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shopping in pilsen
Shop the neighborhood for all your everyday needs.
Grocery Stores and Bakeries
Buy ingredients for your own home-cooked Mexican meal at La Casa del Pueblo. Indulge in pastries, cookies, cakes, and other desserts from Panaderia Nuevo Leon.
Book and record stores
Get your hands on Spanish-language bestsellers and classics, as well as rare ranchero, cumbia, and Spanish rock CDs at Libreria Giron Bookstore.
Check out the latest in English-language Latino literature, including books by local authors, at Tianguis Book & Gift Shop; then linger in the relaxing coffeeshop that also provides free Wi-Fi.
vintage and contemporary Fashions
Pick up Latin-influenced womenswear and accessories with a vintage feel at the quaint Mestiza. At Zapatillas, snag fashionable footwear by Chinese Laundry and Bamboo, or Mexican labels like Portugal.
Pilsen festivals
Join the family fun at two action-packed outdoor gatherings.
Fiesta Del Sol
For 4 days, Fiesta Del Sol (Thursday, July 31–Sunday, August 3) brings together Latin alternative and Mexican regional music, art exhibitions, hands-on activities, games, pony rides, and traditional Mexican foods.
Viva AztlÁn
During Viva Aztlán (Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17) you can connect with Mexican heritage through live music and folk dance performances by local and international troupes, poetry readings, traditional foods, games, activities for children, and crafts vendors.
Little Village
Due west of Pilsen, just beyond Western Avenue, enter Little Village (La Villita). A decorative arch crossing 26th Street announces your arrival.
Considered one of the city’s busiest retail areas, this neighborhood is filled with shops, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment.
sweet and savory Treats
Satisfy your sweet tooth at the family-owned Mexican candy emporium, Dulcelandia. With murals of ancient candy makers on its walls, this shop bursts with party supplies, piñatas, and nearly 800 different kinds of sweets, including tamarind-pulp-with-chili-pepper candies and hot apricot lollipops.
Savor the scent of fresh doughnuts and Mexican pastries as you approach La Baguette. Then find a friendly greeting, tropical fruits, piña colada and churro mixes, and fresh meats and fish at La Chiquita grocery store.
Toman Branch Library
Take a break from shopping at the Toman Branch Library. See Juan Angel Chavez’s mixed media installation, tap into free Wi-Fi, and brush up on Spanish-language books and books on tape.
Entertainment
When the sun goes down, catch live entertainment including mariachi (Wednesdays– Sundays) at Mi Tierra. Dine on delicious traditional dishes, including the signature parrillada (grill) meats cooked on your tabletop.
Dance the rest of the night away at Los Globos. This ballroom-style club, frequented by the 20-something set, presents Norteña and Duranguense music groups from Mexico. Leave your camera at home? Don’t worry–photographers catch all the action, and you can buy pictures before you leave.
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shopping
La Casa del Pueblo
Daily 6 am–8 pm
(except holidays)
1834 S. Blue Island Avenue
312.421.4664
Libreria Giron Bookstore
Daily, 10 am–8 pm
443 W. 18th Street
312.226.2086
Mestiza Tuesdays–Saturdays
11:30 am– 7 pm, Sundays 11:30 am–4:30 pm
1010 W. 18th Street
312.563.0132
mestizachicago.com
Panaderia Nuevo Leon
Daily 5:30 am–9 pm
1634 W. 18th Street
312.243.5977
Tianguis Book & Gift Shop
Mondays–Fridays 8 am –
7 pm, Saturdays 9 am –
5 pm, Sundays 10am–2pm
2003 S. Damen Avenue
312.492.8350
www.tianguis.biz
Zapatillas
Mondays–Fridays 11 am–
7 pm, Saturdays 10 am –
6 pm, Sundays 11 am–
5 pm
1421 W. 18th Street
312.226.4040
zapatillasinc.com
Pilsen Festivals
Fiesta del Sol
Thursday, July 31–Sunday, August 3; Thursday 5–
10 pm, Friday–Saturday
11 am–11 pm, Sunday
11 am – 10 pm
1400 W. Cermak Road
312.666-2663
www.fiestadelsol.org
Viva Aztlán
Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 Noon–10 pm
Casa Aztlán Community Center
1831 S. Racine Avenue
312.666.5508
Little Village
Dulcelandia Mondays–Fridays 10 am–
8 pm, Saturdays 9 am–
8 pm, Sundays 10 am–
7 pm
3300 W. 26th Street
773.522.3816
www.dulcelandia.com
La Baguette
Daily 5 am–10 pm
3117 W. 26th Street
773.254.0006
labaguettechicago.com
La Chiquita
Daily 7 am–Midnight
3555 W. 26th Street
773.522.0950
www.laschiquitas.com
Toman Branch Library
Mondays–Thursdays 9 am – 9 pm, Fridays–Saturdays
9 am – 5pm
2708 S. Pulaski Road
312.745.1660 www.chipublib.org
Mi Tierra Mondays–Thursdays
11 am– 10:30 pm, Fridays 11–1 am, Saturdays 11–3:30 am, Sundays 11–
1 am
2528 S. Kedzie Avenue
773.254.7722
mitierrarestaurant.com
Los Globos
Saturdays 7 pm–2:30 am
3059 S. Central Park Ave.
773.277.4141
18+ w/ID drinks 21+ w/ID $10+
(no drink minimum)
