Though a mere 1,000 residents in this ’hood claim Italian as their primary ancestry these days, Chicago’s Little Italy, located in the blocks around Taylor and Racine, still exudes genuinely romantico, Old-World Italian ambiance.
Sure, you can see your typical Frank Sinatra-cum-calamari here (translation: tourist trap), but you’ll also find established gems like Rosebud, Francesca’s and Masi’s Italian Superior Bakery (get there before noon to get a slice), none of which are stingy on the authentic, warm hospitality—or the portions, for that matter. Walk it off by visiting the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame and nearby Joe DiMaggio plaza, and if your belt isn’t bursting, head to Scafuri’s bakery and ask for a cheese strudel.
Situated so close to downtown, the UIC campus and the Illinois Medical District, this area has become popular with young professionals who love the convenience of living blocks from where they work, but also want a taste of the bustling nightlife that is so easily found on the north side. They’re the ones who are renting or owning the 3-flats and new construction in the area, most of which have doubled in price over the last fifteen years.
But the sweet life, of course, is priceless.
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