Visit Chicago's Mexican Magnificent Mile!
Do312 is introducing a new neighborhood series to help the people we care about most: YOU and all of our favorite local businesses that make up Chicago's incredible culture! We've teamed up with Monaco Cocktails to help you discover new and old favorites in Little Village!
We know present times aren’t easy to navigate. Do we dine out or do we order in? So long as you’re doing it safely, we say do it! With that in mind, use this neighborhood guides to find all of the unique ways you can celebrate and support the Little Village neighborhood. Take it a step further and be a tourist in your hometown by venturing out to another neighborhood on our list.
**We know you care about your health and the health of those around you. All recommendations are up-to-date with information from the businesses listed and with local health regulations in mind. Things are moving fast these days though. If you notice that something listed here has changed, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Email cm (at) do312 (dot) com.
Last Updated: August 28, 2020
Activities
Get To Know The Neighborhood
Photo via LittleVillageChamber.org
Little Village Arch
26th & Albany Streets
If you approach Little Village—also referred to as “La Villita” by neighbors and residents—from the East side of the neighborhood, you’ll be greeted by its iconic archway at 26th and Albany streets. It’s terra cotta shingles and “Bienvenidos” greeting pay homage to the strong Mexican community that makes La Villita the cultural stronghold that it is.
In June, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce unveiled four “Black Lives Matter” banners that currently adorned the four sides of the gateway that read “Unidos Estamos. Divididos Caemos.” Translated, “United We Stand. Divided We Fall.”
Photo courtesy of the Little Village Chamber Of Commerce
Manuel Perez Memorial Plaza
26th Street & Kolin Avenue
Named for an army soldier who was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor and killed in action during World War II, this beautiful plaza sits at the opposite end of 26th Street, at the intersection of Kolin Avenue. The perfect bookend to the Little Village neighborhood, Manual Perez Memorial Plaza is the site of local mural art, street vendors, the occasional street performer and more. Of course, it serves as a natural gathering place but, during the days of social distancing the plaza makes for a better walking destination or place to visit solo with a good book.
Photo via OpenCenterForTheArts.org
2214 S. Sacramento Ave.
Open Center For The Arts, Little Village’s most active art gallery, is temporarily closed but you can still enjoy it from home! Follow along on Facebook for virtual exhibitions, live discussion, kid-friendly educational programming and more.
Photo via Facebook/Mercado de Colores
Manuel Perez Memorial Plaza - Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Get your fresh goods shopping done at Little Village's weekly farmers market! On Saturdays, the neighborhood comes together to support local farmers. Get to the mercado to find organic fruits and vegetables, honey bee-derived products, healthy baking products, microgreens, seeds, plants and some handcrafts. Of course, COVID-19 sanitary guidelines are adhered to and masks are required for shoppers and vendors.
Drinks To Go
Bring The Party Back To Your Pad
3724 W. 26th St.
Moreno's green and red sign has been a site for Little Villagers' sore eyes after a long work week for over 40 years. The massive liquor, wine and beer shop has everything you need to kick the weekend off right. Truly, if you can't find something to enjoy here, you might question whether you're looking hard enough.
4019 W. 26th St.
Stop into Gonzalez Liquors for exactly what you need when the mood hits. The shop's coolers are filled to the brim with neighborhood favorites, ready to serve ice cold.
4237 W. 26th St.
Further west on the bustling 26th Street corridor is another longtime neighborhood favorite. The walls of this shotgun-style liquor store are lined with different options to satisfy every taste.
3927 W. 31 St.
If you find yourself off the main Little Village strip, have no fear. El Progreso is a one-stop-shop in the southern corner of the neighborhood. Stop in for cold drinks to go and other party supplies like garnishes and snacks.
Monaco Cocktails are a party in a can and they're helping you squeeze every last drop out of summer! In the month of September, Monaco will be popping up at liquor stores throughout the Little Village neighborhood and offering product samples and giveaways plus complimentary food from local area food cart vendors! Here's where to find them:
September 5, 2 - 6 p.m. - Moreno's Liquor (3724 W. 26th St.)
September 12, 2 - 6 p.m. - Gonzalez Liquors (4019 W. 26th St.)
September 19, 3 - 7 p.m. - Giovanni's Liquors (4237 W. 26th St.)
September 26, 3 - 7 p.m. - El Progreso Supermarket (3927 W. 31st St.)
Monaco cocktails will also be two for $5 at these locations all September long!
Shopping
Bring La Villita Home With You
Photo via Facebook/Dulcelandia
3253 W. 26th St.
Dulcelandia will make anyone feel like a kid in a candy shop. The party supplier has been a Chicago staple since 1995, specializing in selling thousands of different types of Mexican candies. Prep your tastebuds for sweet, salty and spicy flavors. The fun doesn’t stop there though. Dulcelandia is also an excellent destination for Mexican party supplies like an extensive selection of pinatas. (Where else are you going to put all of that candy you just bought?) Since birthdays and other celebrations look a little different this summer, you might consider stopping in for at-home party inspiration!
