Nestled 9 miles north of the Loop on the city’s far north side, Rogers Park and Edgewater are quietly taking the title as two of Chicago’s most diverse, affordable, and eccentric neighborhoods. Some attribute the charm of both neighborhoods to their distance from the hustle and bustle of the city center, while others say it's their proximity to the calm of the lake and their wide, almost suburban, streets; dotted with charming single-family homes. My opinion? A little bit of both. Whether you’re checking out one of its many parks or beaches, eating on Devon Ave, or just taking a stroll through the beautiful campus of Loyola University Chicago, you’ll be sure to find a sense of calm you didn’t know existed in Chicago.
Originally opened as the "Sweet Home Chicago Heartland Café" the Heartland cafe is an unabashedly eclectic joint featuring a range of (mostly) vegetarian options, live music, and a small grocery store featuring organic fruits and vegetables and locally sourced, hormone free meats. This neighborhood restaurant and bar has been been a staple for generations and doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon. Also be sure to check out the Miles of Murals just outside it's doors.
