From Wikitravel

The Far Southwest Side of Chicago is home to a large Irish-American community, a huge St Patrick's Day Parade, a ton of Irish pubs, and even a replica Irish castle.

[edit] Understand

Chicago's Far Southwest Side is certainly not one of the city's main tourist attractions, but it does offer the experience of an authentic South Side neighborhood. The one time of year when this district does see a lot of tourist activity is around Saint Patrick's Day; on the Sunday prior to the holiday, Beverly hosts the largest Saint Patrick's Day parade in the world outside of Dublin.

[edit] Neighborhoods

Beverly is the most distinctive of the Far Southwest neighborhoods and probably has the most to offer travelers. In addition to its yearly parade (which is the biggest neighborhood parade in the world), Beverly is home to the Givens Castle, the Ridge Historical Society of Beverly and Morgan Park, and plenty of Irish pubs. You might want to visit just for a change in topography — Beverly is the only neighborhood in Chicago with hills, lending it the odd-sounding nickname Beverly Hills. Along with Morgan Park, Beverly is one of Chicago's few racially integrated neighborhoods, with a sizable African-American minority living side-by-side with the neighborhood's large Irish-American community.

Morgan Park, to the south of Beverly, is considered a separate neighborhood from Beverly, but a visitor will likely notice few differences. More upscale bungalow homes and Irish pubs await. Morgan Park differs from Beverly, however, in that it is majority African-American, especially in the east of the neighborhood.

Mount Greenwood is a large middle class "suburb" of Chicago, home to many of the city's Irish-American firefighters and police officers. For those in search of an authentic Irish-American neighborhood, look no further. No tourists make it out here and the pubs will transport you straight back to the Emerald Isle.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

If you have a car at your disposal, use it. Chicago's Far Southwest Side is not well served by mass transit and parking is plentiful throughout the district. If coming from the north, take Pulaski Rd or Western Ave; both are major roads and will get you there quickly. From I-57, take either the US-1/Halsted Avenue exit to 103rd Street, or the 111th Street exit. From I-294, the simplest route is to head north from the Cicero Avenue exit and then to turn right on 115th or 111th Streets.

[edit] By train

The Metra Rock Island line to Joliet passes through Beverly and Morgan Park. A one-way trip from downtown LaSalle Station to 103rd street will cost $3.05.

[edit] By bus

Route 24 heads south along Clark St, then through Chinatown's Wentworth ave, and then runs down S Vincennes Ave to Halsted St, where you can catch the #8 south into Beverly and Morgan Park. The route #9 (which also has an express bus) is another good way to get into Beverly and Morgan Park, as it runs the length of the city north-south along Ashland Ave and terminates near the Washington Heights Metra stop. Once in the district, the #103 is a convenient bus for traveling east-west along 103rd St between Beverly and Mount Greenwood/St Xavier University.

[edit][add listing] See

• Givens Irish Castle (Beverly Unitarian Church), 10244 S Longwood Dr, ☎ +1 773 233-7080. call in advance for hours. Certainly the oddest sight in Chicago's Far Southwest Side, this building is a replica of castle on Ireland's River Dee, built by a nostalgic and wealthy Irish-American for his fiancee in 1885. Today, the castle houses Beverly's Unitarian congregation and offers a yearly Halloween "Haunted Castle." Beyond the deliberate scares, the castle is purportedly haunted by an actual ghost: a young girl who used to live here. She tends to show up, wearing a long dress, during weddings or parties where alcohol is being served. edit

• Ridge Historical Society, 10621 S Seeley Ave. Su-Th 2PM-5PM. This historical society focuses on the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods and offers tours, assistance with area research, and small, thoughtful exhibits such as a costume room and a doll house collection. edit

• Saint Xavier University Art Gallery, 3700 W 103rd St, ☎ +1 773 298-3081. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. A rotating gallery of works by professional artists. edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Beverly Arts Center of Chicago, 2407 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 445-3838. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. The Beverly Arts Center is a community arts center offering film screenings, dance and dramatic performances, and monthly art gallery exhibits. edit

