Logan Square

Logan Square has not always been the hippest neighborhood in Chicago – originally, the intersection of Milwaukee, Kedzie and Logan Boulevards was merely a junction on the now-defunct Northwest Plank Road. Named after a Union General John A. Logan, the square can be located by its 71 foot tall Doric column, erected in 1918 to celebrate the Illinois centennial. This well-known Logan Square spot marks the northwest end of the Chicago Boulevard System, which winds its way through the city from the north side all the way down to Hyde Park on the south side. During the summer, you will find here one of the most popular Farmers Markets in the city.

 

Thanks to an influx of artists, musicians and young hipsters moving up Milwaukee Avenue from Wicker Park as they were priced out of that neighborhood, Logan Square now has a reputation as one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods. The neighborhood has met the demand, renovating old buildings and turning storefronts into an eclectic variety of restaurants, vintage boutiques, and pubs that cater to the new neighborhood residents.

 

Lula’s was one of the first foodie-oriented restaurants to open in Logan Square; it has recently been remodeled and expanded to accommodate the overflow crowds that flock there for weekend brunch. Around the corner is Dunlay’s on the Square, which is famous for its brunch bloody marys and hearty pub food. Nestled between them is an old neighborhood diner that has been in the neighborhood for years. Other outstanding eateries around the Square include Longman & Eagle, Telegraph Wine Room, the all-vegetarian Chicago Diner, and Letizia’s Fiore (which has some of the best cheesecake and gnocchi in town).

 

North of the Square on Milwaukee Ave, Uncharted Books and Intelligentsia Café flank Disco City Records, a Great independent record store with one of the best Latin selections around. Up the street is the Logan Theater, which has recently been completely renovated under new ownership. It shows new releases, second-run movies, and classic films. South on Milwaukee is a vibrant bar scene that includes the Rocking Horse, Cole’s, the Owl, and the Whistler. The Whistler, a tiny mixologist’s bar, features live jazz and has a great patio in the rear, but if you do not get there early, you may find yourself waiting in line outside! Further down Milwaukee, Revolution Brewing commands the street. This microbrewery has no less than eight in-house beers and outstanding fare.

 

Logan Square has some of the most beautiful historic graystones in the city, which is part of the reason Chicago Fire can often be seen filming on location in the neighborhood. Away from the action there are quiet, tree-lined streets with single family homes and traditional Chicago two-flats. The boulevards will take you south to Humboldt Park, one of the biggest green spaces on the city’s north side, with its softball and soccer fields, beautiful lagoon and park house.

 

Logan Square is accessible by the Blue Line, which stops right at the intersection of Milwaukee and Kedzie. The train takes riders downtown in about twenty minutes and to O’Hare International Airport in about 45. The Fullerton and Diversey buses also provide access to the neighborhood, and I-94 runs a mile east of the Square.