LOGAN SQUARE | chicago

Logan Square is hands-down my favorite neighborhood in Chicago and it's undeniably because of the food scene there. For the past three years, I have spent countless weekends trying the new restaurants that keep popping up there but also frequenting my go-to's. As a kid, whenever I visited Chicago it would always be a trip to Navy Pier or the Magnificent Mile. However this has really changed after being back in the Chicago-land area for three years.

Logan Square offers a huge variety of food. There is something there for everyone - from coffee shops to one-of-a-kind restaurants. One weekend is hardly enough time to experience the best of the neighborhood!

Coffee is an essential start to my morning and one of the places I really enjoy is Colectivo Coffee. This is a really good place to get a couple hours of work done or to just grab some coffee and go. One of my pet peeves about some of the coffee shop in the city is that they always play loud, blaring music that ends up giving you a headache. Collectivo is not among these, making it perfect for a work from home day. The Masala Chai Latte and the Mocha Mexicana are the two flavors that I usually switch between. Their food is also incredible - whether it's the bagels or the falafel burger.

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Cafe Mustache is such a quirky coffee shop in Logan Square and is the one that feels most like home to me. This was the first place I visited and have not stopped since. It's so cozy, making it the perfect area to work or just hang out for a couple hours. They have a huge board game stash if you're looking for a way to spend a lazy Sunday. The Black Pepper Fig Vanilla Latte here is to die for, closely followed by the Jalisco coffee. Another must is their Vegan Chili. I crave it all the time. It's hearty, spicy and the best comfort food after a long week. In the evening this coffee shop hosts a bunch of eclectic events - from karaoke nights to speed dating and it's a completely different vibe from the morning.

Chiya Chai is so delicious and is quickly becoming one of my staples for chai. The selection that they have here is amazing! They have the classic chai flavors such as Masala and Ginger Cardamom which are true to form. They also have flavors that I never thought could be chai such as Dark Chocolate Spearmint, Coconut Creme, and Espresso Hazelnut. The best way to figure out what you like is to get a flight so that you can sample either 3 or 5 flavors. Chiya Chai also serves Indian & Nepalese food. The only thing I have tried so far is the Samosa Chaat and it was spicy and mouthwatering.

Some amazing brunch spots to check out in Logan Square are:

Chicago Diner: This restaurant is 100% Vegan which is nice but also stresses me out because that means I can literally order every single thing on the menu. The peanut butter shake here is what dreams are made of.

Cozy Corner: If you want old school diner vibes with a huge menu, this is the place to go. I usually always want hash brown skillets for breakfast and they have got it covered since they have a couple different varieties of them. Best part - the coffee is bottomless.

Longman & Eagle: I was very excited to try this place for brunch and it did not disappoint. They use local ingredients and continuously rotate the menu.

Besides eating, Logan Square also offers a variety of activities. My favorite Sunday always consists of checking out the Farmers Market. There are so many different vendors - from delicious fruits & vegetables to flowers, bread, and local restaurant stalls. Whether you're just there to stroll around and grab some snacks or to get ingredients for next week's meals, you're bound to have a great time.

Another fun place to go is the Logan Theatre. It has a vintage, old-fashioned feel with a cozy interior. This theatre not only plays new releases, but also classic films - which is awesome because you get to watch your favorite old movies but with theatre-quality picture and sound.

After all of that food, I guess some physical exercise would be good. The 606 trail that passes through Logan Square is ideal to walk or bike. It is an elevated trail and connects to three other neighborhoods, making it an easy way to explore.

Some of the Chicago neighborhoods are unparalleled in that the shopping experience is unlike anything else because of the local shops. These shops highlight emerging talent in those neighborhoods so you're bound to find something different. Some stores worth a visit are Felt, Birdseye Rule, and Steel Petal Press.

I actually never tasted any Thai food until last year and now it's one of my standard picks when eating out. However, I'm super picky about where I go to for Thai. After I find a restaurant I like, I'll compare everywhere else to it and that's exactly what has happened with Three Wheels Noodle.

Their house salad with sweet lime dressing to start off with is phenomenal. Normally, I wouldn't order this at a Thai restaurant but it was one of their complimentary items during their soft opening and I'm so glad I got to try it. It's so fresh, flavorful, and a great way to start off the meal. My go-to appetizer is always the spring rolls. They come out burning hot and is the ultimate comfort food. It is served with the normal plum sauce that usually comes with spring rolls but they also give you a spicy sauce if you ask for it and it makes it even better! I have tried many of the entrees and now have a difficult time choosing which one to get every time I go because they're all equally amazing. You can never go wrong ordering the Golden Curry Noodle, Devil Noodle, or the Spicy Basil. This place is a definite necessity when in Logan Square. My only complaint is that they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays!