• South Side Irish Parade, Runs along Western Ave from 103rd St to 115th St. Starts at noon, 9 March 2008. This parade is a good deal larger and more energetic than the comparably staid celebration downtown. It started in 1979, almost spontaneously, after Mayor Daley had moved the original parade downtown. Remember that Beverly is a dry town east of Western Ave, whereas the western side of the avenue is lined with pubs. Accordingly, the east side of the parade is much more family-friendly than the somewhat rowdy west. Parking is easiest to the west of the parade and the churches to the east often provide refuge to those who came for the parade, but found the March weather too cold. Usually the parade is scheduled for the Sunday before St. Patrick's day but 2008 is happening a week early due to Holy Week. edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit] Irish

• Heritage Gallery, 1915 W 103rd St, ☎ +1 773 233-0084 (fax: +1 773 233-0091). M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. This art gallery features the original works of its owner, Jack Simmerling, who specializes in pen-and-inks of Chicago landmarks and watercolors of Ireland. edit

• Hynes' Irish Cottage, 1907 W 103rd St, ☎ +1 773 429-0666. Tu-Sa 11AM-7PM. You can buy just about anything related to Ireland here, from Waterford crystal, to Belleek China, from Shamrock studded sweaters to maps of Limerick. edit

• Beverly Hills Gallery, 2133-35 W 95th St, ☎ +1 773 239-7460. M, Sa 10AM-7PM, T-F 10AM-7PM. This gallery sells fine art from all over the world and specializes in Celtic art by Courtney Davis. edit

• World Folk Music Company, 1808 W 103rd St, ☎ +1 773 779-7059. M-Th 10AM-9PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM. A music shop selling instruments, sheet music, and CDs, which also hosts concerts by local folk musicians (call ahead to find out about upcoming performances). edit

[edit] Other

• African American Images Bookstore, 1909 W 95th St, ☎ +1 773 445-0322. M-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-7PM. This bookstore focuses on books by or about African-Americans and African-American culture. It also sells various pieces of African art and clothing. Offers weekly events such as author talks and poetry readings. edit

• Bev Art Brewer and Winemaker Supply, 10033 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 233-7579, [1]. Tu-Sa 6AM-7PM. Come here to make your own wine and beer, under the store's guidance. It also sells all the equipment you'd need to brew at home (or your hotel), if you prefer to get even deeper into Chicago history with a Prohibition-style experience. edit

• David McClain Antiques, 2716 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 239-4683. noon-6PM daily. David McClain runs his antique business out of his house and offers a quite large collection of furniture and some paintings and sculptures. edit

• Grich Antiques, 10857 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 233-8734. M-Sa 11AM-3PM. Grich has a lot of antiques and a wide selection on offer. Come prepared to bargain. edit

• House of Peace Book Center, 10900 S Halsted St, ☎ +1 773 928-0888. M-Sa 9AM-6PM. Deal-hunters scour the used books and music scattered rather haphazardly about the store. edit

• Ms Priss, 9915 S Walden Pkwy, ☎ +1 773 233-7747. T-F 11AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-4PM. Boutique shopping is not Beverly's forte, but if you are looking for such, this is the place to go. edit

• My Sister's Knits, 9907 S Walden Pkwy, ☎ +1 773 238-4555. T-Th 11AM-6:30PM, F noon-9PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. A small, friendly, knitting and yarn shop. edit

• Optimo Hat Company, 10215 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-2999. A specialty custom hat shop. $200-300.  edit

• R & J Collectibles, 11400 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 779-8828. M-Sa 11AM-7PM. Offers various items from watches to books, mostly from the 1940s-60s. edit

• Safari Marketplace, 1403 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 233-8307 (fax: +1 773 779-2007). 8AM-6PM daily. An eclectic store offering African-American related items from audio tapes of Louis Farrakhan to African clothing and board games. The store also has a section devoted to world musical instruments. edit

• Signature Scents, 9851 S Wood St, ☎ +1 773 445-8876 (fax: +1 773 445-9084). M-Sa 10AM-6PM. A custom fragrance specialist that will duplicate designer fragrances for less and will even work with you to create a unique custom perfume with guarantees to never duplicate it for other customers. If you are in the mood, it is possible to mix your own scents. edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Best Bar-B-Q, 1648 W 115th St, ☎ +1 773 239-1522. Tu-Su 11AM-2AM, M 11AM-10PM. Southside carryout ribs and chicken joint. $3-6.  edit

