Exploring and Eating in the West Loop, Chicago. One of the BEST Neighborhoods in the City

On my trip to Chicago, I spend a day exploring one of the city’s best neighborhoods, The West Loop. After arriving to Chicago Union Station, I have coffee and a croissant at one of the most popular coffee shops in the area, Good Ambler. Then I check out the Boeing Store at the Boeing International Headquarters. Next, I have a great lunch of Okonomiyaki at the Japanese restaurant, Gaijin. Following that, I head to one of the best BBQ restaurants in Chicago, Green Street Smoked Meats. Then I walk through Mary Bartelme Park, before I get a pastry and coffee at Stephanie Izard's bakery, Sugargoat.
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About Me:
I live in NYC and I’m about food, travel and work.

[@bryanjones6732]

James this video was an absolute treat!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you!

[@alfredoalvarez3401]

I can't wait to see your videos. Always entertaining, educational and with a refined and high level approach. Thanks to you, we know places, experiences and significant information. I consider myself lucky to have found your youtube channel. Thank you very much James.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for the kind words! It really motivates me to keep making videos and putting more into them!

[@stormkekw]

Really nice video, to me it's always funny how you walk in your videos, please never change that 😀

[@Jamesnu]

Haha! Thank you! I walk like I'm on a mission! Usually that mission involves getting either food or coffee.

[@sweatyboner69hoobastank51]

I want to go to Chicago again this summer. I loved the food there.

[@Jamesnu]

It's a great food city!

[@tomahern8967]

Thank you for showing us the West Loop, and Congratulations reaching over 3k subs!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I hope there's more subs to come!

[@johnnyafify2093]

Thanks a lot for all your videos, they are very beautiful and I would like to see you every day making videos

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@annav5961]

hi James, i appreciate your video ! you are an under rated vlogger.continue honing your skills !Good luck 🍀

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you so much!

[@thepaulgorney]

Great Video! Love me some West Loop!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks! It's such a great neighborhood!

[@gregri8519]

ugh yes the walking shots give it that classic rick Steves vibe. u have rlly good videos man.

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@hamburglar83]

I forget Boeing and the west loop start at the river. I think of it as more west of 90/94. Gaijan is my favorite restaurant in west loop cause it’s the only place I’ve found proper okonomiyaki.

[@Jamesnu]

Yeah, I know what you mean when it comes to the neighborhood's boundaries.

[@s_przybylowicz]

What fun food choices!

[@Jamesnu]

Indeed! It was all so good!

[@BestHomesChicago]

@@Jamesnu Agree

[@NoahEats]

Also, I can't believe how quiet it was in Union Station!

[@Jamesnu]

Same here! I think a lot of people in Chicago are still working from home.

[@anatoliagolden-hall4553]

I love that you love to read!

[@Jamesnu]

It's one of my favorite hobbies!

[@GregKingAtlanta]

Love your videos.. any plans 2 go 2 Bar Pitti in NYC?

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! I know of the restaurant. I might go to it sometime. I have long list of restaurants to visit, but hopefully I can get around to it.

[@hamburglar83]

Shake shack is southern Illinois style burgers which is ironic. Guy was from St. Louis and traveling through southern Illinois came upon it

[@Jamesnu]

Interesting!

[@cocoaorange1]

I had a Shake Shack burger during the holidays, it was OK.

[@malindahicks4292]

Thanks!

[@Jamesnu]

Thanks for watching!

[@Jamesnu]

I didn't realize that this was a super thanks comment at first! Thank you so much! That's very generous and kind. I really appreciate it! It makes me really happy that you watch my videos. This made my day!

[@malindahicks4292]

@@Jamesnu ❤️❤️🙌😄

[@williamsmith5549]

Gotta ask this: Where do YOU find yourself on the great Pizza Debate? Would love your comparisons/thoughts, of course! BTW, have you and/or your parents dined at Alinea?

[@Jamesnu]

I would say New York has the best pizza, but I don't particularly care too much, I really like variety and I'm not a stickler when it comes to the matter. No, I haven't been to Alinea yet, but I'm planning to visit.

[@malindahicks4292]

Great video kiddo, ain't no town like chi-town😅

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! It's a great city!

[@NoahEats]

I was holding my breath for an Alina review. Did you know GaiJin means Foreigner and usually meant to be derogatory. Lol. Also is it a reach to have a crooked sculpture to frame Chicago (AL Capone). Overall, I enjoyed this video!

[@Jamesnu]

Thank you! Yeah, I wish that I was able to go to Alinea. Someday, when I have more money or am at least lucky enough to get a reservation, I'll eat there. Yeah, I've heard that gaijin means that. The chef isn't Japanese, but I still don't think it was the best idea to call his restaurant that. At least the food was good.

[@scottmeskan1931]

Hey James what part of the city did you grow up in?

[@Jamesnu]

I was born on the south west side, but then my parents moved to the suburbs. Later I went to college in Rogers Park and then moved to Lincoln Park for graduate school. I definitely enjoyed living in Lincoln Park!

[@scottmeskan1931]

@@Jamesnu Same I lived in Rogers park on Catalpa/Ravenswood and went to DePaul for grad school too! Small world!

[@bengonzalez5355]

so nothing but coffee in the west loop?

[@Jamesnu]

There's definitely a lot great coffee shops in the neighborhood, but the West Loop probably has the best restaurants in Chicago. The problem is that most of them aren't open for lunch, which really limited the spots I could showcase for this video.

[@mistergrendel32]

Very strange background music. What are that man and woman saying?

[@maureencora1]

Lottery Win I Want 5 or 4 Months Spring & Summers in Chicago, IL. in Condo Close to Lake Michigan. I Can Dream, Can't I? (smile)

[@Jamesnu]

That would be nice!

[@maureencora1]

@@Jamesnu Touche' (smile)