yea i also live in Chicago i live in the river grove,Franklin park ,shiller park area
some of my favorite places to go are
1.)Marias Mexican restaurant very legit mexican food not to mention a full bar (also say its your birthday they give you an extra big sombrero and a free shot lol) 9440 W Foster Ave Chicago, IL 60656
2.)Gene and Judes hotdogs the place is great very well known well at least in this city(i live 2 blocks from there) found at 2720 River Road River Grove, IL 60171
3.) Visit the sheddaquarium worlds biggest indoor aquarium a lil pricy but well worth it
4.)you have to have REAL deepdish pizza while you visit do yourself a favor and go to old world pizza 7230 W North Ave in Elmwood Park, IL
5.)a great place to drink is shoeless joes its a sportsbar they have live bands often one of my favorite places 10290 W. Higgins Road Rosemont, IL 60018
well those are some of the places i enjoy going for food or to unwind after a work week