• Beverly Bakery, 10528 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-5580. Tu-F 5:30AM-4PM, Sa 7AM-5PM, Su 8AM-1PM; breakfast & lunch served until 3PM daily. This family-owned bakery is always a tasty place to stop by, but is an especially good stop around St Patrick's Day, when it offers various Irish treats. edit

• Cafe Luna, 1742 W 99th St, ☎ +1 773 239-8990, [2]. M-St 7AM-8PM, W-F 7AM-10PM, Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-6PM. A relaxed coffee/sandwich shop that sometimes has live music, poetry readings, and other events. edit

• Canton Inn, 11824 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 233-5259. T-Th 11:30AM-9:30PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM, Su 1PM-9PM. A Chinese take-out restaurant. $5-8.  edit

• Frank's Chicago Shrimp, 10410 S Kedzie Ave, ☎ +1 773 445-3100. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, W-Sa 11AM-10PM. A small hole-in-the wall with that has been serving Chicago-style shrimp, mostly for take-out, for decades. $3-5.  edit

• Grant's Wonderburger Grill, 11045 S Kedzie Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-7200. M-Sa 10:30AM-8PM. A family-owned favorite serving burgers and curly fries since 1959. $2-5.  edit

• Harold's Chicken Shack, 11857 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 779-9911. 11AM-2AM daily. The great South Side fried chicken chain is cheap, usually a little dirty, and always delicious. $2-5.  edit

• Janson's Drive-In, 9900 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-3612. M-F 10AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-6PM. A classic, neon-adorned, drive-in fast food joint with great Chicago hot dogs. $2-5.  edit

• Lindy's Chili & Gertie's Ice Cream, 11009 S Kedzie Ave, ☎ +1 773 779-7236, [3]. M-Th 10:30AM-10PM. A chili and burgers joint sharing the space with a traditional ice cream parlor. $2-6.  edit

• The Original Rainbow Cone, 9233 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-7075. 11AM-10:30PM daily, March-December. For over 80 years South Side families have enjoyed the rainbow cone, a five-flavored ice cream treat of chocolate, pistachio, strawberry, cherry-nut, and orange sherbet. edit

• Richie's, 3123 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 298-1548. T-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 4PM-9PM. A good value Italian restaurant. Don't pass up the seafood. $9-14.  edit

• S&E Diner, 11117 S Halsted St, ☎ +1 773 785-5923. Su-Th 6:30AM-9:30PM, F-Sa 6:30AM-11:30PM. A tasty family diner serving southern/soul food. $3-7.  edit

• Top Notch Beefburger Shop, 2116 W 95th St, ☎ +1 773 445-7218. M-Sa 7AM-8PM. A south side burger institution since the 1950s with seriously juicy burgers made from quality beef. $2-8.  edit

• Yogurt and Hot Dogs, 10255 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 233-3072. 10AM-10PM daily. A great spot to grab a Chicago hot dog with, well, some yogurt! $2-5.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Fox's Beverly Pub, 9956 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 239-3212. M-Th 11AM-11PM. A neighborhood Irish pub that is more of a restaurant than a bar, offering Irish and Italian food, as well as superb Chicago thin-crust pizza. $8-13.  edit

• Franconello's Italian Restaurant, 10222 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 881-4100. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-10:30PM, Sa 3PM-10:30PM. An Italian restaurant serving hearty portions of delicious food. $9-14.  edit

• Giordano's, 9613 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 445-6255, [4]. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight. One of the best locations for Giordano's pizza. The restaurant's specialty is its heart-devastating stuffed Chicago pizza, although it also serves plenty of other Italian entrees. It also makes a fine thin-crust pizza, but if you are in the Far Southwest, you should probably get your thin crust from the masters at Vito & Nick's or Fox's. $10-23.  edit

• La Fiesta, 3333 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 779-4844. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. A good Mexican restaurant that specializes in Mexican steaks. $8-14.  edit

• Veggie Bite, 3031 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 239-4367, [5]. noon-10PM daily. A Chicago junk-food establishment with a surprising vegetarian, health-food twist. Try the Italian beef melt (made with organic flour and soy cheese?!) and wash it down with a glass of carrot juice. $8-12.  edit

• Waldo Cooney's, 2406 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 434 0313 (fax: +1 773 434-0313), [6]. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-12:30AM, Su noon-11:30PM. A quality pizzeria serving thin crust and stuffed Chicago pies. $7-18.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Koda, 10352 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 445-5632, [7]. T-Sa 5PM-10:30PM, Su 4-9PM. An upscale French bistro and bar with a contemporary and interesting menu. $17-24.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Aside from the parade, a drink may be the number one reason to make the trek out to the Far Southwest Side. Chicago is a city full of fake Irish pubs, but the only ones where the clientèle and servers speak with a brogue are down here, mostly along Western Avenue.

