Source
r/AskChicago•
ScratchMoore

Coming to Chicago for the first time in a few days, and curious about our neighborhood

I searched this sub for answers, and didn’t find any. So sorry if this has been posted, but I tried, I swear haha

Curious what the neighborhoods around Kilbourn Park and Belmont Gardens are like. We’re staying around North Pulaski Rd and West Belmont Ave, and just wondering if they’re a safe place and we’d be okay walking to train/bus stops in that vicinity?

Also, for fun, what’s a good spot to eat in that neck of the woods? Much obliged for any help you could send our way.

Posted May 2, 2023, 11:40 AM UTC

536
valgalchi•

I live in the area and agree with other posters that it's just a regular boring neighborhood. West of you on Belmont is Moonwalker Cafe that has good sandwiches for lunch (and I think breakfast sandwiches in the morning) and further west past the train tracks is Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club which does a great breakfast/brunch. If you are here when it's warm they have a nice patio. East on Belmont is Taqueria Mazamitla. Southeast on Milwaukee there is Starpolska for excellent Polish food.

18
chisox100•

There is no restaurant in the city I recommend more highly than Staropolska. Unless OP is from Michigan or Wisconsin I’d be willing to bet they’ve never had authentic Polish food before. So they should absolutely try it

8
ScratchMooreOP•

We’re coming in from Pittsburgh. My grandmother was Polish, and I loved her pierogies, but can’t stand haluski.

4
chisox100•

I should have said “unless OP is from elsewhere in the rustbelt” haha. Either way, still highly recommend the restaurant!

4
ScratchMooreOP•

Lol gotcha and thank you!

2
StonerAccount•

I used to live up the road in Irving Park. My personal experience is that the area is rather unremarkable. You’ll be about a mile south of a blue line station so you will probably be ubering. You’ll probably find yourself going east to the more trendy neighborhoods to spend your time.

Now that’s just me and it’s entirely possible that the area has fun stuff to offer.

12
ScratchMooreOP•

I appreciate that.

I’m fine with it being unremarkable. We’re going to a concert in Rosemont and a game at Wrigley, so we’re basically there for all the stereotypical touristy stuff.

I was just most curious about the safety issue of the neighborhoods. Obviously, I’m not gonna leave my car unlocked with valuables in the front seat like a moron haha, but still wanted to assuage my girlfriend and kid’s nervousness.

2†
StonerAccount•

Sure! I would just say keep your wits about you. Don’t go walking around after dark. There is gang activity in the area but it typically stays self contained so just mind your business.

You will be fine and hope you have a wonderful time!

3
Iswallowbigpickles•

Oy vey. The neighborhood is fine. The gangbangers do not care about neutrons. The most flak you will get is from old gaylords in the dive bar. You can walk around whenever.

4
ScratchMooreOP•

That was basically gonna be our approach. Just be cool, and everyone else will be cool.

3
somethingsums•

You’ll be fine. Give it up or give up your life, don’t be a hero.

0
TominatorXX•

A mile walk aint much.

You could take the Blue Line to Logan Square or Bucktown.

Belmont bus to East Lakeview. Walk to Wrigleyville.

1
Myviewpoint62•

Smoque BBQ is close by on Pulaski just south of Irving Park. It is considered one of the best bbq in the city.

If you like architecture you should check out Schurz high school at Addison and Milwaukee

9
expanding_crystal•

It’s a very boring neighborhood. You’ll be fine.

8
ScratchMooreOP•

Boring is good. We can travel to see all the tourist traps haha

6
expanding_crystal•

I had to look at a map to remind myself what's around there. I used to live near there but it's been a while and the pandemic changed a few things. Food and drink-wise, check out these spots:

Sleeping village, cozy bar with great local indie music. That's a short walk from where you'll be, it's on Belmost a little East.

Numerous excellent small taco shops, El Gallo Bravo and Gorditas Loli #2 are close to Belmont and Pulaski. They look like they have zero atmosphere and it's true, but the tacos will be amazing. I like a good al pastor but you usually can't go wrong with a chicken or steak taco. Get the guacamole too. Some are open late, perfect for picking up takeout to gorge yourself on before sleeping off a nice night. You may not know this but Chicago has amazing authentic Mexican food due to the many migrants from the Mexican state of Michoacan.

Where you'll be is actually fairly close to Logan Square, which has numerous excellent fancier/hipster restaurants if you want a nicer experience. Lula Cafe is always a solid choice, Longman & Eagle is also quite good.

