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LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG - MY FAVORITE CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS - ROGERS PARK

THE CHICAGO REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!

Say, I bet you don't know too many other Little White Dogs who work at a computer each day, surrounded by a Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse Bobblehead, and with not one, but TWO telephones on his desk.  That's me - Buddy the Bloggin' Pup!

One of my favorite neighborhoods on the Far North Side of Chicago is a very diverse, and very down-to-earth place to live - Rogers Park!  Roughly 63,000 two-pawed humans, and an untold number of us four-pawed creatures, call Rogers Park their home.  It runs along Lake Michigan, between Devon Avenue on the South, and Howard Street, the northern border of the City of Chicago on the North, and then west to Ridge Boulevard - one the highest streets, in elevation, on the north side of Chicago! 

Convenient to The Loop and Downtown Chicago, the heart of the Rogers Park neighborhood lies only about nine miles from downtown.  It is easily accessible via the CTA Red Line, and the Loyola Station, on Sheridan Road, one block north of Devon Avenue.

At one time, Rogers Park also included the neighboring West Ridge community, to the West (actually, the west side of Ridge Boulevard).  Way back in 1890, or over 750 Dog Years ago, a dispute between neighboring North Side Park districts, separated Rogers Park and West Ridge into two distinct, and considerably different neighborhoods.

One thing you'll notice almost immediately about Rogers Park - a nearly two-mile frontage on Lake Michigan creates incredible beaches.  Unlike beaches further south in the city, however,no fast-moving traffic on Lake Shore Drive whizzes by.  "The Drive" ends further south, in the Edgewater Community, at Hollywood Avenue.  Here in Rogers Park, vintage three-story brownstones line the beaches, giving the whole neighborhood an old-Chicago feel - far more quiet, somewhat more private.  It also makes a great stretch for a dog like me to get his exercise in each Summer morning!

Rogers Park is also home to academically-respected Loyola University, and over 15,000 students.  Shops, a large variety of restaurants and clubs, and several live theaters line the neighborhood's main streets - Sheridan Road, Devon Avenue, Clark Street, and Howard Street. 

Looking for a good meal, or just a place to rest your weary paws?  Check out these local establishments -

You haven't visited Rogers Park without stopping by The Heartland Cafe, 7000 N Glenwood Avenue, near the L tracks.  Enjoy some homestyle cooking, as well as live acoustic music, and, often, poetry.  It's old school, you might say - if old means the 1960's!

How about some blues, a little comedy, some acoustic music, and food every dog will enjoy.  Check out The Moreseland, at 1218 W. Morse, just east of Sheridan, and a block from the lake.  Great Sunday Brunch, too!

The Common Cup, 1501 W. Morse, offers all of your favorite coffee drinks (as if this little white dog is not hyper enough!), and light fare.  It just opened last May!  Free Wireless Internet, too - you can relax, and get a little work done at the same time!

For Homestyle Italian Food, there's always Leona's Rogers Park location - 6935 N. Sheridan.  Great food, great prices, reliably friendly and attentive service (NOTE: This link contains AUDIO!)   For a little more money, but for great food, visit Gruppo di Amici, at 1508 W. Jarvis, for fine Roman-Style Italian Cuisine.  Their new to Rogers Park - opening in Summer, 2006.  Worth the trip, and the money!

Pizza, Chicago Style?  My personal favorite is Carmen's. at 6568 N. Sheridan, right across from the Loyola University Campus, and just north of the Red Line L station at Loyola.  Great Deep Dish, Chicago Style Pizza, and thin-crust pizza, too.  Really makes a dog's mouth water!  There's also the local Giordano's, famous for Stuffed Pizza (two pieces completely fill you up, only one if you're a small breed, like me!)  Their Rogers Park restaurant is at 6836 N. Sheridan.

Checking out the live theater scene? There's plenty to see in Rogers Park.  Here is the current schedule, for over a half a dozen live venues in the neighborhood.

For anything I may have missed, Rogers Park has it's own website - www.rogerspark.com.  They also have a special Pet Photo Gallery - just for us four-pawed residents.  Check it out!

A little grittier, a little earthier, and always something going on!  That's what makes this Far North Side Chicago Neighborhood Special.  Come by early on weekend mornings, and you may just catch me on my morning stroll by the lake.  Don't forget to turn your head, and give me a little growl!

Here is some current housing data on the Rogers Park Neighborhood of Chicago, IL.  For your info!