Forget the Gold Coast. From the first day of summer straight through to Labor Day, Southport Avenue in Lakeview and Division Street in Wicker Park have some of the hottest real estate around — when it comes to sidewalk seating, anyway. But both strips are lined with so many options … how do you decide where to stake your claim on a sunny summer afternoon? We think we’ve got it all figured out.
PUB
Division Street:Small Bar (2049 W. Division St. 773-772-2727) may be diminutive, but the beer list is expansive. We like a Hacker Pschorr ($6) paired with the spicy chicken club ($8), devoured in the fresh Wicker Park air.
4 Southport Avenue:For solid pub food and brews, it’s hard to beat Cullen’s (3741 N. Southport Ave. 773-975-0600). We dig a meatloaf sandwich ($9.50) on the patio, but the friendly service is what really puts Cullen’s in a league of its own.
LATIN DRINKS
4 Division Street:Flavored mojitos ($8) and killer sangria (glass, $8; pitcher, $20) make up for the big weekend crowds at Bravo Tapas (2047 W. Division St. 773-278-2727). Sip away while you wait for a seat on the sidewalk patio — easily one of the most festive in the city.
Southport Avenue:Though the J-Lo (sangria with a red sugar rim and pineapple, $7) sounds tempting, it’s the mojitos ($7) that make alfresco drinking at Coobah (3423 N. Southport Ave. 773-528-2220) so caliente. The location by the “L” stop is a mixed blessing — it’s easy on your feet, but hard on your eardrums.
Upscale bar food
4 Division Street:Innjoy’s (2051 W. Division St. 773-394-2066) gourmet pizzas are tasty, but it’s the meatloaf ($10.95) that keeps us coming back. Situated on the busiest part of Division’s alfresco strip, the patio here offers great views of the whole scene.
Southport Avenue:The outdoor space at SOPO (3418 N. Southport Ave. 773-348-0100) is small, but it’s always packed with beautiful people. Even more beautiful: the pear and grilled chicken panini with a side of sweet potato fries ($6.50). The downside, of course, is that SOPO is a bit sceney.
Coffee Shop
4 Division Street:The muffins ($2.25) at Letizia’s Natural Bakery (2144 W. Division St. 773-342-1011) are little cakes of heaven. Chase one down with a latte (medium, $3.25) on the front patio, and you’ll feel like you’re chilling street-side in fair Roma.
Southport Avenue:Julius Meinl (3601 N. Southport Ave. 773-868-1857) offers delectable croissants ($1.75) to go with your espresso ($1.60), and you can watch the world go by from a sidewalk table. Though this is the only U.S. location, Meinl feels a bit corporate.
Bar brunch
Division Street:The see-and-be-seen patio and mean bloody marys ($7) at Moonshine (1824 W. Division St. 773-862-8686) pack ’em in for weekend brunch. Almost everything comes with house potatoes — not bad, but they somehow leave you wanting more.
4 Southport Avenue:We love the $9.95 Sunday brunch buffet at Mystic Celt (3443 N. Southport Ave. 773-529-8550) — just be sure to get there early to snag a seat on the coveted outdoor patio, a prime place for people-watching.
Budget bites
Division Street:The tasty fries and onion rings at Easy Bar (1944 W. Division St. 773-227-4644) go for only $3. There aren’t too many outdoor tables, but the view of the Division Street-Damen Avenue intersection is a good one.
4 Southport Avenue:From the five variations of French fries to the meatball wedge, all food on the menu at Take 5 (3747 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-5555) is just $5. But dining outside along Southport in the summer? Priceless.