4
nightswim-quietnight•

This is my neighborhood- It's great, albeit a little quiet. Kosciuszko Park is great, I would also recommend walking down Milwaukee and popping into Lone Ranger, The Insect Asylum, Vintage Thrills, Brik-a-brak, The brewed, etc. Central Park bar has a great patio for a bev, and Mother's Ruin has awesome bites.

3
akialoa•

Not a bad area at all. You're basically just past the trendy neighborhoods and into the family area. Crime isn't really much of a concern -- some dumb kid stuff like alley fireworks or graffiti, but it's not really known for gangs or shootings imo. Totally fine place to be, easy to hop on the Belmont bus to the blue line or the Milwaukee bus if you're interested in heading downtown or towards the trendier neighborhoods.

Can't think of much in that area. Sleeping Village is a cool bar/music venue if you're into either of those. There's a sizeable Mexican/Latino population there so you could walk into just about any restaurant and have something authentic.

2
ScratchMooreOP•

Awesome, thanks!

1
AngryAmericanGoral•

Now I will agree this is not a dangerous area but there is absolutely gang activity there still. Kilbourn Park is the last holdout of the Almighty Gaylords and I think there is a GD set there also. They keep a low profile but they are definitely there.

0
unitedfunk•

Why even tell this person that, though? There is “gang activity” in damn Hanover Park, but it would be absolutely ridiculous to warn someone of that staying there to visit woodfield mall. There is absolutely no reason to be wary of gangs if you’re staying there. Normal city awareness is all you need.

OP, this is a safe and boring neighborhood. Frankly, kind of a bummer place to stay for a tourist since it’s very far from everything.

7
panini84•

The Gaylords still exist!? I thought they died out with the Reagan administration.

5
AngryAmericanGoral•

Barely but what is left of them live around Kilbourn Park.

3
BoomhauerArlen•

Supposedly these are the last remaining sets in Chicago. I'm sure the numbers ain't a lot tho.

KP (Kilbourn/Addison)

Gaylords (Berteau/Springfield)

5100 (Strong/Leclaire)

MAst (Montrose/Austin)

Sayre Park (Belden/Oak Park)

Young Lords (Sunnyside/Magnolia)

2
Iswallowbigpickles•

Yup. Look for the older dirty white guys with bad and facial tattoos.

2
BoomhauerArlen•

There's a few more sets of Gaylords actually but they are almost all gone. The GDs are at Henderson & Keeler. But pretty much all gangs round there do their business and keep a low profile.

3
akialoa•

I mean yeah wherever there's kids in the city there's gonna be some gangs, it's not like you can't wear certain colors outside though like some places. "Gang activity" in those spots means a few high school kids and their cousins walking around, if you're into that stuff on social media you'll read about it but for regular people it's not that serious so I don't think anyone should be concerned

2
Iswallowbigpickles•

Yup but cranky old gaylords who bitch about yuppies and the good Ole days at Zippys. The gangbangers do not care about civilians.

2
AngryAmericanGoral•

I had one flash gang signs at me in the dairy aisle of the 6 Corners Jewel 😂

1
Iswallowbigpickles•

My brother used to have to run through Palmer Square when he was a kid(70's and 80s) to get away from those idiots. They ruined the Boys club and YMCA. Scumbags.

2
littlemarika•

Pretty safe quiet area. Avondale Tap is a nice gastropub and I highly recommend Gorditas Loli’s for Mexican takeout

2
moldylemonade•

Staropolska is not too far and delicious Polish food!

2
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1
early_exit•

Plenty of good options listed by others, just adding to it with Crawford's if you like beer and good pub grub. Very friendly joint. Cafe Milano is in the same strip if you wanna see the recent arrivals from LOT Airlines- super friendly as well, and one of their cheese fries options has feta, which is shockingly good.

1
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1
ScratchMooreOP•

Thanks, but this post was made 149 days ago in reference to a trip in early May.

1
BoomhauerArlen•

I live not to far Belmont and Pulaski is all right. I wouldn't say it's safe but it ain't bad either. I'm comfortable walking around there and shit. Belmont is a straight shot bus ride and a 4 block walk to da dump Wrigley. And you can legit walk or take da bus to 3 different stops on da Blue.

Belmont bus or walk down Belmont (6 Blocks) Logan Square (take Milwaukee bus) (8ish blocks) Irving Park (take Pulaski bus) (8ish blocks)

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