Move over, Wicker Park–there’s a new kid in the cool neighborhood scene, and it’s coming into its own as 2014 approaches. The beautiful turn-of-the-century homes that line Logan Boulevard act as a private drive to the center of the action, at the corner of Milwaukee, Logan and Kedzie-Logan Square. Swarmed by hipsters but still retaining a large Polish population (that’s who built those gorgeous houses!), this neighborhood is quickly becoming a major culinary draw to the rest of the city, who utilize the strategically- located Blue Line stop (right on the Square). Adding to the food scene are great cafes, a vast array of ethnic cuisine and some unique shopping that will have you searching Craig’s List for available apartments.
Right on the square, you can find some great shops. Check out Wolfbait for locally-made clothing, accessories and home décor with a funky edge. Its neighbor, Fleur, is a unique floral shop with a seasonal and interesting variety of flowers. Need some wheels? Boulevard Bikes has a great selection of vintage bicycles with baskets and other fun accessory options. Play is a great toy store to pick up a gift for a shower or child’s birthday party.
Longman & Eagle anchor the foodie scene with their Michelin Star for its take on classic American cuisine and serious whiskey selection. For brunch, Lula Café offers great outdoor seating and weekly specials that highlight seasonal produce, and Jam highlights unique ingredients (like antelope!!) without emptying your wallet. Come for the baguettes at Boulangerie, stay for a crepe. And some macaron. And some cronuts. The Farmer’s Market on Sundays is a great place to shop for local produce, organically-grown and/or non-traditional meats (think goat), and to snag some great bites–empanadas, bangers, and filled crepes are just a few of the options.
For coffee lovers, The Bang Bang Pie Shop on California literally serves 3 things-coffee, biscuits, and pie, and they crush it on all of them. Gaslight Coffee House roasts their own coffee, and New Wave coffee is a great place to grab a cup en route to the absolutely fantastic Farmer’s Market just steps from their door.
Logan boasts some of the most authentic, unique and delicious ethnic cuisine around. Try Yusho and Fat Rice for your Asian cravings, 90 Mile Cuban Café for cheap and tasty Cuban cuisine, Letizia’s Fiore Ristorante for homemade pasta, Urban Belly for Asian-inspired eats at a communal table scene, and Revolution Brewery for gastropub awesomeness. For the taco lovers, you MUST eat at L’Patron–take a friend and order the Gringo and the Gringa so you can try both.
The nightlife is also bustling in the Square, with craft cocktail joints like Scofflaw, The Whistler, and Billy Sunday offering inexpensive yet innovative drinks. Parson’s Chicken & Fish appears to be more of a restaurant and less of a bar, but they have a killer patio area that is great for warm weather gatherings. They also feature weekly slushy specials that make frozen drinks cool again. At the end of the night, if you love ’90s music, beards, and shady bar patrons, head to the Two Way Lounge at Milwaukee and Fullerton for cheap beer, and gain a genuine appreciation for the unique mix of residents that Logan currently boasts.
Get to Logan Square before its awesomeness drives up prices and pretentiousness!
