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Neighborhood Match-Up: West Loop vs South Loop Chicago

Posted on October 19, 2021October 22, 2021 by Lindsay Smith

Deciding whether to live in West Loop vs. South Loop Chicago is a tricky one, but the Luxury Living Chicago team is here to help you make your decision. Read on to discover some of what makes each neighborhood unique.

West Loop vs. South Loop, Chicago

Formerly known as the factory and warehouse hub, West Loop has gone through a transformation throughout the recent years and is now home to many of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and brand new living spaces. West Loop borders Grand Avenue on the north side, I-290 on the south side, Ashland and Ogden on the west side, and the Chicago River on the east side.

Just a tad right from West Loop sits South Loop. Full of historic charm with modern amenities, South Loop is a fantastic place to call home. Many trendy restaurants and shops are within walking distance. South Loop is also within close proximity to Soldier Field, Museum Park, and Printers’ Row. Directly south of the Chicago Loop, South Loop is bounded by Cermak, Michigan Avenue, the Chicago River, and Congress Parkway-Eisenhower Expressway.

Dining

You definitely won’t be starved of fantastic food if you choose to go with either of these Chicago neighborhoods.

The West Loop neighborhood houses Chicago’s famous Restaurant Row, a vibrant strip lined with some of the city’s best eateries. One of which, Bar Siena, is a lively Italian bar and restaurant with a casual patio to enjoy the summer nights. City Winery is another place to catch live music while tasting wines alongside their incredible food menu. Both of these restaurants are also just two of the many dog-friendly restaurants throughout West Loop.

South Loop is also home to many popular dinner restaurants and prime spots for lunch. Tapas restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa, offers an authentic dining experience that blends fresh meats and produce with the spirit of Barcelona. Burger Bar is a great spot for lunch in the South Loop. Here you can get handcrafted burgers, fresh cut fries, and hand-spun milkshakes.

Nightlife

Both West Loop and South Loop are bustling when it comes to nightlife.

West Loop has plenty of upscale cocktail bars and bars with games and live entertainment to make for an exciting weekend, every weekend. Visit PunchBowl Social to enjoy your favorite beverage alongside a game of bowling, vintage arcade games, or private karaoke. If you’re more in the mood for an upscale cocktail bar with live jazz performances, Lazy Bird does not disappoint.

South Loop is also known for their many popular brewpubs and cocktail bars. If you’re searching for a pet-friendly microbrewery with rotating seasonal beers, Motor Row Brewing has quite a few. In the mood for something a little classier? Try the M Lounge. This candlelit martini lounge features live Jazz performances and a menu with fine spirits and specialty martinis.

Arts & Culture

If you’re looking for a heavy emphasis on arts & culture, look no further than Chicago’s West Loop and South Loop neighborhoods.

The trendy West Loop neighborhood is scattered with many impressive art galleries, including The McCormick Gallery, Carrie Secrist Gallery, and Sarah Raskey Fine Art. Here you can explore a wide array of artwork from many Chicago-based artists.

There are also plenty of art galleries to peruse throughout the South Loop as well, including Elephant Room Gallery and Chicago Art Exchange.

Shopping & Activities

Both South Loop and West Loop neighborhoods offer an endless list of shops and activities for residents and tourists alike.

South Loop offers some great options when you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe. Roosevelt Collection Shops is one of the neighborhood’s hot spots and is home to many household brands, including Banana Republic, Nordstrom Rack, LOFT, and more. Michigan Avenue is also not far from the South Loop, offering an endless array of boutiques and name-brand stores. When you’ve shopped til you’ve dropped, be sure to snag a pick-me-up from one of South Loop’s many coffee shops.

West Loop also has their fair share of boutique-shopping and local coffee joints. In addition to those, this booming neighborhood also has some of the best music halls and venues to enjoy live music. The Bassment in West Loop has a hidden entrance, giving you all the speakeasy feels; and Cobra Lounge is a microbrewery/music venue duo for all the craft beer lovers in the area.

Available Condos

Both West Loop and South Loop offer exceptional places to live. Check out some of the available condos:

The Reed Southbank – This luxury South Loop building offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with a 2-acre riverfront park.

1400 Monroe – These two and three-bedroom luxury residences in West Loop blend luxury living with a top-notch location right across from Skinner Park.

Embry – Nestled in West Loop, this premier condo building boasts top-notch walkability, brilliant design by Kara Mann, and exclusive amenities including a putting green, indoor/outdoor fitness center, and an oversized chess board.

Looking to explore more of Chicago’s neighborhoods? View our Chicago neighborhood guide below!

Chicago Loop Restaurants for Your Lunch Break at Home

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Katie Dickemann

If you are now working from home, there’s a chance you may miss going out to lunch. If this is the case for you, don’t let your remote work situation stop you from enjoying the amazing food that the Windy City has to offer.

Take advantage of the Chicago, Look restaurant’s lunch by finding local restaurants that deliver lunch and offer to-go options in the Loop.

