The Chicago Traveler

With crazy gas prices and now high sales taxes, Chicagoans and visitors are looking to save money where they can. But don’t let your budget prevent you from going out to enjoy a good meal. Here are eight of the best restaurants (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp) where you can get a big meal for a small price.

8. Red Apple. This Polish buffet just keeps on going and going and going…
7. Reza’s Restaurant. As if the extensive Mediterranean menu wasn’t enough, the Sunday brunch buffet offers an incredible number of options.
6. Mr. Greek Gyros. Everything from hot dogs to pork …read more

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When you’re craving soul food, many would tell you that you have to head down to the South Side to find the best of the best. But for many folks, “the best” is on Chicago’s West Side at MacArthur’s.
Best start loosening your belts now because MacArthur’s doesn’t mess around. The owner’s niece does most of the cooking here, offering classic Southern-style dishes in a cafeteria-style setting. The ambience of the green-walled dining room may be lacking, but the food (and the portions!) more than make up for that.
Lines can get pretty long during the dinner hour and on Sunday afternoons …read more

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Ron Huberman, the president of the Chicago Transit Authority, stated that the CTA plans to eliminate the 54th/Cermak branch of the Blue Line, beginning April 27. The CTA declares low ridership on these West Side trains as the reason.
Fortunately, the new Pink Line covers most of this branch. However, there are three stops which the Pink Line doesn’t service: Racine, UIC-Halsted, and Clinton. Therefore, people who used to take the Blue Line (54th/Cermak) east to these destinations will now have to (a) use the Pink Line, get off at Polk, and take a bus the rest of the way or …read more

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Let’s continue our International Tour by heading to Central and South America. A large majority of Central and South Americans live in the Logan Square neighborhood, but their influences can be found throughout the city.
For example, Mayan Sol Latin Grill in Albany Park is a great eatery that can take you to Central America because that’s where the owners are from. When co-owner Erwin Piril left Guatemala City (the capital and largest city of Guatemala) for Chicago back in 1998, he knew right away that he wanted to open a restaurant. So with his mother’s recipes and her flair …read more

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 I have to admit, I love this time of year. While I’m not a fan of chilly weather or candy-greedy kids, I can’t get enough of all things creepy and spooky. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush and want to potentially bust some ghosts, grab a tour with Chicago Ghost Investigations. This paranormal research group will teach you how to use authentic ghost-hunting equipment, including cameras, sensors, and thermal scanners. CGI investigators will be there to guide you, but for approximately two hours, you are the ghost hunter. This mind-altering experience is incredibly fun but also very intense, so be …read more

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Got an idea for a creative costume? Not military-related? Maybe you should stop at American Science & Surplus in Jefferson Park, just down the street from Andy’s Deli.
There really is no adequate way of describing American Science. It’s a bit of an oversized junk drawer, with all kinds of odds, ends, doodads, and thingamajigs. The store carries a large collection of old science-fair things (chemistry sets, ant farms, etc) as well as home repair items (paintbrushes, small engines, wrenches, etc). But that doesn’t even begin to describe the kinds of things you can find in the numerous aisles of this …read more

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As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the moments in which The Chicago Traveler celebrated Latin culture and tradition.
• Two to Tango: There are places throughout the city where you can learn and practice this passionate dance from Argentina.
• La Pasadita may not look like much on the outside, but it’s quite possibly one of the best taquerias in the city.
• Carnivale features Brazilian, Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican food which the executive chef likes to call “Latin soul food.”
• A Mexican sauce made from chile peppers and other spices, mole comes …read more

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When it comes to these weekend info posts, I usually try to feature large fairs and festivals while giving a quick mention to other smaller ones. Well, this weekend, there is a little school holding a little festival in Ukrainian Village, which probably wouldn’t register on the radar of most folks outside the neighborhood. So why is it headlining this entry? Because the carnival rides, Eastern European and Latin music, beer garden, and ethnic food are all being hosted by St. Helen School, an elementary school I attended oh-so-many years ago. Admission to the St. Helen Festival is free, and …read more

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Being Mexican-American, I can’t help but be excited about this coming weekend. This Sunday is Mexican Independence Day, celebrating Mexico’s victory in the armed conflict between the people of Mexico and Spanish colonial authorities, which started in 1810. A huge and colorful celebration parade will be held on Sunday on 26th Street, as over half a million spectators will cheer on the floats and mariachi bands. It’s a perfect time for dancing in the streets!
The annual Green Tie Ball takes place on Sunday with a “Garden of Good or Evil” theme, raising funds for the Chicago Gateway Green, a non-profit …read more

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Holy Mole! For a mole (MOH-leh) that’s magnifico, head to Sol de Mexico on Cicero and Belmont. This northwest side restaurant specializes in moles, sauces that infuse food with flavor. Many believe that a mole is a piece of art when it’s cooked well. Chef (and culinary artist) Carlos Tello has been making a multitude of moles with an unlikely partner: his mother-in-law! Some moles have as many as 23 ingredients, including sesame seeds, chocolate, onions, spices, avocado leaves, and of course chile peppers. The whole procedure of smoking and preparing the mole can take up to six hours. On …read more

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