Drinking at the grocery store in Chicago is part of our culture, and Mariano's has a great deal to do with this routine in my life. Mariano's, which first opened its doors in 2010, has grown immensely in the last 9 years. It essentially put Chicago's main grocery store (Dominik's) out of business just 3 years after opening. They did this by creating a community feel in their stores. Mariano's is not just a place to grab groceries -- it is place to listen to music, grab a quality lunch and meet new and old friends. In almost every Mariano's there is a wine bar and several stores have live music weekly.
The Mariano's in Lincoln Park is just 2 blocks away from my office so I am there several times a week. I enjoy being able to grab a freshly cooked meal for lunch or meet friends quickly after work and sit at the bar. The bar has fair prices, but my favorite way to spend time at the bar is to buy a bottle of wine from the wine section of the grocery store, show they bartender my receipt and enjoy my selection while it is held cooling behind the bar.
I had to laugh that as I was preparing for the polar vortex in January 2019 and stopped by Mariano's Lincoln Park to grab bread, the wine bar was standing room only and the temperature was already at -25.
Check out live music Fridays from 4-8 pm.
Find your way with 114 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.
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There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!
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While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.
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BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.
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Founded in 1948, "Superdawg" is THE quintessential Chicago hot dog place - they'll bring your order right to your car, like they did in the '50s!
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Architecture lovers - if you are in Chicago, make sure to grab a ticket and get ready to explore "Frank Lloyd Wright's Home & Studio"...
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The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.
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OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.
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Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.
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Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.
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Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!
by
They are arguably most known for their "Kurdish breakfast" an elaborate spread of cheese, jams, fried cheese, olives, fries, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread.
by
The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.
by
There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!
by
While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.
by
BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.
by
Founded in 1948, "Superdawg" is THE quintessential Chicago hot dog place - they'll bring your order right to your car, like they did in the '50s!
by
Architecture lovers - if you are in Chicago, make sure to grab a ticket and get ready to explore "Frank Lloyd Wright's Home & Studio"...
by
The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.
by
OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.
by
Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.
by
Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.
by
Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!
by
They are arguably most known for their "Kurdish breakfast" an elaborate spread of cheese, jams, fried cheese, olives, fries, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread.
by
The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.
by
There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!
by
While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.
by
BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.
by
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