Here are just a few tasty options to consider:

Emerald Loop Bar and Grill- 216 North Wabash Ave- This Irish bar and Grill in the heart of downtown offers both to-go and delivery services. The menu boasts everything from Irish classics to classic American fare. Be sure to try their infamous shepherd’s pie.
Taco Maya– 823 S State Street- For mouth-watering Mexican, indulge in the delicious dishes at Taco Mayo. You can find traditional Latin meals, as well as fusion-inspired dishes inspired by other cultures. Everything is made from scratch with the freshest ingredients.
Amarit– 600 Soth Dearborn St- For some delicious Thai and sushi, be sure to order from Amarit. This innovative restaurant offers a blend of fusion, incorporating more traditional dishes that are less spicy. They are one of the fewer sushi spots to provide smaller-sized rolls if you want to order more variety or just need a small snack.
Tika n Curry– 400 South Financial Pl- This modern restaurant creates traditional Indian dishes with the freshest ingredients and always made from scratch. You can even create your own custom bowls for the ideal personalized meal.
Lou Malnati’s– 805 S State Street- If you’re in the mood for some traditional Chicago-styled pizza, order one of the infamous butter crust deep-dish pizzas from Lou’s. Keep in mind, deep-dish can take over an hour to prepare and deliver, but the meal is certainly worth the wait.
Jimmy John’s– For a quick and simple yet completely satisfying meal, call or order a JJ’s sandwich online. You’ll be blown away by how fast their delivery service truly is. You can find three locations throughout the downtown Loop neighborhood.

If you’re looking to move to the Loop and enjoy everything that downtown Chicago offers, including the Chicago Loop restaurants, connect with one of our agents today. The LLCR team members can help you find a home that is perfect for you and your lifestyle.

Where to Find the Best Taco Restaurants in South Loop

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Katie Dickemann

There’s nothing like that perfect taco- except maybe when that perfect taco is accompanied by a margarita.

If you’ve been on the hunt to find a quality city taqueria, look no further. Our team has gone ahead and narrowed down the best taco restaurants in South Loop:

Flaco’s Tacos– 725 S Dearborn St- For all of those happy hour fanatics, be sure to take advantage of this restaurant’s killer Taco Tuesday specials. You can enjoy $1 specialty tacos, with new recipes introduced weekly, and wash them down with $3 sangrias. The taqueria also boasts other awesome food and drink discounts throughout the week.

Aztec Dave’s– 150 S Wacker Dr- If you’re looking for tacos on the run, make a pit stop to this family-run food truck serving premium Mexican food. Taco Tuesdays are always full of discounted tacos. Follow their social media for the latest specials.

First Draft– 649 S Clark St- Along with killer draft beer, this sports bar also boasts some pretty impressive tacos. Monday nights, you can order a trio of tacos for six bucks. If not everyone in your group is in the mood for tacos, rest assured that the menu is full of other quality comfort food.

Taco Maya– 823 S State St- This laidback taco joint makes for the perfect spot to chow down on tacos with family or friends. The menu offers every type of taco meat and topping you could imagine, as well as other excellent Mexican dishes.

La Cantina– 1911 S Michigan Ave- If you’re looking for the quintessential Mexican dining experience, this is your spot. Along with a cozy and colorful vibe, the tacos are delicious and generously portioned. You can also choose from an extensive list of fruit-flavored margaritas to go with your meal. Monday through Thursday, from 2 to 4 pm, stop by for half-off select apps.

Spanglish Mexican Kitchen– 555 S State St- This contemporary counter-service eatery, located within the University Center, makes it quick and easy to grab some mouth-watering tacos. If you’re in the mood for seafood, the fish tacos remain a local favorite on the menu.

Whether you call South Loop or you’re just in the neighborhood, be sure to treat yourself to some tasty tacos at one of the highly-praised joints. We promise the taco restaurants in South Loop won’t disappoint.

The South Loop Coffee Shops You Must Try

Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by LLCR Staff

Who has the best coffee in the South Loop neighborhood?

While that’s a tough question to answer, the Luxury Living team has narrowed down our favorite South Loop coffee shops:

Cafe Press Chicago– 800 S Clark St- Located in the heart of the historic Printer’s Row, this charming coffee shop offers excellent brews and cozy vibes. The french toast muffin is a must-try! Students can bring in their ID to receive 10 percent off their order.

HERO Coffee Bar– 439 S Dearborn St- While there are multiple Hero Coffee Bars throughout Chicago, the South Loop location has become Insta famous thanks to its adorable lit-up entry. Apart from the appealing aesthetics, this shop also boasts highly praised pour-over java drinks & farm-to-table sandwiches.

Dollop Coffee Co– 801 S Financial Pl- This bright and airy space makes the perfect setting to sip on a cup of joe and munch on some baked goods. The honey cinnamon latte is a local favorite!

Cafecito– 7 N Wells St- For an authentic Cuban experience, stop by this warm cafe. Not only do they serve the best Cuban sandwich in the Windy City, but their Cuban espresso is also out of this world.

Stan’s Donuts and Coffee– 26 E Roosevelt Rd- What’s a better morning combo than gourmet donuts and warm coffee? Whether you stick with a traditional old-fashioned glazed donut or you’re feeling adventurous with the highly-acclaimed lemon pistachio donut, these homemade pastries will not disappoint.

Bridgeport- 150 Roosevelt Rd- Located at Roosevelt Connection, this modern coffee shop prides itself on organic and fair-trade products, as well as some of the finest globally produced beans to ensure delicious brews. When the weather warms up, be sure to grab a seat on the spacious outdoor patio.

Intelligentsia– 53 W Jackson Blvd- Step inside this intimate Italian-style espresso bar, located within the Modanock building, and enjoy a fresh brew. If you need a little snack, be sure to try one of the house-made pastries!

Goddess and the Baker– 33 S Wabash Ave- This adorable cafe is the perfect meet-up spot. While all of the baked goods will have your taste buds in heaven, the rainbow cake is their signature treat. Also, be sure to look into their fun, ever-changing drink specials.

With insight into the best coffee in South Loop, it’s now time to treat yourself to a cup of joe!

If you’re in the market for a South Loop apartment, connect with one of our experienced team members today!

Tag: South Loop Chicago