Chicago Off the Beaten Track: Chinatown

Chicago's Chinatown is off the beaten track for visitors who head downtown for Chicago's beaches, museums, and many theaters. Many do not realize that bustling Chinatown really is not all that far from downtown, a short taxi ride or el trip can have you there in minutes. Those who make the visit to Chinatown discover that the couple of blocks that compromise the neighborhood are really a village within itself made up of more than just restaurants and shops. The best part of the neighborhood is the mix of old an new that add to the cultural experience of Chinatown.

To Get There: The heart of Old and New Chinatown is at the intersections of Wentworth and Cermak Road. The shops and restaurants of Old Chinatown run along Wentworth Avenue all the way to Cermak Road where the Square that makes up New Chinatown begins. If you are using the city's public transportation system, the Red Line Cermak/Chinatown stops right on Cermak Road where the open air Chinatown Square begins.

What to See: Both the old and new sections of Chinatown have standouts of their own. Take the time to stroll down Wentworth Avenue and appreciate the architecture and decor that line both sides of the blocks through the old part of the neighborhood. In this area the stores and numerous and good restaurants abound. It is here you will notice the presence of the community that is lacking in other parts of the city of Chicago, many families will be out together and several residents will be strolling and gathering in front of stalls to catch up on gossip. At the entrance to the New Chinatown mall is an open air square filled with large bronze zodiac sculptures. The two story mall fans out on both sides of the square and is filled with specialty shops, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores. If you want to venture further North, Ping Tom Memorial Park is a twelve acre park that features an intricate pavilion surrounded by Chinese landscaping. The park has one of the best views in the city running along the Chicago River and the downtown skyline as a backdrop.

Where to Eat: When it comes to finding somewhere to eat in Chinatown you will not be disappointed. The only complaint I have when dining out in the neighborhood is that there is almost always a wait for a table. In the New Chinatown Mall try Lao Sze Chuan, this is the last establishment on the mall along Archer Avenue. Lao Sze Chuan serves the best Chinese hot pot and I love the Mongolian beef. If you do not want to stand around for the unavoidable wait at the popular Lao Sze Chuan, Happy Chef is another great restaurant in the pedestrian mall. After dinner head to Saint Anna Bakery for traditional pastries, the sesame seed balls are ready to go on the counter. If you are feeling more adventurous head to Emperor's Choice, an upscale restaurant in the neighborhood with a menu full of exotic dishes. The Phoenix is another local favorite and a great place to enjoy a brunch of dim sum.

A visit to Chicago's Chinatown will offer a unique experience to anyone who visits. Even the quickest stroll through the neighborhood offers the chance to appreciate the cultural uniqueness of the community that has found its way to Chicago over the years.