75th and King For classic African-American cuisine and music, head to the South Side, where four of Chicago’s best venues sit a stone’s throw from each other. Army and Lou’s soul food restaurant, one of the Midwest’s oldest black-owned eateries, is a popular place for smothered chicken, greens and sweet potato pie. The huge aquarium-sized smoker at Lem’s Bar-B-Q turns out perfect ribs, tips and hotlinks. Soul Vegetarian East, run by the African Hebrew Israelite sect, serves up vegan comfort food and good vibes. Pick your poison, then stroll to the New Apartment Lounge, a welcoming dive where 88-year-old tenor sax legend Von Freeman blows on Tuesdays.
Army and Lou’s 422 East 75th (773)483-3100 armyandlous.com Lem’s Bar-B-Q (311 East 75th (773)994-2428 Soul Vegetarian East 205 East 75th (773)224-0104 New Apartment Lounge 504 East 75th (773)483-7728