• Beverly Bean Company, 2734 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 239-6688. M-F 6AM-2:30PM, Sa 7AM-2PM, Su 7AM-noon. A small coffehouse which also serves Italian sodas and has a small patio out back. edit

• Cork & Kerry, 10614 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 445-2675. M-F 2PM-2AM, Sa noon-3AM, Su noon-2AM. An inviting neighborhood Irish pub that doesn't serve food. edit

• Corrigan's Restaurant and Pub, 3047 W 111th St, ☎ +1 773 298-1315. Bar: M-F 3PM-2AM, Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 10AM-midnight, Restaurant: Su-Th 3PM-10PM, F 3PM-midnight, Sa noon-midnight. A community-oriented Irish pub that serves "corned beef and cabbage" if you are feeling in an Irish mood. edit

• Gillhooey's Grande Saloon, 3901 W 103rd St, ☎ +1 773 233-2200 (fax: +1 773 233-5103). M-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 9AM-10PM. A rather upscale, stylish, and attractive pub offering a small selection of sandwiches and burgers to accompany a very large selection of drinks. Live bands perform on Fridays and Saturdays, while the neighborhood performs on open-mic Wednesdays. $5-8.  edit

• Inn of Chicago, 1640 W 115th St, ☎ +1 773 238-2712. 11AM-2AM daily. This is a nice rhythm and blues lounge that seems to have gotten lost in the wastelands between highway 57 and the railroad tracks. edit

• Jeremy Lanigan's Irish Pub, 3119 W 111th St, ☎ p+1 773 233-4004. Su-F noon-2AM, Sa noon-3AM. Come here to drink and reminisce about the old country. This pub is frequented by Irish nationals and puts on live Irish music on the first Sunday of every month. edit

• Keegan's Pub, 10618 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 233-6829. M-F 2PM-2AM, Sa noon-3AM, Su noon-2AM. A friendly neighborhood pub that may well serve the best pint of Guinness in Chicago. edit

• Mrs O'Leary's Dubliner, 10910 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-0784. Su-F noon-2AM, Sa noon-3AM. Well, the name probably gives away that this is an Irish pub. It is very low-key and popular with Irish immigrants. edit

• Sean's Rhino Bar, 10330 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 238-2060. M-F 1PM-2AM, Sa noon-3AM, Su noon-2AM. Yet another Irish pub with a long beer selection and pub grub. Live bands perform on Saturday nights. edit

• Shamrock Express, 10934 S Western Ave, ☎ +1 773 239-3423. M-F 2PM-2AM, Sa noon-3AM, Su noon-2AM. A neighborhood Irish pub and sports bar. edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Chicago's Far Southwest Side is a black hole as far as travel accommodations are concerned; if you are planning to stay in the area, you should try the Hilton just across the city boundaries in Oak Lawn, one of the Midway Airport-serving hotels in Bedford Park, or one of the many hotels by the Tri-State Tollway in Alsip.

• Hilton Oak Lawn, 9333 South Cicero Avenue, ☎ +1 708 425-7800 (fax: +1 708 425-1665), [8]. Check in: 3PM; Check out: noon. A fairly standard Hilton, which offers a free shuttle to Midway Airport. $141.  edit

[edit] Contact

• Beverly Branch Library, 2121 W 95th St, ☎ +1 312 747-9673. M-F 9AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-5PM. A big, modern facility with free public internet access as well as a very large selection of books. Its 3,500-item "Irish Collection" is especially noteworthy. edit

• Mount Greenwood Branch Library, 11010 S Kedzie Ave, ☎ +1 312 747-2805. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM. Free public internet access. edit

• Walker Branch Library, 11071 S Hoyne Ave, ☎ +1 312 747-1920. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM. Free public internet access. edit

[edit] Get out

• The Far Southwest Side has the city's largest Irish-American population, but the more famous (and politically-connected) one is in Bridgeport, home of the Daleys.

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