Neighborhood Guide: Andersonville

Because every man wants to explore Chicago, especially if there’s food involved, we’re proud to present our semi-monthly series of guides that reveals the must-see, -do and -eats in a single neighborhood.

Up today: Andersonville, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. 

Happy golden jubilee, Andersonville. May your corridors be lined with antique mirth and merriment for another 50 to come.

Enjoy the guide.

La Colombe
5158 N. Clark St.

For a good feel of who’s living in the neighborhood these days, stop by La Colombe. Andersonville is their largest locale. Be warned: no WiFi here (see instead: the Coffee Studio). Guess ya’ gotta keep it civilized. Pick up a bottle of Pure Black Cold Brew for the road. 

Notre
5202 N. Clark St.

Confidence, ease and grace. Three words that come to mind when talking up Notre, the city’s new menswear oasis of minty labels and hard-to-find goods. The style: slightly street, a lot of elevated basics and a few head-turners, all with an eye towards the modern sartorialist. So, equally suitable for everyone.

Best in stock: their Viberg boot collection. It’s also worth noting their killer home goods and apothecary section.  

Little Bad Wolf
1541 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Why Little Bad Wolf remains absent in citywide “best burger” debates, we’re not sure — but it deserves some hype. The burger’s good. In fact, very good, and we promise it will bring you much pleasure. Not ordering the Wolf burger (a three-pattied monster topped with crunchy onion straws and an egg) would be an exercise in self-government. We’ll commend you either way.

If furniture tells a story, Andersonville is rife with tall tales. Come for the antique stores, stay for the food. Walk away with something old/new. Allow us to help you navigate.

I’m on the hunt for something …

For my walls: Mercantile M

Mercantile M specializes in found art, offering a wide range of framed beauts from nautical to landscape, floral to portrait. Plus: found objects and other vintage delights. 5409 N. Clark St. (map)

Heritage-y: Brimfield

A neighborhood favorite. Looks the part of a New England summer home. Refurbished furniture. Mid-century barware. A mighty selection of vintage wool blankets. Don’t forget to head downstairs for more. 5219 N. Clark St. (map)

Mid-Century modern-y: Room Service

An exemplary mix of mid-century modern and industrial. Thank Jim Jostes for the clean aesthetic — the man knows how to pick ‘em. 5438 N. Clark St. (map)

That’ll scare my wife: Woolly Mammoth

Oh, Woolly Mammoth. So kooky. So dark. So Andersonville. An oddities store in every sense of the word — taxidermy, preserved specimen jars, all kinds of mysterious vintage medical instruments and more. Let’s get weird. 1513 W. Foster Ave. (map)

Statement pieces: Scout

Another neighborhood stalwart, Scout has made its name on excellent, wide-ranging curation and friendly service. Start with the big pieces here — dining tables and desks and chairs. Those’ll be your centerpieces. Then spruce up everything around ‘em. 5221 N. Clark St. (map)

AlleyCat Comics
5304 N. Clark St. 

If you’re not paying attention, you’ll pass right by AlleyCat Comics. That’s because it’s literally located down a strange little gangway-sized alley. Find it off Clark. Inside: one damn impressive collection of, you guessed it, comic books. Also: graphic novels and a bunch of other nerdy collector stuff.

Back issues galore from Marvel and DC. Familiar titles like The Walking Dead. The comic book store is a dying breed — all the more reason to pop in and browse.

Norcross and Scott
1476 W. Berwyn Ave.

Amanda Norcross and Scott Paterek know good design. And while antique shops dominate Andersonville’s main drag, their little design shop offers a modern respite. Makers and brands you’ve never heard of. Textiles and home goods that would look right at home on a Dwell photo shoot. Destination-worthy shopping worth all the coin.

Sunshine Cafe
5449 N. Clark St.

Charming, austere and surprisingly delicious, Sunshine Cafe — depending on who you ask — is undoubtedly one of Andersonville’s unsung eateries.

They plate homestyle Japanese cuisine here. Nothing fancy. No sushi.

The fish is crispy. The sukiyaki is hot. The Zaru Soba is cold. The Katsu Don is a must.

BYOB, too. Stop into Wine & Spirits before heading over.