Dulcelandia's locations in Little Village, Logan Square and Brighton Park are open for regular hours (masks required!), but at-home shoppers can also visit the website to stock up on Mexican candies and snacks for home delivery!
3050 W. 26th St.
When it comes to tortillas, El Milagro tops our list. Once you’ve sampled some of Little Village’s amazing tacos, stop by the El Milagro Store. Pick up a couple packages of corn or flour tortillas from this Midwest-born company and try making your own at home!
Right now, you can stop in the store from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Discount Mega Mall
3115 W. 26th St.
Many would consider this humble strip mall to be the retail centerpiece of Little Village. It’s served as an incubator for dozens of neighborhood clothing designers and other local product vendors over the years. You’ll never know what you’ll find here, but we also know you won’t leave empty-handed.
The mall is now open during its regular hours, but please be sure to shop safely with masks and social distancing!
Photo via Facebook/Cremeria La Ordena
Cremeria La Ordena #3
3234 W. 26th St.
Want to bring some of the flavors of La Villita back to your kitchen with you? This specialty grocery store has fresh ingredients lurking around every aisle.
Respect Cremeria La Ordena's safety guidelines in the same way you would at any other grocery store throughout the city and keep its employees safe!
Photo via Facebook/OK Corral VIP Western Wear
3927 W. 26th St.
We don’t mean to imply that food is the only thing that Little Village has to offer! You’ll undoubtedly notice a certain style that neighbors have while you explore the streets. OK Corral is the destination for Western apparel and accessories like boots, belt buckles, hats and more. If you’re looking to build out your wardrobe, it doesn’t get much more authentic than this.
Online ordering isn't available, but the store has returned to its usual hours.
Outdoor Dining
Our Favorite Patios In Little Village
Photo via Facebook/Osito's Tap
2553 N. Ridgeway Ave.
New to the neighborhood in 2019, Osito’s has quickly become a destination for Little Village residents as well as neighbors from surrounding areas. In recent months the bar and kitchen has managed to bring its speakeasy vibes to a new outdoor sidewalk patio to accommodate patrons that are less comfortable with indoor dining. Stop by for tacos, tortas, fantastic cocktails and more. Reservations can be made online in advance!
Photo via Facebook/Mi Tierra
2528 S. Kedzie Ave.
Mi Tierra’s makeshift outdoor, covered patio doesn’t lessen the experience by any means! If the food wasn’t enough to convince you to make a reservation, you’ll be serenaded by nightly mariachi band performances on the patio while you enjoy margaritas, pina coladas, sangria and more from the bar! Call ahead for hours and reservation information.
Photo via LaIslasMarias.com
Las Islas Marias
2400 S. Pulaski Rd.
Have you been missing fresh seafood? Do we have a recommendation for you… Las Islas Marias’ Little Village location has a patio that’s open seven days a week. Enjoy heaping platefuls of paellas, camarones, ceviches and other Mexican favorites. Call ahead for reservation information.
Photo via Facebook/Don Pepe
3616 W. 26th St.
Don Pepe’s over-the-top to-go Micheladas have been the star of the Mexican restaurant’s quarantine service, but you can now also enjoy them on its small sidewalk patio.
Delivery & To-Go
Get A Taste Of Little Village Brought Straight To Your Door
Photo via Facebook/Troha's Chicken & Shrimp
4151 W. 26th St.
Do we really need to tell you what to order here? Troha’s is one of the oldest staples in the neighborhood, open since 1917. Hand-breaded seafood and chicken wings will make any night-in feel like a party. Order delivery via DoorDash and UberEats. Curbside pickup is also available!
photo via facebook/la chaparrita grocery
2500 S. Whipple St.
It's often the most lowkey, unassuming spots that have some of the best food in this city. The tacos at La Chaparrita, which doubles as a grocery store and taqueria, are a Do312 favorite and in our humble opinion, some of the best around. Stop by to pick some up or order through GrubHub for delivery.
Photo via orderpapasantiagopizzeria.com
3051 W. 26th St.
Papa Santiago’s is a culinary cross-section of everything Chicagoans love most about their food scene. Where else can you get five hot dogs with fries for $12 and grill steak tacos? And that doesn’t even cover the pizza. Order from Papa Santiago’s for home delivery on its website.
Photo via Facebook/La Casa de Samuel
2834 W. Cermak
Here’s who you’ll need to call if you want to get truly exotic in your own kitchen. While Casa de Samuel has plenty of middle-of-the-road Mexican treats available for delivery—you’ll want to take note of some of its rarer menu options. Place an order for grilled rattle snake, wild boar, dried salt cod and more via Grubhub, DoorDash and Seamless.
Photo via Facebook/El Tecolote
3519 W. 26th St.
We encourage you to visit El Tecolote Ostioneria’s dining room (open now) when you feel comfortable in order to get the full experience and see the beautiful presentations that go into these seafood entrees. However, it tastes just as amazing no matter how it’s served! Call Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to place a pick-up order.
