Harold's Chicken Shack is a street-food stop in Chicago.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Private tour · 2 hours
Discover Chicago's vibrant street art and creative districts on a private tour. Explore the Pilsen Murals District, the 16th Street Murals corridor, and the trendy Ful...
Guided tour · 2 hours
Celebrate Chicago's vibrant street art scene on a guided walking tour of the city's most eclectic neighborhoods. Learn about the artists, their art, and the future of ...
Guided tour · 1h 30m
Embark on a journey through the vibrant West Town neighborhood for a tour of the city's unique outdoor street art! Led by your Studio W.I.P. guide, delve into the rich...
Address: 636 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Tamale Spaceship in Chicago is the lucha-libre-masked tamale operation that began as a food truck in 2011 and now runs from a Pilsen storefront on Blue.
TryTamales (regional Mexican)
TipOrder the lemongrass-tofu vegan tamale and the chicken mole verde to balance; both are on the truck and the market.
Garrett Popcorn Shops in Chicago is the Loop popcorn counter on Randolph since 1949, with the Garrett Mix (cheese-and-caramel) bag in a gold tin to take home.
TryGarrett Mix (cheese and caramel popcorn)
TipOrder the small bag mixed, eaten warm out of the bag before the cheese cools. The gallon tin is for the airport.
Kuma's Corner in Chicago is the Avondale burger bar on Belmont, with a heavy-metal-named burger menu and a 90-minute weekend wait for a 10-ounce pretzel-bun.
TryHeavy-metal burger menu
TipOrder the Kuma burger (egg, bacon, cheese, pretzel bun); the side fries are large enough for two.
El Milagro Tortilleria in Chicago is the Pilsen tortilla shop on Blue Island Avenue, with stone-ground masa tortillas pressed for the neighbourhood taquerias.
TryHand-pressed tortillas, taco fillings
TipBuy a dozen of the white-corn fresh tortillas; eat one at the counter with the bag-side salsa to test the day's masa.
The Fish Keg in Chicago is the Rogers Park no-frills fish-fry counter on Howard Street, with deep-fried smelt by the cup and perch by the fillet.
TryFried smelt, perch, catfish
TipThe smelt is the order; they fry it crisp and salty, eat the whole fish with the cornmeal crust.
La Michoacana Premium in Chicago is the Pilsen paleteria on 18th Street with fresh-fruit paletas, elote in a cup, raspados and mangonadas at a painted.
TryPaletas, elote in a cup, raspados
TipOrder the elote in a cup with Tajin and butter; pair it with a tamarind paleta for the after-walk down 18th.
