaurants, you can find them taking subdued strolls along the neighborhood’s lakeside walking paths or indulging in a picnic at one of its many parks. Uptown has some of the most unique parks in the city including Wilson Avenue Skatepark with plenty of rails, curbs, spines and pyramids for showing off your inner daredevil. There’s also Montrose Harbor for off-pier fishing and Montrose Beach provides a serene spot to soak up some rays.
The residential pockets of Uptown are made up of landmark condos and apartment complexes, many of which have been converted into affordable housing. Recently this Chicago neighborhood has made way for newer condos and small-scale high-rises, but still remains one of the cheaper areas in the city. One bedroom lofts and condos start as low as $188,000 while single-family detached homes sell for about $800,000. And just like every other Chicago neighborhood, there are several stately properties listed in the millions.
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Uptown Restaurants & Bars |
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Uptown Resources |  |
Uptown Shopping |
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Uptown Entertainment |  |
Uptown Schools |
Dining in Uptown
| Joanne & Sons 1775 W Sunnyside Ave Cuisine: American |
Cafe Nhu Hoa 1020 W Argyle St Cuisine: Asian |
| Furama 4936 N Broadway St Cuisine: Asian |
Hai Yen Restaurant 1055 W Argyle Cuisine: Asian |
| Hing Wang 1111 W Wilson Ave Cuisine: Asian |
Nha Trang Restaurant 1007 W Argyle St Cuisine: Asian |
| Uptown Pizza & Barbecue Rest 1031 W Wilson Ave Cuisine: Barbecue/Pizza |
Julie Mai's Le Bistro 5025 N Clark St Cuisine: French |
| Andies Restaurant 1467 W Montrose Ave Cuisine: Greek |
Ofie 3911 N Sheridan Rd Cuisine: Middle Eastern |
| Silver Seafood 4829 N. Broadway Cuisine: Seafood |
Siam Cafe 4712 N Sheridan Rd Cuisine: Asian |
Resources in Uptown / Sheridan Park
| Hospitals Columbia Chicago Lakeshore 4840 N. Marine Columbus Maryville Clinic 810 W. Montrose Thorek Hospital 850 W. Irving Park |
Post Office 1343 W. Irving Park 4850 N. Broadway |
Entertainment in Uptown / Sheridan Park
| Black Ensemble Theater 4520 N. Beacon |
Riviera Theatre 4746 N. Racine |
| The Green Mill Jazz Club 4802 N. Broadway |
Big Chicks 5042 N. Sheridan |
| Black Ensemble Theater 4520 N. Beacon St. |
Chase Park 4701 N. Ashland |
| Frankie J's on Broadway / MethaDome Theatre 4437 N. Broadway |
The Neo-Futurarium 5153 N. Ashland |
| O'Rourke Center for the Performing Arts 1145 W. Wilson |
Profiles Theatre 4147 N. Broadway |
| Aragon Ballroom 1106 W. Lawrence |
Holiday Club 4000 N. Sheridan |
| Lakeview Lounge 5110 N. Broadway |
Old St. Andrew's Inn 5938 N. Broadway |
Shopping in Uptown / Sheridan Park
| Tai Nam Market 4925 N. Broadway |
Wilson Broadway Mall 1114 W. Wilson |
| Universal Music & Entertainment 4423 N. Broadway |
Beck's Book Store 4520 N. Broadway |
| Me Too Accessories 4541 N. Clark |
Unique Findings 1218 W. Wilson |
Schools in Uptown / Sheridan Park
| Mc Cutcheon School-Branch 4850 N Kenmore Ave |
Prologue 1109 1/2 W Lawrence Ave |
| St Augustine College 1345 W Argyle St |
Mc Cutcheon Elementary School 4865 N Sheridan Rd |
| Goudy Elementary School 5120 N Winthrop Ave |
Jose Marti Bilingual Education 5126 N Kenmore Ave |
© 2010 Chicago City & Neighborhood Guide
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