Things To Do
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Surprise, this is one is Kyle. If you didn't know, Kyle taught African American Literature to high school seniors! His favorite unit centered around Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party. Kyle loves this museum for its ability to center great stories around neighborhood heroes and the incredible knowledge of its many curators.
Chinatown
This one is Viviana! But also Kyle. It's a mix. A great place for food, easy to walk, and home of Kyle and Viviana's favorite soup dumpling spot! Check out QXY for great dumplings if you've got the time or the Chinatown History Museum!
National Museum of Mexican Art
This one is Viviana! She loves this place and we as a couple think it is the most underrated museum in Chicago. Hot takes, I know. Chicago's cultural landscape has been shaped by the contributions by our Hispanic siblings and this museum explores that story wonderfully.
Uncle Mike's Place (Filipino Restaurant)
This one is Kyle! KASAMA may claim to have the best Filipino breakfast sandwich in Chicago, but Uncle Mike's Place has the best, straight up, any culture, breakfast in Chicago. Flat out. Kyle's recommended breakfast combo? The Skirt Steak and Longanisa, eggs over easy, extra lugaw if you can get it.
Qahwah House Coffee - Lombard
This one is both! Take a drive out to Lombard (where Kyle lived for a year and a half) to discover Viviana and Kyle's favorite coffeeshop in Illinois. Sit where Kyle graded papers, where Viviana wrote case notes, and where they both laughed, cried, and drank (shhhh... coffee). If you're lucky, you'll maybe see Kyle's best man, Matthew, just being there as he usually is. Recommended order: Adeni Chai, but go 50% or 75% sweet. Mofawar for you traditional coffee lovers, and for any Vanilla-latte queens out there, go with the fantastic Pistacho Latte.