Ping Tom Memorial Park is a short walk from Chinatown's main street and is a scenic escape with some of the best views of Chicago's skyline. The park was once an abandoned rail yard named after Ping Tom, a civic leader who advocated for a park in Chinatown before he died in 1995.
The park features a bright red, pagoda-style structure, benches that line the river, a children's playground, boathouses for kayak rentals during the summer, and a bridge that extends toward downtown Chicago -- offering great views both day and night.
During the summer months, the Chicago Water Taxi stops here from downtown Chicago -- a local hack to take a river cruise without paying the tourist price of one.
I love Ping Tom Memorial Park because it is hardly ever crowded and its 12 acres offer plenty of room for finding a bench for quiet contemplation or uninterrupted strolling with a friend.
1700 S Wentworth Ave
USD
free
3122253121
Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The food here is prepared by Moses Sake, chef and co-owner of Tesfa, who learned how to cook from his mother. He runs Tesfa with his brother, Samuel Sake.
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I recommend getting the traditional breakfast combo, a sampler with three dishes, that comes with complimentary warm, crispy bread!
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The star of the show is De Luna's "volcano" taco, made with spicy poblano pepper and melted cheese. It may be one of the best tacos I've eaten in my life!
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Although this street is dominated by Vietnamese eateries, Nhà Hàng is a quieter, no-frills joint as opposed to the touristy, upscale restaurants nearby.
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Here diners sit in the naturally lit patio while enjoying traditional homemade Costa Rican food: sweet plantains, grilled veggies, rice and beans.
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My favorite thing to order here is the vegetarian arepa, which is stuffed with black beans, a generous portion of avocado, and sweet plantains.
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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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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!
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