The Complete Guide to a Kosher Trip to Chicago

Chicago hosts one of the Midwest's longest-established Jewish communities, and Devon Street is its commercial heart — with kosher grocery stores and restaurants that have operated there for decades. The nearby Skokie neighborhood is home to a large part of the community. Here's a short guide to planning your visit.

Devon Street and Congregation K.I.N.S.

Congregation K.I.N.S. (Knesses Israel Nusach Sfard) of West Rogers Park serves the local Orthodox community. Kol Tuv Kosher Foods on Devon Street is a long-established, central grocery store. Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie serves the nearby, larger Jewish neighborhood.

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Where to eat

Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed — a name that plays on Maimonides' "Guide for the Perplexed" — and Great Chicago Food & Beverage on Devon Street are two central meat options in the city.

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The Willis Tower Skydeck — book ahead to skip the line

The Skydeck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the United States, includes "The Ledge" — glass boxes that jut out 1.3 meters from the building, letting you stand and look straight down. Practical tip: buy an online ticket in advance — it saves a line that can run an hour or more on peak days, especially weekends and summer.

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Millennium Park and "The Bean"

Millennium Park, in the heart of downtown, contains the giant Cloud Gate sculpture — universally known as "The Bean" — a polished, reflective metal piece that has become one of the most photographed spots in the United States. The park is free to enter at any hour.

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Between historic Devon Street and the Willis Tower Skydeck and Millennium Park, Chicago offers a combination of long-established Jewish infrastructure alongside one of the most impressive American cities for a city getaway.