Bike Commuting in North Chicago?

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by smontanaro

And they aren't even in Skokie (Glenview).

Is Big Herms still open in Skokie?

[marsh]

You could also look near the Clybourn Metra stop (Bucktown off the 606 trail) -
In the dead of winter you can get to Evanston and your S.O. downtown within
minutes on the Metra. CTA is a tough go on really bad weather days. Plus you are a short ride to the lakefront. I live near there and can get to Evanston easily in ~ 40 minutes. Plus riding outbound you can bring your bike and ride back if you are pressed for time.

Having said all that, Andersonville/Edgewater is my favorite part of town by far.

[smontanaro]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

Is Big Herms still open in Skokie?

Assuming you mean Herm's Palace, yes, on Dempster, just west of McCormick.

[chwupper]

Originally Posted by recarcar

Good point! Didn't think about that option. I think we are trying to avoid the Evanston area simply because we want less of a university neighborhood vibe. But I may be misjudging the area a bit.

We were thinking about Ravenswood because we found an idea place there and because it's in between Lincoln Square and Andersonville. Thanks for the tips! I'll keep an eye out for places around that area in Rogers Park.

Thank you!

If you want to avoid a university vibe, around Sheridan in Rogers Park is not the place for you. That's right by Loyola!

I live in Rogers Park and love it, but Ravenswood is a wonderful neighborhood, too. Nice and residential. As others have said, easy to get up to Evanston on a bike; easy to get downtown on the Brown line; etc etc etc.

Enjoy!

[genbar]

Also be aware that if you move to anywhere on the west/northwest side (Bucktown/Logan Sq/Wicker Park), getting to Evanston via purple line is still very feasible (via combination of CTA bus or Blue Line) if you don't want to ride during winter months.

That said, Andersonville/Rogers Park/Edgewater/Uptown would put you pretty close to school if that's your cuppa tea.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by smontanaro

Assuming you mean Herm's Palace, yes, on Dempster, just west of McCormick.

That's the place. I read on the site that Herm sold it in 1974 and those buyers have since passed the business on to their kids. I went there in the 1960s and I think we called it "Big Herms". We may have been joking about the stature of Herm if that was not the official name of the place back then.

We have a couple of places in San Diego where we can get a good hot dog, Italian beef, and pizza but we pay more than the prices at Herm's Palace.

[sales guy]

Philly's Best is awesome. Turkey breast oven grinder.

Yango's is great for cheap burgers.

[robin3mj]

Ravenswood would be a good middle ground for the NU/Downtown split.
I would not want to be riding LFP->Sheridan to get to NU from the city, there's got to be a better way during rush hour. It was bad enough on weekends.

Or the Damen stop on the brown line- literally next to Turin Cycles.

[gavingould]

i live in northwest Chicago and work in Ravenswood. I'd think Ravenswood would be pretty ideal for your/your spouse's needs for commuting.
it's a quick ride up Damen/Ravenswood to the south end of Evanston.
it's a common route for group rides from the city on weekends, heading from Chicago to Highland Park and points beyond.

traffic can be brutal.

[smontanaro]

Originally Posted by robin3mj

I would not want to be riding LFP->Sheridan to get to NU from the city, there's got to be a better way during rush hour. It was bad enough on weekends.

I can offer some alternatives. Unfortunately, my crash in February was on one of the alternatives, demonstrating there is no perfect route.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[recarcar]

Originally Posted by marsh

You could also look near the Clybourn Metra stop (Bucktown off the 606 trail) -
In the dead of winter you can get to Evanston and your S.O. downtown within
minutes on the Metra. CTA is a tough go on really bad weather days. Plus you are a short ride to the lakefront. I live near there and can get to Evanston easily in ~ 40 minutes. Plus riding outbound you can bring your bike and ride back if you are pressed for time.

Having said all that, Andersonville/Edgewater is my favorite part of town by far.

Originally Posted by chwupper

If you want to avoid a university vibe, around Sheridan in Rogers Park is not the place for you. That's right by Loyola!

I live in Rogers Park and love it, but Ravenswood is a wonderful neighborhood, too. Nice and residential. As others have said, easy to get up to Evanston on a bike; easy to get downtown on the Brown line; etc etc etc.

Enjoy!

Thanks everyone! This is has been really helpful in narrowing down neighborhoods!

[recarcar]

Originally Posted by robin3mj

Ravenswood would be a good middle ground for the NU/Downtown split.
I would not want to be riding LFP->Sheridan to get to NU from the city, there's got to be a better way during rush hour. It was bad enough on weekends.

Or the Damen stop on the brown line- literally next to Turin Cycles.

Originally Posted by gavingould

i live in northwest Chicago and work in Ravenswood. I'd think Ravenswood would be pretty ideal for your/your spouse's needs for commuting.
it's a quick ride up Damen/Ravenswood to the south end of Evanston.
it's a common route for group rides from the city on weekends, heading from Chicago to Highland Park and points beyond.

traffic can be brutal.

We found the perfect spot in Ravenswood but since we aren't physically in Chicago at the moment I think the landlord is a little skittish renting to us. But keeping my fingers crossed that the Ravenswood place works out. Thanks again!!

[rzthomas]

We lived in Ravenswood at Damen and Winnemac for 5 years before moving to the 'burbs. We LOVED the area: easy access downtown via CTA/Metra, easy parking, lots to do, and good access to riding routes. I miss the area quite a bit.

[robin3mj]

Glenn's Diner, Spacca Napoli, and obviously Half Acre.
Thank me later.

[recarcar]

Originally Posted by rzthomas

We lived in Ravenswood at Damen and Winnemac for 5 years before moving to the 'burbs. We LOVED the area: easy access downtown via CTA/Metra, easy parking, lots to do, and good access to riding routes. I miss the area quite a bit.

Originally Posted by robin3mj

Glenn's Diner, Spacca Napoli, and obviously Half Acre.
Thank me later.