Portage Park - Chicago, IL

Portage Park was built around Northwest Plank Road, which is now Milwaukee Avenue. This diagonal street cuts through the neighborhood, providing a shortcut through the city's otherwise gridded streets. This strategic position was one of the reasons that the City of Chicago annexed the area before the World's Fair in 1889. Soon afterward, the diverse neighborhood saw rapid growth. Classic Chicago bungalows can still be found on many of the blocks.

While there are many museums scattered throughout the city, Portage Park was chosen as the home of the National Veterans Art Museum. This facility displays a range of artwork created by combat veterans from recent conflicts and wars.

Dining choices are numerous in Portage Park, and you'll find a wide range of ethnic cuisines all available in this community. Whether you want hearty home style meal or a Chicago-style hot dog, this neighborhood has a restaurant perfect for your palate. For nightlife, Portage Park residents head to one of the many local bars, or they head to one of the bars in the Lincoln Park or River North areas.

Portage Park has lots of excellent options for authentic Polish and Eastern European dishes. Smakosz serves traditional Polish food that attracts locals for its authentic taste and excellent service. Dessert favorites here include the blueberry pierogis and strawberry blintzes. For dinner, try the braised cabbage, or kapusta, with Polish sausage.

Every Chicago neighborhood has a few favorite places for Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs. In Portage Park, Roma's has long been one of those places. A staple of the neighborhood for more than 45 years, this tiny restaurant sells pure Vienna beef hot dogs and slow-roasted Italian beef sandwiches as well as many other local favorites. If you visit Roma's, order a beef sandwich with sweet or hot peppers dipped in au juice for an authentic Chicago treat.

For a place to enjoy a few beers and a burger after a long day at work, head to Hops and Barley. A full menu of bar food gives you plenty to choose from, whether you crave hot wings or a pizza. This casual bar remains a favorite in the neighborhood for its affordable prices and great opportunities for people watching.

I-90-94 cuts through the Portage Park neighborhood, with an entrance ramp providing easy access to the expressway for travel both downtown and to the Northwest suburbs. Traffic in the area can be heavy, particularly on days when the Chicago Cubs play at home. The CTA offers bus and train access in the area, making it easier for residents to avoid rush hour and baseball traffic.

Parking in the neighborhood consists of a mixture of permit parking on residential streets and metered parking on the main streets. Portage Park, like much of Chicago, is extremely walkable, with many restaurants, shops and other businesses within easy walking distance of residential blocks. Cyclists have access to several bike-friendly streets as well as a few with dedicated bike lanes.

Hailing a cab in the area can be relatively easy if you are on one of the main arteries, including Irving Park Road, Milwaukee Avenue or Montrose Avenue. Uber provides ride-sharing services for the area as well.

The neighborhood of Portage Park shares its name with a large park situated in the heart of the neighborhood. Operated by the Chicago Park District, Portage Park provides locals with access to playgrounds, an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool, running and walking paths, a senior center, exercise classes, youth sports programs and more. This park also includes a dog-friendly area, making it an ideal spot for dog owners who want to give their pooches a bit of extra exercise.

Like most neighborhoods in Chicago, Portage Park hosts a neighborhood festival. The Six Corners BBQ Festival sits just a few blocks away from the neighborhood's park, and it gives visitors access to live entertainment, food from local restaurants and handmade goods from area vendors.

Average rent in Portage Park usually costs around $815, which runs slightly higher than the average price for the city as a whole. The cost of gas in the area averages about 4 percent higher than the national cost, but many residents save money on gas by taking public transportation. A CTA bus fare starts out at $2, while a ride on the Blue Line in the neighborhood starts at $2.25, with a ride to O'Hare Airport costing $5. If you are planning to visit a neighborhood bar for a beer, expect to pay between $4 and $6, depending on what you order.

The Six Corners Shopping District gives Portage Park residents lots of options for both big box retailers and smaller, locally owned businesses. Sears on Six Corners continues to anchor the neighborhood, while discount stores including Marshalls provide other shopping options. For high-end shopping, locals head to Michigan Avenue in the River North area for stores including Chanel and Cartier.

I Am Trendii Boutique sells on-trend looks for sizes 0-24, along with a full line of footwear and accessories. This store may be tiny, but it's packed with lots of exciting finds that make it a favorite stop among young shoppers in the neighborhood.

Fantasy Costumes remains a local gem, and its selection of costumes and accessories makes the store popular for more than just Halloween season. Head here for the gear you need for St. Patrick's Day, Christmas and Mardi Gras. This large store has a vast inventory of costumes to buy or rent, and it's a frequent stop for people looking for something unique to wear to the Wizard World Chicago comic convention.

Residents in Portage Park head to Jewel-Osco or Mariano's for groceries year-round. They can also visit the Portage Park Farmers Market, which sells fresh foods grown by local farmers. The market operates during the summer but also has limited hours in the winter, weather permitting.