Chicago Reader "Best Of" 2025 

The Chicago Reader "Best Of" 2025 Nominees have been announced.

And Wicker Park Bucktown is all over it!

Check out the list of local nominations below:

Arts & Culture

Best Professional Improv/Comedy Training Program

One Group Mind (Comedy Clubhouse)

Best Venue for Stand-Up

The Den Theatre

Best Venue to see Burlesque

Bordel

Buy Local

Best Shoe Store

Fluevog Chicago

Layers Chicago

Best Streetwear Brand

Layers Chicago

Relish

Best Local Clothing

Layers Chicago

Best T-Shirt Shop

Layers Chicago

Best Place to Buy Men's Clothing

Layers Chicago

Best Place to Buy Women's Clothing

Layers Chicago

Best Place to Buy Gender-Neutral Clothing

Layers Chicago

Big Bud Press

Best Kids Clothing

The Red Balloon

Layers Chicago

Best Vintage Stores

Lost Girls Vintage

Layers Chicago

Best Resale Shop

Lost Girls Vintage

Best Place to Buy Local Wares

Neighborly

Best Bicycle Shop

BFF Bikes

Best Real Estate Company

@properties

Best Hair Dresser

Eli Mancha (Bang! Salon)

Best Hair Salon

Little Broken Things

Bang! Salon

Vandross Hair Design

Best Sex Toy Shop

Pleasure Chest

Best Florist

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Best Independent Bookstore

Myopic Books

Best Comics Shop

Quimby's Bookstore

Best Record Store

Reckless Records

Best Cannabis Supper Club, Home Chef, or Caterer

Mindy

Best Medical Budtender or Patient Care Rep

Noah B, Spark'd

Best Medical Cannabis Dispensary

Spark'd

Best "Adult Use" (rec) Budtender

Noah B, Spark'd

Sara Allen, Spark'd

Best "Adult Use" Dispensary

Spark'd

City Life

Best West Side Neighborhood

Wicker Park

Best Library Branch

Bucktown-Wicker Park

Best Networking Community/Organization

Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce

Food & Drink

Best Cocktail

Dorian's

Mirra

Best Ice Cream

Margie's Candies

Vaca's Creamery

Best Bakery

Mindy's Bakery

Lost Larson

Best Doughnuts

Stan's

Best Bagels

Mindy's Bakery

Best Sourdough

Lost Larson

Best Bread

Lost Larson

Best Restaurant Group

One Off Hospitality

Best Bang for your Buck

Red Hot Ranch

Best Pierogi

Pierogi Kitchen

Best Falafel

Sultan's Market

Falafel & Grill

Best Hot Dog

Red Hot Ranch

Devil Dawgs

Best Burger

Red Hot Ranch

Best Pizza by the Slice

Paulie Gee's

Best Fried Chicken

Harold's

Best Vegan Restaurant

Bloom Plant-Based Kitchen

Handlebar

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

Bloom Plant-Based Kitchen

Handlebar

Best Polish Restaurant

Pierogi Kitchen

Best Italian Restaurant

Club Lucky

Best Chinese Takeout or Delivery

Chengdu Impressions

Best Chinese Restaurant

Chengdu Impressions

Chef's Special

Best Caribbean Restaurant

Irazu

Best Cooking Classes

Cooking Classes with Chef Geno Bahena at Manchamanteles

Best Farmers Market

Wicker Park Farmers Market

Best Gourmet Market

Agora Market

Best Butcher Shop

Agora Market

Best Local Grocer

Agora Market

Music & Nightlife

Best Venue for Jazz

Dorian's

Best Venue for Hip-Hop

Subterranean