There's only two ramen spots in Chicago that I love and one of them is Wasabi Ramen. They have a very cool vibe and is always busy. The vegan ramen was on point and basically everything you could ask for. I like my food very spicy so I was happy to find that it did not require me to keep adding chili oil and already came out perfectly made. The broth was a delicious miso-mushroom base and I was a huge fan of the toppings. The portion was also generous and there was actually enough for me to have a full serving for lunch the next day.

One of my favorite dinners I've had in Logan Square is at Quiote. I have been here two times and so far everything I've had has been absolutely delicious. For starters, the avocado salad is a must. It is so refreshing and wholesome. The avocado salad is made with brussel sprouts, tomatillo, cotija cheese and quinoa. It is definitely my most-loved dish. Another great choice is the queso fundido. What makes this restaurant even better is that they have a speakeasy-type bar underneath called Todos Santos. It has a very laid-back atmosphere and you can still order food down there as well!

Lonesome Rose is my go-to spot for Mexican food and is perfect for groups. They are always packed and after a visit here, you'll understand why. The truck stop nachos is the one thing that needs to be ordered every time. They are unlike any other nachos I have ever had. They are super filling but also very fresh which is sometimes hard to find at Mexican restaurants. The cheese sauce on top is to die for and it's impossible to stop eating after you've started. The tastiest entree in my opinion is the Mushroom Mole bowl which is strange because I don't even like mushrooms. However, even though it's the base of this dish, there are so many other flavors and toppings in this bowl that everything just tastes so good. They also recently opened up their rooftop which makes coming here in the summer even more fun.

I don't even know where to begin with Lula Cafe. This is the one place I am constantly recommending to every single person I know just because how consistently amazing their food has been every time I have dined there. Even though I am a vegetarian, there are certain vegetables that I just don't like and will avoid when eating out but this restaurant changed that. They have a six course tasting menu which rotates seasonally and so far spring is the only one I have left to try. Each one has been a unique experience - with ingredients and foods that are unexpected and adventurous. Presentation makes all the difference and Lula Cafe did not let me down. In addition to the tasting menu, they also have a fantastic brunch menu. They have the typical breakfast items on there (with a spin, of course) along with some delicious specialties. Their baked french feta alone makes it worth the visit!

Dessert options in Logan Square are endless that choosing just one is impossible. Pretty Cool Ice Cream recently opened up in the neighborhood and I don't know how I lived my whole life without it. They hand-craft everything at their shop next door so you know that everything is going to be fresh and delicious. Their whole menu consists of ice cream on a stick - whether it is dipped bars in classic flavors, popsicles or fruit and buttermilk bars.

If you're looking for no-frills standard soft-serve ice cream, The Freeze is your spot. It has a retro and timeless feel and is bound to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Margie's Candies has been around since 1921 and it's easy to tell why. They serve old fashioned ice cream and sundaes in portions that are big enough to share. The menu is extensive and overwhelming in the best way.

If you're looking for a dessert other than ice cream, Bang Bang Pie is your place to check out. They make their pies fresh every morning and it's obvious within the first bite. Their menu is diverse with flavors ranging from lemon lavender to strawberry rhubarb. They also serve other food as well such as pot pies and biscuits. They have a really cute outdoor patio too, making it the perfect summer hangout.

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Some other great spots to check out are:

- Webster's Wine Bar: There are few things I love more than a cheese plate and Webster's does it right. They have a variety of cheeses you can choose from to create your own which they serve with bread and jam. This atmosphere is unbelievably cozy with huge armchairs and dim lighting. It's my favorite place is Logan Square to spend a chill evening.

- Table, Donkey, & Stick: This is another one of my picks for a cheese plate & above it all - they have homemade bread. Their food overall is really tasty and the restaurant itself has a gorgeous atmosphere.

- Daisies: Is there anything better than homemade pasta? Daisies does everything right - from their cheese curds to their incredible pasta dishes to the overall vibe.

- Park & Field: Summer-time in Chicago is my most-loved season and patios like Park & Field is why. This is such a fun place to come hang out during the afternoon or even have bottomless brunch at. In the evenings, they light up their fire-pits where you can enjoy their s'mores kits.

- Estereo: This is also an essential summer-time spot - whether you choose to go during the daytime or evening. The patio has a very laid-back & chill atmosphere with great music.

- Billy Sunday: They have creative drinks and amazing food. It is classy and cozy - perfect for date night or catching up with a small group of friends.

- Katherine Anne's Confection: Three words - Hot chocolate flights. Need more convincing? They also have hand-dipped truffles and delicious honey caramels.

- Reno: Reno has a variety of amazing items on their menu including pizza and house-made pasta, but nothing compares to their wood-fired bagels. I personally am obsessed with their olive & herb bagel.