From downtown Chicago

Take I-90/I-94 West to the I-90 split towards Rockford/O’Hare. Proceed to Harlem Ave. exit. Make a right going north 2 miles to 7214 N. Harlem. We are on the left hand side immediately north of Touhy Ave. We share a parking lot with the famous Nick’s Gyros, home of the last home made gyro meat in Chicago.

From the North Suburbs

Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Forest, etc.: Take the Edens expwy I-94 East (which is actually south) to the Touhy West Exit. Proceed 3 miles to Harlem Ave. Make a right and get over to the left lane immediately as we are right there!

From the South suburbs

Take I-94 west (actually north) to the Touhy West Exit. Proceed 3 miles to Harlem Ave. Make a right and get over to the left lane immediately as we are right there!

From O’Hare Airport

Take I-190 east to I-90 east to Harlem Ave Exit. Proceed up ramp to Harlem Ave. and make a Left onto Harlem northbound. Shoppe is 2 miles north on left hand side just a hair past Touhy Ave.

Milwaukee Ave

If you are coming from the uber-hip neighborhoods of Bucktown, Wicker park or Ukranian Village, you can also just take Milwaukee Ave. north to Touhy Ave and make a right to the next light, Harlem. This is kind of a nice expressway-free urban scenic route. You’ll drive through city neighborhoods (all safe). You’ll pass Super Dawg www.superdawg.com at Devon and Milwaukee - Chicago’s very own shrine to vintage drive-ins (Great Hot Dogs and Malts). Just look for the Giant Mr. & Mrs. Hot Dog Statues on top of the deco inspired building. Or if unnamed meat particles are verboten in your diet, there’s the vegan Korean restaurant Amitabul www.amitabul.getwebnet.com, consistently making tasty and creative vegetarian eats. What’s their secret to success in savories? “We use zen meditation cooking energy as we make our all-organic sauces.”

Harlem Ave

Many folks from the south opt to take Harlem Ave all the way up. If you pick this route, travel mid-day to avoid the rush hour snarls that frequently plague the OP/RF and EP shopping areas. Depending on how far south you start, you’ll pass through the Oak Park/River Forest business district, Elmwood Park Italian neighborhood with its authentic delis, espresso shops and grocers, and the Maurice Lenell Cookie Factory (4474 N. Harlem Ave.). If you grew up in Chicago, you grew up eating these salty sweet addictive treats. The factory is still operating and you can still look in the windows and watch the conveyor belts churn them out.

Nick’s Drive-In

Right next door to the A&R. Home to feisty Greeks who still hand blend their gyro meats in the back. If you like gyros you gotta try Nick’s. Voted “Best gyros in Chicago” by some magazine or newspaper. The Chicken shish ka bob is mighty tasty as well.

Prairieland Estate Services, antique warehouse

Warehouse is a strong word for this place…maybe miniature warehouse? Great selection of antique and vintage furniture, some artwork and lighting. Mixed bag of estate finds from 18th Century English to Mid-Century Modern. This friendly guy keeps wacky hours so call ahead to avoid disappointment. You can also see a good portion of his inventory on his Web site. www.prairielandwarehouse.com

Schmeissers Deli

If you were born after 1975, visit this place to see what a real butcher shop looks like. Since 1951, this has been the place for meat connoisseurs to get the good stuff. Old meat cases form a solid line of the best cuts of meat you can buy. Guys in white coats, sporting the occasional blood spatter, call out numbers and dish up things you’ll never find at the Jewel or Dominick’s. Smoked goose leg, anyone? How about a side of beef, 200lbs of USDA Prime? My personal favorites are the LandJeagers, dry cured sausages that don’t need refrigeration and are a tasty, protein rich snack. I keep a bunch in my car for snack emergencies. Their homemade soups and stews are also exceptional, all good quality natural ingredients. They are in the frozen cases to the left.

Super H Mart - Asian Market

Humongo Asian food market, with a produce section from Mars, a seafood section that leaves no doubt you are buying fish, and a food court offering Sushi, Chinese, Korean, Japanese foods at take out prices. Worth a spin as a curiosity, an absolute must if you cook Asian anything or just like to eat.

Zia’s restaurant

Italian food, real good, nice salads and apps. If you are a food snob coming out from Bucktown or Wicker Park this is your only choice for sit-down service with food that really satisfies. www.ziaschicago.com

Tony’s Italian Deli

Authentic Italian Deli with hot and cold ready to eat foods at the back of the store at the deli counter. Good eats cheap. This is where we get our spicy Italian sausage to make our winter favorite, Sausage and Cannellini soup. Aisles are stocked with Italian specialties like anchovy paste and of course pasta of a million varieties.

Pickwick Theatre

Landmark Art Deco Movie Palace in little downtown Park Ridge which has recently seen a bunch of development. (Name a Chicago neighborhood that hasn’t!) It's home to new shops and a Trader Joe’s. Pickwick has first run movies and some fun special events. www.pickwicktheatre.com