Exploring Far South
Morning
Mingle with University of Chicago students over good coffee and great pancakes at the
Original Pancake House
, where the sweet, baked Apple Dutch
Baby is a must-try. From there, walk about a mile (1.6 km) south or hop
on the no. 28 bus at the corner of Hyde Park Boulevard and Lake Park
Avenue to visit the
Museum of Science & Industry
, where you can easily spend an
engrossing few hours exploring the hands-on exhibits. For lunch, skip
the museum food and head west about a mile (1.6 km) to
Medici
, a great student and faculty hangout, known for its delicious pizzas. The extravagant Garbage Pizza is a favorite.
Afternoon
Stroll about four blocks southwest to the
Oriental Institute
at the
University of Chicago
whose museum will transport you
back to ancient times. Its Suq gift shop offers unique souvenirs, such
as a replica of an ancient board game. Just east of the institute is
Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of Prairie-style architecture, Robie House.
Take a tour of this to really gain some insight into the great man’s
vision. Then stroll around the university’s leafy quadrangles if it’s
good weather, or backtrack a little to the
Smart Museum of Art
if you’d rather be inside. Either way, round off your day with some good ol’ home-style Southern cooking at the no-frills
Dixie Kitchen
.
Shops
-
Powell’s Bookstore
Here,
used books in top condition are stacked floor to ceiling on painted
wood shelves, with antique editions protected behind glass.
-
Seminary Co-op Bookstore
Housed
in the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary on the University
of Chicago campus, it’s fitting that this bookstore has a well-respected
academic section, especially humanities and social sciences.
-
57th Street Books
This
basement-level shop carries new fiction, children’s books, and
African-American interest titles. Low ceilings, brick walls, and a
painted cement floor all create a cozy atmosphere, conducive to
browsing.
-
The Co-op Market
Mingle
with the melting pot of shoppers at this cooperative market, where
aisles are dominated by organic, vegetarian, and international
foodstuffs.
-
House of Africa
The
scent of sandalwood incense fills this small boutique that sells
African artifacts, carved wooden sculptures, and CDs of music from all
over the continent.
-
1352 E. 53rd St.
-
Closed Sun
House of Africa
-
Alise’s Designer Shoes
Shop
for the latest men’s and women’s designer shoe fashions from Italy,
France, Brazil, and the Far East, as well as ladies’ bags, fine jewelry,
and men’s belts.
-
Toys, Etc.
This
inviting store focuses on non-violent toys galore. Good-old standbys
include kites, face-painting kits, balls, and dress-up clothes.
-
Little Black Pearl Workshop
The
gift shop at this children’s arts program and cultural arts center
sells the students’ amazing creations, such as one-of-a-kind painted
furniture and vibrant mosaics.
-
1060 E. 47th St.
-
Closed Sun
-
Collections
Chic
club clothes and look- at-me leather shoes are sparsely displayed along
the walls in this boutique. Many of the designs are straight off
Italian runways, while others are custom-made by the shop’s owner.
-
1360 E. 53rd St.
-
Closed Sun
Leather shoes, Collections
-
Artisans 21
This
gallery showcases locally made art. You can purchase designs both to
wear and to show, from whimsical ceramics to fringed silk scarves and
handpainted jackets.
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Most of these shops are usually open at least 10am–6pm Mon–Sat and noon–5pm Sun, and unless specified have DA
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Places to Eat
-
La Petite Folie
An upscale French restaurant offering a fixed-price menu, as well as entrées featuring ingredients such as rabbit and quail.
-
Florian Caffé
This
no-reservations hangout for pizza and pasta also specializes in
mile-high cakes, rich with chocolate, strawberry, coconut, and thick
frosting.
-
1450 E. 57th St.
-
1 773 752 4100
-
Calypso Café
In this feel-good Caribbean joint, jerk chicken is a favorite, and Key Lime pie is the must-do dessert.
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5211 S. Harper St.
-
1 773 955 0229
-
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop
A
taste of America’s South, serving fried catfish, crawfish étouffée, and
jambalaya in a setting reminiscent of an old bait shop.
-
5225 S. Harper Ave
-
1 773 363 4943
Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop
-
Medici on 57th
Great pizza draws the crowds, but sandwiches on home-baked bread and rich milkshakes are also offered.
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1327 E. 57th St.
-
1 773 667 7394
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Cedars of Lebanon
Delicious
falafel, lamb kebobs, hummus, and dozens of other Middle Eastern dishes
will fill you up for next to nothing at this BYO spot.
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Nile Restaurant
The extensive menu at this Middle Eastern diner makes decisions difficult, but combination plates let you try an assortment.
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1611 E. 55th St.
-
1 773 324 9499
-
No DA
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Woodlawn Tap
A casual dress code, good food, and cheap beer attract all types to this bar especially for burgers and hearty soup.
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1172 E. 55th St.
-
1 773 643 5516
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Mellow Yellow
This laid-back eatery offers specialties of rotisserie chicken and sweet or savory crepes. There’s also a separate bar.
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1508 E. 53rd St.
-
1 773 667 2000
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Original Pancake House
This homey breakfast haven does everything well, but its signature dish is the apple pancake.
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1517 E. Hyde Park Ave
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1 773 288 2322
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Closed dinner