Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery

There is no such thing as ghosts. But maybe there is! (There isn’t.) Chicago’s cemeteries, from Graceland to Acacia, are almost across-the-board beautiful and often enchanting, but Bachelor’s Grove, located south near Midlothian, is considered one of the most haunted cemeteries in the country, with a vast history of apparition sightings and ghostly photography. It’s rumored that Al Capone and his henchman used the cemetery’s adjacent pond to dispose of some of the clan’s dirty work, and the graves herein date back to the 1840s. Just don’t try to sneak in late at night, as you might be apprehended by the police for trespassing, have to return to Midlothian for a court date and be embarrassed in front of a judge for getting caught while “ghost-hunting.” Just sayin’.

143^rd and Ridgeland Avenue
bachelorsgrove.com

Audience choice:
Graceland
4001 North Clark
(773)525-1105

Best of Chicago 2009

Schoop’s

While the Rosebud burger is undeniably king of the balanced monster-thick steakhouse burgers, it’s also as boring as your grandfather’s mid-eighties model Buick. We prefer the lacey crunchy edged griddle-smashed patties, pillowy bun and mayo and ketchup waterfall dripping from this Indiana budget burger.

1449 Indianapolis Blvd, Whiting, Indiana
(219)659-7030
schoophamburgers.com

Audience choice:
Kuma’s Corner
2900 West Belmont
(773)604-8769
kumascorner.com

Best of Chicago 2009

WNUR-FM, 89.3
The nation’s largest student-run radio station is also the city’s most respected, not only for its continual rock-solid programming but also its star-studded alumni, which includes members of Arcade Fire, Steve Albini, Derrick Carter and Ira Glass. In 2003 Spin magazine named the Northwestern University station as the top college station in the US, and the weekday “Rock Show,” which runs from 2pm-9:30pm, regularly offers the best of indie underground music traditionally ignored by the likes of, well, JACK FM.

Audience choice:
WNUR, Northwestern

Audience Comment: “89.3fm—one of the only stations on the dial that plays a healthy amount of electronic music, much needed in this indie-rock-centric town.”

Best of Chicago 2008

Crossroads Trading Co.

We all love recycling. But why limit yourself to cans and boxes with the intangible reward of saving the planet? Get greedy and expect more. Recycle your used clothing at Crossroads Trading Co. and get some solid cash in addition to your pride. Fashionistas can even consider payback in store credit.

2711 N. Clark, (773)296-1000
1559 N Milwaukee, (773)227-5300;
1730 Sherman, Evanston, (847)492-9400
crossroadstrading.com

Gahlberg Gallery at the College of DuPage

The last time we ran this category, the University of Chicago’s Renaissance Society took top prize, and their all-star international program continues to charm Chicago. But in the past few years, the Gahlberg Gallery at the College of DuPage—just head directly west for about an hour—under the tutelage of curator Barbara Wiesen, has been cultivating local voices with verve. A recent retrospective by local legend Michael Piazza and provocative installations by emerging artists rounded out the program this year. 

Fawell and Park boulevards
Glen Ellyn
(630)942-4000
cod.edu/gallery/

Best of Chicago 2008

Spindle

David Bermant’s 1989 stack of cars on a giant pin in the suburb of Berwyn is an icon of our inability to part with the junk of a bygone era—here, boxy towncars and sedans that don’t quite seem antique yet. The Spindle’s imminent removal from its site, a parking lot, to make room for some new box-shaped super-store has enraged the local community of amateur newspaper collectors and self-storage junkies. The Spindle’s owner has agreed to move the work (off his property) and the artist will be on hand for restoration.

Cermak and Route 43, Berwyn

Best of Chicago 2007