Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

If you are looking for real Southern style cooking in Chicago, this is definitely the numero uno place to go! There are just so much right with this place that it is really hard to be biased, even though I’ve yet to encounter any restaurant being perfect. The food is so right on and completely awesome, the portions plentiful, the atmosphere fun and kitschy, it’s BYOB (with no corkage!) and even street parking is a relative non issue! Don’t let the trendy sounding name fool you - Feed is da shiznit!

If you’ve never ventured out this way, you might miss the place. The yellow bar style sign with the silhouette of a chicken will lead you right to it! Inside, there’s a 45 spinning juke box, a plastic egg crane game and lots and lots of chicken stuff all over the walls! Every walk of life goes here, and the steady stream of customers is clue one this place lives up to the word of mouth. Also, since it’s location is right around the corner from a large band practice building, the crowd inside can be even more eclectic than the neighborhood itself, which seems to add onto the atmosphere.

The menu is ever changing, based by what’s on special and what the run out of, all up on chalk boards for all to see. “Prince Spaghetti Night” on Wednesdays makes me laugh! Favorites every patron needs to try include the rotisserie chicken, the pulled pork sandwich, slathered with sauce and served on a hamburger bun, and oh my yes - the corn pudding! The banana pudding, served in a Styrofoam cup, is the best around, and the fried okra is probably the closest you’ll ever come to what Maw Maw can whip up. Even the chicken soup is incredible! Who knew? Vegetarians can even go here, as they offer a 5 side deal to choose from.

Now some people may take issue with the communal seating, especially when the place gets hopping and folks are getting elbow to elbow. The big table in back seats 16, so be prepared to scoot yer rump over if your party is anything less that that. Also, the wait staff is pretty friendly, but can occasionally be a little spotty (nothing’s perfect, like I said). Also, I like my mac and cheese to have a little more oomph, but to be honest, it’s really just two ingredients, so not much can be done with it anyway. Also, make sure you bring cash - if you forget, the bar next door has an ATM.

Now here is a place you can go to any night of the week and, even if all the bands were worse than disappointing, you can guarantee you will have a good time. There are so many pluses to the Bottle that the few negatives that is has can be far out weighed.

First off, there is that no cover Monday night deal, where while the bands can be varied and inherently hit or miss, the drink prices are more than fair, and there's a little tucked away game room nook that allows you to escape from the occasional suckiness. When the bands are good, the place can get really crowded. Either way, take advantage of the game room to catch a breather, and don't forget to buy some merch! Also, not many places can boast of being able to offer change back for a fin, including tip, of which the servers more than deserve.

Since the bands booked at the Bottle can swing from one direction to another, it's a good idea to check ahead for their lineup. Quite a few great bands have played here right before they struck it big, so if you have even an inkling of wanting to check something out, you really should!

Parking and public trans are definite issues, and people not from the area can find the neighborhood to be a little on the scary side. The mirror in the women's bathroom is kind of a non point, since the graffiti all but covers it, rendering it useless. Then again, who really goes to a place like this to powder their noses? And yes, the Bottle has its fair share of douche bags, but they're at least the kind that regular folks can associate with, just as long as they don't talk over the bands performing.

Be sure to bring cash to this cardless bar, as the cash machine bears a sign warning users it is truly the World's Slowest ATM, if it's even working that night. There's a pool table, classic arcade games and a photo booth too, which are a whole lotta fun! Then there's that black cat people sometimes come across by the merch booths, though I personally have yet to see it. Non human residents are cool, okay, and trying to spy such a mythical creature makes for a fabulous, drunken quest between sets!

Humboldt Park is a neighborhood that is in a constant state of change, but there are some things that never will. One of its many main stays is the California Clipper, a place that has really rolled with it but firmly holds onto its roots. And hey – where else are you going to find a bar that has grape soda on the fountain gun and has a bingo night? Seriously! That cool grape goodness makes for some fun vodka and gin mixes!

This place screams retro, but it's really not, because all that vintage red decor and lighting has been around about as long as that rusty lighted sign out front. It's about as jazzy as the Green Mill but with a mix of rockabilly and other fun styles blended together to make for a fun night. This is one of the few places where you can order something from the way back machine like a Tom Collins or a bourbon mixer and the bartender can do it without dusting off a recipe book, and yet are equally talented to whip up a flirty Cosmo all the same. People who frequent the lounge come from all walks of life, from hipsters to And since its location is right by the huge park itself, those wanting to start off when the sun is still out can chill out there, too. Snack on some tamales or corn from the outdoor vendors beforehand and go with it.

Now yes, granted, Humboldt Park still has its very seedy side to it, so it's probably not a good idea to go wandering off California Avenue after dark, unless you travel in packs. Parking can be tricky later at night as well, but nowhere near as hard as around other popular hangouts. But fifteen years ago, locals said the same thing about neighboring Wicker Park and Bucktown, so the general synopsis states the trend towards a better neighborhood will definitely follow. I say, embrace that state of flux and revel in it while you still can!